Ukulele Death Squad: Papa’s Got A New Body ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[Music/Folk ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ SA] The Grace Emily Hotel, Thu 9 Mar, 2023. I never got to see the original four piece all male uke-toting Ukulele Death Squad, but I imagine that over the years it has transformed into a slightly different beast by eventually becoming a seven piece. Only six are present tonight, but the tiny Grace Emily stage is still bursting, so perhaps there wasn’t enough room! The title of tonight’s show derives from a line in their latest single “Baby Don’t (F*** With Me)”. There are six vocal microphones on stage, so everyone gets a turn. Sometimes the band are singing together in beautiful raucous harmony, but it also means that each member gets to handle lead vocals at various times. Two of tonight’s line-up Julian Ferguson and Ashlee Randell are also from the Coconut Kids, so there is a similar infectious feel to the music. When not taking a major singing role Ash picks up the trombone. Multi-instrumentalist Reuben Legge plays bass uke and saxophone, sometimes in the same song. Siblings Alice & Matthew Barker have been adopted from the band Roger & The Albatross. While Matthew is visually striking, and sings wonderfully, he doesn’t play an instrument. Alice takes a mainly backing vocal role, until she leaps forward with some feisty rapping or picks up a trumpet. Yes, a ukulele band with a three-piece horn section! Despite the number of people on stage the noise level never gets excessive as there are no drums, only the occasional tambourine played by Alice or Ash. Ben Roberts, also from The Timbers, when not taking the lead, looks on with proprietorial concern, as if he is waiting to see what will happen next. All the songs are original - Paris On A Train, The Publican, Let’s Go To The Movies, except for one cover, for which they head back to 19th century American folk song Wayfaring Stranger. This song is delivered with perfect and harmonious respect. The originals display a wide range of styles, slipping into gypsy jazz, soulful ballads, and barroom storytelling. The music is tuneful, infectious, and the arrangements have so much happening that we need to pay attention to take it all in. There are plenty of onstage antics to entertain. An onstage competition for ‘best voice in the band’ was won hands down by Ash, but perhaps a special award goes to Matthew Barker also for expressive dancing. The band appears custom made for festivals such as WOMAD. They have already played WOMADelaide, which has led to being on the bill at WOMAD in London in July. We wish them amazingly well! 4 stars Adrian Miller #Clothesline_Mag #ADLfringe