Oct. 27, 1979 review: The Sinceros in UB's Fillmore Room

 


A forgotten British band that deserved better.

Oct. 27, 1979 

Opening Act Rivals Local Headline Band

         The Sinceros were not at all pleased. Here they were, a British recording group, and essentially they were opening for a local rock band at a Halloween beer blast at the University at Buffalo.

         Nevertheless, the Sinceros swallowed their pride Friday night for this – their second U.S. gig – and delivered a blockbuster for a partially costumed crowd in the Fillmore Room of Squire Hall.

         For the Sinceros, there were a couple important advantages to playing first. They got the crowd before the beer set in, and they got a sound check. As a result, they sounded great.

         The Sinceros are a song-oriented pop quartet, one of the many that have sprung up in the wake of the Knack. They win you over with strong harmonies and catchy choruses.

         They did their best song, "Take Me to Your Leader," their new single, twice, once in the set and again as a second encore.

         The local band, Cock Robin, was a force to reckon with. They have their own billboard at Main and Minnesota streets and they didn't get to be the most popular local band by being lame.

         After the Sinceros went off, Cock Robin delivered two high-powered sets, largely well-chosen FM radio songs, with precision and verve.

         They caught such up-to-date items as Joe Jackson's "Sunday Papers" and Eagles' "Those Shoes." Cock Robin is proof that a local band can show as much class as a rookie recording group.

* * * * *

IN THE PHOTO: The Sinceros in New York's Palladium in December 1979.

* * * * *

FOOTNOTE: The Sinceros lasted for two albums and then they were gone, victims of squabbling between their management and their record company. Keyboardist Don Snow and drummer Bobbi Irwin later played with Van Morrison.

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