Pages

Thursday 23 May 2013

A Long Way To Go For Four Songs


John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls
Kerrang! Radio Birmingham
May 22nd 2013

Travelling all the way to Birmingham from where I live just to see a band or singer may sound pretty mad to some people but today I did just that.  Kerrang! Radio had a competition running which gave the winners access to an exclusive acoustic performance by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, which would be held at the Kerrang! Radio HQ.

The set itself was only four songs long, which included 'Rebel Beat' and 'Come to Me' from the new album and 'Iris' and 'Broadway', but John Rzeznik has an amazing voice.  The whole set was just him and an acoustic guitar and to say I got goose bumps during 'Iris' is an understatement!

He even hung around after the set to meet people and pose for pictures.  I may have driven a round trip of 256 miles for four songs but it was worth it.  Hopefully I will get to see the whole band one day.








Sunday 5 May 2013

The Diamonds and Disgrace Tour


The Diamonds and Disgrace Tour
Manchester Roadhouse
April 23rd 2013

Tonight's venue has to be the smallest and darkest place I have ever been to, but that said there is a real spark of anticipation in Manchester's Roadhouse.  The room itself is painted purple and is packed with teenagers (and some of us older music fans), all waiting for London rock band The Fearless Vampire Killers.

The night is kicked off by local Manchester band Century, who were good but seemed to lack the passion and charisma to get the crowd moving.  Couple this with the fact that anyone more than three rows back could not see anything but the tops of their heads and it does make you wonder why you came here in the first place.

Next to take the stage were Fort Hope, a rock band that hail from Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire.  I have to be honest and say that I had only heard of them because I liked their former band, My Passion. 

Although I had no view of the band I did get a good idea of what this band where about as the lyrics to their songs were very deep and powerful.  Lead singer Jon Gaskin has a deep and powerful voice adding extra emotion to their songs, and although they played all original material I thoroughly enjoyed their performance.

The sudden eruption of ear piercing screams that filled the small room made it obvious that the Fearless Vampire Killers had taken to the stage.  

Bursting out songs from their 2012 album 'Militia of the Lost' and 2013 EP 'Exposition: The Five Before The Flames', the FVK guys really got the crowd moving and bouncing.  Even at the back of the room you also managed to catch a glimpse of them as Kier and Laurence made good use of the speakers and monitors front stage by standing on them ensuring that they could see all their fans and that all their fans got a glimpse of them.

Taking us on a trip to Grandomina through songs such as 'Bite Down on my Winchester', 'Could We Burn, Darling', 'Bow Ties on Dead Guys' and 'P Train', co-frontmen Kier and Laurence put their heart and soul into every lyric they sing.  Team this with Cyrus on guitar, Drew on bass and Luke on drums, even the smallest dingiest venue will come alive.

Although the songs were originally written as a story for a concept album the listener can easily relate to the lyrics and apply them to the struggles that they face in their own lives. All of their songs have strong guitar riffs and melodies that you just can't help but sing along to.

Ending with a cover of Elton John's I'm still standing, Kier leaves you with no doubt that this song has more meaning to them that just a mere cover song.

The passion these five guys show on stage, along with their unique look and sound set them apart from every other British band on the circuit.  It's no wonder they have built such a strong following and are a regulars in all of the rock magazines.




The 8 Bit Frenzy Tour


The 8 Bit Frenzy Tour
Liverpool Academy, Manchester Academy 3 and Birmingham Academy.
April 17th, 18th,and 20th 2013

The 8 bit Frenzy Tour consists of 4 bands in total but you only get to see three play on any one of the 8 nights of the tour. Unfortunately the three shows that I attended meant that I missed The Bottom Line every time.  I did however get to meet Callum, Matt and Max that make up the trio from Portsmouth, as they were busy working the merch stall at each show.  On buying a copy of their album 'Role Models?' I realised that these are a band that I will have to try and see live as soon as the opportunity arises.

Taking stage as supporting band the nights that I caught the tour were Nottingham quartet Lacey, made up of Graham, Pete, Josh and Dave (Dave is also the guy who provides both Patent Pending and Bowling for Soup with some of the fabulous caricatures featured on their album covers, flyers and merch).

Singing all original songs with the exception of Ellie Gouldings 'Anything can happen', Lacey unleash their rock onto the audience and get them fired up and ready for the main event.  Their latest single 'Let It Go' is one of those songs that would not sound out of place being sung by a large crowd at one of the summer festivals.

Next to the stage was Bowling for Soup's bassist Erik Chandler, who suffered with technical difficulties at the show in Liverpool but absolutely knocked the crowd off their feet in Manchester and Birmingham.  Backed by Patent Pending's Anthony, Corey and Rob, Erik performed material such as 'Tonight's the Night' and '(What's So Funny About) Peace, Love and Understanding' before stunning the audience with an acoustic rendition of 'Christina'.  Erik's gravelly voice and passion for music shows why he is still able to have an audience eating out of the palm of his hand even without his usual band buddies by his side.

Anyone old enough to remember the old 8 bit Commodore computers was in for a treat as Patent Pending took the stage.  Making their entrance to a version of 'Douchebag' which had been digitally made to sound like the music from an old computer game, Patent Pending (comprising of Joe, Anthony, Marc, Rob and Corey),  exploded onto the stage into their opening song of 'I Already Know (She Don't Give a Shit About Me)'.  Patent Pending then went on to bounce their way through their set list including songs such as 'Anti-Everything', 'The Way You Make Me Shake', and 'Dance Till We Die'.

Anyone who had never encountered Patent Pending before was in for a real treat; from Joe getting the whole audience to swing their pirate hooks in the air during 'Psycho in Love' to the slow motion mosh pit during 'Spin Me Around', (an acoustic song written by Joe for his wife). During the slow motion mosh pit at the Manchester show (and they even had a slow motion crowd surfer).  In Birmingham the band had been informed by the venue that crowd surfing and the wall of death were not allowed and therefore they invented 'inter band crowd surfing' where many of the band found themselves being caught by other members of the band (quite often Marc!).  Instead of inciting a wall of death at the usual interval of 'Psycho in Love' they got the audience to do a 'wall of love hugs and tickles'.  Team this with stories of how tour manager Dave was a Swedish movie star or how Mcfly's road crew (playing in the venue next door in Birmingham) taught the boys to dance like Justin Bieber.  Throw in cover versions of  'I Want It That Way' by The Backstreet Boys, Lit's 'My Own Worst Enemy' or Smashmouth's 'Allstar' all of which they covered on their 2012 EP 'Spring Break 99' and their cover of Bowling for Soups 'Shut up and Smile' from the One Big Happy Album, you couldn't help but smile, bounce and sing all night! 

However, leading into the song 'One Less Heart to Break' the evening did take on a more serious note as Joe explained to their second family how they lost a friend of the band to suicide and how no one should be in a position where they feel so alone that they feel they have no other option but to resort to taking their own life, with Joe reminding the crowd that no matter how many times they feel they don't belong they have a home there in the 'dark sweaty room' with the rest of the second family.  Usually these sort of speeches from a band are met with sighs and hecklers, but not here.  Listening to Joe is like listening to an old friend and the respect between the fans and the band is obvious.

Although the message in 'One Less Heart to Break' is a serious one, the guys don't let us dwell for too long before more shenanigans ensue.  Whether it is a conga around the venue (Liverpool) or a sing along to 'Soft Kitty' and 'The Big Bang Theory' theme, Patent Pending keep you on your toes throughout the whole night.

I have now seen patent pending six times now and can honestly say that I have not seen the same show twice!  I have also had the pleasure of meeting Joe, Anthony, Marc, Rob and Corey and they really are the most awesome guys in pop punk!  

Patent Pending is a band that should be bigger than they are and everyone deserves to have them in their life because when you see/hear them you can't help but smile and feel proud to be part of the second family!























Rival Sons, Ulysses and The Gravel Tones


Rival Sons
53 Degrees Preston
April 15th 2013

The Gravel Tones are a two piece band from Brisbane Australia comprising of Jimmy and Mikey, who despite being small in number are big in volume and enthusiasm.

Their songs are high in energy and singer Jimmy has a very unique and strong voice. Consisting of guitar, drums and vocals, and their music has a unique sound and energy.  Add that to the most enthusiastic drummer I have ever seen and you have a set that wizzes by in the blink of an eye.

I had never heard of The Gravel Tones until tonight but I would definitely go and see them again without hesitation.

Second support, Ulysses are a band that would not have looked out of place in the 70's.  Both their style and sound reflects that era. Originating from Bath, the five piece have a good energy and sound, although I have to be honest and say that I didn't enjoy them as much as The Gravel Tones.

Now what can I say about Rival Sons?  Absolutely amazing!  Even though lead singer Jay was clearly unwell, he had an awesome voice with enough power to literally knock your socks off!

Originating from Long Beach California, Rival Sons have been together 2008, and are regularly played on UK rock radio station Planet Rock.  Like Ulysses  they have a 70's vibe to their image and a rock/blues sound, even though Jay doesn't look old enough to remember any of the 70's.

During their performance that ran well over curfew they sang songs such as 'Wild Animal', 'Until the Sun Comes' and 'Manifest Destiny (Pt 1)'.

I have to admit that in the many years I have been going to concerts, tonight is the first time I have ever seen a lead singer drinking a cup of tea on stage rather than the usual whisky, water or beer.  (The tea was obviously an attempt to sooth his throat, which was huskier than usual but did not lack any power!)

Throw into the mix some awesome guitar and drum solos and you are provided with a nights entertainment that flew by far too quickly.

I will be honest when I say that I only went to see Rival Sons because my husband wanted to go but I can say that I would not hesitate to go and see them again.  










LostAlone, The Dead Famous and Evarose


Lostalone, The Dead Famous and Evarose
Manchester Deaf Institute
February 23rd 2013

Tonight's venue was a new one for me. Having never been to Manchester's Deaf Institute I was unsure what to expect.

Manchester's Deaf Institute is an old stone building with three floors that features a basement bar, the ground floor cafe bar and a music hall on the top floor.  The music hall is a small concert room with a high stage and big domed roof.  It is decorated with flocked parrot wall paper and red velvet curtains with tier step seating to the rear and a bar on the far wall.  Whilst standing waiting for the show to start we got an added comedy show as many patrons did not read the lit bathroom sign for the boys room properly which stated that it was situated in the basement and opened the door below the sign to find a broom cupboard.  The girls room was located on the top floor at the back of the concert hall, however when you went inside it was decorated in bubblegum pink Dolly Parton Wall paper and was the smallest ladies room I have ever been in!

Evarose, an all girl rock band from Oxfordshire, were first to take the stage and although I had not heard any of their songs before I was really impressed with them. The lead singer had a fabulous strong voice and her vocals carried well over the rest of the band.  They had a good energy and you couldn't help but enjoy their performance.  I will definitely be checking these girls out the next time they hit the north west.

Next up were The Dead Famous a band that I first heard of thanks to Twitter. Drummer Dan Hetherton is very active on social networking sites and has been tweeting events and pictures from the tour to get fans in the mood.

The Dead Famous are a quartet from London consisting of James on vocals, Dan on drums, David on bass and Ollie on guitar.  Singing their single 'Superstar' as well as many other songs they showed why they are one of the rising bands on the scene.  

At one point James had to rescue Dan from an equipment malfunction (couldn't see what exactly from where I was stood).

Finishing with their current single 'Hide Your Halo' they left us with no doubt that we will be seeing more of these guys in the future.

Last up were headliners LostAlone from Derby consisting of Steven, Alan and Mark, )who is probably the tallest person I have ever met!)  Having seen LostAlone twice before I knew what I was letting myself in for............  or so I thought!

Although LostAlone started their set with technical difficulties (Steven had war of the world playing through his monitor instead of what he should have been hearing), although the crowd were unaware of the problem until Steven brought it to our attention during their opening song of 'Vesuvius'.  

Once the technical problem was sorted out Steven, Alan and Mark proceeded to rock our socks off playing songs such as 'Creatures', 'Paradox on Earth' and 'Do You Get What You Pray For?' from their album 'UFO in the City'

Half way through the set Steven picked up his acoustic guitar and walked into the centre of the crowd.  He then asked us all to sit on the floor with him while he sang 'Orchestra of Breathing'.  It was a completely unplugged, just Steven and his guitar with no loud guitars to hide behind.  Steven has an amazing voice and it showed even more during this part of the show. So much so that I got a major cases of goose bumps. In all of the years that I have been going to gigs I have never seen a singer do something like this.

The guys then carried on with the show with some rocking tunes, and a good old sing along to 'Love will eat you alive' to finish the night.  I always know that when I book a ticket for LostAlone I will not be disappointed and tonight they did not let me down.

After the show all of the bands came out into the concert hall to meet their fans.  All of the guys from all of the bands were really approachable and friendly and happy to meet their fans and spend time chatting and posing for photos with them.

There is one thing for sure after tonight.....  I will be going to watch all three of these bands again!