DogHouse Skiffle Group - Backford & Mollington Village Hall

"The more you drink, the better WE are!" is the usual exhortation from the stage, preferably with a glass of cider to wave around. Well the audience must have had plenty to drink tonight because the DogHouse were monsterous good! We had old men dancing in the aisles, women dancing with mops and others blowing into kettle spouts as they shimmied past the stage. We took Sue and Andy along and they just managed to squeeze us into the packed hall, but even before that we were treated to a view of the band as we left the carpark, - one head in each window, each providing a different mannerism - providing a good portent of things to come.

On stage the Doghouse Skiffle Group thundered into "Putting on the Style" and it obvious from their participation in the first chorus that the audience was tuned in and ready for whatever came along, eager to join in on all the fun. Before long we were all in stitches with the on-stage antics, hoarse from singing Rawhide, hands stinging from clapping ... you get the picture.

The music was smashing - they are a very tight band indeed, and the act demands nothing less, because in places they can stop dead (and on one occasion go into reverse - oh yes!) and anything less than tight would just seem sloppy. The repetoire is traditional skiffle with lots of railroad songs (super!), mixed up with the occasional more suprising song, and some original material. The order was varied from the first time we saw them at Capenhurst, which I always take to mean that the act remains fresh and that they have either thought about it in advance or can change the running order on the fly.

Quote of the night went to Garry when thanking one of the organisers, listing his efforts, he ended ".. and he drank two puddles in the car park ladies and gentlemen, two puddles, just to keep you cars clean!" Vintage DSG. This and the smattering of local knowledge, Backford becoming Backside, Knutsford taking the brunt of many of the comments,that provides them with ammunition for some well placed quips in the songs, is just part of what makes the DogHouse such a great act.

Special mention must go to Alan who's over-acting and painfully good tea-chest bass playing, and part-time possession by Cliff Richard kept me giggling for hours, and to Keith whose guitar playing provides the musical stay that keeps the band in order.

As it says in their literature, if you want a quiet night of reflection and relaxation , DON'T BOOK THIS BAND! If you want a good night out, go see them - in fact keep September 17th free - 'cos they're coming back! See you there.