No Worries; Worried Men at The Pump

Long overdue a visit to the Pump in Trowbridge, Jamie Thyer, frontman of the Worried Men twisted my arm Friday night and there I was, to witness, once again, these wonderful weavers of sublime blues to rock n roll tapestries…..

It’s been five months since I was last here in the legendary pump room converted music venue, and it feels good to return to this friendly appreciation society. Steeped in history of Trowbridge nightlife, newfound energy was, quite aptly “pumped” into the once adored folk club upon Kieran Moore’s takeover some years ago, in which diversity was widened by the Sheer Music promoter’s vast knowledge of indie bands both local and international. I’ve said this before; you can see established big names at our city’s larger venues, but at the Pump you’ll see the upcoming names soon to be big, that’s its unique appeal.

Despite the Pump bucking the concerning trend of grassroots music venues stumbling on financial difficulties, its future felt dubious at the beginning of 2024 when landlords of the Lamb, the Wadworth pub which houses the establishment planned to leave. A silver lining was emerging from the cloud when I was last there, Kieran was optimistic after meeting the prospective landlords, who were supportive.

It has to be said, my past experiences of the Lamb was such that it felt like there was a psychological barrier between it and the Pump. A thriving pub, but not interacting with a similar ethos of the venue, like the Pump was a welcome entity only for extra bar sales. But, alerted to the new landlords staging live music in the actual pub too, and hosting Brian Reid’s celebrated open mic nights as well, it seemed like the tables were, quite literally, turning.

Confirming this, I spoke to a few punters in the Pump last night, who had curiously wandered in from the pub, delighted in what they were witnessing, and dammit, if I wasn’t suspicious that the couple leaning against the wall by the actual pump itself wasn’t the new landlords themselves, lapping up the music (I should’ve asked rather than make the assumption, but it was loud!)

If it feels like a positive new chapter has opened here, the Pump is much the same visually; if it ain’t broke…. And who could blame those curious punters and the landlords, when the Worried Men do their thing, it’s something to behold and nothing, as the name might suggest, to be worried about.

Three matured rockers, new drummer I think, doing a show I’ve seen enough times before to know what gorgeousness I was treating my ears to. With a support act awol they started their journey early, no one minded getting a little extra worried, and Jamie mocked the situation, as he does many elements, in his psychedelic surrealist sense of humour.

A grand night indeed. For anyone not versed on the occasions I’ve reviewed The Worried Men, here at the Pump, their album, and at The Southgate, here’s how they throw it down. Yes, there’s life in covers, Jim, but not as we know it. Renowned riffs and rhythms of rock music classics you will acknowledge, but they’re woven into an original tapestry, a medley of homages in splinters, where the band interpret and Jamie improvs these wild experimental guitar adventures akin to Hendrix, and dare I suggest it, with equal skill and gusto? Okay, with honesty, it’s not far off that unbelievable benchmark.

On Jimi, it’s a personal favourite of mine when elements of The Wind Cries Mary come into play, but equally, the baby, please don’t go blues of Waters and Wolf, to mellowed Flyod-esque moments of sixties psychedelia, smoke on water, Louie Louie, Berry’s rock n roll finales with farewells to Johnny B Goode, all interspersed with original thoughts, observations and compositions, and a jumpin’ Jack flash encore; it’s easy riding, keepin’ on truckin’ as if the age of the Rubix Cube never happened!

And I call it a tapestry, for they are the most skilled pre-Renaissance medium created by the most proficient embroiderers, and The Worried Men are proof that practice makes perfect. Efficiently if cheekily quoting my own quotes, I’ve said in the past, “and Morpheus said unto Neo, “unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” Funny cos, I kinda feel similar about The Worried Men!” and upon discovering them at the Gate two years ago, I explained Jamie’s gestures thus: “Jamie holds an expression of concentration, occasionally looking up at you through these spellbinding Hendrix fashioned excursions, as if to ask “is that alright for you?” Like a dentist with his tools stuck in your gum, you feel like responding, “yes, fine, thank you doctor.”

And these quotes still fit, for if there’s nothing new to report about The Worried Men show, it doesn’t require improvement. The majority of acts at the Pump are younger, upcoming and to catch them irregularly over time you will see them progress. The Worried Men had their talents honed long before I came to report on them, it is, in a sentence, timeless bliss you’ll never tire of hearing.

The Pump is the proof, locally, the message is getting out there: support live music, and I look forward to returning; just wish there was a late night bus to and fro, because if there’s one good reason to head for Vegas, it’s their Pump! Check out what’s coming up there.

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