Rachel Stamp - Stampin' their mark back on the London music scene

December 16th 2023

London, Camden, The Underworld, UK

*****

Amazing night of 70's Rock inspired sounds!!!

Rachel Stamp ***** it's been a while since I have seen Rachel Stamp, so I was actually looking forward to seeing a Christmas slice of Glam Rock / Rock 'n' Roll at one of my favourite venues in Camden, The Underworld. The venue is filling up, as Rachel Stamp hit the stage for an onslaught of three of their biggest and most popular songs 'Brand new Toy', 'Dead Girl' (I had this on a Kerrang! sampler CD when I was a kid) and 'I wanna be your Doll' a song the band really made an inpact with. For me Rachel Stamp should have been a much bigger band than they are, they have so many elements that any Rock fan would like and their live shows are always entertaining and fun. They look so cool as well, with singer David Ryder Prangley in an awesome hat and guitarist Will Crewdson in fur coat and glasses.

I really think they are know a band that now are like a fine wine, they have matured in all the right ways. They look better and sound better than they ever have before, and even though they have the elements they had before. They seem more grown up, and really worked on their sound to make it sound like what they always wanted it to sound in the first place. So when they play unique songs like 'The Agony of St. Teresa' off 'Oceans of Venus' and 'Queen of the Universe' (Actually suggested by the Drummer Robin Guy - And was a song recorded when he was out the band), they really show they have some great hidden depths. And this really comes out in a breathtaking version of 'Black Tambourine', which sounds so good tonight that it could be up their with the best Classic Rock tracks of many generations.

Other highlights in the bands set including 'Pink Skab' and 'I got the Worm', that are always live favourites for me and I think for others to because everyone is singing every word. And in the encore inviting support band Thrill City onstage for a version of Zodiac Mindwarp's hit single 'Prime Mover', which is really explosive onstage (Apparently a member of Thrill City was in the band that originally performed this song, well i've just been told it was Cobalt Stargazer) making this extra special. So by the time they get to their closing two singles 'Black Cherry' and 'Hey, Hey Michael you're really Fantastic', you know that the band have stamped the mark of Rock on you... and a show that you will never forget.

I would say this is the best I have seen the band for over fifteen years, they seem more grown up and have evolved into a really mature and tight unit. Producing Glam Rock inspired hard hitting Hard Rock in a way that we all crave for, they are doing the Classic Rock sound in the way you want it to be played and performed. If you love Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Runaways, T-Rex, Hanoi Rocks, The Darkness and Queen you are going to simply love how Rachel Stamp are sounding... so make sure you see them next time they play.

Review and Photos by Dan Devour