Confession time. I love The Rolling Stones and they are my favourite group. So in the absence of them touring this year, and in the interests of great music as well as just for fun, I couldn't wait to hear this tribute band again, The Rollin' Stoned! The last time I saw them at the Eel Pie Club, the entire venue was one big Rock party.  So when founder Gina Way announced that they were returning, I thought that the gig would sell out and I would need to grab a ticket. I was right! Indeed, if this band play anywhere near you in the future (why not badger your local club owner to book them?), just make sure you buy yourself a ticket pronto, because The Rollin' Stoned are bloody brilliant!

With a range of guitars and instruments, tonight their accomplished musicianship truly showed. Throw in for good measure some great costumes and wigs, as well as some witty banter, as the band took the Eel Pie devotees on one hell of a Rolling Stones set list rollercoaster at a furious pace. The gems were there, from 'Start Me Up' to the more Psychedelic, hippie 'Paint It Black', 'Dead Flowers' and 'Lady Jane', to the classics 'Under My Thumb', 'Sympathy For The Devil', 'Gimme Shelter' and 'Lets Spend The Night Together', as well as getting the ladeez in the audience up on stage for 'Honky Tonk Women', as their backing vocalists and chorus!

Indeed, this band worked so hard to entertain us, this evening's paying punters, and they duly succeeded. They are a rawer version in sound in comparison to the supergroup, but there's also a complexity in their compositions and musical delivery, as well as a fun element of course! Lead vocalist Mick Jaguar strutted, sang, did his frontman moves and was full of banter, while resplendent in leopardskin, black wig and with an impressive array of well worn, well used guitars, the all-action Keith Retched was also a great co-showman, as well as a fine guitarist, playing the frets with such passionate fervour.

Meanwhile, Bill Wymandy on bass had fun as he played his chords along with drummer Charlie Waits, who looked intently and sometimes quizzically on, as he delivered his drumbeat. Fellow lead guitarist Mick Waylor also played assuredly, while the angelic third co–showman Byron Jones, along with his wings, mock cigarette and a bottle that may or may not have been full of fizz to slurp from, sang, played guitar as well as a recorder! Last, but not least, with his shades and long real time hair, Nicky Popkins on piano and keyboards, was definitely the most understated dude in the band, coolly playing on, despite the stage hyperactivity.

The ladeez loved it and danced, while the blokes, being blokes, got out their phones, stood, sat and smiled, as they drank their beer! Wherever you were in the club tonight, the crowd had a good time. There were even people right at the entrance  just dancing the night away, as the drinks flowed and the good times rolled. The Rollin' Stoned I salute you all! Your sound was so crisp. What a refreshing fun gig, as well as a Rollin' Stoned party! Go see and enjoy these guys! Until the next time!

Review, photos and video: Denise Lester