My Sensational Alex Harvey Band Experience Experience

Introduction

On 22nd November I went to see the Sensational Alex Harvey Band Experience (I'll call the SAHBE for the rest of this review) at The Cluny in Newcastle.

The weather was freezing, but I managed to get there after getting my ticket, and these are my impressions of the band and the venue.

I was mightily impressed despite some issues with the venue layout, but I would recommend SAHBE to anyone who is a fan of the original band. I will leave my reviews of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band in the conclusion.

There is little about them online, they need to flesh out their Facbook page but here are some bits and their Facebook page, Google and their YouTube Channel:

Since forming in 2013 as a 'Sensational' tribute to one of Scotland's finest, one-of-a-kind rock sons and his band, the Sensational Alex Harvey Experience (SAHE) have grown to become one of the most respected tribute bands on the circuit.

The Sensational Alex Harvey Experience guarantee a party atmosphere. Expect all of the most-loved SAHB songs delivered in a theatrical stage show.

The SAHB Experience are the UK’s only tribute to Glasgow legends The Sensational Alex Harvey Band.

The band pull out all the stops with a full on stage show filled with stage theatrics, and musically copying the sound and feel of the original band.

Cited by original SAHB guitarist Zal Cleminson as ‘’The Best SAHB Tribute By Far’’ as well as Alex Harvey’s son Alex Harvey Jr ‘’My Dad Would Have Been Proud’’

Make no mistake - this band are ‘Sensational’

In an interesting twist, Bassist Nelson McFarlane was an original member of Zal Cleminson’s Sin Dogs from 2017-2019, and keyboardist David Cowan was also an original member of Sin Dogs as well as previously working with SAHB bassist Chris Glen with his band ‘The Outfit’.

The line up of The SAHB Experience are:

Andy Massie - Lead Vocals

David Cowan - Keyboards / Backing Vocals

Brian Cartwright - Lead Guitar

Nelson McFarlane - Bass Guitar

Chris Killen - Drums

Their Facebook Page and YouTube Channel:

How Good Are The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Experience?

I saw the original band many times, and Alex Harvey was one of the most charismatic frontmen I have ever seen, so Andie Massie has a lot to live up to.

I have seen a lot of tribute bands and with most, it is just someone else performing some of your favourite music, even the Australian Pink Floyd Show with their giant inflatable foot-tapping kangaroo.

The SAHBE are more than just a tribute, they are like the real thing in an alternate reality. The atmosphere and the presence of the original band are there and you are drawn into the music by the band.

Everyone engages with the crowd making it a perfect experience.

They are back in Newcastle (well North Shields) on January 10th next year.

I think other good venues would be The Cluny 2 or The Riverside.

One of the problems with the layout of the main Cluny venue is that when it is full it is difficult to see the stage. Luckily the band's sound and presence cut through that and many people took videos. I got a small bit that I put on Instagram here:

When Andie started "Framed" he opened with these lines:

I was walkin' down the Bigg Market, mindin' my own affair

When two policemen grabbed me unaware

He says, "Is your name Alexander?", I says, "Why sure"

He says, "You the cat we're lookin' for"

The Bigg Market is a drinking area in Newcastle so he has done his research.

This is a video of them nearly two years ago. The sound last night was far better and this is good.

I will be getting tickets the next time they are in the area,

My Introduction To The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Thank you for reading and listening.