Dreadnought Bathgate.
Friday 23rd October ‘26.
Review By Gary Roebuck Photos By Callum Roebuck
“Faerie Tales” from the latest album released in April “Dark Faerie Tales” kicks us off on the stroke of 10 and these guys achieve in excess of 10 tonight for this show was off the scale.
As we get off and running on this glam,punk rock extravaganza with Steve on drums crashing, Kerry on bass dancing as the first smoke arrived at front stage with Shane on guitar both joining in the vocals this is one fun set with the extravagant Steve leading on drums before another energetic instrumental kicks Lee back in, smiles galore in the Dreadnought as “I’m in love with Myself” gives us the first of 5 tunes from the “Church of the Pistoleros” album last year, the energy from the front of the stage as the guitars and rhythm with Lee back on vocals with deep throbbing drums, Kerry on backing vocals black angel wings adorned with bandana wearing Shane on guitar and Lee bouncing around at the front Lee states “I mean love, come on come on let’s go” is shouted from the front and another ear shredder with Steve,s drums keeping us going with the backing from both Kerry and Shane we get a “come on come on let’s go” well that’s what we will do “ let’s go” and give these guys the credit they deserve as front men go Lee is the front man extrordinare up there with the best as the start of the set keeps us at this breakneck pace as “Last train to Knowhere” gives us a triple opening salvo of glam,punk rock.
The Dreadnought is alive as a clapping intro with “hey heys “What’s it like to be a Girl” from the third of four albums for tonight’s show “Duende a go go Loco” getting an outing tonight with it’s “yeah yeahs” it’s a joy to see the crowd dancing and singing along with the “oh oh ohs” another different sound these gypsies have put fun on the map in “Bathgate” tonight what’s not to like about this 4 piece, I’m loving it we have more makeup than a “Boots” counter in the high street “hey hey hey” gets delivered before Shane again gives us a show of his chord playing, all along Kerry backing on vocals this is different class.
“Like tears in the Rain” not played for a while is another energetic clapping intro into the song before soaring vocals and drums kick in with guitar and bass another dance along anthem up there these guys are loving it, vocals galore.
“Close as you’ll ever Be” from the last album to get a tune from tonight the aptly named “The Greatest Flamenco Sleaze Glam Band Ever” released in 2020 is still as fresh and a puff of hair from Lee before launching into this latest tune as “yeah yeah yeahs” punch the air, extravaganza is the word for these punk geniuses as Shane rips an instrumental before “hey hey let’s go” punch the Dreadnought with Kerry’s bass strings heaving with another closing drum masterclass we are being well treated tonight.
“Shadow Walker” released as a single ahead of the album”Welcome to the church of the Pistoleros” is alluded to as a heavier song with a heavy opening on drums as the guys join Kerry looks as though she is loving it tonight as she bounces around the stage – as the future goes larger stages are in the building process for these guys such is their energy.
“King of almost Everything” is a track to “Mark Westwood” this show is for him another anthem with Kerry’s bass on the prowl at the front of the stage with now hatless Lee before more smoke released with another astonishing punk anthem from the guys as Steve crashes around his drums this is one awesome toe tapper as smoke envelopes the stage I’m loving the backing vocals being delivered pure “Anarchy”
We are now midset with no time wasted within reason between songs “Whatever happened to the old Town” shows us the punky theme again as it continues from these 4 gypsies in deepest darkest West Lothian, long haired face painted Steve on drums has delivered a masterclass throughout.
“Revolution” and this is astonishing as this was the 5th single to be released from the “Duende a go go Loco” album launches another vocal onslaught with Lee singing his heart out as if it depends on it the energy from the stage is felt at the front and to the back the guys having such fun with a great solo from all 4 before vocals kick back in, I’m back to my punky 20,s tonight.
“The ballad of Tommy Selby” has Lee tell us about playing the Edinburgh festival before he returns capped, this ballad slowed the tempo with the guys swaying “he’s bad he’s beautiful” before we launch again into orbit with the vocals, rhythm and lead to another level I’ve loved this set up to now on a damp soggy Scottish night these glam, punk, goth gods have soaked it up in a different way as the audience swayed along with the guys what a moment the band loved it before we go again, smoke engulfed.the stage giving an eerie presence before crashing drums close “love it”.
“Wild, beautiful, Damned” has Lee tell us “we don’t normally dress like this for Sainsburys” we are informed of the latest new album which “Dave Draper” had produced before Lee returns with his hat, as both Kerry and Shane join vocals as “woah woahs” punch us again with Lee still dancing around the stage these guys have loved this their first of 2 north of the border gigs this weekend before a monster instrumental from Shane and Kerry backing.
“Prince of the Damned” from the latest album with its tribal drum intro pretty much mimics “Adam and the Ants” kicks us back into check before another punchy chorus how Lee has kept this up “wow”.
“Rattling” keeps us in new album territory as a Country and Western tune we have another trademark anthem and the crowd loving this and who’d want this set to close as the guys delivering the energy throughout Lee has kept us enthralled what a close to the song.
“Church of the Pistoleros” penultimate tune how sad to end a night of this class as Shane delivers again with Steve’s drums still beating I have loved this and Kerry’s bass the melodies ringing in my ears with the crowd still singing back another ear splitting, toe tapping head banger delivers before an astonishing declaration.
The Dreadnought is asked – “Do we want one more” as the quartet leave stage left before returning to deliver the set closer –
“Come on Eileen” the 80,s number 1 from the legendary “Dexy,s Midnight Runners”what more is there to say a punky version to close is to leave us wanting more this is what I want an energy sapping closer with Lee in the crowd forcing his mike cable as far into the audience as possible as throughout the Dreadnought the crowd return “ too rye ays as the chords closed, the drums crashed, guitar and bass closed this “Pistol” shooting 70 minute set.
Guys you’ve been on my radar for quite a while now and to get the opportunity to review you was a pleasure what lovely people you are – passionate and full of energy to put on such a wholesome show.
It was great to speak pre and post show to both Lee and Kerry of what drives you.
I wish you all the best.
Until the next time
+ There are no comments
Add yours