22-09-2007 The Dead Rudolfs

Venue: Bibelot Dordrecht (Netherlands)
By: Elvira Visser

This band was actually the supporting act but for me the main reason to go.
I spotted them on the internet a couple of times and they raised my interest.
They sounded quite promising therefore I wanted to see them and share my opinion about them with you.

They had the difficult task to play for a very tiny audience, mainly their own girlfriends and a few friends. Maybe this had to do with the headliner that night which did not attract me at all. So they had to choose between giving their best in front of those they already knew or just play and get it over with. To me they did the first, although I am still not sure whether I totally like them or if I got annoyed a couple of times. Let me explain this to you.

  It took some time in between songs before they were playing the next song, they
  talked a bit on stage, laughed a little with each other and I was just waiting.
  Robbert, the bass player wandered off the stage after one of their songs and
  they were not finished yet. They just took their time and invited someone on
  the stage from their friends who yelled something. He probably thought to be
  tough, cool or funny guy but Leo (the singer) knew a nice punishment and made
  him dance on the stage. This on the one hand annoyed me a little on the other
  hand it was funny and when playing for an almost empty place it does not really
  matter if they joke around on stage and take their time. The bass player leaving
  was actually quite funny, he just dropped the line “I need to go”
  and walked away. The band decided to play something like the tunes you are subjected
  to when you phone a company and they put you on hold. Although they played a
  Dutch song “ik heb stiekem met je gedanst” in an actual fun style.
  Maybe it was annoying because there weren’t many people. They should go on with
  this easy going, not thinking too much about what and how they are doing on
  the stage. It just happens right there. Rehearsed jokes inbetween songs or a
  slick studied talk they use in every place, does not really seem to fit this
  band.

  Something that you cannot deny is that they are quite talented and I think
  they can grow more in performing and become a really nice band. It can be said
  that in my opinion this band has the “x-factor” (something you really
  seem to need according to “those TV programs”).
  The singer does remind me of Ville Valo, singer of Finnish band HIM. Not his
  voice or the way of singing but his movements…walking, dancing around. There
  might be a better one to compare to but this was my first thought. The way he
  holds his microphone-stand, his mic, how he moves his arms on stage. It is something
  to watch and not only he is moving but the others as well. I think they would
  do really good in front of a bigger audience. They seemed to know how to play
  together. Best of all is Leo’s voice. I think that voice is quite amazing, cannot
  really say what it should sounds likes when comparing but yeah great voice.
  Raw in places where it needs to be, really adding something to the music instead
  of just singing the lines.
  I think we will hear more about this bands soon!