Live – The Darkness – Portsmouth Pyramids – 06/12/2013

Words – Alex Loach

Photography – Jane Driver Photography

The River 68’s – Not quite right

To say that tonight’s opening act, The River 68’s (5), are a bit out of place on the bill would be a bit like saying that a helicopter is a bit out of place in a refrigerator. It’s a fucking stupid idea and it just doesn’t work. Try as they might, their acoustic bluesy songs are completely lost on an audience who, in reality, just came to rock out and have a good time. It’s a bit of a shame, as some of the vocal work by their frontman is impressive – reminicant of a young Robert Plant at times. There’s noting at all intrinsicly wrong with the duo, but realistically it’s just all a bit downbeat and bland for a Friday night.

Lost Alone – Just plain lost.

Doing nothing to increase the quality on offer are Derby trio Lostalone (3) who’s, at best irritating, at worst god-awful, blend of pop punk and emo rock ‘entertains’ the now packed room. Seriously, if you’re 12 and your favourite band is Green Day, you’ll probably adore them. A few songs in, their frontman decides it’s a good idea to jump in to the first row of the crowd, a brilliant stage move, if the crowd are into it; if not it leads to awkward looks and people trying to edge away. The latter, inevitably being the case in this scenario. A couple of their songs are catchy enough to insight the odd clap-along amongst the younger attendees, but they won’t have made any new fans amongst the rock fraternity attending tonight.

The phrase “Fall from grace” could have been coined for tonight’s headline act. From a multi-platinum debut album and legendary appearances at Glastonbury, to a poorly received follow up, to a well documented cocaine addiction, and inter-member feuds causing the band to disappear into near obscurity in only a few short years. That being said; the phrase “Rise from the ashes” also applies. The Darkness (8) announced their return to the world of music in 2011, and since then have been striving to re-build and re-create the magic of THAT debut. 2012’s Hot Cakes was heralded as something of a return to form for the four piece, and with all original members back in the fold, high profile slots at Download Festival (amongst others) saw them explode back onto the scene in a cloud of glitter and spandex. Tonight’s show is all about celebrating that rise and fall and as the band take to the stage accompanied by a blinding white light, the crowd lose their collective shit. The first half of the set comprises of some of the more well known songs from albums two and three (despite One Way Ticket… being a bit of an underwhelming record, there are a few gems on there). ‘Is It Just Me’ and ‘One Way Ticket’ are the best recived of these – New song ‘The Horn’ less so…

Justin Hawkins takes flight…

Following the airing of a few rarely heard numbers and a fantastically timed shout of “I can see your genitals!” from one audience member (comedy gold) during a dramatic song climax, The Darkness leave the stage in preparation for the main event. A drawn out (perhaps over-long) introduction sees each member return to the stage individually accompanied by a documentary style voiceover noting the many accolades lavished upon the album which the band are about to play in it’s entirity. The first few bars of ‘Black Shuck’ ring out – yes, it’s time for Permission To Land in full! And it’s as though the last decade never happened. Of course everyone knows the words to ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ but it seems as though every audience member knows ever word of every song on this occasion, as they frequently drown out the cat-like shrieks of Justin Hawkins. There are the obligatory lighters in the air during album closer and innuendo strewn ballad ‘Holding My Own’ (a health and safety no-no apparently, as security attempt to put a stop to this).  As the crowd decends into rapturous applause, the band exit only to return for a festive encore – it’s that Christmas song! You know the one. Suitably attired in gaudy jumpers and bobble hats The Darkness finish this show in suitably ridiculous fashion, they even bring a christmas tree on stage with them! How many bands do you get that kind of a show with?  If you’re one of those people who questions the credentials of this particular act or brings up that whole “Are they even serious?” debate. You’ve missed the point of this band completely. It’s all about having a good time. And that’s pretty goddamn rock ‘n’ roll right?

Dan Hawkins – Classic Rock pose master!

Live – Tenacious D – Bournemouth O2 Academy – 07/12/2013

 

Words – Mark Sworder

Seated up in the gods of the former Boscombe Grand Theatre, the anticipation amongst the quickly forming crowd was clear. With this being an acoustic gig by a somewhat unique band, many were perhaps unsure of whether or not there would be a support act. But then a Sasquatch bounded onto the stage, picked up a guitar, began kicking the bass drum, and promptly burst into ‘Black Betty’ by Ram Jam! Why anyone ever expected anything different I don’t know!

Sasquatch (Michael Joe Bray) roared through a 20 minute set of big bluesy songs with just guitar, vocals and bass drum, enlivening the already eager crowd. A brief drum solo also provided further entertainment, before Sasquatch left the stage to cheers a plenty.

When Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage, otherwise known as Tenacious D, finally took to the stage, they burst straight into Kickapoo. I have to say, for a venue that only holds 1,800 people, the volume of the crowd was evident right from the offset, making for a fantastic atmosphere. It was nigh on impossible not to have a smile on your face as the set progressed through ‘Classico’ and ‘Baby’, both from 2006’s ‘The Pick of Destiny’, before Kyle inevitably quit the band, leading to Jack’s outburst of ‘Kage come here I want you!”. Replicating some of these comedic moments from the albums could easily come off as overtly cheesy and unfunny, but that was not at all the case – it just added to the spectacle!

‘Dude (I Totally Miss You)’ and ‘Kyle Quit the Band’ then signified the reunion, and the set continued apace, with plenty of material off of last year’s ‘Rize of the Fenix’ , and a Led Zeppelin cover for good measure. While the nature of an acoustic show meant that some songs that many would have liked to hear couldn’t be played, those that were in no way suffered from lacking a full band – a testament to the talent of both members. As the set drew to a close, with an encore of’ Wonderboy’ and everybody’s favourite romance based acoustic guitar song, the crowd were as loud as ever, and mass sing-songs then ensued as everyone filed out of the venue – surely the sign of a thoroughly fantastic show!

Basically, see this duo live! They’re utterly fantastic, and clearly know it, judging by the somewhat comical bows after each and every song! Catch them while you can!

Live – Kobra and the Lotus – Southampton Joiners – 07/11/2013

Words: Alex Loach

Photos: Jane Driver Photography

Dendera: Face melting!

Any regular attendee of metal gigs in and around Southampton will already be well aware of tonight’s opening act. Dendera (8) power through a short but effective set with a renewed energy following their recent UK tour supporting Gloryhammer. Their classic metal inspired riffery is the perfect warm up, and it’s obvious to see that their devoted fanbase is rapidly increasing – several of the front row can be seen belting out the words, their chests emblazoned with the band’s logo. It’s also worthy of note that their stint on the road seems to have upped Dendera’s level of showmanship consideraby, all while not missing a note. With fans already demanding their appearance at Bloodstock festival, expect 2014 to bring big things for the Hampshire based metallers.

Santa Cruz: More glam than you could shake a glittery stick at.

Main tour support comes in the form of Finland’s own 80’s hair metal revivalists Santa Cruz (7). First thing’s first, they’re certainly not the most original of prospects; glam has been done to death now surely? But (and this is a big but) they are a hell of a lot of fun. Channeling the spirit of classic Guns ‘n’ Roses combined with Motley Crue in their prime, the four piece hit the nail on the head. Enough hairspray to solidify a Wookie; songs about women and partying and jumping. Lots of jumping. An obvious choice for a support band, their songs are catchy and it’s easy enough to shout along to the choruses having only heard them for the first time. Predictably, the front rows lap it up and clap along willingly when prompted by charismatic frontman: “Archie”, who effortlessly owns the stage , striding around with the kind of swagger that the genre demands. No new ground broken here, but Santa Cruz are fantastic at what they do and their fun-factor cannot be argued with.

It’s been a hell of a ride for Canada’s Kobra and the Lotus (8) since their formation in 2009. Having released their debut album and being signed to a certain Mr Gene Simmons’s record label in the relatively short space of four years, the band have gone on to play at several festivals including a brilliant Main Stage slot at 2011’s Bloodstock Festival. It hasn’t all been plain sailing though, they’ve had their fair share of line-up changes to contend with – their Wikipedia page already boasts a roster of six ex-members. This however, seems of little to no consequence as the band take to the stage tonight. Led by their dazzling frontwoman, Kobra Paige – KATL launch in to their opening track “Nayana”, sending the first couple of rows into a fit of frenzied headbanging.  Paige commands the audience superbly and is living proof that women can kick ass in metal bands too. Certainly there is more Doro Pesch than Amy Lee about her, a good thing in any classic metal fan’s eyes. Their 12 song set (13 if you include the drum solo) includes a sneak preview of the next album, with the delightfully Judas Priest-esque “War Horse” actually proving to be one of the highlights. The evening ends on the soaring “Welcome to My Funeral” during which, Kobra dons a funeral director’s hat –  an odd touch it has to be said, but all’s fair in Rock and Metal, or something. Ignore this band at your peril, if they can maintain a stable line-up you’ll be seeing much more of them in years to come.

Kobra and the Lotus: A shining beacon of hope for female fronted metal.