Saturday 29th August.
Kicking Valentina hit up Bannerman’s on a
Saturday night on the eve of the cities fringe festival finishing and although not part of the festival activities in this part of the city tonight Bannerman’s was “bouncing”.
Following on from another mega band hitting the city the previous night at the home of rugby Murrayfield Stadium was another US favourite Bon Jovi this evening was “the hottest ticket of the weekend”.
Taking the stage having only just released the epic new album “Anthems from the Underground” and a tribute to the fans who follow the band opening this 14 song sleaze fest with the anthem “Freakshow” tonight was going to be anything but “are you f….. ready – let’s go Bannerman’s” as DK raised the roof we were asked to show our f….. hands up DK is already in the crowd the mayhem has started as Heber and Chris swap sides of the stage with Jimmy’s drums crashing along the audience already enthralled woah woahs ended the song.
The first tune from the newly released album the day before gave us the 1st of 5 tunes from “Anthems from the Underground” the aptly named “Dance of Destruction” and these guys can certainly cause that as Jimmy,s crashing drums kick off and this is a headbangers ball tune with Heber and Chris dualing mid song on guitar and bass the volume and sound is awesome “let’s f….. hear you Bannerman’s” is asked by DK before one almighty instrumental and the guys are giving their all 3 nights into this UK and European tour.
“Rock and roll Casualty” the 1st single released in June from the new album is mind blowing as singles go and the camaraderie from the 3 at the front is class and as drumming goes from Jimmy this is a masterclass with DK,s head swaying is a class apart frontman while Heber and Chris again set their stall out instrumentally – wow 3 songs in as the lights go down the power was surging – “I,d goosebumps already such was the adrenaline flowing on stage”.
Before opening with the epic “Man on a Mission” I love this song DK asks “who’s partied with us before” gets a round of applause from everyone as he states the same new album dropped yesterday, the “Star spangled fist Fight” tune is loud and proud let’s do it and we welcome rhythm Jimmy and Chris crowd have the rhythm to a T as the woah woahs from the crowd envelope us DK has us in the palm of his hand, bandana wearing Jimmy, Heber fronts the stage for an other instrumental onslaught with Chris, DK joins at the front for a little headbanging what a drumbeat from Jimmy to finish with crashing guitars to boot.
5 songs in and we get the 3rd new tune from the latest release in “Generation time Bomb” gives us what we expect raw unadulterated or filtered raw to the core bliss we are only 20 minutes in the power is ramped up again as Heber and Chris join together Chris baseball cap and shades exudes rock charm whilst Heber resplendent with customary long locks from front stage is giving us a fistful of dollars gig in abundance tonight.
“Takin a Ride” and the audience head banging, clapping as crowd sing back chorus Chris and Heber giving their all with Jimmy nearly breaking his drums “let’s scream” is asks by DK as we end.
Before “Turn me Loose” the 2nd in a row tonight from “Star Spangled” we are asked if there are “any whiskey or tequila drinkers” – “hell yeahs are returned from the audience – 7 songs mid set and barely a break from the guys as we get more fist pumps from the energetic DK.
The 2nd single from the new album “Don’t be Mad” continues in the same vein as has gone before us pure KV brilliance this has been a rollercoaster tonight as new songs go it’s brilliant to see the vocal being sung back this early into the album release.
We return to the “Revenge” album for the 2nd tune from it tonight and the classic “Somebody New” gets an outing and is received as if it’s new – give me “woah woah,s” is asked again and returned Jimmy crashing round his drumkit effortlessly.
What comes next is a headbanging intro “She turns me On” from the “Imaginary Creatures” 2017 release – is this song really that old as the energy through this song is mesmerising the mother of all instrumentals ends with hands in the air as far back as I could see in Bannerman’s.
“Amsterdam” does what it says in the lyrics raw and pure Heber gives us some headbanging with DK singing to all at the front of the stage with Jimmy and Chris keeping the rhythm pounding throughout
“Silver Moon” the 3rd release in mid August from the newly dropped album with searing vocals how DK reaches these vocals is beyond me but he does with Chris delivering one almighty bass line at the front of the stage.
We return to the “Star Spangled” album for the 5th tune from it and the outstanding “Ride or Die” the penultimate tune the guys ending as they started with the crowd still returning the vocals DK sits on the stage step as he gives the accolades to the crowd as they return the ‘ride or die”vocals.
As endings go what a tune to go out with the anthemic “Get Ready” and get this – from the 11 year old album “ Super Atomic” just wow what an end to an epic set as Heber and Chris join DK at the front as the audience ramp up the volume, I,m sure the band did too as at the front ‘woah woah woah,s” being returned from the whole audience was louder than before Heber, Chris and Jimmy standing for the finale behind his drum kit give us one almighty finale and that was that 70 minutes of sleaze rock anthems delivered by one of the biggest underground bands around.
I,ve now seen these guys 3 years running and the changing set list that these guys can amend year on year is testament to the song writing levels they are achieving as fans favourites mine especially to name but 2 “Dirty Rhythm” and “Fireback” miss out.
Thanks go to the legend that is “Pete Newdeck” is there no end to this guy’s talent delivering these guys nightly and the gorgeously beautiful “Pammy Jaye” NXT LVL MERCH what a spread of teeshirts etc on merch throughout the tour with a smile on her face throughout – what support they give and deserve the same gratitude.
Finally guys thankyou for giving me the opportunity to write this heartfelt review, I,ve watched in awe the last few years your rise and rise and it is surely inevitable you will grace larger audiences and stages going forward on both sides of the pond.
Until the next time – Audios Gazza ✌️ 💕
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