Gig Review: I Saw An Animal, But It Made Me Remember Hearing The Animals And That’s All That Matters
Gig reviews: Where did you come from where did you go? I’m bringing gig reviews back because why the fuck not.
The Animals
San Fran; Wellington
Tuesday, March 19
John Steel is 83. He is not the only living member of the original Animals, but he is the only touring member; the band name is his. And his band around him doesn’t think they’re doing anything more than serving up the songs that people know and love in a way that best represents the spirit of them. Get on board with that, and you’re okay.
I went to see this version of “The Animals” because The Most of The Animals was the first compact disc that ever came into my house. It was, as cliched as this sounds, life-changing. Those songs blew my pre-teen mind. And I lived inside that CD for a while…
I also went to see this version of The Animals because I spoke with John Steel in the buildup.
So, you know, of course I’m going to go…to see the man in action.
And first thing to report, John can play. He’s lost nothing. He keeps it simple, and he is in fact a living monument to that — there to serve the songs, Steel takes no solo, even offering minimal fills, but you feel him driving every single song. Remember, he made hitting the bell of the ride cymbal in a single strike a distinctive drum intro (We Gotta Get Outta This Place). He made just sitting on the ride cymbal a haunting way to drive a rock song (The House of the Rising Sun). He was Ringo-like in his simplicity. And has the spirit of the British trad-jazz movement in his playing.
Then there are those songs. Hallelujah, I just love them so!
For such a thing to work, a band in tribute to itself, a cover of a cover band, it relies so heavily on the frontperson. And, since 2009, that’s been Danny Handley. He’s a talented singer and guitarist, and a charismatic frontman that never tries too hard to be in the spotlight, instead mentioning everyone else but himself, instead singing his best and playing with his all but only ever for the songs. England does this well, as a whole. You see someone step in and take on the role — that chap that’s been with The Stranglers now for longer than anyone else basically, but is not an original member. They have the tradition of song and dance, of music hall and pantomime and singing for supper at supper clubs or dive bars and all points in between. Danny Handley handles it so well. His guitar sings out in stinging lines in tribute to Hilton Valentine (R.I.P, 2021). And, vocally, he traces around the sound of Eric Burdon, but doesn’t try too hard to impersonate. He is our guide for the evening then.
Joining him, and Steel, are new band members Barney Williams on keys (2022) and Norman Helm — “The Hurricane” — on bass (2023). It’s their first time in New Zealand, and it’s the first time the Steel-led Animals have been in New Zealand in seven years, maybe their first time ever in Wellington; they’re not 100% on that.
This show was more fun than it might have had any right to be. Handley hooking people straight away with belters like It’s My Life . They really took us on the journey of R’n’B and blues and the things The Animals loved (Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, John Lee Hooker) as well as hitting all the big points you might expect. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood was a real emotional journey, We Gotta Get Outta This Place was a fun holler, and at various points in the evening, Williams’ boogie-woogie piano playing was a real highlight. Steel resembled his name, staying strong and determined throughout a nearly two hour show. Amazing. And Helm’s bass playing was warm, and crucial — particularly nailing his part of the Bo Diddley beat and that big intro to We Gotta Get Outta This Place.
Handley played clean, economical lines, again, never showy, but approximating the sound perfectly. And for any claims this was merely a covers band, well, so, essentially, was the original Animals! But actually there were some self-penned songs by the group. And I’m Cryin’ a group-composition was one of the songs that really lit this crowd up early on.
Still, The Animals, like Joe Cocker, played their hand by delivering expert interpretations of well-chosen material. And though there was no Eric Burdon, no Chas Chandler, Valentine or Alan Price, we felt the spirit of those men tonight. And we got to see the original drummer still giving it his all. Still playing with economy and never getting in the way of the songs. I found that inspiring. As well as nostalgically fulfilling.
And to encore, Steel took the stage to deliver a monologue introducing the obvious selection. He explained that 60 years ago, nearly to the day, the original band was on tour with Chuck Berry — another of their heroes. They laid down a basic demo track in the middle of the night for their folk-rock electric interpretation of a song they’d “nicked from the first Bob Dylan record”. The crowd cheered in anticipation. Steel shuffled back behind his drum stool. Handley hit into the riff and run that launched 100,000 guitar lessons or more. And then when that cymbal shimmer struck in support I felt prickles down my spine, chills and more. I felt like I could feel that happening to almost everyone in the audience. And we sang, in unison. Badly, at times. But so thoroughly. We sang that song with our collective might. And it felt cathartic and strange and moving, and fucking beautiful. And if that isn’t an advert for the great power music forever holds, well…then I’m done.
So, apparently, are The Animals. I’m sure glad I got to see ‘em.
