I started to believe that little people called the 'Borrowers' would start to appear from under those stairs, or Harry Potter would crawl out waving his famous wand - and we'd all suddenly be transported into a movie set!
But there were no little people - there was just the glorious big sound of the brilliant Boneshakers, rockin' and bluesin' the night away to a crowd that sang along, cheered and danced along to the music.
And because the audience were such an interactive lot, the band even treated them to a sing-a-long in the form of Mustang Sally! Far from the usual mixture on their song list - but such great fun. The crowd loved it. Doug Hayes, drummer with the Gatecrashers, in the audience on this auspicious night, found enough voice to sing over the microphone! The Boneshakers sure know how to make a party rock.
Gordon Smiles was amazing on the drums, his head bouncing off the staircase as he went nuts with the cymbals.
Dave Hildreth's solo spot on Bass Guitar during 'Messin' with the Kid' was a superbly fruity mixture of Blues and Jazz riffs to blow away the most discerning blues fan.
Ronnie Semple on Blues Harp gave us a fantastically succulent display of versatility and musicality, the like you'll rarely have the pleasure to hear.
Russ Hird treated us to guitar solos that were soulfully awesome. His gravel-spiked vocals during ballad numbers like 'Need Your Love so Bad' could reduce the toughest individuals in the audience to a flood of salty tears.
The crowd didn't want to say goodbye at the end of the gig - shouting more, more, more: a sound that seems to be the norm for the Boneshakers. And the bar staff joined in with a cardboard sign that also screamed for 'MORE'.
The brilliant Boneshakers is definitely the North East band to watch. Musically adept and such a joy to watch and listen to, I can't wait for their debut appearance, topping the bill in the Iris tent on the final night of the North East's acclaimed venue, 'Stormin' the Castle' in Bishop Auckland on 1st September.
But there's lots more to come from the stupendous Boneshakers' gigs before that venerable occasion - and after of course. They are booked for some of the best venues on Tyneside well into 2013.
And that little Boneshaker bird that whispers in my ear, tells me that the Fab Foursome are getting together as we speak - in Notes Studio, North Shields, cutting their second album in time for release at the prestigious Stormin' the Castle. Get your tickets before they sell out, folks.
Check out some of the numbers the Boneshakers played at Sour Grapes, at the You-Tube links below:
Messin' with the Kid
Crossroads
How Blue Can You Get
Jump Jive and Wail
Join them on Facebook on 'The Boneshakers Musician/Band' page, 'like' them, join in on their forums and get all the information you need about their forthcoming gigs.
You can also get a Forthcoming Gigs lists right to the end of 2012, right here on the 'Rockin' with the Boneshakers' Blog.
The image above is the cover of the first Boneshaker's CD, 'Shaken and Stirred'
I wonder what the next cover will look like?
I CAN'T WAIT!!!
