Strand of Oaks 

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• Strand of Oaks

  Monday 27th May, Omeara, London, Strand of Oaks. It’s a balmy bank holiday evening in old London Town as we welcome a great double header of Frankie Lee and Timothy Showalter and friends, aka Strand of Oaks.

  Its been four years since we’ve seen Frankie Lee at the tiny Social off Oxford Street and as many years between his two albums. Tonight, he’s accompanied by just a pedal steel guitarist, but it compliments his brooding songs perfectly. Its an accomplished short opening set showcasing his excellent new album ‘Stillwater’.

  Now the main act. On the back of a return to form new album ‘Eraserland’, although he never really lost his form, Showalter is back in these shores with new band in tow and the welcome return of keys featuring higher up in the mix. It adds another dimension to the sound and allows for a lot more light and shade to proceedings as opposed to the riff heavy metal show the last time we saw them. That’s is not to say that the show does not have its heavy rock moments with the band finding their inner ‘Sabbath’ on an extended jam during ‘Rest of It’.

  A humble man who wears his heart very much on his sleeve, the show is packed with sweaty emotion as the excellent band takes us though predominantly tracks from the masterpiece that’s ‘Heal’ along with a fair chunk of the new one. Its by turns, raw and brutal and but also surprisingly sensitive. There’s a couple of hair tingling moments with undoubtably stand out moments for me of ‘Goshen’ and ‘Shut in’. That said the new songs more than hold their own and I really see ‘Eraserland’ as a bit of a sequel certainly musically to ‘Heal’.

  The intimacy and the lighting of the venue really add to the show and it really has a feel of just a bunch of mates performing great songs to another bunch of mates and it’s difficult to manufacture that.

  Much love all round for a great night in what is becoming one of my favourite small venues in London even more so after the recently announced shutting of the iconic Borderline.

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  por garyw66

• 30th September 2014, The Lexington. Strand of Oaks. It’s a big night out tonight. And by that I mean it’s the three over six footers, the Burgess Brothers and myself (with me being the shortest). We bring our own version of Pink Floyds ‘The Wall’ to every gig where the people behind can’t see the band. The Lexington tonight and while The Borderline will always have a special place in my gig going heart, The Lexington has become my favourite small venue in London. You’re close to the stage, rarely overcrowded down on the floor and the sound quality is excellent. Strand of Oaks hail from Philadelphia with the huge bear of a man Timothy Showalter front and centre. Let’s not beat around the bush, he is a hairy man, think a super talented song writing Giant Haystacks with a subtle delicate voice at the bottom end coupled with real depth and emotion at the top.

  He is joined on stage by one of the tightest rhythm sections I have seen, a metronomic drummer who also has the fills to enhance the songs along with a bass player whose hand rarely leaves the top end of the bass. Stand out member of the group however is Eliza Jones, the keyboardist who has one of those classic female country folk voices that blends so well with Tim’s. After early albums of acoustic led Americana, new album Heal finds the power socket and the dial is firmly set to ten. It’s no bad thing when the songs are this good. There is light a shade tonight although the highlights are the emotional JM, a tribute to the late Jason Molina, Plymouth and Shut In which has to be song of the year in my mind. There’s genuine emotion and gratitude to the fans on stage tonight and the band are clearly having a blast. It’s all over too quickly with the big man jumping off stage into the crowd and hugging the three of us, thanking us profusely for being there. It was our pleasure. They’re back again on the 27th at Hoxton. Be there, what else can you buy for £9. Keep on rockin y’all.

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  por garyw66

• Friday 7th February, Omeara, London. Strand of Oaks. This is one of the easiest reviews I have had to write. I’ve seen Mr Showalter and chums four times now and I didn’t think he would beat the Lexington show a few years back but he outdid himself tonight. Brilliant, just brilliant from start to finish.

  His last two shows at Omeara have found the perfect balance of full on rock with a subtlety that’s rare when armed with all electric instruments. This is beautifully demonstrated halfway through the set when Tim plays solo a brand new track ‘Cosmic Dust’ and probably the best version I have heard of the classic ‘Shut In’. A real hair standing on the back of your neck moment.

  A word too for the band. It’s a three piece tonight and while the rhythm section drives each song along a special word to the guitarist who was phenomenal from the first solo on the first song through to the closing note of the last song. Again showing his dexterity switching from electric to pedal steel to add some texture to the slower songs. A masterclass of picking without showing off too much.

  Omeara is becoming one of my favourite small venues and its intimate stage and minimal lighting rig round off the look perfectly.

  Rarely tonight they have got the air con working and it’s usually a sauna in there.

  Back to the show and it’s difficult to pick any other highlight over ‘Shut In’ but the other three tracks taken from ‘Heal’ are superb with special mention for ‘Weird Ways’ from the latest album ‘Eraserland’. Definitely the best gig so far this year, appreciate there’s only six but it was ninety minutes of musical joy.

  Till the next time keep on rockin y’all

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  por garyw66

• I've seen Strand of Oaks 3 times now ('14, '17, '19) and last night's set was the best they've ever sounded. The setlist was impeccable and the band Tim's touring with now was tight as hell. They lost me a bit with the jamming in 2017, but really figured out a way to organically integrate and ration it this time around (Ruby had a killer jam coda and JM/Forever Chords both surpassed the 10 minute mark but earned every second).

  They played with passion and skill, elevating the album versions to new heights and making a strong case for Strand of Oaks being one of the best touring bands going.

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  por bikemail

• The best kick I saw and heard in years. What a great band, played with joy, very enthusiastic, fantastic connection with the audience! The venue Bitterzoet was perfect for this intense concert. Strand of Oaks played with love and massive emotions. Played with those feelings Strand of Oaks lifted their songs to a higher level. I think they will sell out Paradiso within a year. And I want to be part of that gig again.

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  por oscar-taal

• This band is the real thing, they poured it on last night, with great songs, intensely focused playing with great energy. I am not objective, but the venue was just ideal for them, Tim loved it and wants to come back. The light show George put together was stadium quality, very unusual for a small venue. Ya just gotta check out a show at Gild Hall, it's a gem.

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  por ron-ozer

• Fantastic show. The band brought a lot of energy to the stage and frequently interacted with the crowd. Tim Showalter seemed to be genuinely enjoying himself and humbled by the appreciative audience. Highly recommend catching Strand of Oaks live when you can. My early favorite for show of the year.

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  por joel-max

• Blooming marvellous! Loved the extended Eddie Hazel guitar workouts. The full range and depth of rock music in an intimate venue. Support act Frankie Lee has a great voice too and loved his version of Blues Run The Game. An excellent night out!

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  por Josh6479

• "I am a sick boy and there is no cure" is a lyric from an ancient time ago, the time of the punk-scene, the time of the pixies.

  Well let me tell you: there's a cure!!!

  Go and see the strand of oaks and you will be healed.

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  por koops1895