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