poppedmusic

Jungle Doctors

93 Feet East, London, 14th November

Words: Stuart Evans

This band, tonight, have managed to instil a first for me. At the ripe old age of 38 I was asked to show photo ID to get into this venue. I don’t carry photo ID. I’m 38. I look old. The bouncer wasn’t having it (whatever IT is) and so he took a picture of me and looked at my debit card (what that proved I do not know).

Tonight was the single launch for Jungle Doctors‘ single Can You See It. Support came from a beautiful vocalist who dedicated a song about the demon of drink to Amy Winehouse and sadly whose name I did not catch. We also had The Sirens who apologised profusely for their performance, blaming the alcohol intake……

Up next were Rusty Suns who I had an issue with at first. The height of ignorance for me is talking over another act and these guys were talking LOUDLY. However, won over I was. Imagine if you will that The Libertines had been from Nashville, that’s what you get. They were superb, there is an instant chemistry between the front two, especially on track Self-esteem Train. The only thing missing was that they didn’t share a mic. Ones to watch without a doubt.

So on to the band of the night, the main reason I was here; Jungle Doctors. They are simply fucking ace. These guys have crafted quite a soaring sound. I’ve performed at this venue (before camera phones, thank fuck) and it has to be said, the PA system isn’t brilliant. But these guys managed to make it feel like it was the Astoria (RIP). When you have four guitarists in a room of this size the music can get a little disjointed but Jungle Doctors have definitely worked their arses off in rehearsals, honing a quality range of playing all floating around Sam’s soaring vocals.

Set highlights for me were Falling; with had a middle eight which reminded me a little of early Editors and Vampire Weekend, the harmonies and melodies are fantastic here. Also Without You, which had a nice drop of 80’s synth about it. I’m pretty sure they dedicated it to their friend who’s birthday it was. However he was not allowed in due to, ahem, possibly having something illegal on his possession.

They ended, triumphantly, on their latest single Can You See It, which I implore you to download, it’s free for goodness sake! We have here a band destined for good things, I mean, REALLY, REALLY good things, 2015 is there’s for the taking. The Doctors will see you now.