Spider Murphy Gang - Unplugged

Spider Murphy Gang (SMG) from Munich were at the forefront of the Neue Deutsche Welle movement in the early 1980s - and after more than 40 years on stage, the band has come a long way. Their roots lie in synth-rock, pop and new-wave sounds ("Wo bist du", "Ich schau dich an", "Skandal im Sperrbezirk"), but their album "Unplugged - Skandal im Lustspielhaus" took them into the territory of rockabilly, boogie woogie, zydeco, jazz, swing, blues, country and ragtime.

The Schwabing lads - affectionately known to their fans as the "Spiders" - prove with this unplugged show that they are far more than a pop band or an NDW act. Their musical journey reaches back to the early 20th century and weaves naturally together with their own catalogue of hits. Expect not only the Spiders' classic songs but also numbers by Elvis, Chuck Berry, Hank Williams, Canned Heat and Rocco Granata - a surprising range for a band that started out as a traditional, purist rock'n'roll outfit.

The new look suits them well. Frontman Gunter Sigl takes on the role of entertainer and musical guide, sharing anecdotes and personal stories with the audience. Guitarist Barney Murphy shines on acoustic guitar, Willie Duncan dazzles on anything with strings, pianist Ludwig Seuss lights up the stage with boogie woogie and jazz, and brass player Otto Staniloi handles his instruments with equal finesse whether playing softly or full-throttle. Andreas Keller and Dieter Radig round out the lineup, keeping the whole thing swinging on various percussion instruments.

Together they create an almost intimate atmosphere - as if the band had pulled up a chair right next to you.