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 27th 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!’
Find
the bands on their websites & facebook…
GD
Manofmetal.
Videos of Latexx Teens & NGS from the Salutation Nottingham by GD:
