Jesse 'The Devil' Hughes raises his hand to the sky. "This is the biggest and coolest rock and roll show we've ever played in our motherfucking lives!" There's no Josh Homme on the drums, but it wouldn't matter if he was - the magnetic Hughes keeps all eyes firmly on him. Eagles' world is one of ...
Jesse ‘The Devil’ Hughes raises his hand to the sky. “This is the biggest and coolest rock and roll show we’ve ever played in our motherfucking lives!”
There’s no Josh Homme on the drums, but it wouldn’t matter if he was – the magnetic Hughes keeps all eyes firmly on him. Eagles‘ world is one of mean machines and sweet little babies, lowdown bars and loose women – basically AC/DC without the subtleties.
“You motherfuckers are as sweet as you can be and we love you!” screams Hughes. “This song is dedicated to all you English girls – it’s called ‘English Girl’!”
Eagles songs wouldn’t necessarily stand up to repeated listenings, but live they’re the perfect soundtrack to wake up Reading. Cowbell-heavy, motorik drumming is mixed with neanderthal rock thrills, the group packed into the centre of the stage as if they were in a downtown LA dive.
There are some Spinal Tap moments – and the cover of Stealer’s Wheel‘s ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ is one step too far – but Hughes is a fantastic frontman, running out on the platform at the side of the stage and wiggling his behind at the audience.
“I’m going to try and shake my dick as hard as I can for you guys!” he shouts. Need we say more?
Words: Tom Pinnock
Pic: Danny North