A night out featuring Hollands premier prog rockers, Focus, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary and a trio from Worcester and Stourbridge who are just emerging onto the music scene. Quite an achievement for Echo Gecco, landing this support slot, but they have been making heads turn, since they first formed in 2017. Focus have been around since the late 1960’s and founder member Thijs Van Leer, despite being in his mid Seventies, still commands from behind his antique looking Hammond. So the differences in age and experience between the two bands generates an entertaining evening and a significant reminder, that music has few boundaries to those who produce it.
It’s probably a good thing that Echo Gecco are only a three piece, as they are a bit squashed on the Robin’s Stage tonight. Focus may have given them an hour’s play but they’ve left very little space for the guys to move around. Nevertheless as they plunge into ‘No Help Tonight’ from their debit album ’Self Titled’ the room suddenly comes alive. This is not only fresh and innovative, there’s a distinct thrill of something happening here and the Focus fans pick up on it early on. Getting a round of warm applause, the trio head into the recent single ‘Adrenaline’ which is a rush of a track with a punchy sidekick of a hook and pounding drums from Jon Aymes. Another off the album ‘Pot of Coffee’ has that light jazz theme about it that Echo Gecco take on so well. Frontman Josh Hunt holds our attention with his ‘off the wall’ vocals as the song takes quite a wavering path. Lingering with guitar intervention and the capable bass of Keega Hoang, the mood is taken down a step on ‘Sit Down ( I Don’t Wanna )’. Think Steely Dan teaming up with Muse, this is how these guys take control and it’s exhilarating. After the rather tranquil chimes of ‘Slow Groove’ the pace is turned up with the rampant ‘Waiting 4’. The room is full now and all eyes are on this band, they are creating quite a stir. ‘All Over The Shop’ has heavier tones with wailing lyrics that appear to bounce off the Robin’s ceiling, I’ve already observed Josh can yell with a passion. The warm vibes continue on ‘Desert Boogie’, the guitars strum intoxicating Eastern style chords and we are transported to the shifting sands. The singer informs us that the next song ’Spaghetti Junction’ is on the new album and available from the merchandise desk behind me, it’s about how industry encroaches into the natural world and it’s totally enthralling. Also having an edge of contrast is ‘The World According To Dave’, paying homage to Sir David Attenborough, I like the way it bursts, in a similar way to how ‘The Doors’ would play, then slows up, combining interaction and intricate levels with all three members. They end on a high with cheers from the audience, who many like me, haven’t seen them before and were blown away. Judging by the number of album sales, I think Echo Gecco have made a pile of new followers tonight. They have a distinctive style that’s not easy to categorise, which makes them all the more appealing.
The headliners take to the stage like a top Dutch band would, laidback, collected and unassuming. Mr Van Leer plays an introduction on his flute while the rest of the band settle and tune up. Focus have gone through a long line of changes in personnel, these days Menno Gootjes plays lead guitar, Udo Pannekeet is on bass and drums are by Pierre Van Der Linden, who has been in and out of the band since the early Seventies. As they play ‘House Of The King’ it is evident that nothing has been lost over time, Thijs can still play his flute perfectly and Pierre is still an immensely magnificent drummer. But what they have after so many years is that expertise that only comes with seasoned bands. As they go through hits like ’Sylvia’ the guitar of Menno is sublime, he broke a string near the start of the opening number, but continued without pausing for a second, his solo during ‘Harem Scarem’ was like listening to an orchestra playing a symphony, I have never heard anything so pristine from a guitarist before. Udo also performed a striking solo on his six string bass, hitting notes you would find hard to believe came from the thicker wires. They perform ‘For Bert’ a dedication to Bert Ruiter, the long term bassist with the band, who died in March. Proving that the momentum continues and there is so much more to Focus than what you remember from the 70’s. ‘Hocus Pocus’ must be their most famous of numbers and it allows more solos, this time Pierre stuns us with a lengthy drum session, which is one of the best I’ve seen for a good many years. Thijs sits at his Hammond and keeps us amused tonight, he has a lovely sense of humour and says he’s feeling at home, he can still yodel as well. He looks at his watch, there’s time for another one, so they re-arm and delight us with an encore. Focus were not extremely big in their heyday and they should have been up there with the more famous prog rock bands of the time, but they are still wowing audiences old and new.
This has been a truly wonderful evening of music, a support band that offered so much inventiveness and mix of genre’s. Then a legendary Dutch ensemble who performed immaculately. Evidence enough to break away from any preconceived thoughts and extend your musical ear once in a while.
ECHO GECCO – To find out more visit their FACEBOOK page or WEBSITE . The debut album is also available via Bandcamp. Merchandise can also be found at Baytree Music Management
FOCUS – Visit their FACEBOOK page or WEBSITE to keep up to date.
Photo Credit – Tate Taylor of Baytree Music Management
Special thanks to Simon Picken of EINGANG RECORDS for the invite and opportunity to review.
