Show Review: Rob Cowen & The Dissidents

Thursday, September 23 @ Barfly (Camden Town, London, UK)

The idea of a singer/songwriter from the Bruce Springsteen School of Working Class Rocking that comes from northern England is a bit strange -- especially considering that the U.K. has its own fair share of blue collar rock legends. But Rob Cowen and his band (The Dissidents) are out to prove this idea might not be as strange as it sounds -- in fact, once you've listened to them, you'll be convinced.

After the opening act, Winterhours, was through with their set (a rather uninspired group of generic alternative rock tunes), Rob Cowen and his backing band (and the Barfly's sound engineer) set-up their gear as fast as possible in order to maintain whatever momentum the show had gathered until then.

When all systems were go, Cowen proceeded to greet the audience with a quick joke right before he and The Dissidents exploded into what was possibly the night's best song: 'Heartlands.' Like a punch of high energy Springsteen channeled through the more modern rock aesthetics of U2, the song just screams 'radio play' -- in the best possible of ways. A classic tale of the disillusionment of working class youth in today's modern cities and towns, it sticks to a steady, thumping rhythm right until things slowdown only to let Cowen croon the phrase 'everyone needs something to believe in' seconds before drummer Olly Samuels revs things way up on bridge and leads the rest of the band toward the song's peak.

Midway through the rather short set (7 songs), Cowen and company slowed things all the way down by playing the mostly acoustic 'Alice in Sunderland' -- a portrait of a young, lost soul wandering through the town in the song's title. This gave the crowd a few minutes to witness the frontman's personality. Cowen's a tall, well built, young man with a fully shaved head and a beard; his singing voice clearly exposes his love for New Jersey's 'Boss', as do some of his body movements -- and some of his dramatic facial expressions might remind you a bit of Dave Matthews. Still, he's well on his way to developing his own trademark mannerisms.

But Cowen wouldn't be the same without the Dissidents. Lead guitar player Charlie Westropp, and keyboard/synth operator Danny Williams, texture the songs with a love for shining chords and atmospheres that reveal a clear love for the work of pop rock icons, such as The Edge. Meanwhile, drummer Olly Samuels and bassist John Stevens provide the band with a rhythm section that constantly punches on.

The show ended with the two main singles from the band's upcoming album ('City lights' and 'Heartache') -- a couple of songs that prove the powerful pop/roots rock blasts of 'Heartlands' are no fluke. Aftewards, the band was allowed to play one more song which, strangely enough, was an alternative rendition of 'Hotel California' -- yes, you read that right.

As my older brother and I walked out of the bar and towards the Underground station, he said "You know, songs like 'Heartlands' or 'City Lights' would be instant hits in the hands of a band like U2." I guess he's right, and that's why, as good as the band's performance was, one couldn't help but walk away with a bittersweet feeling, realizing there were about 30 people -- at most -- watching the show.

Cowen and his band should be opening shows for big bands. Here's to hoping that one day I can see them on the main stage -- and at prime time -- in a big festival and say ' I was there when they played for like 30 people at the Barfly.'

Heartache

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City Lights

Download single

Purchase Rob Cowen & The Dissidents albums