Spread Eagle – Live @ Bannerman’s

Review By Darren McIntyre Photos By Gary Cooper

Spread Eagle are a hard rock/glam rock band from New York City, New York who originally formed way back in 1989, While rehearsing for their first gig were signed to MCA / Universal Records, the boys were live and gigging all over New York from 1989 till 1995 when they decided to call it quits. The boys went their separate ways and found new avenues to fulfil their time before connecting again and deciding to get the Spread Eagle juggernaut moving again, the boys recorded a new record Subway To The Stars around 2019 but have not been able to get it out into the world until now, tonight the boys hit Bannerman’s to bring us Pure New York Street Metal.

The moment Spread Eagle unleashed their opening chords, the venue was engulfed in a tsunami of sound. The crowd, a mix of die-hard rock fans and newcomers couldn’t help but be swept away by the sheer force of the band’s performance. It was rock ‘n’ roll in its purest, most unadulterated form.

Ray West, the frontman, was an absolute force of nature. His commanding stage presence, raspy vocals, and charismatic swagger made it impossible to look away. He embodied the essence of a rock star, channelling the spirits of legends like Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler. West’s interaction with the audience was infectious, as he led the charge through an evening of sonic rebellion.

Spread Eagle’s musicianship was tight, with each member contributing to the sonic onslaught. The guitar attack was a standout feature, delivering searing riffs and scorching solos that transported us to the golden era of hard rock. The rhythm section laid down a relentless groove that had heads banging and bodies moving.

The band’s setlist was a journey through their classic material, with tracks like “Subway To The Stars” and “Sound Of Speed” igniting the crowd into a frenzy. These songs were delivered with a raw intensity that left no doubt that Spread Eagle was here to remind everyone what rock ‘n’ roll is all about.

One of the most memorable moments of the night was when they performed “Back On The Bitch.” The song’s anthemic chorus had the entire crowd singing along, creating an electric atmosphere that resonated with the spirit of rebellion and unity that rock music has always represented. We steamrolled through killer tracks like “Push To The Limit and the mash-up that was “Billie Jean” that really gave this crowd what they came for.

We rolled back the years with the classic cuts like “Switchblade Serenade” & “Scratch Like A Cat”, this brought the night to a resounding halt but it left the crowd although small but noisy wanting more, the boys really gave it their all tonight and told us that they would definitely be back next year to bring their infectious brand of rock n roll to the masses.

The lighting and stage production added a gritty, authentic touch to the performance. It was evident that Spread Eagle wasn’t about flashy gimmicks; they were all about the music and the raw energy it conveyed. 

The boys hung out and chatted with the crowd and just wanted to get to know us on a personal level which was great.

Till next time boys.

Spread Eagle  –

                        Ray West  –  Vocals

                        Hunter Peterson  –  Guitar

                        Rob De Luca  –  Bass

                        Rik De Luca  –  Drums

Setlist  –

            Subway To The Stars

            Rhythm Machine

            Sound Of Speed

            Devil’s Road

            Back On The Bitch

            More Wolf Than Lamb

            Broken City

            Suzy Suicide

            Thru These Eyes

            Jam With Drum Duet

            King Of The Days

            Push To The Limit

            Billie Jean Mash-Up

            Switchblade Serenade             Scratch Like A Cat