Fab Fourever

Dates and Venue April 30, 2011 | Chilliwack Cultural Centre

Reviewer Roger Wayne Eberle


The Fab Fourever deserves high praise as one of the most authentic among Beatles tribute bands currently doing the rounds. Their performance at the White Rock Coast Capitol Playhouse last Sunday night to a near sell-out crowd more than proved that this band lives up to its billing as “full of raw energy, witty humour and... undeniable charisma.” Consummate performances blend with creative makeup and apt attire that rings all the right changes from mop top fever to psychedelic sizzle and on to the aural artistry of the Abbey Road album.

Kevin Davey portrays John Lennon with some of the very same presence and rare nervy verve that this rock legend brought to the stage. His humour is as rich as his accent, and when you hear Kevin and listen to his guitar work you almost do a double-take to make sure it’s not the real John out there in the flesh, especially when you hear his rendition of A Hard Day’s Night. And, when Jody Tennant belts out his Paul screams in this song, you’d almost think McCartney was in the house.

During the first set Fab Fourever played early Beatles’ hits including Please Please Me, I Want to Hold Your Hand, I Saw Her Standing There, All My Loving, A Hard Day’s Night, Roll Over Beethoven, She Loves You, Yesterday, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, Help!, We Can Work it Out, Eight Days a Week, Act Naturally, Drive My Car, Day Tripper, and Twist and Shout. Many tribute bands may have superior lighting shows and multimedia displays, but few have vocal harmonies and instrumental prowess that can match this group. Fab Fourever inspired the White Rock audience with their contagious enthusiasm and consummate skill to clap and sing along to almost every song. You owe it to yourself to go to a Fab Fourever concert, because when you do you can’t help but feel the Beatles’ spirit.

After the break, the band came out in the most realistic replica Sergeant Pepper gear and started right in with Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. The rest of the evening was spent listening to this excellent group perform memorable hits such as: With a Little Help from my Friends, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, I Am the Walrus, Got To Get You Into My Life, Yellow Submarine, Sgt Peppers Reprise, A Day in the Life, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Back in the USSR, Don’t Let Me Down, Get Back, Come Together, and Here Comes the Sun.

Throughout the evening, the audience participated by clapping along with, and then clapping for the group and marvelled yet again and again at the potent harmonies, and the strong instrumentals displayed by this energetic band. In an era where flash often out-fuels substance, it is refreshing to see the talent and authenticity of such a solid and well-integrated show.

Jody Tennant put his vocal chops on display at the end of the show in an encore performance after the audience clapped, whistled and shouted out for a curtain call, and the group came on again and played Hey Jude. Many among the audience Sunday night will still be humming out old Beatles` tunes for some time to come. Fab Fourever is an experience you don`t want to miss. Their next performance is on April 30 at the Chilliwack Cultural Centre. If you want more information about this or other upcoming concerts, see the schedule on their website: www.fabfourever.com.

© 2011 Roger Wayne Eberle