The New Crew [Gig Review]

Skeleton Crew

Ye Olde Salutation Inn [The Sal]

Nottingham

24.01.14

Skeleton Crew have returned to the Sal after a year long absence, sounding and looking a tad different, with not one but two new members in the band the five piece power rockers from the East Midlands are not waiting for an alibi that’s for sure. The Crew have beefed up their act and having heaved too and weighed anchor they’re about to take to the stage here at Ye Olde Salutation Inn on Maid Marion Way smack bang in the middle of Robin Hood country.

Just across the city Skindred have ‘sold out’ the world famous venue that is Rock City so it’s testament to the popularity of Skeleton Crew that here at the Sal there is more than a respectable turnout to see a mammoth two hour set featuring around twenty one songs of mainly original numbers with a few familiar covers thrown in for luck.

I first saw The Crew back in 2008 at the Sitwell Tavern Derby, since then I’ve been to many of their gigs and last year they appeared at the Rock & Bike festival which was the first time I saw Rick Townhill, he’s the fourth singer I’ve seen front the band and along with other newbie Jon Hillman (lead guitar) they’re joined on stage by old lags Drew Taylor (drums) Steve Evans (bass) and Graham Byron (lead guitar).

It’s around nine thirty and it’s show time, opening up with Oppressor a fast paced song from their second studio album Theatre of War they swiftly follow this with the title track from the same album before playing Four Letter Word a third song from that disc, it’s a catchy song and the crowd are hooked with plenty of dancing and head banging taking place at the front. I can still remember Skeleton Crew launching the Theatre of War album at this very venue back in 2012 they really pushed the boat out that night.

With this new line-up I’m hoping that a third studio album is in the offing, with all due respect to their previous lead singer new man Rick Townhill offers much more in way of powerful vocals and stage presence although it has to be said he could do with moving around a bit more, I know that was difficult with five guys on a stage the size of the Sal’s but something to think about all the same.

The fourth song is Thin Lizzy’s Waiting For An Alibi along with Hard To Handle, Out In The Fields and Breaking The Law making up the quartet of covers scattered liberaly throughout the set. Skeleton Crew are great value for money, tonight it was free entry and after around two hours they reached their final song of the evening, All Or Nothing it’s the opening track of their first studio album, Bring It On, it has very catchy ‘sing along’ lyrics and brings the curtain down a fabulous show, the boys from The Crew definitely don’t believe that less is more I think only Ken Dodd would have played longer.

Checkout Skeleton Crew on their website: http://www.skeletoncrewrocks.com/

GD Manofmetal

60th Birthday Badass – Bash [Gig Review]

Exit State + Captain Horizon + Babylon Fire + JD & The FDCs + Psychobabylon + The Idol Dead

The Maze Nottingham

18.01.14

Mr. Martin Short local rock fan and promoter has reached the incredibly ancient age of sixty and he’s decided to have an all day gig at the maze in Nottingham. Not only that, proceeds from the badass bash are in aid of two worthy charities, children’s hospice arts and the Sophie Lancaster foundation both worthy causes I’m sure you’ll agree.
Pictured Right: Mr. Martin Short & GD Manofmetal

It all got underway just after mid day but due to other commitments yours truly only managed to get there in time to see the last six bands so apologies go out to those I didn’t get to see.

Upon arrival at the Maze on Mansfield road Nottingham I discovered there was an interlude or food break, amidst the raffle stalls and various other merchandise and fund raising paraphernalia I spied a furtive looking Dave & Kieran Tonge (Noize Level Critical) loitering in a corner, the aroma of chicken curry and chips kind of gave the game away guys.

All that aside the live music once again got underway around six thirty with a band I didn’t wanna miss, The Idol Dead from Leeds are fronted by the enigmatic Poll Phluid who’s energy on stage is always turned up to the max. Describing themselves as “five men hell bent on making an entertaining racket” The Idol Dead sure do engage the audience with their hard rock sound and enthusiasm. All the bands today are playing around thirty to forty minute sets so it’s a quick turn around and sadly all to soon we arrive at The Idol Dead’s finale. Yes it’s time for the audience sing along song I.D.O.L. Moving through the crowd Polly Phluid gets the fans to sing eye, dee, oh, el, dee, ee, aye, dee! It just rolls off the tongue; I know I was struggling with it.

Next up are Psychbabylon another Yorkshire band and one I’ve not seen before, they’re practically out of the same stable as The Idol Dead but Psychobabylon have more of a classic rock sound and appearance. I do know the drummer though, I last saw Ginna around a year ago when he was skinsman for the now defunct Velvet Star. Playing an entertaining set of original songs like Factor 10 packed with catchy riffs Psychobabylon also have an edgy almost punk attitude that makes for an entertaining set, I’ll be looking out for these guys again.

                                                                                                                                                           
It will be no secret to anyone who knows me that JD & The

FDCs are one of my favourite underground bands of the last few years, I’ve written many words about the four piece East Midlands based band in the past, I was at their first ever show and let me tell you it was like the beginning of a super group, however this isn’t a biography so I’ll get on with it. Hitting the stage with verve, controlled aggression and a certain kind of confidence that smells of ‘we don’t give a fuck’ JD & The FDCs run through their

repertoire with practiced ease. Front man Jamie Delerict (JD) makes it certain everyone in the venue know that it’s his band and his rants and tirades between songs are amusing to say the least (he does sound very serious at times though) the forty minute set fly’s by oh so quickly and before you know it Jamie is mingling through the crowd picking on folk to finish the line which he starts ‘Stupid Music… Played By Idiots’ woe betide anyone who screws this up I’m sure he would have them shot at dawn if it was legal, of cause I’m only teasing I meant hung drawn and quartered.

Another Babylon next, Babylon Fire are a Manchester band signed to Rocksector Records they describe themselves rather modestly as “your new favourite British metal band” and they’re definitely metal with a capital M. They do have some good stuff such as the songs Darkness Draws Me In, Shattered Crown and Freight Train to name just three all of which are packed with thunderous drum beats and ear splitting riffs, sadly though there was too much growling vocals for my taste, a trend in heavy metal I’m nor over enamoured with and none of Babylon Fire’s songs needed the growling but then again maybe I’m just an old traditionalist at heart. Never the less these guys put on a cracking show and will appeal to fans of bands like Stone Sour, Machine Head and Five Finger Death Punch.

The penultimate band of Martin’s big birthday bash is a band I’ve seen many times over the last couple of years, from Birmingham its Captain Horizon. Their debut album The Light of Distorted Science released in 2012 is an accomplished work packed with intelligently written songs, Captain Horizon describe their style of music thusly “a unique blend of alt, prog, classic rock, indie and unashamedly glorious pop”. Their live set is pretty much made up of songs from that album and keeping the trend of enigmatic front men going, lead singer Steve ‘Whitty’ Whittington not only is in possession of fine vocal talents but fancies himself a comedian as well. No Captain Horizon gig would be complete without his trademark ‘table walk’ so as he leaps from one surface to another out into the crowd like a deranged supermodel on an assault course the show is completed.

Headlining tonight are another Lancashire band signed to Rocksector Records, Exit State whose musical style has been described by Powerplay Magazine as "melodic metal that deserves to be in the charts, nestling with the likes of Alter Bridge" well I don’t know about that but Exit State certainly deserve all the plaudits they get. I first saw them several years ago and they have come a long way since those days, last year they released their third album entitled Let’s See It All. Having played supporting slots on the Michael Schenker temple of rock tour as well as appearing at Hard rock Hell to name just two of their impressive achievements Exit State have reached out to a wide audience and won over many adoring fans. Front man Roy Bright is a top bloke and is even a published author no less. If you like a more melodic heavy metal give these boys a listen you’re bound to like them and you have my personal guarantee on that. 
Band Photographs Courtesy Of RSR Photography. 

Check out all the bands in this review on their respective websites:

Exit State http://www.exitstate.com/

Captain Horizon http://www.captainhorizon.co.uk/

Babylon Fire http://www.mwaweb.com/rocksectorbands_babylonfire.htm

JD & The FDCs http://www.jdandthefdcs.com/

Psychobabylon https://www.facebook.com/Psychobabylon

The Idol Dead http://theidoldead.com/

GD Manofmetal

Stone Wheel Drive [Gig Review]

Four Wheel Drive + StoneWire

Rock city Nottingham

17.01.14

Well here’s an unusual turn of events, I’m off to see not one band I’ve never seen before but two bands I’ve never seen before, believe me it’ don’t happen too often these days. Sadly not too many people are of the same mind as me so tonight’s gig in the rock city basement is poorly attended so all you folk that didn’t venture out to see Four Wheel Drive and StoneWire you missed a treat.

The gig tonight is part of a Uk tour double header but someone has to go on stage first and that honour falls to StoneWire a female fronted four piece rock band from the south west of England. They have been said to have “influences spreading across so many genres they have found a sound that is unique and refreshing yet reassuringly familiar. Rock, Blues, Country, more Rock, Heavy Metal and even more Rock are all thrown into the mix to produce something that has been described as classic British Rock with a dirty Southern twist”, and that does pretty much sum them up. They get a good reaction from the audience and the imposing figure of Sky Hunter (what a rock n’ roll name) gives all their songs a soul with her impressive vocal talents. With old and new original songs StoneWire have a varied range of material and with a couple of covers thrown into the mix for luck, Lynyd Skynyrd’s Simple Man and UFO’s Rock Bottom the show is well received. Just to prove this is a double headline tour most of Four Wheel Drive join StoneWire on stage to perform AC/DC’s Whole Lotta Rosie a portent of things to come and later both bands teamed to play Led Zeppelin’s Rock And Roll.

It has to be said that when Four Wheel Drive hit the stage the energy in the room seems to be cranked up somewhat as well as the volume from the PA. Based in London Four Wheel Drive have been described as having “soaring vocals screaming about the important things in life like sex and drinking; guitars loud enough to kill your mum; and drums that are unsuitable for pregnant women and the elderly, wherever they go this band creates the ultimate Hard Rock experience for the 21st Century” and they sure do give it plenty on stage. Comprising of Jamie Lailey (bass/lead vocals) Ben Austwick (guitar) Olie Trethewey(guitar) and Will Richards (drums) their original material does have an AC/DC/Krokus/Airbourne feel to it but it’s noticeable that the band are trying to steer away from that sound and when it was time to play a cover they didn’t pick an obvious AC/DC number, they did Thunderstruck and made a damned good job of it too. I was so impressed by 4WD’s performance that I bought both of their mini album CDs after the show, the five track Hammered Again and six track House On Fire are both packed with catchy hard rock songs such as Hole of Rock n’ Roll, Ride it Like You Stole it, High Roller as well as both title tracks. Front man Jamie Lailey strikes an imposing figure on stage with his raucous vocals and showed he’s a team player when he teamed up with StoneWire’s Sky Hunter for the two aforementioned ‘duets’ and rest of the 4WD seemingly posse energy by the buckets load as they deliver an entertainingly effervescent performance. 4WD have a familiar feel about them that will appeal to many rock fans of all ages, the ideal party band guaranteed to put a smile on your face right from  the moment they step onto the stage, even though tonight’s crowd was a small one the audience appreciation figures were huge.

Band Photographs With Kind Permission of Jane Cooke.

Check out both bands on their respective websites:

http://www.fourwheeldriverock.com/

http://www.stonewire.net/

GD Manofmetal

Evil Compulsive [Videos From The Rescue Rooms Nottingham 11.01.14]

. . . .

Obsessive Scarecrows [Gig Review]

Evil Scarecrow + Obsessive Compulsive + Twilight’s Embrace

The Rescue Rooms Nottingham

11.01.14

So 2014 heaves into view, another year, new beginnings and new horizons to reach for, well one thing is for sure in the world of GDmanofmetal the song remains the same. It's the 11th of January and I'm off to my first live show of the year, Nottingham's very own Evil Scarecrow are headlining at the Rescue Rooms here in their west midlands homeland. special guests tonight come in the form of Manchester's finest, Obsessive Compulsive so it's all shaping up to be one helluva night. 

Proceedings get under way with Twilight's Embrace, a relatively new local band who described in their own words ‘draw from a range of influences, blending slow and majestic doom-laden riffs with twin guitar harmonies that switch between the delicate and the destructive, overlaid with deathly roars and Gothic baritone choruses’. Well they sure went down well with the crowd despite the early start of the show. 

By the time Obsessive Compulsive hit the stage the Rescue Rooms is nearly full to whiteness a high octane, edgy performance from the Manc quartet of Kelii (lead vocals/ rhythm guitar) Giz (lead guitar) Pete (Bass) & Dani (Drums) playing a set of songs from their last two albums 2010’s Dreams of Death and the Death of Dreams and 2013’s Seculo Seculorum. This is one of the best PA systems I’ve heard Obsessive Compulsive play through, very loud but audible, doing justice to their musical talents and ensuring anyone in the audience not familiar with this under rated band got a great showcase of their songs. I think they sold a fair bit of merchandise after the show (I bought a T shirt) and I’m sure they made some new fans at this gig as well as keeping the old faithful following happy to boot.

Now onto the main event, Evil Scarecrow have been around in one form or other for about ten years now, I first saw them at the now defunct rock house in Derby at the beginning of 2008. They’ve come a long way since then, playing the main stage at Bloodstock to name just one of their many achievements. Tonight though promises a brand new show with new songs and new paraphernalia starting with a massive backdrop which covers the entire back of the stage, there’s a brand new ‘war horse’, the return of guest guitarist Klaus Von Unterschlafen, the Doris’ helping out on Thor Vs Ra, Slagbot on stage and the cybotronic crustacean that is Crabulon not to mention the regular cast of Doctor Hell (lead vocals/guitar) Brother Pain (guitar) Kraven Morrdeth (bass) Ringmaster Monty Blitz Fist (drums) and last but not least the lovely Princess Luxury on keys. Right at the start of the show the dry ice machine got stuck in the on position so the impressive new entrance of the band was somewhat marred as visibility was down to nil obscuring the spectacle of Doctor Hell and Princess Luxury astride the war horse riding onto the stage. The Scarecrows were on form though and gave a memorable performance; the famous four note guitar solo during the song Vampire Trousers was executed by both Klaus Von Unterschlafen and Doctor Hell working in unison. In fact many new aspects on an old theme were undertaken (pun intended), Brother Pain’s trademark high fives and crowd surfing antics always get a cheer as does Monty Blitz Fist’s Tigger like bouncing whilst playing the drums. Crowd participation of various silly antics during the songs Thor V’s Ra, Dance of the Cyclops, Crabulon and Robototron not to mention the incredible synchronised party popper extravaganza were at maximum tonight. However the crowd pleaser cover of Europe’s The Final Countdown was emitted from the set, I got a feeling that many in the crowd were disappointed at this turn of events but I think it’s a wise move on the part of Evil Scarecrow as they have in many ways become known as the band that play the Europe cover, it will do them no harm at all to leave it out. War and Seek was in fact the song on which they played out a fitting finale to a magnificent opening gig of the year for yours truly and the fun didn’t stop there. 

The Evil Scarecrow after show party was in full swing back at the tap n’ tumbler pub just round the corner from the Rescue Rooms when I got there, I had a slight detour whilst helping Obsessive Compulsive load up their gear but coming in from the cold to round off the night with tunes by guest MC Morrdeth was just what the doctor ordered, partying with friends old and new and getting the band members view of the gig is always fun, ‘terrifying’ was how Matt (Doctor Hell) described the war horse ride through the blinding smoke, he was also blown away by the crowd response to the show a humble view in my opinion, Evil Scarecrow deserve all the accolades thrown at them they put on an amazing experience that the word gig doesn’t do justice to so I’m calling it an extravaganza!

Check out the bands on their official websites
http://www.evilscarecrow.co.uk/
http://www.obsessivecompulsiveband.com/

GD Manofmetal.