In the late 90s I worked for Philips Electronics when the company was reinventing itself with the launch of the first commercially available CD Recorder and Flat TV.  

We interviewed a bunch of bands to sing the Philips anthem…a remake of The Beatles “Getting Better”.  


Gomez (website) was selected and the band was quickly introduced to US music fans. Today, I remain a big fan.


15 years later, Gomez continues to delight fans with their fresh upbeat and non-pop, finger snapping rock.  These guys write lots and lots of fun great songs (music and words). Songs from their albums “Bring it On”, “Liquid Skin” and “In Our Gun” often end up on my playlists.


For those Thunderbird Ranchers not familiar, here are two of my favorite Gomez songs to whet your appetite.


“Love is Better Than a Warm Trombone” (which rocked Tuesday night…I am a sucker for a horn section)

“Get Miles” (from one of the best rock shows on the tube…Jools Holland.)

Tuesday night at the Brooklyn Bowl (my favorite music venue in the NYC area) was the final night of the most recent Gomez tour. 


Tired, battered and worn…they were on their “A” game.

I snapped some shots…but the venue posted some good crisp photos from Joe Russo on their site (click here).


One of the things that struck me (as other music writers have pointed out) is that the band has a trio of great songwriters and singers. 


(Check out the article from Jim Farber in NY Daily News review from 2009.)


The second…these guys don’t rely on long solos (nothing against Warren Haynes, et al) to fill the night or get butts shaking.  They play a whole heck of a lot of 6 minute songs, each with its own character and presence.


Third…Ben Ottewell (the band’s most aggressive and vicious voice — picture to the right) continues to grow his talents.  I heard someone compare him to Eddie Vedder minus the grunge.  


In my mind, he is very unique and an absolute treat.  As I stood three people deep from stage right I thought of Eric Burdon (who was recently spotlighted by Bruce Springsteen at SXSW.)  Nonetheless, he is Ben.


BTW…loved the “Jumping Jack Flash” cover…thanks guys.


Of the last 50 shows I have seen in the NYC area…this is in the top 2 (both by no coincidence at the Bowl)…see earlier post about Alabama Shakes, who by the way are coming back to town in early April.


Like many music writers, I tend to give comparisons to give the reader a clearer picture…reminds me of some early Samples when they turned the bass way up…especially when the acoustic guitar player (and upbeat one with the funky original stage dance)…Tom Gray… does his funky original dance singing with the acoustic rhythm (ala Keller Williams).


I can still feel the booming thick bass thumping through my torso.  I was standing next to exit door most of the night in front of the bass player’s stack.  


F-N-A…love that band Gomez.  Come get some…


Peace.