Click on the links below to see some photos of the
event, taken by Keith and Mike.
.... and here's Keith's review of the night:
| Rather like trying to put a metal band at The
Angel which never really works on a small stage HeKz were
cruelly ensconced on a milk crate (Angel stage) sized platform,
like caged birds of prey, due to the immense drum kit of the
headlining band. - Were we in for a headlining treat! I'm sure
Niko the HeKz drummer didn't mind though, he was more visible up
front and put in his usual well practiced natural rhythm - even
when disaster struck and his hair gel needed replenishing! With
his trade mark flower garland and Everton scarf adorning his kit
he even joked his band about by purposely keeping the band
waiting while he yawned and stretched until he felt like
starting in his own sweet time. Recently recovering from a
throat infection and loosing a few octaves Matt Young was on top
operatic vocal form for this performance, nothing would stop the
gig, with the line-up being looked forward to be playing on so
much. He had a good handling of the crowd, great bass playing,
heartfelt vocals and of course…. his black fluffy trouser
leggings. There was a join in section of tuneful screams with
the audience willing to participate and a set which included old
live classics with fresh tracks from the new C.D. being launched
at this gig. Adam the guitarist doesn't usually require too much
space to play on, concentrating on accuracy with occasional
gazes to look up and smile at the crowd. Danny on the other hand
squirming on the spot like a bag of eels putting in all the
metal band movements required for a visual performance, climbing
on to amps, shoulders, - anything he could find. It was a good
set, mixing catchy romps like 'Flight Of The Harpies' with the
epic riff laden saga of 'Exodus' fully demonstrating their
talent and range. - Young heads on old shoulders (or someone's
shoulders!).
Having only learnt how to play guitar since the previous
Wednesday and learning his third chord in the car park just
before the gig The Fifth Quarter were on next. Only joking - the
young guitarist Ben Pool has been playing for years and I'm sure
finds it all too common to receive compliments of his
electrifying guitar abilities. Marc and John on drum and bass
provide a decent session backing to compliment the playing
ability. Heavily influenced by Stevie Ray Vaughn and other blues
luminaries. They announced a few of their own tracks that I
thought had just as much potential as their covers. I think
newer songs should be swapped in to their set now as it's
starting to sound the same each gig, which nevertheless remains
constantly awe inspiring.
G.M.T. were in fact even better than I thought they would be.
Although not needing all the space for the band members as they
did not thrash around a great deal. Robin Guy's drum kit however
was bigger than their rider and a behemoth sized beast, with
cymbals stacked like Christmas trees. His drumming style would
have been totally wasted to people at the back as they would
have missed his drumstick gymnastics and other clever 'tricks on
the sticks'. John McCoy on bass with biker like appearance
several coat changes and a mean bass line was certainly
impressive. Bass solos are quite rare at gigs and his was one of
my favourite moments, with almost Asian or far eastern tones, he
later appeared with his elephant bass, with tusks and smoke
fuelled top piece from the candle like moulding, forming the top
structure of his instrument.
But what of the man him self, Bernie Tormé, with great
credentials along with his singing voice and amazing guitar
playing. - One part that totally amazed me was the total
accuracy of sound when he played with his teeth - their didn't
seem a note wrong. Their was the old rock guitar wind milling
and other showman moves, I thought there was danger of it all
looking the same right through when they started but GMT
defiantly put on a show.
Big thanks to all the bands and everyone that came and gave support.
- Keith. www.bedfordmetal.co.uk
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September
29th......and a cracking little venue called Esquires that was once a
Methodist Church. Tour manager Rob roped me into busting a gut by
carrying the equipment up to the stage and between us, we worked out
where to put McCoy's huge bass cabs with the help of a couple of house bricks!!
Rob is the epitome of a Road Manager, always helpful and courteous and
its always good to see him again.
With the new GMT backdrop comes a new (to me anyway) intro tape
consisting of Big Bens chimes and the BBC pips on the world
service.......band hits the stage and a quick warm up while the in-house
light technician fiddles with the lighting and we're off to the
unforgettable opener of Wild West. Unfortunately, the low ceiling behind
Robin means he is limited in twirling his drumsticks as outrageously as
normal. Bernie's guitar hero poses go down well with the camera phone
users in the crowd especially the intro to the next song, Star which
showcase his tapping technique which is a perfect foil to McCoy's and
Guys thundering bass and drums.
Ball and Chain is next up with the Bernie duck walk along the
all-too-small stage before GMT's first offering from the album,
Cannonball which gives McCoy and Guy a free license to do their own
thing as opposed to copying someone else's work in the previous songs in
the set. Robin cranks the drumming a few notches louder and John nodding
furiously which always makes me wonder how his sunglasses stay on!!
Calm before the storm for Stratocaster purists when Bernie starts with
an extended intro to Down To Here which climaxes into a wall of sound of
strat screaming that only Bernie Tormé can do so
effortlessly.....certainly left me breathless!!
You Can't Beat Rock n Roll from the album gets the usual works from the
lads as the lighting technician is earning his wages for the night
trying to keep up. We get a clap-along intro to Rocky Road From Dublin
with the unforgettable Pogues sound which has newer fans tapping their
feet.
The awesome Longer Than Tomorrow is next up which builds into pure
thunder from the rhythm section of Big John and Robin........an
excellent offering!
Bitter and Twisted is showcased but without the usual 'He's Bitter and
I'm Twisted.....and he's the drummer' line, but we do get Bernie playing
the guitar behind his head.....you have to be a bit good to pull that
off, Bernie takes it in his stride so casually.
A bit of crowd banter and Jerry getting No Justice dedicated to him
which I'm sure he appreciated. John McCoy gets to do a spot now and we
get a thoughtful and provoking bass solo which starts us into
Summerland.....thankfully no dreaded disposable cigarette lighters are
held aloft!! Bernie launches into another lesson of Stratocaster mastery
before he needs to get his breath back while Robin Guy shows us a thing
or three about powerhouse drumming and we get a slice of the Gillan
favourite, New Orleans and McCoy reveals the mammoth bass guitar. Whilst
the song is well received, I personally wish it was dropped for another
cover or a Gillan song like No Easy Way, but that's only my opinion.
Bernie has a chat to the crowd and the Sid Worth Memorial Trust gets his
thumbs up which I'm sure many of Sid's friends and acquaintances
appreciated. We then get a taste of Bernie magic with a blinding solo
which included windmill slashing strumming and power chords Pete
Townsend would be envious of and we even get Bernie playing with his
teeth....and I KNOW that hurts!! Brilliant!!
Some idiot shouts 'Are you taking the piss?' before Bernie cuts him dead
with the Smoke On The Water intro which always goes down a storm
wherever its played...although after all the times he's played it,
Bernie forgot the last verse!! TRUE....luckily, we all know it as well
and helped the fella out on vocals!
A short break and for an encore McCoy sported the legendary dulux jacket
from his Gillan days and said he 'was wearing it for Ace' which made me
feel ten feet tall........its a bit of banter I've had for a while
regarding the jacket. Certainly made my day! the band then launched into
the Hendrix classic, Fire.
The show was excellent, they get better every time I see them.
Helped the lads pack up and lug the equipment downstairs before the long
drive back to Nuneaton.
The first support band was Hekz, who were okay but 2nd support, Fifth
Quarter were excellent, the young guitarist, Ben Poole, was brilliant,
its not often I sit up and take notice of a 19 year old lad playing
guitar, but Ben certainly made me look twice. Watch out for him, I think
he is very promising.
Great to see the usual crowd of Redial, Lisa and Matt and some new
faces, and a special thanks to Caroline on the soundboard for her help
and guidance.
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