KERRANG! (UK) #?, September 1993
"If you want to see the next bigger-than-Guns N'Roses thing, then
you're about to see it. I might be wrong, but I doubt it," states
ex-Iron Maiden warbler Bruce Dickinson as LA sextet Tribe Of
Gypsies take to the boards. He is, of course, resorting to his
customary sense of Dickinson-ian exaggeration. Nevertheless, the
Tribe have the kind of crossover appeal that can't be denied.
Like Dan Reed raiding Carlos Santana's bag o' tricks, they're a
melting pot of cultures and ideas. While most modern day Rock
bands are chasing the Grunge gravy-train, TOG bare their
influences with covers of Fleetwood Mac's "Oh Well" and Spencer
Davis' "I'm A Man". Their Latino roots show through on every cut,
with some staggering interplay between conga cruncher Doug Van
Booven and timpani thumper Mario Aguilar. Where the Tribe really
sparkle is on the magnificent "We All Bleed Red", frontman Dean
Ortega's soulful wail quavering against a backdrop of biting
rifferama courtesy of guitarist Roy Z. If there are any
criticisms of TOG, it has to be that despite their passion, at
times they are a little too slick. Their enthusiasm, though, is
infectious and something of a saving grace.
In contrast to the Tribe's slickness, support act Daze 69 are a
bare-knuckled, bar-room explosion sandwiched uncomfortably onto
the front of the Borderline stage. The vehicle for
ex-Godfathers/Brotherland guitar-slinger Kris Dollimore, they
stomp'n'roll their way through a 40-minute set loaded with
promise. "What's A Life" kicks up dust, with frontman Jim Riley
assuming thunderous harp and vocal duties in equal measure.
"Shack Got Raided" romps rumbustiously, fuelled by ex-Spandau
Ballet drummer John Keeble's back beat. Elsewhere, Dollimore
flexes his six-string on the Page-like "Saudade" before launching
into the equally Zep-like "Sahara". Things verge on the cliched
with "Higher", but Dolli and his crew have the barrow-boy charm
to get away with it. Their lack of presence might be a concern,
and becomes more apparent during TOG's bombast-filled set. It's
only their third gig and, like the Tribe, they remained unsigned
with a ton of work to do. For both bands, better things
await.
Phil Alexander