Log Off - A review!

By Jamie Hill

Picture by Juliet Edwards

Log Off is the best pub covers band on the circuit at the moment.

In fact I would go as far to say that they are the Tenacious D of cover bands on the circuit.

Like the 'D'. They're raucous, hilarious and always tongue in cheek.

Made up of Nick and Gaz, they've been rocking around Wiltshire and Berkshire now for the past eight years. And they're bloody good at what they do. They are always a pure pleasure to watch. I've seen them a few times now and I always leave with a huge smile on my face.

The musicianship on display is pure class as they go from rock-tinged cover to rock-tinged cover. With Log Off it's always about the 'rock'.

I caught them at The Bear in Marlborough on Friday night. It was packed. It always is at a Log Off gig. Their infectious and humorous brand of musically brilliant covers has given them a well-earnt reputation for putting on a damn fine night that really pulls in the punters.

As always I found myself smiling and jigging along to their set. I especially liked their version of 'Should I stay or should I go' where Nick spends half the song taking the lyrics seriously until eventually he goes. Outside for a cigarette break. Where he mugs through the window at an exasperated Gaz  who has been left to hold the fort. It's comedy through music and it's perfect for what a pub crowd wants to hear and see.

Their banter is also another thing that keeps the audience smiling. They are a genuinely funny duo and would do well at a comedy night. That is if their music wasn't so damn good at the same time as to top it all off these guys are two of the best musicians around. They are a tight professional duo who never have a duff note and bring their own character to each song they play.

And they keep it fresh.

On this particular night for 'Zombie' by The Cranberries they brought on to the stage Pam Gaughran from another fantastic female covers duo on the circuit called 'Aura'.

Let me tell you one thing. Pam has a voice. 'Zombie' is a particularly difficult song to cover but within seconds Pam had the whole room held in the palm of her hands. It was magical to watch and hear. She completely smashed it. I'll definitely be wanting to catch 'Aura' next time they're playing.

Log Off also brought to the stage at another point in the evening a saxophonist, which was bloody brilliant adding to the depth of sound perfectly.

Without a doubt, Log Off are my favourite covers band in the area. They are everything a pub band should be. You have a laugh watching them and they don't take themselves too seriously. So my initial statement stands.

Log Off is the best covers band on the circuit at the moment.