Los Pacaminos

Wealdstone Football Club has been in existence since 1899 and spawned the infamous career of one Vinnie Jones, who incidentally is doing a talk here in June. It also doubles up as a social club which presents Tropics on Fridays. The main mix is staple tribute bands (Deeply Purple, Who's Who, Dizzy Lizzy etc) together with a few other bands who've been around for a fair old while, one of which are Los Pacaminos nominally led by Paul Young. However, this is much more of a democratic band where frontman duties are shared throughout the ensemble.

But first a quick review of this venue. It's been running gigs for about 10 weeks now and it's nice social club fayre with a fairly compact room which houses tables, a dance area and a bar with reasonable prices. It seems best to book online too as tonight's gig is sold out and sending an e mail guarantees you a ticket as long as you arrive before 9.00pm (or after if you give a good reason e.g. you're delayed due to being on holiday in the tropics).

The atmosphere inside is one of a high anticipation of having a good time though in some respects it's a bit like being on a cruise liner but without any sea-sickness or anyone called Steve, though I didn't thoroughly check the latter. There's an average 40- something age group predominantly here and a few 80's fashions on display together with more sobering conservative attire. Still, it's all very congenial and polite as you would expect in Ruislip and it's easy to get a drink at the bar which is always a bonus.

So, a little bit of information about this band. Well, their most famous member is one Paul young, best known for 1980's hits, the most successful being 'Wherever I lay my Hat (That's My Home)'. It seems that he has indeed left his hat which has then gone off to meet another hat and spawned 6 other cowboy Stetson efforts for the rest of the band. The group have been together for about 17 years now so it's been a rather wonderful sideline amongst the pub rock circuit and now guarantees full time fun for them all.

So, onto the intro music of 'The Magnificent 7', headgear in place and within seconds all the band are engaging in jokey rapport with each other and the expectant audience. They kick off with 'Highway Patrol' and the line up of guitars, keyboards, accordion and drums hits a comfortable up beat groove. The crowd shuffle their collective feet and wish it was a highway that had a hat shop.The traditional 'Tequila' is given a few airings during the evening which is in the bands best interests as every performance brings a tray of shots of the spirit onto the stage.

There's a fine version of a Jim Reeves song 'You'll Have to Go' and a storming romp in the form of 'Nothing You Can Do'. The band effortlessly swap lead vocal duties and you can imagine them doing any number of song styles as they're incredibly versatile and adaptable within the confines of their tex-mex style. They chuck in Chuck Berry's 'You Never can Tell' which gets instant recognition as that song from 'Pulp Fiction' but there's no need for any Travolta-Thurman assistance here as a few people opt for a pulpy dance routine. The first set ends with 'Saved' and the crowd continue to shake their stuff and then replenish during the break.

After a brief interlude Los Pacaminos return with 'A Certain Girl', a sort of tex-mex-semtex kind of song, all rather explosive. A mid paced 'Do We Want the Same things' and a strident cover of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's 'Gangster of Love' demonstrate the flexibility previously alluded to and 'I Told Her Lies' hits a nice story telling vibe in a Johhny Cash kind of way. It all mellows further during the romantic 'Belle' which showcases a convincing soulful side to the band.

A twin double whammy of 'Wolly Bully' and 'La Bamba' finishes off the night and ensures that everyone leaves with a smile on their face and a spring in their step. There's even the offer of Tex-mex burgers at the end for those hungry for more. Basically, this is a good night out with a fine mix of humour, dancing, stetsons and a splendid variety of musical styles.

Apparently the name Los Pacaminos means absolutely nothing but is not dissimilar to a translation of 'pack 'em in'. Tonight, at this sold out show, they lived up to their name and more besides. Now, where is that tequila burger.....?

FUTURE GIGS