NWOBHM Never Dies Part Three: In The Heat Of The Night.

Diamond Head

The Hairy Dog

Derby

10.10.14.

October and November sees New Wave of British Heavy Metal veterans Diamond Head back on the road for a eighteen date tour which covers most of England, Scotland and Whales this includes the Hard Rock Hell festival at Pwllheli and a couple of dates on the continent.

Widely recognised as one of the leading lights in the plethora of NWOBHM bands back in the late seventies and early eighties Diamond Head have been chronicled as a major influence on the bands Metallica and Megadeth.

I first saw the boys from the West Midlands play live thirty two years ago at Rock City Nottingham in 1982 to be exact. Sadly after the release of their third studio album ‘Canterbury’ Diamond Head disappeared in the mid eighties, they reformed in the nineties and released their fourth studio album entitled ‘death and progress’ (1993) this second incarnation of the band was sadly short lived. In the noughties D/H came back for a third time and after two more studio albums ‘all will be revealed’ (2005) and ‘what’s in your head?’ (2007) it looks like they’re back to stay. 

The current line-up of founding band member Brian Tatler  (lead guitar) along with Karl Wilcox (drums) Eddie Moohan (bass) Andy Abberley (rhythm guitar) and Nick Tart (lead vocals) are by now well established and the most settled in the bands long history. That said I was surprised to learn that lead singer Nick Tart was not fronting the band on this tour; his replacement is Rasmus Bom Andersen from Denmark.

Tonight’s gig at the Hairy Dog in Derby is the first night of the tour and a respectable turn out has gathered to see the show. I’m looking forward to a full set of songs as last year D/H played a shorter show due to their tour being a ‘double headliner’ with Uli Jon Roth.

It’s half past nine, Showtime! There’s an air of anticipation building in the audience as the NWOBHM legends hit the stage opening up with ‘play it loud’ and ‘lightning to the nations’ both very early D/H songs. With ‘classics’ such as ‘call me’, ‘to heaven from hell’ and a mash-up of ‘devil his due’ and ‘heat of the night’ all coming in the first half of the set the Derby crowd were captivated right from the get go.

I for one had some trepidation about the stand in singer before the show started and although early on Rasmus did seem a little uneasy on stage it didn’t take him too long to get into his stride. He told me after the show that tonight was only his second performance with D/H making tonight’s rendition even more remarkable, by the end of the tour I’m sure it will seem like he’s always been there.  

This evening’s performance is packed with classics from the pantheon of D/H’s back catalogue such as ‘borrowed time’, ‘it’s electric’ ‘the prince’ and the song made famous by Metallica ‘am I evil’. A kind of middle-aged mosh pit (instigated by yours truly) started around the time D/H played ‘it’s electric’ and it continued to the end of the gig.

The newer songs ‘what’s in your head’, ‘come alive’ and ‘give it to me’ were included in tonight’s exploits to prove D/H are not resting on their laurels and the older hands in the band were definitely up for it, their enjoyment of playing live was apparent for everyone to see in fact their vivacity infected the crowd with a bonhomie felt long after to night’s entertainment was over.

Diamond Head can be seen all over the country till the end of November so if you’re an old fan from the early days or if you’ve never seen them before get yourself along to a show and all will be revealed… GD Manofmetal.

For more info on Diamond Head go to http://www.diamond-head.net/

Stop Press News…

Diamond Head singer Nick Tart quits the band

Statement from Nick

After 11 years of being the singer for Diamond Head I now feel it’s time for me to move on. As most are aware they have already started the October tour with a replacement singer and I wish them nothing but the very best. I haven’t heard the new guy yet but I’m sure he will be great; Brian has good quality control over Diamond Head and I don’t believe he would continue touring unless he had found a singer who could pull it off. They are a very powerful band to front, so the best of luck to him, no doubt I will be snooping into you tube to see what they sound like.
I was hoping to pen a third album, but making new music with the band became limited; Brian mentioned he had no interest in making a new album, he didn't feel the urge, which I can totally understand. He’s been doing it for a long time, but if there is no urge to make a new album, then an album doesn't belong. I made things even more difficult by moving to the other side of the world.
After living in Brisbane for nearly 6 years now, I've been very fortunate to still be able to fly to the UK and US for tours, thanks to hard work and determination of Karl Wilcox our drummer, without him there’s quite a lot that wouldn't have been possible for DH. When Diamond Head get offered work, festivals for example, they should be in a position to say yes, without worrying about all the hassle it will take to get me involved.
I’m very proud of the 2 albums I have written and recorded with DH and the touring we have done was way beyond my expectations, especially performing at Knebworth with Metallica. I have had some fantastic times, the guys in DH are so grounded which made the tours such a joyful ride, and we have had some laughs.
I now have my own band here in Brisbane; it’s taken me a long time to find someone to connect with musically, but I’m now writing new material and things are shaping up nicely. I’m getting quite excited, so I now need to move forward.
Love and thanks to those DH fans that accepted and encouraged me when I first joined the band and have followed us ever since, you know who you are.

All Photos and videos of Diamond Head by GD Manofmetal from the Hairy Dog Derby 2014 (Photo of Nick Tart by GD from Sheffield 2013)

New Muscle & Blood [Gig Review]

New Generation Superstars [NGS] + Latexxx Teens + First Wave

Sitwell Tavern & The Salutation Inn

Derby & Nottingham

28/29.03.14

Embarking on a three date mini-tour taking in the town of Corby and the cities of Derby and Nottingham at the end of March, New Generation Superstars and their special guests, Italian industrial metal band Latexx Teens scarcely have time to breath before the whistle-stop tour is over. The hat trick of gigs culminates on the eve of British Summer time, and talking of new beginnings…

It’s another new era for New Generation Superstars as sadly a couple of months ago NGS said goodbye to their rhythm section Alex and Rick and welcomed on board their latest drummer and bassist  Mord Fustang and Jonny Suicide. New muscle and blood adding a fresh dynamic to the Leicester/Nottingham based band who have been around for more than a decade now and with three albums under their belt and a fourth in the pipeline they show no sign of slowing down anytime soon.

It all kicked off on Thursday 27^th at The Zombie Hut in Corby, it’s a venue I’ve not been to yet but according to Jonny Suicide it is an awesome little venue, a kind of ‘mini rock city’. I did however manage the remaining two dates and rocking up as I did at the ever dependable Sitwell Tavern in Derby was a surprise lying in wait. First Wave were into their set when I got there, the Leicester punk band had stepped in a few weeks ago due to the original support band puling out and blow me recognition suddenly hit, First Wave used to support NGS a few years back about six years back to be precise since I last saw them but here they were, a blast from the past firing on all cylinders. Here’s a thing, First Wave’s new lead guitarist Graham Warne was NGS original guitarist, it’s a small world init?

The intimate nature of the Sitwell only enhances the atmosphere generated by the audience, who as a rule are enthusiastic so when we’d been treated to some old school punk rock the ardour of the crowd grew even more grandiose as we prepared to welcome NGS’ special guests, who’d jetted in Thursday morning from their home country of Italy.

Latexx Teens are neither teenagers nor do they wear latex so any preconceptions made about them from their name was blown out of the water the minute they began their set. All the way from Italy this five piece outfit combined industrial heavy metal with a glam/punk attitude which makes them alluring to many people. Both nights’ I saw them they went down well, especially at the Nottingham show where they went to town on their makeup, looking like the bastard sons of Marilyn Manson. My biggest criticism was the sampled keyboard sounds which tended to drown out both the lead guitars; however they were a great success and a counterpoint to the headliners.

Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Sixteen Tons is not what you’d expect to hear as an intro for New Generation Superstars but that’s what we got, a new era indeed as at both the Derby and the Nottingham show’s the patrons were treated to a ‘new’ look and a different sound driving the familiar songs we know and love.

As ever AJ Superstar (guitar/lead vocals) and Davey Messiah (lead guitar) are at the helm of the ship but now they’re joined by new ship mates, former Suicide Tuesday bass player Jonny Suicide and former Wraith sticks man Mord Fustang. The new line-up has changed the dynamism of NGS but I suppose we won’t feel the full effect until new material has been written and introduced to the shows.

On these three dates NGS were playing an interesting set which contained about 80% of the songs from their 2013 album Rock n’ Roll or Die, however they did play some of the old favourites from their two noughties albums such as  Come Over, Star, Beat Em’ Down and the by now anthemic Overload.

The Derby show was excellent, the intimate atmosphere of the Sitwell Tavern made for a fun evening, it was like being invited into a conclave of rock and metal. The Nottingham gig by comparison, felt more like an arena show; NGS never fail at the Salutation, they’ve played that venue many times in the past and it always comes up trumps for them.

With all four band members now having shall we say a surfeit of tattoos my ‘heckle’ of Tattoo Wars previously directed at AJ and Davey now encompasses the whole NGS personnel, I think Jonny the bass player is losing this war and he is in possession of two full sleeves. Another amusing part of proceedings is the now traditional Ramones’ cover at the end, there’s usually an ex-member of NGS floating about the Sal who joins them for the finale, this time its Dirty Berty, who along with the Latexxx Teens boys invade the stage on mass to round off a fantastic evening and bring the curtain down on the March mini-tour.  

What about that Ernie Ford intro song I hear you say, well when I asked AJ what was that all about, he gave this as his answer…

“I guess it was in the lyrics ‘poor man made out of muscle and blood. Another day older and deeper in dept.’ Sort of sums it all up. We do it for the love of Rock n Roll, not the money or fame!”

In the lyrics of one of their own songs from their first album ‘I don’t do it ‘cos I have to I do it ‘cos I can… Man!’

Check out my Rock n’ Roll or Die album review: http://discworlddog.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/new-generation-superstars-rock-n-roll.html

Find the bands on their websites & facebook…

NGS: http://www.newgenerationsuperstars.com/

Latexx Teens: https://www.facebook.com/lxtofficial

First Wave: https://www.facebook.com/pages/FirstWavePunk/142964532412055

GD Manofmetal.

Videos of Latexx Teens & NGS from the Salutation Nottingham by GD:

Ship Ahoy! [Gig Review]

East Town Pirates + Lipshock

The Tap N’ Tumbler/ Sitwell Tavern

Nottingham/ Derby

06/07.02.14

Last September I was Shanghaied by a scurvy bunch of pirates I sailed off into the seven seas of sin with the East Town Pirates, they were the support band for JD & The FDCs on two back to back gigs at the tap n’ tumbler Nottingham and the following night at the Sitwell tavern Derby. They were an instant hit with me, I bought both of their albums the eponymously titled East Town Pirates released in 2010 and the 2013 album Seven Seas of Sin and I’ve hardly stopped playing them ever since.

So another year and two more back to back gigs at the same venues they played last year, this time however the East Town Pirates are travelling from their home port of Ipswich to the East Midlands to headline both shows.

The first of these being at the tap n’ tumbler in Nottingham and the decks have been swabbed, the bar staff have matching pirate eye patches and there’s some spiced rum punch served up in a Captain Morgan’s cannonballs with the dubious title of ‘cannonballs deep’ it had to be drunk so it did me hearties oooh arrrrr!

Support on both the shows comes in the form of Coventry hard rockers Lipshock who describe their musical style as “trashy, hook-laden rock n’ roll from the heart of the UK” and they sure do have an eclectic sound, there’s Black Sabbath style riffs, sleazy vocals reminiscent at times of Buckcherry, it’s hard to pin this band’s style down. The twin guitar sound perfected by Thin Lizzy back in the 70’s is all there and it sounds to me like the creative influences behind their song writing is harvested from many sources ranging from Velvet Revolver to The Sweet. The cover that they finished the Derby show with was Wild Cherry’s Play That Funky Music (White Boy) well I didn’t see that coming, well I did because they played it in Nottingham the night before but it was not what you’d expect from this band. If you get the chance go check out Lipshock don’t hesitate, they had the girls at the Sitwell tavern dancing, a big stamp of approval and no mistake.

Ahoy me hearties it’s all hands on deck for tis time to weigh anchor and splice the mainsail for our journey to the seven seas of sin as the East Town Pirates (ETP) prepare to fire a broadside salvo, so avast ye scurvy varmints and come along a me. There’s no way I can finish this review writing like that and indeed apart from the lyrics of their songs the ETP don’t go overboard with the old pirate thing, musically they’re a rock punk band as opposed to a punk rock band. Hailing as they do from the east coast port of Ipswich it’s easy to see where they got their name and the crew members are, Rikki Rumoldew (lead vocals) Shameless Seamus (bass/vocals) Kutthroat Kev (guitar/vocals) Jonnie Murder (guitar/vocals) and last but not least Zac Cousteau (drums).

From their first moment on stage right to their last the ETP ignite a powder keg among the audience with their infectiously addictive songs, songs like Glory Days, Ship Ahoy and the titular East Town Pirates are guaranteed to get you singing and even dancing along. Lead singer Rikki is 100% punk rock with his delivery while the rest of the band provide harmonic backing vocals throughout the set of lively songs, most of which have a story to tell.

The Ballad of Tobias Gill is one such song, based on the true story of a negro Dragoon found guilty of murder in 1750 it was only after he’d been hanged that they realised he was innocent. Another song is The Revenge of Emmy Tot it’s about how a lady was abducted by a Dutch sea captain and how subsequently she escapes by cutting his head off and The Curse of Captain Blood is another tale of caution.

John Dobbs’ Bones is witty ditty about how when someone committed suicide they used to be buried face down at a crossroads, all these songs are introduced by Rikki like he’s auditioning for Jackanory.

Every song is a jig dancing gem all played out tongue in cheek the lyrics of Throw Your Arms Around Me Darling are worthy of a ‘carry on’ double entendre “let me take you in the galley let me love you fore and aft let me chase you round the poop deck cos’ I know it makes you laugh” queue Sid James laugh ooh no stop messin’ about. At the Sitwell gig the ETP played a brand new song Voodoo Pirate Rock n’ Roll it came over as being more ‘glam rock’ than punk and if there was any justice in this world it would be number one in the hit parade (does that even happen any more?) this song was dedicated to Mr. Jamie Delerict of JD & The FDCs fame who was lurking about at the Sitwell, it’s not often I see him in his civvies.

Both these gigs were maximum fun, they made the sun shine indoors while it blew a gale outside and I have to say this, having only seen the ETP a couple of times before from the moment I walked in the tap n’ tumbler they personally came over to talk to me as if we were old ship mates, that kind of personal touch can make all the difference when it comes to show time. In Derby the ETP came into the Weatherspoon’s pub for something to eat before the gig, I happened to be there as well, we all sat around a big table as if we were in the ships galley eating hard tack or was it Nachos? Anyway the upshot of all this was, I think I’ve been hired as their catering manager, “it says two sausages” Rikki.

The night after the Sitwell gig the boys were setting sail for Coventry to round off a three gig raid on the east midlands but I’m sure we’ll be able to shout ship ahoy!  Before too long when the East Town Pirates next sail into port to play for us their nautical ditties of smuggling and mutiny.

Check out both bands on facebook…

East Town Pirates: https://www.facebook.com/easttownpirates.1

Lipshock: https://www.facebook.com/lipshock

GD Manofmetal.

Seven Seas of Sin [East Town Pirates Videos]

Six videos from the East Town Pirates gigs @ The Tap n' Tumbler Nottingham & The Sitwell Tavern Derby (February 6th & 7th 2014)