Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

There was an extra bonus for the fans that took a chance on turning up early for The Union’s debut gig in Liverpool on a very cold spring day and as bonus’ go they don’t come much better than The Wirral band The Crucified Twins.

Fronted by the indomitable Ian Jones on vocals and guitar, the first act on stage at the o2 Academy gave a great account of themselves and their highly infectious music. As with many support acts there was only the briefest of time for the feet in the audience to tap away, perhaps unconsciously, but certainly tapping with the beat laid down by Elliot Wheeler’s guitar, the stomping bass of John Graves and the knockout keyboards of Keith Conlan. If that wasn’t enough of a vindication for the band to get out into Liverpool more, then the applause they garnered after each song was  justification that their 80s sound infused with elements of charm and the stance like sophistication of Ian Dury is a winner.

Ian Jones cut a very happy soul on stage as he introduced each song to those assembled, a man at peace with playing to an audience, no matter the size and bringing the very best out of them. As he and the band played half a dozen songs to the crowd that were waiting patiently for The Union, the way they held themselves boosted the spectators morale and kicked off the evening perfectly.

The four men on stage opened their set with Stopped and Looked Around, a cracking song in which many groups in the area would be proud to call their own. They continued to show why their music is catchy and intensely likeable and friendly on the listening public’s attention as they performed Against the Tide, the superb Photograph, the topically Frozen to the End before finishing with the excellent Wanderlust.

As surprise guests go, to catch The Crucified Twins supporting a couple of bands whose legacy is going before them is a major boost to the ever increasing decent groups that are rapidly calling Merseyside their home.

Ian D. Hall