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Sat 16 May – Blaze Bayley, Fury UK

Popped down to Weston and the new Hobbits (I know, it’s been a fair few years since the move, but it’ll still be new for me) to catch an artist I hadn’t seen for slightly over a week, Blaze Bayley…

Obligatory alcohol related comment: nice range available, shame I was driving…

Fury UK were the only support tonight and didn’t really add much to their performance in Swindon. Decent enough metal act, but just a little bit too generic, still worth a look though.

There weren’t any issues with the headliners hitting their stride this time around, as they got things right pretty much straight out of the blocks. There was a little less in the way of rambling introductions this time around as well.

As we weren’t so subject to the time constraints as the last show, we had a few other tracks making the set this time, Virus and Stare at the Sun making returns to the set and Robot put back as a set closer.

Other than that, not much to add to what I said about Swindon. Again, the crowd isn’t that big, but it’s big enough and seems to be pretty much up for the night, although this wanes after the band have been on stage for over two hours.

Thu 7 May – Blaze Bayley, Fury UK, The Love Rockets

Another trip to Swindon, this time to catch Blaze Bayley doing his solo stuff at the 12 Bar.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: 6X – ‘nuff said.

First up were The Love Rockets who I’d previously seen supporting Tyla at the same venue last year. This time around they didn’t quite gel together right and came over slightly awkward and possibly not the sort of band who should be playing on a more metal focused night. Suffering a blown amp that lead to the loss of a guitar toward the end of the set didn’t help either.

Fury UK were next up and put on an impressive display of thrash tinged heavy metal. Very derivative but fun enough for a support slot.

Blaze started off with four tracks from latest album The Man Who Would Not Die in a row, which was something of a brave move, before moving onto material from his back catalogue. Although this did have the advantage of getting a sizable chunk of the new stuff out of the way early, it also meant that it took a while for the crowd to get into the show. A few minor timing problems added to this.

But when the band do get going, it’s pretty impressive and the classics do come back when played live – although a usual concern is the versions of Maiden songs, in this case, do they really need to play both Lord of the Flies and The Clansman? As the show runs long and is cut slightly short, you can’t help but think that one of these was responsible. Although that said, some of Blaze’s trademark, slightly nonsensical onstage ramblings may also have contributed to this…

Born As A Stranger gets aired rather early, which does tend to make it seem rather out of place, but the ending duo of Maiden singles Futureal and Man On The Edge make sure the night ends on a solid note.

Tue 5 May – Art Brut, The Robocop Kraus

To the Thekla for something of an unknown quantity in alt-indie-disco-punk rockers (yeah, I know) Art Brut.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: it appears that having Bath Ales for sale last time was not the norm :(

Opening proceeding tonight were German indie band The Robocop Kraus who had a 50 minute or so set of enjoyable enough, if really highly derivative, post-punk style rock, bringing to mind Talking Heads (and a spattering of Television), Sisters of Mercy, Gang of Four and erm, Flock of Seagulls. They go a bit Kraftwerk in their mannerisms at one point too. They probably stayed on a couple of songs too long for someone who had no idea of them or their material, but otherwise it was an interesting, if not enthralling, start to the night.

Art Brut were more of a slightly chaotic rabble-rousing entity, coming over to my mind as something of a combination of The Streets and PiL, with songs that are half music, half rant. It’s music that’s driven as much by personality and force of will as by style and ability. This does come over as rather hard to get into when again, you seeing the band cold, but there’s a real sense of charisma that draws you in. It’s a case of a performance rather than a gig, being something a little bit different to the norm, but a rather acquired taste.

Mon 4 May – Saxon, Doro

Heading on down to the not far off sold-out Academy for a night of old-school metal, as British legends Saxon return to headline their first Bristol show for a very long time.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: thankfully I’d had enough decent beer the day before to negate the continuing naff-ness of the Academy’s bars.

Arrived in the venue to catch Sweet Savage on stage – that’s the Northern Irish band who counted Viv Campbell in their ranks in the 80s. I only caught a couple of their songs, including the Metallica-covered Killing Time and a version of Whiskey in the Jar, as a dedication to Thin Lizzy, who they toured with back in the 80s. Didn’t really catch too much, but enjoyed what I did.

Doro seemed to start with more of a hiccup than a roar, her attempts to get the crowd going seeming rather too forced, leading to the first two songs of her set coming over rather awkwardly. She needn’t have worried though, as when she started hitting her stride, the crowd lapped up the material offered by the Queen of Metal. With a voice that’s still strong after more than 25 years in the music business. The cover of Breaking the Law was rather different, and the place went crazy for All We Are.

Saxon have been on something of a resurgence in recent years, after appearing on one of the smaller stages at Download (and proving it to be woefully inadequate for the crowd) and a slot supporting Motörhead last year. Having teased the new album then, they’re back to promote it. And give us all the classics too. I don’t think anyone would forgive them if they didn’t go back to the 80s.

Once again, it is the sheer volume of classic fist in the air, foot stomping, sing-along to rather silly lyrics that dominates the show. And yes, it is still cheesy, but no-one cares about that.

There are two encores, with Doro returning to the stage to duet on 747 (Strangers in the Night) as a highlight. But they pretty much manage to pack a two hour performance with solid gold classic rock and metal.

Fri 1 May – Ginger, Laika Dog

A trip across the Severn Bridge again, this time heading to Newport to catch sometimes Wildhearts frontman Ginger at TJs.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: If I weren’t driving I’m sure I would have very much enjoyed a couple more bottles of Old Peculiar.

Opening were a young punky band by the name of The Sharks, who bore a rather large resemblance to The Clash. They did suffer from the usual young band problem, that they haven’t really got enough of an identity yet, but on the whole they were an enjoyable enough act to kick things off. Not a perfect performance, and they will need to work to avoid being another pretty interchangeable punk band, but they’ve got the tools and the potential.

Laika Dog, the band featuring former Terrorvision frontman Tony Wright, aren’t too different from his old band. Catchy hooks that combine pop sensibilities with a rock edge. There’s nothing really outstanding – or controversial – musically, but a good way to spend a support slot, despite there being a fair bit of feedback. Wright himself is still his usual cheeky chappy smiling joker self and whilst his classic repeated line about everything being “shit hot” might be an exaggeration, it’s a good performance from a new name on the British rock scene (that’s new in the already released two albums sense…).

Tonight Ginger is backed by a band including Jase Edwards on guitar, Denzel on drums, Dick Decent on keys and new boy Scott “Not Sorry” Metzger on bass, so it’s going to be an electric performance. The material is entirely composed of songs from his three solo efforts, Volr Del Corazon, Yoni and Market Harbour and from the SilverGinger 5 album Black Leather Mojo, so there were no Wildhearts tracks to be heard. Whilst some may have issues with this choice, considering the depth and strength of his solo records, it’s difficult to complain.

Ginger himself is looking as happy and healthy as I have ever seen him, and the performance again, is all about having fun, something that looks like is happening on both sides of the stage. The encore is just planted on the end of the set (we’re told to just pretend they’ve gone off-stage and then come back) but throughout there are smiles a-plenty.

At the end of the night, when Ginger is hanging around, signing and chatting, it’s still clear, the smiles are still there, for all parties.

Fri 17 Apr – Them Is Me, riot:noise, Roxys Wardrobe

Off to the Croft again, this time to catch the latest band from ex-Reef pair Gary Stringer and Jack Beasant, Them Is Me.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: They had the Spa on for once. Two gigs in a week with Bath Ales available = result.

Opening proceedings tonight were Roxys Wardrobe who did not impress initially, coming over like any one of those many other ident-kit indie bands who have gone through Band 101 and thought they’d take over the world. Over the course of the set, they did manage to actually develop some character, even if much of it was from ident-kit rock band Feeder (going as far as the guitarist with Grant Nicholas’s hair). But the band did evolve over the set slowly taking on a more interesting tone and style, touching on metal and more experimental themes. In this, they’ve got an edge that may see them move beyond the friends and family crowd that most of their contemporaries, it’s up to them to see if they want to do so.

Next up were local rock favourites riot:noise, who did their usual full on rock n roll antics – albeit without the trademark hat this time. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the Noise and this was a good reminder as to just how good they can be. They’re not trying to win prizes for profound song writing, just trying to get some good time rock out there. This is the sort of character many other local bands could learn from.

Them is Me are very much not Reef. They do not do sunny good time radio friendly beach rock. Which is possibly a good thing. Whilst going for a more conventional rock sound may alienate some of the fans of their former band, it was also something of a hindrance, being something of that time, where the surf and the sun sat nicely alongside indie in the charts, which despite the claim, was most certainly NOT Cool Britannia.

The band have a chance to start anew, free from the expectations and limitations of the past. Aside from Stringer appearing sickeningly youthful and vocally strong, that is. The band have taken ona more classic rock sound bringing together a decent combination of power and catchiness in a retro tinged package.

Whilst this is not the band for everyone – thus far they have remained unsigned despite having a marketable history in a currently popular genre – but on the strength of the powerful performance tonight, they’re well placed to make the most of their strengths. When they do manage to gain exposure outside of the small clubs, they should be ready to take the next step. Whilst they will enjoy the success Reef did is doubtful, they were a product of the time after all, but they certainly have the all the tools required to be one of the leaders in the resurgent British classic rock scene.

Tue 14 Apr – Supersuckers, Nashville Pussy

To the Thekla, for a rock n roll double header that only comes to these shores once in the proverbial blue moon.

Obligatory alcohol related comment: good on the place getting the Bath Ales bottles in. Bad on them for closing the bar in the main room for a while for some unknown reason, until they realized that was a really stupid idea.

Opening proceedings were Nashville Pussy, who gave a raw and dirty mix of southern, blues and punk rock, simple, direct and effective. With a set that drew heavily from their two most recent releases with a few older tracks thrown in for good measure, middle album Say Something Nasty falls victim. No covers, or indeed stripteases this time, no doubt due to time constraints, but it was still an impressive performance in how to play good old fashioned southern fried rock. Full on and in yer face, no thrills, no messing around, just a real good time.

In comparison, Supersuckers were a little more rock n roll and a little less rough and dirty. Again, a sizable chunk of the set is drawn from their latest two albums, which certainly isn’t a bad thing. With a slightly more laid back approach to their rock, the self-proclaimed greatest rock and roll band in the world blasted through a set that was a slick example of powerful punk up rock anthems with a hint of country. Indeed, when Eddie Spaghetti swaps his bass for an acoustic guitar, we get a brief country interlude. Just enough for a change of pace with a couple of songs before the rock is restored. There’s a cover of The Cowboy Song and an extended version of Born with a Tail finish off the night. Sadly, there’s no patented Supersuckers fake encore or indeed Creepy Jackalope Eye, but I think we can forgive them on this night.

That’s two cracking bands with two rocking performances, one a little southern fried, the other a little more bbq. Same again next year?

Sat 11 Apr – Winnebago Deal, Stalebreak, Zero Pilot

Headed to the, shall we say, interestingly outfitted Space 72 again on Easter Saturday, this time to catch Oxford duo Winnebago Deal. For a gig where it appeared that I was the only one attending who wasn’t a friend or family of one of the bands :(

Obligatory alcohol related comment: had a pint of Dark and Handsome in the Knights Templar beforehand, ah the joys of Weatherspoons and their real ale selections.

Starting proceedings tonight were Zero Pilot who put forth a decent display of classic southern style stoner blues rock. About the only negative thing I can say about them is that there was slightly too much in-between song chatter that was rather unintelligibly mumbled. But a good way to kick things off and hopefully there we’ll see some more from these guys in the future.

Following were Stalebreak, who were more of a conventional three piece rock outfit. Again, certainly a decent outfit, with a solid set of songs, delivered well in a manner that seemed to draw on artists like Therapy? and The Pixies, combined with a rougher, harder edge.

The headliners were their usual no-frills, full speed selves, despite the small crowd, blasting through the set with a minimum of distractions. There were few considerations for those who may not have known the material, or those who would appreciate the chance for their ears to recover, with multiple tracks strewn together into streams of distorted aggression and noise. This wasn’t the case throughout, but the for every Spider Bite or Manhunt there was another track that had passed through your ears before your brain had a chance to register it fully. Whilst this is something of a problem, it’s also one of their strengths, in that much like Motörhead, the songs don’t need to be recognized to be enjoyed.

Finishing off with a blistering version of Going Home, it’s been a pretty decent gig at the fledgling venue, despite the lack of crowd and the still appalling decor and lighting of the place.