If you grew up in the 1970s and liked your rock music then chances are you are familiar with the much-missed Sensational Alex Harvey Band. And you’ll remember guitarist Zal Cleminson – he of the clown-style make up on stage and his rather excellent, yet under rated, fluid playing style.
After SAHB, Zal migrated to another fine Scottish rock band – Nazareth – for a bit, various session/touring stints before SAHB had another stab at it (sadly without Alex of course) before drifting away from the music scene.
Now then. Zal’s back! His new band has a moniker of Sin Dogs. And they have a debut EP out. A done deal stone cold bargain at a fiver.
Four tracks – well, three and a half I suppose as one is a cut down version of another – but that doesn’t matter a single jot as the new songs are top notch. Great to see (or rather hear) Zal on form again.
Hungry Heart clocks in at over seven minutes. A gentle meandering tinkle on the piano gives way to some proper meaty rifferama and back again. Loudness. Zal cuts loose with some fine work which ranges from the full on to the solos full of feeling. In parts it reminds me of the old SAHB classic Anthem off the Impossible Dream album.
Check out this video of the band performing Hungry Heart live and raw.
Next there is the “edit” of Sin Dogs followed by the full version. Powerhouse rockerama sure enough. Thumping, throbbing beat.
Blood Stream is powerful too. Has something of a spacey/trippy feel to it. A bit hypnotic even how the riff goes. Made me think of mid-70s Blue Oyster Cult. Again, Zal’s guitar work shines through. The man’s a mean player. Effortless, inventive, enjoyable.
Visit the ban’s Facebook page and bag your copy of the EP here:
https://en-gb.facebook.com/ZalCleminsonsSindogs/
I believe that an album is in progress with a release due in 2018. Something to look forward to for sure.
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