By the time Cardiff reggae-rock favourites Captain Accident And The Disasters took to the Globe’s stage, the Saturday night crowd had steadily grown, following lively and energetic sets from three support acts – The Barefoot Bandit, Tattsyrup and The Reggiments – and were well up for more skankin’. Captain Accident himself, Adam Parsons immediately connected with the crowd as if they were old friends, which many of them probably are, and bounced into Putting Up A Fight, setting the tone for the rest of the gig.
Despite difficulties with sound levels, the band played on with Dark N Stormy, tight as a gnat’s chuff and sporting masses of energy. Restless Man lifted the tempo, showing off the harmonising vocal talents of Steve Johns on lead guitar and Jon Cole on percussion. Every song was led in by the unique talents of drummer James Strickland and his own distinctive style of effortlessly keeping the beat: with extremely complex rhythms, he seems to float above the drums without even touching the skins.
The Captain Accident version of Toots & The Maytals’ Time Tough is a very credible reference to their roots in reggae, and a nod to previous times sharing a stage with the Jamaican greats. With between-song gaps at a minimum, a friendly and very mixed crowd lapped up the energy as Gethin Lock’s throbbing bass and the ethereal keyboards of Joel Beswick continued to dominate the sound.
Captain Accident have tour extensively, which seems to have energised them and made them even tighter as a band. The intro to Same Style was stolen from I Will Survive, for no apparent reason, but added to their unique, lighthearted style. A loudly encouraged encore yielded the now-classic Wings before Captain Accident finished off a brilliant set with old favourite 20 Pence, leaving ears ringing and limbs exhausted.
Once seen never forgotten, Captain Accident will always be a personal favourite and continue to expand in popularity and personality.
Captain Accident And The Disasters, The Globe, Cardiff, Sat 11 May
words PHIL HEDLEY photos EMMA WILLIAMS
