New reggae stars catch the Aye

Apr 14 2009 by Andrew Welsh, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

BARELY a year since they first burst onto the scene, a Perth-based reggae outfit are building up momentum ahead of an anticipated single release.

And a recent performance at the Fair City’s Greyfriars Bar proved that Aye ‘n’ Aye have more than lived up to their early promise.

The band’s expanded repertoire now runs to two full sets which include long-standing favourites like Monkey Man and Get Up, Stand Up, as well as new material such as their own arrangement of George Harrison’s My Sweet Lord, The Specials’ Nite Klub and an excellent rendering of the Prince Buster classic Whine And Grine.

Lead singer Clare McCulloch was as superb as ever at South Street, giving a performance which exemplified a new-found confidence and professionalism that sits well with her genuine enthusiasm.

Behind Clare, the rest of the Aye ‘n’ Aye line-up provided backing that was tighter than ever.

Bassist Levon Gray laid down a solid rhythm assisted by his brother Ryan on drums, and their father Arnie on percussion.

The Gray family were joined by Jolly Cleave on keyboards, with Robert Maddy and Gareth Patterson on guitars.

A somewhat depleted horn section left trumpeter Richard Merchant to shine on the night with a brilliant performance, including a solo on Skanky Fandango which had the crowd yelling for more.

Aye ‘n’ Aye have clearly put in a lot of hard work over the last few months.

And all that effort is beginning to pay off with the band gathering fans like a banker gathers perks, and a full diary including regular gigs at Mucky Mulligans in Perth and an appearance at Glasgow’s Warehouse on May 30, supporting popular Grateful Dead tribute band Workingman’s Deed.

A major summer tour is also being planned and Aye ‘n’ Aye will be back at Greyfriars in August to launch the Month of Sundays festival which, they hope, will coincide with the appearance of their much-anticipated debut single.