Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 7/10

From ashes does life grow, it can and will flourish given the right space, the right temperament and in music terms being somebody who cares deeply about their passion for picking up a guitar and taking an audiences hand through some great rock numbers.

When the fabulous Kids With Lighters unfortunately went their amicable separate ways, there could have been the usual fallout of genuine talent falling by the way side and emerging as some do many years later looking for a second stab at the profession. Not so with Rob McGuffin, the highly likeable and intelligent musician has carefully and with a large amount of skill attached to his superb disposition been making inroads again and has already proved himself of all places in the heart of Birmingham with his chosen musical weapon.

Alongside the enigmatic musician at Zanzibar was ‘Captain’ Andy Hignett, Philipos Othonos and Jake Buckingham who all gave great accounts of themselves in the five song set that Rob powered through.

As always Rob McGuffin not only looks the young rock hero, he is plays the guitar as if his life is controlled by some inner musical demon or creative genius that is bursting at the seams waiting to get out and take Rob’s soul to the next level of which he is more than assured to do. He has time on his side though which makes it all the more fascinating as he performs tracks such as September Shopping Spree, Ain’t The Way, State of Play and the barn storming Cape.

 As part of a whole night of music at Zanzibar, the ultimate peak for this young man may have been missed as he is somebody who deserves fully the bigger stage and the longer time in which to fill it with his own sparkling and brutally energetic personality. It will come though as some things you don’t leave in the ashes too long.

Excellent to have Rob McGuffin back where he belongs, on stage, in Liverpool and thrilling the pants off his fans.

Ian D. Hall