When I first saw The Wild Oats play live it hit me quite unexpectedly that I was witnessing something extraordinary, something very different and something very exciting. For a start there were six of them packed in tight on a small stage, six young dudes belting out a seamless hybrid of rock and folk music. No sign of pretentiousness, no strutting and posturing, just an amazing sound that was as hard to define as it was foot-tappingly good. What's more they all looked like they were having the time of their lives......I got the distinct feeling that even if the crowd hadn't been there they still would have been playing with the same passion and still having a great time.
I think I experienced a rare thing that night and as a result I had that realisation that I was looking at a band who were making music and that's it, the only strings attached were the ones on their instruments, no ulterior motive about fame and recognition, just an honest to goodness live infectious vibe that I couldn't help but be swept along with. I experienced that moment when you think "hello!" and you're only halfway through the first song and when afterwards on the journey home you think....I want to be part of that! ....and that's the key of course, because I can be part of it when I see them live or I buy the albums/singles just like when I bought Close Encounter of the Third Kind and the book of Gaudi's complete works.
I believe The Wild Oats are one of those things that occasionally comes along and changes things, they do innovate, they do refuse to compromise and bow down to trends and they seem to follow a vision inspired only by a passion for their craft. If you don't believe me then check them out live for yourself, I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed.
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