Category: gig review

Spear of Destiny - Janus live review Club 85 Hitchin

Review: Spear of Destiny – Club 85 Hitchin [28 May 2025]

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig review1 Comment

The ‘Janus’ tour is in support of the re-worked recordings from the 1987 & 1988 album’s ‘Outland’ & ‘The Price You Pay’ and 12” B-sides from the time.  Kirk says they didn’t sound anything like he actually wanted them to sound like.  So now he has righted a wrong and on second hearing he was correct in his original conviction.

SOD are, and have been for a while:- Kirk Brandon – Voice/Guitar; Stan Stammers – Bass; Steve Allan Jones – Keyboards; Clive Osbourne – Sax; Phil Martini – Drums; Adrian Portas – Guitars

So another new venue for me – Club 85 in Hitchin above a dodgy boozer.  Don’t let that fool you this 300 capacity venue, which is worryingly fighting closure, is actually pretty neat.  Lighting and acoustics are fine and plenty of good viewing points.  The audience tonight are quite restrained (apart from me when I found out Chelsea equalised and then went on to win the EUFA Conference League final (get back to the music review – Ed)).  I guess the audience were mainly 50+ with a few scattered youngsters around. Each song was greeted with much applause and hollering but no signs of any mini mosh pits as with previous gigs and it didn’t look like a sell out which is criminal for such a legendary band! 

The support was a bloke under the moniker of Scant Regard.  Just him, his guitar, and a wonderful back screen showing clips from old westerns, sci-fi, cartoons etc. all perfectly put together.  Most of the songs were purely music, and some reworkings of classics like Kraftwerk’s ‘The Model’ and Donna Summer’s ‘I feel Love’ done absolutely like no one else would do them – bloody great stuff.  It’s amazing what you can do with a guitar and laptop these days!  He’s defo worth a punt if you ever get the chance to see him, a bit psychedelic 60’s surf sounds crossed with spaghetti westerns and electro.  What’s not to like?

Spear of Destiny
Now Kirk certainly has distinctive vocals and the same haircut since 1982 😊, and his band are tight as you like – powerful chords, throbbing bass, and haunting sax fill the room.   I preferred the more lively tracks e.g. ‘Spirits’, ‘Land of Shame’, ‘Radio Radio’ but slow ones like ‘I’m So in Love with You’ and ‘Never Take Me Alive’ are pretty raw and emotional.

Adrian did his usual best Johnny Ramone low slung guitar act, Stan and Phil held done the rhythm section impeccably whilst Clive (in a great Captain Scarlet t-shirt) performed faultlessly when required intermittently on sax and Steve quietly just got on with the synth almost unnoticed.

Set list (click on links to view the videos)

  1. The Jungle – (Janus, 2025)
  2. Land of Shame – (Outland, 1987)
  3. Radio Radio – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  4. Strangers in Our Town – (Outland, 1987)
  5. Embassy Song – (Janus, 2025)
  6. Outland – (Outland, 1987)
  7. March Or Die – (Janus, 2025)
  8. Spirits – (Janus, 2025)
  9. So in Love With You – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  10. Tinseltown – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  11. Jack Straw – (Outland, 1987)
  12. The Price – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  13. Never Take Me Alive – (Outland, 1987)
  14. Junkman – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  15. Pumpkin Man – (Outland, 1987)

Encore:

  1. Warleigh Road – (Morning Star, 2003)
  2. Soldier Soldier – (The Price You Pay, 1988)
  3. Liberator – (One Eyed Jacks, 1984)

The opening encore Kirk dedicates to his late band member: Warren “Woz” Wilson. It’s the soulful ballad ‘Warleigh Road’ which builds slowly and has Adrian doing an excellent extended guitar solo. Top tune!

They finish with probably their best known track ‘Liberator’, hands in the air and singalong time.  The most animated the crowd got all night.  Kirk finishes with a few words and then off backstage to recover.

A great night of music from class musicians and Chelsea win the cup – so Kirk would have been well happy!!

Marko [29 May 2025]

Airbag - Live London 2025

Review: Airbag The Dome London – 26 April 2025

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I can’t quite remember how I discovered Airbag many moons ago but when I did, early on in their career, I said to myself finally the rightful heirs to the Pink Floyd crown. They create sonic, sometimes barren, soundscapes that suddenly bursts into life with a rollicking riff or a Dave Gilmour inspired solo.  File them under Prog Rock!  To confuse matters it turns out there is another Airbag, an Argentine hard rock band whom seem to come to the for on internet searches – it fooled a few of my friends who checked out the wrong band 😊 until I told them to go to AirbagSound.com.

So a quick history lesson, Airbag were formed in Oslo in 2004 by school friends and their current mainstay line-up is Asle Tostrup (vocals/guitar), Bjørn Riis (lead guitars), and Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums).  Live they also have Jørgen Hagen (keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass). They have released the following LPs – check them out all mighty fine listens.

  • 2009      Identity (a compilation of previously released EPs)
  • 2011     All Rights Removed
  • 2013     The Greatest Show On Earth
  • 2016     Disconnected
  • 2020     A Day at the Beach
  • 2024     The Century of the Self

So finally after 20 odd years they made it to the UK and I was so looking forward to this evening.  Dressed all in black Airbag took the stage at 8:50 for an atmospheric 80 minute set interspersed with a splattering of songs from all their albums bar ‘Disconnected’.  They start with the pulsating bass drone of ‘Machines and Men’, and it’s repetitive chord sequence before it explodes into life.  They certainly know how to build a layered musical canvass. Excellent throbbing bass from Anders and guitar work from Bjørn.  Next comes ‘Redemption’ with another slow impressive build-up of bass and layered Korg synths.  Asle took a couple of songs to get the mix of his voice right (but more of that later) given it was lost during the loud parts where all instruments were at full tilt.

‘Never Coming Home’ is one of my personal favourites and is one of those songs that always makes the hairs on the back of my arm stand out! Atmospheric keyboard work from Jørgen, a lovely melody and aching guitar licks – plus great lyrics – what’s not to like.  ‘Dysphoria’ slow burns and showcases Asle’s vocals at their best when not fighting the other instruments and Bjørn’s virtuoso guitar work is excellent.  ‘Erase’ is punching bass lines, thumping drums, guitar licks and gripping vocals.

‘Megalomaniac’ commences with its irresistibly haunting repetitive guitar riff and vocals before busting into life with huge riffs and dynamic guitar solo.  All parts of the band working in total harmony – a joy to behold.

Airbag Set List (click on link to see YouTube videos)

  1. Machines and Men – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)
  2. Redemption – (The Greatest Show On Earth, 2013)
  3. Never Coming Home – (All Rights Removed, 2011)
  4. Dysphoria – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
  5. Erase – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
  6. Megalomaniac – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)

Encore:

  • Colours – (Identity, 2009)
  • Homesick I-III – (All Rights Removed, 2011)

The band leave the stage to rapturous applause from a fixated audience.  They are quickly back for an encore of ‘Colours’ and ‘Homesick’ – wow and both these were just fantastic.  Asle strums away on acoustic guitar before the synths and slow guitar kick in and the whole sound just flows slowly through you like a mist – ‘Colours’ is such a beautiful record. 

Airbag - London 2025

So in the end they only played at 80 minute set ☹ – they have such a wonderful rich back catalogue of work and so many classics not played.  I’m sure they could have snuck a couple more songs in?  The final song ‘Homesick’ is an opus epic a beautiful mix of melodic guitar backed by multiple rolling keyboard layers, deep bass and drum rhythms. A dark moody atmospheric piece with scorching guitar licks and evocative melodies that freely roams into ‘Wish You Were Here’ territory.

A couple of low points for me were the lighting and merchandise.  With the correct lighting and backdrop this would have made the gig even more spectacular.  It didn’t detract from the music but certainly didn’t add to it.  But that’s the trouble when you play in a smallish venue and have to use their rig.   Also, the merchandise (or what there was of it) wasn’t very inspiring and lacked imagination.  I’m sure they can come up with far better designs e.g. the ‘Identity’ cover.

The anticipation of a great evening’s music was certainly fulfilled and more.  I loved every minute of the gig and managed a brief chat with Asle and Bjørn as they were clearing up – top blokes!  An all-encompassing immersive experience from start to finish.

Please come back soon chaps 🙏🏻, else I’ll just have to go to Norway or the Netherlands for an away trip!

Marko [27 April 2025]

Goodbye Mr Mackenzie 100 Club gig review

Review: Goodbye Mr Mackenzie at 100 Club – London 4 April 2025

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig review2 Comments

Surprisingly it’s the 1st time the Mackenzies have played the little 100 Club and given there were seven of them there was precious little room to move about.  Martin was especially restricted but he still maintained his usual charismatic leader role.  Alas the venue was probably only two thirds full so loads of punters missed out on an outstanding evening of GMM early 90’s classics from small but ace back catalogue that have, for me, stood the test of time.

The support band ‘She Made Me Do It’ were a trio from London. A new find for me but they have been around since 2015. An Indie guitar driven sound with thumping base made for an entertaining set which kept people engaged throughout. 

As usual when GMM take the stage guitarist Big John Duncan, an MS sufferer, gets an extra special welcome.  He stays seated throughout the set, only to be expected.  He’s an ominous figure given his size and near totally tattooed torso. Love the ‘Punk’ fanzine lettering tattoo on his neck!  It’s even stevens tonight who has the most charisma, Big John or Martin’s enigmatic ominous presence driving his band forward.  Martin, dressed all in black, is the ideal front man, controlling the stage and audience alike.

GMM are:  Lead singer – Martin Metcalfe; lead guitar – Big John Duncan; drums – Derek Kelly; Fin Wilson – Bass; Rona Scobie – Keyboards; Jim Brady – Guitar; Tippi Hedron – backing vocals/guitar.

Goodbye Mr Mackenzie - 100 Club London 4 April 2025 gig review

Ably supported by the rest of the band who were as tight as possible given the limitations of the equipment and sound at the 100 Club. Derek and Fin kept the rhythm section excellently whilst Big John and Jim Brady regularly switched lead and rhythm guitar licks. Rona, stuck at the back in a small space, layered the keyboards over the top given the band the quintessential GMM sound.

Nearly half the set came from 1994’s ‘Five’ album with the powerful slow burners of ‘Jim’s Killer’ and the simple but haunting chords of ‘Naigara’ being the highlights.  The last three songs are absolute belters ‘Goodwill City’, the singalong ‘The Rattler’ and it had to end with ‘Goodbye Mr Mackenzie’.  Bloody great stuff and my personal highlight ‘Blacker Than Black’ what a song. Plenty of loyal followers were there singing along and applauding loudly after each song. They have a small’ish but loyal following and I’m proud to be one of them!

Big John got his moment in the spotlight singing ‘The Way I Walk’.

Set List (Click on links to view the YouTube videos)

  1. Hands Of The Receiver – (Five, 1994)
  2. Open Your Arms – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
  3. Hard – (Five, 1994)
  4. Love Child – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
  5. Yelloueze – (Five, 1994)
  6. The Grip – (Five, 1994)
  7. Jim’s Killer – (Five, 1994)
  8. Blacker Than Black – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
  9. His Master’s Voice – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
  10. Niagara – (Five, 1994)
  11. The Way I Walk – (The Way I Walk EP, 1994)
  12. Normal Boy – (Five, 1994)
  13. Now We Are Married – (Hammer and Tongs, 1991)
  14. Goodwill City – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
    Encore:
  15. The Rattler – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)
  16. Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie – (Good Deeds and Dirty Rags, 1989)

Simply, a great gig from Goodbye Mr MacKenzie, go watch them if you can, you won’t be disappointed.

So many great songs were omitted tonight e.g. ‘Candlestick Park’, ‘Carlton Hill’, ‘Bold John Barleycorn’, ‘Knockin’ on Joe’, ‘Face To Face’ they could have gone on for a few more songs in my opinion.  Also the merchandise stand was very bland I’m sure they can design better t-shits etc. given the stuff Martin does with Maria Rud.

BIG QUESTION – will there ever be another GMM album Martin?

Marko [7 April 2025]

Review: GBH live at the 100 Club, London, 11 January 2025

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Before I start the blog I’d like to thank John (their US tour manager) for getting me a backstage pass and to GBH for taking time out to chat with me during the day.  They are a lovely courteous bunch of fun loving Brummies 😊.  So the good news was I got to see the soundcheck for both GBH and their support act Split Dogs who were also golly good fun. And then off to the pub around the corner for a few jars with the band, hear some stories and back in time to watch the Split Dogs set.

The 100 club is still as dingy, divey and sweaty as always, apparently the gents was refurbed a while back but it’s seriously hard to tell!  Both bands used the house back line and basic lighting – well it’s bloody hard shifting gear down those steps at the back of the venue, plus less gear to be stolen 😊.

Support Band – Split Dogs

I’d never heard or Bristol’s Split Dogs before today but my interest was spiked during their soundcheck – they play Rock ‘n Roll with a punk attitude.  I’d describe the sound as Punk meets Status Quo on crack/steroids and as it turns out speaking with Mil after show he’s a massive Quo fan. I spotted more than a few quick Quo inspired riffs during their blistering in your face set.  In Harry they have an all-out in your face front man, she is a fucking force of nature.  Brilliant poses, facially expressive, aggressive, style in abundance – just look at the girl go (you can’t take your eyes off her).  Mil reminds me of a young Brian Setzer – loud guitars, tattoos and a “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. They are ably supported by the bass/drums laying the groove in support of Mil’s manic guitar. 

They seem to have had a few line-up changes but currently Split Dogs are Harry Martinez – vocals, Mil Martinez – guitar, Suez Boyle – bass, Chris – drums.

Split Dogs

This lot are going places – go catch them while they are still raw and eager. If you want to see them in action follow the links below:
Live 100 Club

Soundcheck 1 – 100 Club

Soundcheck 2 – 100 Club

GBH Review

GBH 1st played the 100 Club 44 years ago supporting Discharge.  In the intervening years not much has changed, GBH’s brand of hardcore metal-punk headbangers give you no respite throughout their 75 min set.  Highly charged riff driven powerhouse songs that grab the audience by the proverbial balls.  Those of you that know the 100 Club will know there is a pillar just in front of the stage middle and either side of the pillar small groups developed into mini mosh pits with studded leather clad Mohicans (or baldies) leaping about with gay abandon.  Die hard fanatical fans seeing their hero’s in action.  On numerous occasions the stage was ‘invaded’ by various fans just wanting to either sing or dance or in fact just use the stage as a launch pad for a quick bit of crowd surfing. The local bouncer intervened on a few occasions but towards the end Colin seemed to warm to it and was more than happy for the fans to sing the chorus’s on stage with him or to hand the mic over to the front row to shout the words. 

As always Colin’s lyrics are undecipherable on stage, but that matters not if you know the words anyway.  The band have been at it for so long it’s seamless to watch, a well drilled machine. Colin still looks the part as he battles constantly with the mike stand and generally looks angry throughout – a top front man.  Jock does his thing effortlessly, guitar and man in perfect harmony riff after riff (now that sounds like a good album title 🤔). Scott beats the shit out of the drums all night long as if his life depended on it and the back line interplay with Ross on bass really lays the sonic back beat to Jock’s powerhouse guitar riffs and solo’s.

Set List (click on the link to watch the YouTube videos)

  1. Diplomatic Immunity (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  2. Drugs Party in 526 (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  3. Sick Boy (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  4. Slit Your Own Throat (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  5. Am I Dead Yet? (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  6. Warpigs
  7. Maniac (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  8. Gunned Down  (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  9. I Am The Hunted (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  10. The Prayer of a Realist (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  11. Heavy Discipline (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  12. Boston Babies (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  13. Bellend Bop (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  14. I Never Asked For Any Of This (Momentum, 2017)
  15. Generals (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  16. No Survivors (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  17. Fifty What? (Momentum, 2017)
  18. Momentum (Momentum, 2017)
  19. Give Me Fire (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  20. City Baby Attacked by Rats (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  21. City Baby’s Revenge (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  22. Time Bomb (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  23. Bomber – [Motorhead cover, 1979]

    Extra gift for you all – ‘Momentum‘ at the soundcheck…

So Birmingham’s GBH are the flag bearers of the 2nd wave of punk rock and probably the most famous of the movement.   They obviously have staying power, three of the originals are still in the band and Scott has been with them since 1994 which says a lot about their camaraderie.  They bond on stage each knowing their place and the interaction is very real.   The vast majority of their set comes from the 1981-84 heyday period with the addition of 3 tracks from 2017’s Momentum (my personal favourite is ‘I Never Asked For Any Of This’) plus an anarchic cover of Motörhead’s classic ‘Bomber’ to finish off their intense set.

GBH are: Colin Abrahall – vocals; ‘Jock’ (Colin Blyth) – guitar; Ross Lomas – bass; Scott Preece – drums.

I for one knew little about GBH before tonight, except for their name and iconic band pictures, especially from the early days.  So I listened to some of their stuff and liked both the old and new so another band in my catalogue to check out more and to watch live again. I really enjoyed watching them live as a newbie but for the diehards this was a massive deal.

In my experience having spent a few hours with the band during soundchecks, in the pub and backstage, they may have a ‘rock ard’ image but they are a wonderfully down to earth, not up their own backsides, set of blokes who still reside around their home turf of Birmingham.  It was a pleasure to meet them and see them in action.  A new fan to their ranks.

Marko [15 Jan 2024]

Live review: The Long Ryders 229 London – [16 Oct 2024]

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40 years ago The Long Ryders released their 1st LP Native Sons, to critical acclaim, and apparently in the process unwittingly invented ‘Americana’.  I indeed bought said LP and treasure it to this day.  I really can’t remember how they came to my attention (at same time as Green On Red and REM I think) else they may have inexplicably passed me by.   When I saw they were touring and playing the LP in its entirety I just had to go reminisce and be part of rock ‘n’ roll history😊.  As it happens it’s not lost any of its lustre, is still a lovely and relevant piece of work that has stood the test of time.

Having seen them 18 months back I knew what to expect – The Long Ryders are a top live band led by the indomitable barmy Sid Griffin; Greg Sowders wearing a Stetson looking like a retired Texas Ranger and Stephen McCarthy erring on the accountant look.  They are supplemented by Murry Hammond (from the Old 97’s) and a 2nd drummer (not seen that since the Glitter band 😊) plus the occasional horn section.

The Long Ryders are:

  • Sid Griffin – Guitar/vocals
  • Murry Hammond (from the Old 97’s) – Bass/vocals
  • Stephen McCarthy – Guitar/vocals
  • Greg Sowders – Drums

So how to describe them?  60’s psychedelia, Alt.Country, slightly Monkees, Byrdsy – basically lots of twangy guitar riffs.  They come into their own live delivering songs with passion, energy and a sense of fun.

Sid Griffin is a consummate and witty performer – give them what they want!!  His energy levels are  undiminished and in-between songs he’s a funny fucker. The hair is now whiter but it’s still a shaggy sweaty mop from back in the day.

Setlist (Click on links to view YouTube videos)

  1. Gunslinger Man – (Two-Fisted Tales, 1987)
  2. Seasons Change – (September November, 2023)
  3. September November Sometime – (September November, 2023)
  4. Final Wild Son – (Native Sons, 1984)
  5. Still Get By – (Native Sons, 1984)
  6. Ivory Tower – (Native Sons, 1984)
  7. Run Dusty Run – (Native Sons, 1984)
  8. (Sweet) Mental Revenge – (Native Sons, 1984)
  9. Fair Game – (Native Sons, 1984)
  10. Tell It to the Judge on Sunday – (Native Sons, 1984)
  11. Wreck of the 809 – (Native Sons, 1984)
  12. Too Close to the Light – (Native Sons, 1984)
  13. Never Got To Meet The Mom – (Native Sons, 1984)
  14. I Had a Dream – (Native Sons, 1984)
  15. I Want You Bad (NRBQ cover)
  16. State of My Union – (State of Our Union, 1985)
  17. Greenville – (Psychedelic Country Soul, 2019)

Encore:

  1. White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover)
  2. Lights of Downtown – (State of Our Union, 1985)
  3. Looking for Lewis and Clark – (State of Our Union, 1985)

The lights dimmed, the near sell-out crowd roared, and the guitars twanged to ‘Gunslinger Man’.  They twanged even more on the Byrdsy ‘September November Sometime’ a quintessential Ryders song and a personal favourite of mine.  Then Sid announces they are playing the whole of ‘Native Sons’ in chronological order – perfect!  So from the off it’s all ass-kicking attitude, on ‘Final Wild Son’

Sid and Stephen regularly took turns for lead vocals and traded guitar solo’s respectfully.  Stephen is more sedate during his solos whereas Sid on the other hand (with trusty Rickenbacker) is in constant motion making machine gun shapes, wailing legs and striking poses.  Hell they all really look like they are enjoying themselves not surprising really given the enthusiastic audience and classic songs like ‘Run Dusty Run’, ‘(Sweet) Mental Revenge’, and ‘Tell It to the Judge on Sunday’ they get to play.

Tools down and off for the briefest of interludes and lots of hollering.  Upon returning Sid says “on a personal level thank you for making so much noise as I’ve a lot of family here tonight, and they weren’t so sure about the career path I took” – tee hee!!  At the start of their dreamy version of Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit’ (sung by Murray) he says “kids there’s something to be learned here so pay attention”.  They finish off with the rousing audience participation sing-a-long that is ‘Waiting For Lewis and Clark’ the final icing on a class night. Catch them while you can folks, definitely worth the ride.

Morton Valance

The support act were a London band called Morton Valence, whom I’d never heard of but turned out to be a very fine band indeed with some beautifully eerie slow burning country style songs.  The 4 piece were fronted by a beanie wearing singer with acoustic guitar and a lovely Irish lady on keyboards.  Chatting with the band afterwards it turns out they have released quite a few albums already so I’ll have to check them out as they sounded interesting and different.  I felt obliged to buy something as let’s face it any band that gets to mention Hieronymus Bosch in a song has got to have some degree of intellect 😊 and wit. I enjoyed their set, they were engaging.

Marko [18 Oct 2024]

Review:  Black Uhuru – Jazz Café London [24 July 2024]

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Black Uhuru were:

  • Derrick ‘Duckie’ Simpson – Vocals
  • Andrew Bees – Lead vocals
  • Elsa Green – backing vocals
  • Supported by some old black session musicians (bass/drums/keyboards/rhythm guitar) and a white dude with tattoos on lead guitar.

Luckily I saw the classic lineup of Black Uhuru in 1982 at Wembley Stadium supporting the Rolling Stones (alas I recall nothing from the day).  These days only Duckie remains as the stalwart holding their formidable legacy together so I was really looking forward to seeing them.

A sweaty night in the small but packed Jazz café in Camden finally saw the return of Black Uhuru (and about bloody time given all the previous cancellations!!).  Duckie and Andrew are a total contrast. Duckie barely moves, totally laid back, and just adds the odd bit of singing when required until he takes over lead vocals towards the end of the gig and even then barely breaks into a sweat.  Andrew on the other hand is a dynamic live wire, doing all the reggae moves and engaging the audience in singalongs.  He certainly has stage presence!  The rest of the band basically blend into the background (most with their dreads hidden in their tams), doing their job with minimum fuss.  They are a solid unit – pulsing repetitive hypnotic bass/drum really driving the beat for the whole evening.

Duckie’s performance was pretty much that of an interested bystander watching and conducting his band.  There were a number of occasions when Andrew had to restart a song, band obviously out of step, so they hadn’t had sufficient time to practice for this gig?  Not that this bothered the mixed crowd who danced and sang along enveloped in the rhythmic sound.

Set List (Click on the links to see the YouTube videos)
These are the songs I remember:

  1. I Love King Selassie – (Live, 1984)
  2. What Is Life? – (Anthem, 1984)
  3. Shine Eye Gal – (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1983)
  4. Plastic Smile – (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1983)
  5. Black Uhuru Anthem – (Anthem, 1984)
  6. As The World Turns – (As The World Turns, 2018)
  7. Spectrum – (Strongg, 1994)
  8. General Penitentiary – (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1983)
  9. Sponji Reggae – (Red, 1981)

Encore

  1. Solidarity – (Anthem, 1984)
  2. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – (Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, 1983)
  3. Happiness – (Sinsemilla, 1980)
  4. Sinsemilla – (Sinsemilla, 1980)

The nearly 2 hour set was sprinkled with classic hits from their 80’s heyday and newer tracks from their last LP.  Some tracks were elongated into a rhythmic jam with the groove simply moving your body to the beat.  The diverse audience of young/old black/white is a testament to Black Uhuru’s enduring reggae greats legacy.  The band and audience connected on many levels (umm is that dope I smell?), there is a timeless appeal to their music.

All in all it was a night to celebrate Black Uhuru as true ambassadors of ‘proper’ reggae. Thank you Duckie for keeping the fire burning!

Marko [29 July 2024]

Review: Body Count live at the O2 Forum Kentish Town – 30 June 2024 (Merciless Tour)

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Amidst the sirens and flashing blue and red lights the Gangsta rap metal boys from south central LA launch tonight’s sonic onslaught with “Body Count’s in the House” or their eponymous 1st LP and for the next 90 minutes the noise never lets up.  It’s no frills, Rock N Roll! 

The tone for the night was set as they launched into Slayer’s ‘Raining Blood/Postmortem’, then ripping into ‘Bowels of the Devil’, and ‘There Goes the Neighborhood’ before introducing us to a new song ‘The Purge’.   Ice-T told the crowd that he judges how good Body Count concerts are by how brutal the mosh pits are. Que circle in the pit ready for the mayhem about to begin for a new song written especially for a good old mosh ‘The Purge’.  To be fair the pit started on the very first song and continues throughout the night – high-energy moshing, circle pits, crowd surfers and beer flying everywhere.  Fun to watch.

Ice dedicated “Manslaughter” to the death of real men “ladies have you noticed your man has a vagina” and “they have more products on the cosmetics shelf than you” 😊..   ‘Necessary Evil’ and ‘Psychopath’ were ace, for the latter Ice took off his cap and put tights over his face – very bank robber!  “Talk Shit, Get Shot” and “No Lives Matter” are great singalongs before the last song ‘Cop Killer’ brought mayhem and middle fingers in the air along with an impressively loud ‘F**K the police’ chorus.

Body Count Set list (click on links to see YouTube videos)

  1. Body Count’s in the House – (Body Count, 1992)
  2. Raining Blood / Postmortem – (Slayer cover)
  3. Bowels of the Devil – (Body Count, 1992)
  4. There Goes the Neighborhood – (Body Count, 1992)
  5. The Purge – (Merciless, 2024)
  6. Point the Finger – (Carnivore, 2020)
  7. Manslaughter – (Manslaughter, 2014)
  8. Necessary Evil – (Born Dead, 1994)
  9. Psychopath – (Merciless, 2024)
  10. No Lives Matter – (Bloodlust, 2017)
  11. War / UK 82 / Disorder – (Exploited Cover)
  12. Drive By – (Born Dead, 1994)
  13. Voodoo – (Body Count, 1992)
  14. Talk Shit, Get Shot – (Manslaughter, 2014)
  15. Cop Killer – (Body Count, 1992)

Encore

  1. Born Dead – (Born Dead, 1994)
  2. This is Why We Ride – (Bloodlust, 2017)
  3. Comfortably Numb ‘rap’ – (Merciless, 2024)

Ice then introduced us to what he said he invented i.e. a virtual encore.  Basically at 66 he’s too old to piss off backstage only to come back on so the lights are dimmed for 15 seconds, the band pretended to leave the stage before turning around and playing ‘Born Dead’.  He then explained revenge is the answer to killings and not reporting them to the police and engaged us to listen to the lyrics of ‘This is Why We Ride’.  They were about to call it quits but as the crowd was so good they agreed to play one last new song.  He teased us about what band they would cover this time and to everyone’s surprise it was Pink Floyd.  A wonderful rap full of emotive lyrics that make your hair stand on end all to the sounds of ‘Comfortably Numb’ – what a fucking way to go out, seismic – check out the video link.  This will be a staple set finisher for years to come a total classic on first hearing.  “Can you mother fuckers hear me?”.

Review Body Count playing "Cop Killer" live at the O2 Forum Kentish Town 30 June 2024

Body Count are:

  • Ice-T – Lead vocal
  • Ernie C – Lead guitar
  • Vincent Price – Bass
  • Juan Garcia – Rhythm guitar
  • Will “Ill Will” Dorsey Jnr – Drums
  • Sean E. Sean – Vocals
  • Little Ice – Vocals

Awesome riffs and blisteringly fast solos from Ernie C (looking like a deranged Donald King), ably supported by Juan on rhythm flying V.  The back beat was delivered lightning quick from Ill Will attacking the drums and in your face bass lines from Vincent Price.  Ice-T was a magnificent sweary beast of a man all night full of passion and humility.  Plenty of social commentary “shut the fuck up bitch” to a lady annoying him at the front; racial equality has been his main aim since he started; the hopelessness of war and why can’t we all live together?  Oh and the odd gun reference 😊…

The ‘skull n gun hoody’ black stage set back drops pretty much explain all you need to know about Body Count and rap superstar Ice-T – thank fuck he went metal!!  Body Count still matters!

Marko [1 July 2024]

Ps – I’ve decided to have a new feature to my blogs called ‘Nick’s view from the bar’ – which involves my mate Nick’s take on the gig stood propping up the bar and drinking way too much 😊.  More to follow..

Bruce Dickinson Live at London: The Mandrake Project Tour 2024 Highlights

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig review2 Comments

Well here I am at a loose end so let’s see what gigs are on in the smoke tonight.  Bruce Dickinson ah ha! – ok let’s see if there are any tickets.  Resale yes at £55.  Popped out and then revisited same site at 3pm and would you believe it £32 – I’ll have some of that.  So quick change and tube into London. Thanks to TFL closing Kentish Town tube for a year I have to go to Tufnal Park instead and walk, luckily it’s not that far.  Quick stop at a Japanese noodle bar and a couple pints in pub and I’m in.

Now this is a first for me. I don’t know any of Bruce’s solo material bar a few single from ‘Tattooed Millionaire’.  So I did a bit of digging to work out the set list and band members.

Last time I was here it was called the Kentish Town and Country club, not that I remember as it was a seriously long time ago and I was ratted.  The place was packed and steaming hot for this sell out show. Luckily I stood on the steps so had a great elevated view of proceedings.  The lights go down and monologue for ‘The Invaders’ (for you youngsters out there it’s a 1960s American Sci-Fi series) “The Invaders, Alien beings from a dying planet …” blasts out.  The band waltz on stage and are greeted with a barrage of “Brucie, Brucie” from and ardent crowd.  Worth milking it for a short while until they launch into ‘Accident Of Birth’.  It’s not long before he lifts his arms and, using his synonymous Maiden catch phrase, “Scream for me, London!”.  And yes they did!

This short set of 5 UK dates is to promote his lasts LP ‘The Mandrake Project’ and the 4 he played were good. Between songs, Bruce is his normal chatty self, with several dialogues throughout the set e.g. a tale of female vampires needing sex before ‘Many Roads To Hell’.  Tonight’s set surprisingly covers the majority of his solo career, a pretty even spread are his 1st album.

Set List (click on link to watch YouTube video)

  1. Accident of Birth – (Accident of Birth, 1997)
  2. Abduction – (Tyranny of Souls, 2005)
  3. Laughing in the Hiding Bush – (Balls to Picasso, 1994)
  4. Afterglow of Ragnarok – (The Mandrake Project, 2024)
  5. Chemical Wedding – (The Chemical Wedding, 1998)
  6. Many Doors to Hell – (The Mandrake Project, 2024)
  7. Jerusalem – (The Chemical Wedding, 1998)
  8. Resurrection Men – (The Mandrake Project, 2024)
  9. Rain on the Graves – (The Mandrake Project, 2024)
  10. Frankenstein – (Edgar Winter Group cover)
  11. The Alchemist – (The Chemical Wedding, 1998)
  12. Tears of the Dragon – (Balls to Picasso, 1994)
  13. Darkside of Aquarius – (Accident of Birth, 1997)

Encore:

  1. Navigate the Seas of the Sun – (Tyranny of Souls, 2005)
  2. Book of Thel – (The Chemical Wedding, 1998)
  3. The Tower – (The Chemical Wedding, 1998)

Once things for certain, having seemingly recovered from his well-documented throat issues he was at the top of his ‘air-raid siren’ game vocally, very impressive.  The band is well oiled, guitarists Philip Nãslund and Chris Declerq regularly take turns in lead and rhythm and the extremely seductive dread locked Tanya O’Callaghan putting stationary bassist to shame!  Drummer Dave Moreno is sweating and pounding the drums as if his life depended on it and the steampunk clad Mistheria fiddled with keytar strutting his stuff like a lead guitarist and enamouring the crowd to clap, sings and basically have a damn good time.  During longer solo’s Bruce would have breather at the back to get ready for the next vocal assault. One big negative for me was the bands dreaded virtuosic ‘look how competent I am on my instrument solo’s’ especially on ‘’Frankenstein’ where they all had a bloody go starting off with the drums.  Hell I hate those things.  They could have squeezed another song in instead!!

The Band are:
Philip Nãslund and Chris Declerq – guitar
Tanya O’Callaghan – bass
Dave Moreno – drums
Mistheria – keyboards, keytar.

The backstage visuals consist of UFO based themes and plenty of old B&W footage from old horror movies.  Lighting is generally dark and sparse bar some occasional strobe lighting. The entire time the audience were either clapping, singing or waving in unison, a devoted crowd indeed many sporting Iron Maiden insignia’s.  All in all an entertaining evening with pretty much every song receiving a standing ovation.

Bruce was sporting leather trousers, tour t-shirt, cut-off denim jacket and wool beanie throughout – he must have sweated off some pounds this evening.  He loves hamming it up with on the bongo’s and acts the demented demon whilst waving his arms about on the theremin – all very Vauderville 😊.

Black Smoke Trigger are the support act.  Not bad, their lead singer was a charismatic chap with a wonderfully husky voice. Some of the songs were pretty good, I wonder if they will break into the big time?

Marko [26 May 2024]

Live review: The Gaslight Anthem at the Roundhouse London [24 March 2024]

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig reviewLeave a comment

Support was from Texan Emily Wolfe, who came on later and played on two of the Gaslight Anthem’s songs. She can defo play guitar but the music wasn’t for me so I’ll skip her slot and get to the main attraction.

Brian looked way different to the last time I saw them almost exactly 10 years ago.  He’s got long unkempt hair, he’s put on some timber (middle aged spread 😊) and he’s wearing a Black Sabbath Vol 4 t-shirt – a nod to greatness.  They are across the pond for the UK/EU ‘History Books’ tour and this is the 1st of three nights at the Roundhouse which attests to their enduring popularity.  Tonight’s sell-out crowd of die-hard fans is buzzing with excitement, and a huge roar hits the band as they get on stage and launch full on into ‘Positive Charge’ from their latest LP.  Swiftly followed by ‘Hand Written’ and ‘Old White Lincoln’ the crowd are stomping, waving, jumping and singing along in unison.

In fairness Brian could just have played rhythm guitar all night as it seemed like the vocal crowd knew all the words to every song they played and sang along continuously – a sight to behold – a truly religious experience of sorts.

New Jersey’s finest are Brian Fallon – Vocals, rhythm guitar; Alex Rosamilia – guitar, Alex Levine – bass; Benny Horowitz – drums with touring members Ian Perkins (rhythm guitar, keyboards) Bryan Haring – keyboards.

The Majority of tonight’s set is from ‘The 59 Sound’ and ‘Handwritten’ with some nice surprises from their early days from ‘Señor and the Queen’ and ‘Sink or Swim’ (check the set list).  Basically loads of crowd favourites, let’s face it they have a top back catalogue to choose from, supplemented by 3 songs from the new LP ‘History Books’ and a couple from ‘Get Hurt’.  It appears that they change the set list most nights which is great news for fans who may have bought tickets for a couple of shows and also for the band as I guess it gets kind of boring (and would sap your enthusiasm) playing the same songs over and over night after night.

The Gaslight Anthem Set List (click on link to watch the video)

  1. Positive Charge (History Books, 2023)
  2. Handwritten (Handwritten 2012)
  3. Old White Lincoln (The ’59 Sound, 2008)
  4. Biloxi Parish (Handwritten 2012)
  5. Red Violins (Get Hurt, 2014)
  6. High Lonesome (The ’59 Sound, 2008)
  7. The Patient Ferris Wheel (The ’59 Sound, 2008)
  8. Mulholland Drive (Handwritten 2012)
  9. Here’s Lookin’ At You Kid (The ’59 Sound, 2008)
  10. The Spirit of Jazz (American Slang, 2010)
  11. 1930 (Sink or Swim 2007)
  12. Halloween (Get Hurt, 2014)
  13. I Coul’da Been A Contender (Sink or Swim 2007)
  14. The Weatherman (History Books, 2023)
  15. Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts (Señor and the Queen, 2008)
  16. Howl (Handwritten 2012)
  17. Mae (Handwritten 2012)
  18. Michigan, 1975 (History Books, 2023)
  19. Great Expectations (The ’59 Sound, 2008)
  20. 45 (Handwritten 2012)
  21. The ’59 Sound (The ’59 Sound, 2008)

Brian only interacts with the audience a couple of times during the show as one punkier classic rock slab blends into another for more joyous crowd revelry.  Comparisons with Bruce are inevitable, Brian certainly owes a debt of gratitude to the Boss but IMHO I prefer The Gaslight Anthems more up tempo beat and lyrics reflecting on times long gone by or just storytelling.

The sound was a bit too hazy for my liking (vocals didn’t stand out) and the lighting a bit hit and miss – too many red/blue hues but just a slight grumble. 

The show is interspersed with a few slower tunes – ‘Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts’, ‘Mae’ and ‘Here’s Lookin’ At You Kid’ which turned into a total reverie sing-along!  My personal favourites were ‘The Spirit of Jazz’ and the final 3 blistering tunes of ‘Great Expectations’, ‘45’ and ‘The 59 Sound’.  Everyone, including the band, had smiles on their faces.  A truly euphoric 90 mins of delightful driving rhythms powerfully resonating with the ordained crowd.

Marko [ 27 March 2024]

Gig Review : Judas Priest / Saxon / Uriah Heep – Ovo Arena Wembley 21 March 2024

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig review1 Comment

What a line up – Judas Priest, Saxon, Uriah Heep – and what a great night of heavy metal and rock by three bands at the top of their game.  I’m just going to leave this statistic here for you, Rob Halford is 72, Biff Byford is 73 and Mick Box is 76.  Get out and see these bands before it’s too late!!!

It’s been 9 years since they last hit our shores and yes they are here to showcase their new LP ‘Invincible Shield’ but tonight the Priest set consisted 70% of 70s and 80s output, 20% from the latest LP and a couple of songs 1990 and 2014.  A career spanning best of that tells you something about the strength of their early output compared to the latter years.  

Original Judas Priest members, in order of longevity, Ian Hill, Rob Halford and Glenn Tipton (who appeared for the last 2 songs having been forced off the road with Parkinson’s disease), were supplemented by long standing regulars Scott Travis and Richie Faulkner and touring member Andy Sneap.  All resplendent in black leather and studs with Rob going off stage after each song (for oxygen I guess given he’s a sprightly 72 😊) and changing his leather top every few songs – he must have worked up a sweat as he constantly wore 2 leather jackets.  The final change for the encore was to a floor length sleeveless denim coat emblazoned with band patches – reminded me of 70s Quo fans style (that said I’ve never seen so many patched denim since the early 70s at the show tonight – old rockers never die!!)

To be fair all 3 singers on tonight’s bill have still got outstanding vocal dexterity.  They all have outstanding dynamic ranges which given their ages is surprising.  The band are tight and don’t put a foot wrong throughout a night of heavy metal anthems.  You know it’s going to be good from the start when they launch into the blistering ‘Panic Attack’ followed by a salvo of ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ and ‘Breaking the Law’ when Ritchie, Rob and Andy do a little shimmy move during the guitar solo – great stuff (watch the video via the link further down this blog).  Loads of archetypal metal axeman posturing from Ritchie, Ian doing the usual bassist thing but Rob still gets the audience gaze, striking as he is with tattooed bald head, nose ring, long white beard and leather clad head down singing into the mic.

Judas Priest Set List (9:20 – 22:55) (click on link to watch video)

  1. Panic Attack (Invincible Shield, 2024)
  2. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (Screaming for Vengeance, 1982)
  3. Breaking the Law (British Steel, 1980)
  4. Rapid Fire (British Steel, 1980)
  5. Sword of Damocles (Redeemer of Souls, 2014)
  6. Love Bites (Defenders of the Faith, 1984)
  7. Saints in Hell (Stained Class, 1978)
  8. Crown of Horns (Invincible Shield, 2024)
  9. Turbo Lover (Turbo, 1986)
  10. Invincible Shield (Invincible Shield, 2024)
  11. Sinner (Sin After Sin, 1977)
  12. The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) – (Killing Machine, 1978)
  13. Painkiller (Painkiller, 1990)

Encore:

  1. Electric Eye (Screaming for Vengeance, 1982)
  2. Hell Bent for Leather (Killing Machine, 1978)
  3. Metal Gods (British Steel, 1980)
  4. Living After Midnight (British Steel, 1980)
Judas Priest – – Wembley Arena 21 March 2024
Judas Priest – – Wembley Arena 21 March 2024
Judas Priest – – Wembley Arena 21 March 2024
Judas Priest – – Wembley Arena 21 March 2024

Priest’s stage set is excellent – great lighting, a large 3 pronged backdrop playing videos or showing the band members in full swing and a invincible shield trident lowering occasionally centre stage for further effect.  There is the occasional between songs banter, Rob introduces Ian “Ian, say hello, how you doing tonight?  Ian has been here as long as I have, we’ve been playing heavy metal for over 50 years, that’s a long time”.  Then the band launch into ‘Invincible Shield’.  And Drummer Scott Travis launches into a prologue about the tour then in as a typical American he says “but we knew the last show in the UK had to be in London, England (like we don’t know where it is 😊) and it’s been the best audience we have had so far…” before giving the drums a damn good clattering as he launched into ‘Painkiller’.

For the encore ‘Electric Eye’ the sound of engines ignites and Rob emerges in a plume of smoke on his Harley motorcycle clad in leather, chains and muir cap – Hell Bent for Leather indeed!!!  The special guest Glen Tipton comes on for the last 2 songs to massive audience approval and the bad finish triumphantly with the sing along ‘Living After Midnight’ – a perfect end to a great night.  Rob is indeed a metal god!

SAXON

The Band are “Biff” Byford (vocals), Brian Tatler (ex Diamond Head) and Doug Scarratt (guitars), Nibbs Carter (bass) & Nigel Glockler (drums).  They are here to promote their new LP ‘Hell, Fire and Damnation’ however 70% of the songs tonight are from their NWOBHM 80s heyday.  That said the 3 songs they did play sounded great especially ‘There`s Something In Roswell’ and ‘Madame Guillotine’.  Biff Byford was in his element, exciting the audience in his thick Yorkshire accent, to have a fucking great time. A classic line from him was “The bill tonight is fucking great, even I’d buy a ticket and I’m from Yorkshire”.

Saxon – Set List (click on link to watch video)

  1. Hell, Fire and Damnation (Hell, Fire and Damnation, 2024)
  2. Motorcycle Man (Wheels of Steel, 1980)
  3. Sacrifice (Sacrifice, 2013)
  4. There’s Something in Roswell (Hell, Fire and Damnation, 2024)
  5. And the Bands Played On (Denim and Leather, 1981)
  6. Power and the Glory (Power & the Glory, 1983)
  7. Madame Guillotine (Hell, Fire and Damnation, 2024)
  8. Heavy Metal Thunder (Strong Arm of the Law, 1980)
  9. Dallas 1 PM (Strong Arm of the Law, 1980)
  10. 747 (Strangers in the Night) –  (Wheels of Steel, 1980)
  11. Denim and Leather (Denim and Leather, 1981)
  12. Wheels of Steel (Wheels of Steel, 1980)
  13. Princess of the Night (Denim and Leather, 1981)
Saxon – Wembley Arena 21 March 2024

All the classics are played during their 60 mins: ‘And the Bands Played On’, ‘747 Strangers in the Night’, ‘Wheels of Steel’ and the crowd choice of ‘Dallas 1 pm’ based on the noise level when Biff gave us 3 songs to choose from.  Saxon were actually really very good and engaging. Loads of top riffs, blistering solos and Biff with a powerful commanding front man display.

URIAH HEEP

Mick Box is such a good guitarist, which I don’t think he gets enough credit for.  Heep are a great live band and they started with a couple of lively newer songs ‘Save Me Tonight’ and ‘Grazed By Heaven’ which got the set off to a blinder.  Bernie Shaw`s voice is very powerful and compliments the thumping Hammond organ driven songs well.

Although coming on at 18:30 and only given 35 minutes Heep delivered a mix of epic old prog classics and crowd pleasers ‘Gipsy’, ‘Rainbow Deamon’ and ‘Easy Livin’ which sat neatly with quality dynamic new songs that show they still have got it.

Uriah Heep – Set List (click on link to watch video)

  1. Save Me Tonight
  2. Grazed by Heaven
  3. Rainbow Demon
  4. Hurricane
  5. Free ‘n’ Easy
  6. Gypsy
  7. Easy Livin’

Bernie Shaw (vocals), Mick Box (guitar), Phil Lanzon (keyboards), Dave Rimmer (bass),  Russell Gilbrook (drums) are a well oiled machine on top form tonight.  Bernie said “There’s around 150 years of music in here tonight” and he was not wrong!

Marko [23 March 2024]