Reviewed: The Highliners Live at the Klub Foot

THIS year sees the return of rock n roll psycohbilly outfit The Highliners to many record collections thanks to the latest addition to the Live at the Klub Foot series on Western Star Records.

This live recording was taken from their set at the renowned Klub Foot nightclub in Hammersmith 16^th January 1988 and oozes fun. For new comers to the genre or Highliners fans this essential early recording proves to be a crash course in all things Highliners, as this set was prior to their debut 1989 album ‘Bound For Glory’. Front man Luke Morgan informing the energetic crowd “This is the warm up” for their first record. “We want you with us, we’ve never done a record before. This is our big chance.”

This is a contagiously enjoyable album with a set that includes hits such as ‘Benny Hill Boogie’, ‘Come Dancing’ and arguably their biggest hit as mentioned early on in the recording by Morgan himself, “Henry The Wasp. A new one from The Highliners. Oooh!”

Covers included the well known Chip Taylor song ‘Wild Thing’ and The Surfaris infamous instrumental ‘Wipe Out’ performed in a typically dynamic Highliners manner.

The album closes with ‘Bound For Glory’ and could not be more fitting. This album epitomises what live music should be about, boasting a loyal and energetic audience that certainly leave their mark firmly on this record, “The best audience we’ve ever had” propelling the band further in creating a true gem of a performance. Whether you were there or not these fifteen tracks certainly make you feel a part of something special, a second chance to experience the Klub Foot at it’s best.

For many this will be their induction into The Highliners family. For others this will be a pleasantly nostalgic account of an exhilarating show at the prestigious Klub Foot. If this release has given you the bug then make sure to listen out for new material that the band are recording following The Highliners Live At The Klub Foot.

“The Highliners family, we will unite! And take over the world!”

For more information on this release or to purchase the album visit Western Star Records at western-star.co.uk

The Highliners track Henry The Wasp features in the previous Bowman recommends playlist below.