The Dodge Brothers are a British band who play a lively mix of skiffle, rockabilly, blues, country and early rock ’n’ roll, heavily inspired by American roots music of the 1920s–1950s. They aren’t actually brothers, though there is a father and son in the line-up. Mike Hammond is on lead vocal and Gretsch guitar, Mark Kermode (yes, that one!) on double bass, harmonica and vocals, Aly Hirji on acoustic guitar and vocals, and Alex Hammond, Mike’s son, on drums, washboard and wine bottle. Their set consists of a mix of originals and covers from the era their music belongs to.
Alex Hammond tapped his drumsticks three times as the signal for the band to roar into their opening numbers, ‘Oh California’ and ‘Singled Out’. It was a powerhouse start that set the tone for the rest of the show. With songs about railways, drinking, religion and homicide, the Dodge Brothers really do tap into the American folk-ballad tradition. Indeed, Mike Hammond hails from Alabama, a state with a rich history in country, bluegrass and old-time music. ‘Church House Blues’ and ‘Middle of Nowhere’ followed before Mark Kermode took over lead vocals for ‘Saving the World’, a song, he said, about unsung heroes who prop up a bar in the wee small hours.
There followed two songs about death: a cover of Lloyd Chandler’s Appalachian folk song ‘O Death’ and ‘Died and Gone to Hell’, the performance of which was the highlight of the evening. Kermode offered a potted history of skiffle, referencing The Quarrymen, of course, then invited Alex out from behind his drum kit and explained he would play the washboard and wine bottle on the song. He did so brilliantly, really offering an authentic skiffle sound. The first half of the show ended with ‘The Ballad of Frank Miller’, completing a trio of songs from their 2009 album Louisa and the Devil.
It had been an exhilarating show so far, much of the enjoyment coming from the obvious pleasure the band take in playing this music and sharing their passion for it with an appreciative audience, as well as the good-natured banter between songs. You could almost believe you were in a 1950s skiffle club like the Casbah or the Cavern. Indeed, the band were last seen in Liverpool playing at the Cavern in Midas Man, a 2024 British biographical film about the life of music entrepreneur Brian Epstein.
I particularly enjoyed Kermode’s double bass playing. He has famously described his ability as ‘adequate’, but it’s obvious he’s much more than that. He embraced the performance side, spinning his bass around or lifting it above his head. Indeed, Kermode was first to return to the stage for the second set, playing a groove while, one by one, the other band members joined him for a new song, ‘A Night Like This’. ‘Gone’ was next before Mike introduced the song ‘Short Order’, the lyrics of which were based on his time working in a restaurant.
Other moments included some backing vocals from the audience on ‘ATF Blues’, about Schlitz Malt Liquor and Colt 45 (the classic American malt liquor known for its high alcohol content, not the gun).
Aly Hirji’s guitar playing should not go unheralded. The quiet Dodge Brother, at least tonight, is a driving force that provides the rhythmic backbone of the band They played a three-song encore, ending with a cover of Arthur ‘Big Boy’ Crudup’s ‘That’s All Right’, before heading over to the merchandise table to mix with the audience.
The Dodge Brothers put on a lively, rootsy and thoroughly entertaining show of maximum skiffle and blues. The Dodge Brothers aren’t currently on tour but information about upcoming shows can be found here,
https://dodgebrothers.co.uk/gigs/
Reviewer – Adrian Cork
On – 13.03.2026
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