NMGA 3 — Tom Haywood, Not My Good Arm at Duffy's bar, 1st May 2017.

1st May

Not My Good Arm

at Duffy’s

My fourth consecutive gig, this weekend. I wondered if I would be up for it. Well, I was and I went. And I am glad that I did. The all-day event started just after lunch time but I had stuff to do, so I did not get there until just before the set by Leicester’s Not My Good Arm. Missed Brassick Bears. They were on much earlier. May Day. A celebration of the labour movement. A healthy dose of socialism was in the air.

NYGA. Hearing the vocals of Tom Haywood again reminded me just how good a singer he is. Alongside him Geoff Davison on the trombone and Adam Davison on the trumpet. It is quite astonishing how much difference a brass section makes to a band’s sound. A band that puts considerable vitality into their set. Infused with Ska rhythms. Possibly even ‘nu soul grunge’ if you know what that is. I dug it. I digged it. Extremely enjoyable.

Any band that plays music rich in reggae and ska is bound to be popular in Leicester. Any band that had collected together a group of very fine and able musicians is bound to be a success. Not My Good Arm have pitched their tent in the right camp.

Tom Haywood, Not My Good Arm at Duffy’s bar, 1st May 2017.

Theirs is a formula that works really well. That is why so many people turn out to see them, again and again. Two of them play in another group – the Davison’s – from Brassick Bears (they started life as Brass Bears and some of us remember them from those days when there were just the two of them.) The lead singer – Tom Haywood – has been in a variety of bands in the past. So you see, there is a lot of talent in this group.

Even though you will not need reminding of how good this band is or its considerable accomplishments over the years… the last time I wanted to see NMGA was on 11th March at The Exchange when I missed them; But never mind here is a photo anyway, of Brassick Bears