Review / Steve 'n' Seagulls @ The Fleece

By Dylan Morley, Second year Hitory

Steve ‘n’ Seagulls played an electrifying set of entertaining country music last Thursday at the Fleece in Bristol.

The Finnish band thrilled an enthusiastic crowd with eclectic classics of the rock and heavy metal genres in their unique style of country blue grass instrumentals. There was truly no dull moment in a pulsating set that ensured satisfaction through reeling off classic after classic.

Steve ‘n’ Seagulls came through Bristol during their thirteen stops in the UK, off the back of extensively touring their native land and the United states. Their future dates substantially cover Western Europe and speak to the success of their 2018 album Grainsville. Featuring songs such as ‘Ghost Town’ by The Specials and ‘Are You Gonna Go My Way’ by Lenny Kravitz, a successful balance is found between celebrating popular classics and reinvigorating them through applying traditional Bluegrass tones and twangs.
Lead singer and acoustic guitarist Remmel anchored the show through his humorous quips and fist pumps, feeding off the charged ambiance. His guitar picking and strumming was akin to a fast-forwarded visual, as each song was introduced not by its name, but the decade in which it was originally released. ‘Another song from the nineties guys’, became a staple of this quirky evening as Remmel jokingly requested permission to continue the set.

The most delighted cheer of the evening arrived as banjo player Herman began ‘Thunderstruck’, one of their earliest and perhaps success defining covers. Double bassist Pukki was centre stage as this rendition justified the anticipation it garnered.

Steve ‘n’ Seagulls impressed with their instrumental versatility, each member frequently swapping their implements between song; Hiltunen in particular as he switched from keys to mandolin to the accordion either side of posing to his admirers in the front row. The percussionist, Puikkonen, had his moment in the spotlight as the band left the stage briefly mid-set. He performed a solo interlude on the drums which really displayed his rhythmic talent.

However, all supporting country style attire in farmer vest tops and various hats, the band were at their best when in sync, a superb performance of intertwined rhythms and vocal choruses.

Steve ‘n’ Seagulls delivered upon precisely what they promised. A high tempo set of rock and roll classics that appealed equally to both sentiment in performance and originality in execution.

Featured Image: Steve 'n' Seagulls/ Spinefarm Records

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