Bon Jovi - Friday 5th July 2013, Hyde Park - London

Those of you who have read my earlier blog's will recall that I had a ticket to see Bon Jovi in 2011 at the same venue. I sold it so that I could go and see Cinderella instead. I wasn't disappointed. Now 2 years later returning to Hyde Park to promote their 'Because We Can' album I decided I would definitely go. The last time I saw them was on the 'These Day's tour at the old Wembley Stadium back in 1996. I must confess I thought they had lost their way recently with the last few albums. However having returned to form with 'What About Now' album (which is slightly more rockier sound) than their previous efforts and that they were going to play a 3 hour set, I wanted to see if they could still cut it. The omens weren't good as there was no Richie Sambora on guitar and they began their set with a Status Quo song ('Rockin' All Over the World'). However 26 songs later my opinion had changed.We got all the classics,'You Give Love a Bad Name' was the second song of their set, ballads, 'Dry County' was the first of the encores, and covers, 'Pretty Woman' sandwiched in 'Bad Medicine'. Even songs that I was not familiar with, 'Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars' sounded great. Phil X was certainly an able replacement for Richie. Jon Bon Jovi is still a consummate front man who clearly hasn't lost his passion to playing to thousands of people. The same applies to drummer Tico Torres & keyboardist David Bryan. Would I go again to see them. You bet. I'm glad that I kept the faith.

Rating: 8/10

Set List: Rockin' All Over the World, You Give Love a Bad Name, That's what the Water Made Me, Raise Your Hands, Born To Be My Baby, Lost Highway, It's My Life, Because We Can, What About Now, We Got It Goin' On, Keep The Faith, Some Day I'll Be Saturday Night, In These Arms, Captain Crash & The Beauty Queen From Mars, We Weren't Born To Follow, Who Says You Can't Go Home, I'll Sleep when I'm Dead, Bad Medicine (Pretty Woman & Road House Blues), Dry Country, Wanted Dead or Alive, Love's the Only Rule, Have a Nice Day, Livin' On a Prayer, Always, These Days, Blood on Blood.

Faster Pussycat - Wednesday 3rd July 2013 - Camden Underworld, London

Having giving these guys a glowing review the last time they played London, I wondered if they could be any better. As you know they are my favourite band of all time so I think you'll the answer already. Of course they were and better. Playing to a pretty busy Underworld crowd was a good sign that people still want to see them (despite it being less than 2 years since they played here). Maybe it was that there were 4 support acts; I even noticed that the backstage area was busier than usual! Anyway enough of these frivolities.  They now have a stable line up with Ace Von Johnson remaining on guitar. But of course these days Taime Downe is the remaining (and original member) of Faster Pussycat. Not to give the other guys a disservice but it's Taime who the crowd have come to see. We get a similar set to the last tour, with an added inclusion of "Shooting You Down" and a brand new song (title unknown I'm afraid). This was an absolute corker. If they are going to make a new album sounding like this song, then I can't wait. These days there is no sign of the industrial tinge to their music, they just play all the favourites how they were recorded. As mentioned  before, virtually the same songs as the previous tour. Who cares when you want to hear them being played in a live setting! Once again, Taime sits down at the front of the stage for "House of Pain", we have Danny Nordahl taking lead vocals on "Pretty Fucked Up" (accompanied by support band The Art) and finishing off with "Babylon". Sadly no encore, although the crowd wanted one. Once again best concert of 2013 so far. Next time can you play "When the Ship Roles In".

Rating: 10/10

Setlist: Where there's a Whip, Cathouse, Slip of the Tongue, Number 1 with a Bullet, Sex, Drugs & Rock N Roll, House of Pain, (new song), Don't Change that Song, Shooting You Down, Porn Star, Bathroom Wall, Pretty Fucked Up, Shut Up and Fuck, Babylon.

Faster Pussycat 2013 - Camden Underworld

Taime Downe - July 2013

Enuff Z Nuff - Monday 29 April 2013, Camden Underworld, London

First up I must mention Rocky Shades Wildside Riot whose band played 3rd on this bill. The ex-Wrathchild man is back fronting his new band, Wildside Riot.Very good they were too. A very amiable front man, who played the best tunes from his debut album, as well as finishing with an old Wrathchild classic, 'Stakk Attak'. Definitely worth checking him out again.

Rating: 8/10

Rocky Shades

Now Enuff Z'Nuff have been doing the rounds for a number of years with Donnie View back in the band. I have already given them a glowing review a few years ago at The Borderline. However on tonight's performance I'm not sure how this will last. His stage antics was a fine line between watching a car crash performance or first nights exuberance. Lets call it the latter for arguments sake!  Maybe he had one to many sherberts before the show, but constantly asking members of the crowd for a smoke nearly every other song smacked signs of desperation. Even when he managed to smoke he was told to put it out by a surely bouncer! Despite his antics Chip Z'Nuff, Tory Stoffregen and Randi Scott kept a professional performance. No Enuff Z'Nuff gig is complete without 'Fly High Michelle', 'New Thing' 'We're All Alright' and 'Baby Loves You'.We are also treated to 2 encores, 'Come Together' and 'Dissonance'. While it  was a miracle that Donnie made it to the end of the gig without tangling himself in Chip's bass cable, he promised us that he would be back just him and his guitar for a gig in the very near future. Mmmm, was he trying to tell us something!

Rating: 7/10

Set list: 'High', 'Heaven or Hell', 'Wheels', 'We're All Alright', 'There Goes My Heart', 'Baby Loves You', 'Altered States', 'Lisa', 'The Love Train', 'Fly High Michelle', 'New Thing' 'Come Together' and 'Dissonance'.

POSTSCRIPT:  Donnie Vie has now left the band!

Donnie Vie

Chip Z'Nuff

Love/Hate - Monday 25 March 2013 - Camden Underworld, London

The last time Jizzy Pearl played the Underworld was as lead singer of Tracii Guns LA Guns (or should that be LA Hate/Love Guns!). 2 years later he's back as the only original member of Love/Hate. This time his band consists of Keri Kelli (Ex-Alice Cooper - guitar), Robbie Crane (Ex-Ratt - bass) and Matt Star - drums. This is the first night of their European Tour having flown in that day. Any signs of jet lag soon dissipate with the opening one two of 'Boozer' and 'Yucca Man'. All the classics are played from 'Black Out in the Red Room', 'Wasted in America' and 'Let's Rumble'. Even a cover version of 'Ace Of Spades' is sandwich between 'Why do you think..' and 'Blackout..' for the encore. It always surprised me that although they were popular in the UK they weren't bigger elsewhere. I'm glad Jizzy is still performing (be it with Love/Hate, LA Guns or Ratt), as he clearly enjoys playing small clubs and being close to his fans. London will always welcome you back. Love/Hate once claimed themselves as the "Stoopidest band in the world". From tonight's performance this is furthest from the truth.

Set list: Boozer, Yucca Man, Tumbleweed, Spit, Fuel to Run, Straightjacket, One more Round, Spinning Wheel, Tranquilizer, She's an Angel, Mary Jane, Evil Twin, Hell CA pop 4, Wasted in America, Why do you think they call it dope? Ace of Spades (Motorhead cover), Black out in the red room.

Rating: 9/10

Lost Angels - Thursday 24 January 2013, Camden Underworld, London

Lost Angels are a super group covers band from USA put together by Troy Patrick Farrell (Ex-White Lion/Pretty Boy Floyd), consisting of; Eric Brittingham (Cinderella), Eric Dover (Ex-Slash's Snakepit/Jellyfish) and Ryan Roxie (Ex-Slash's Snakepit).With a pretty impressive CV between the four of them, I was expecting a good turnout. Sadly the majority of London's glam metal crowd stayed away. Not sure if it was the weather or lack of advertising. However their loss as when would you get the chance to see a member of Cinderella playing in a tiny club! For those who were there, we were treated to 20 cover versions ranging from Cinderella, Alice Cooper and Dad's Porno Mag! Apart from the songs there was good stage banter between Eric & Ryan who both seemed to be genuinely pleased to be here (this was their first night of their European Tour). Ryan seemed particularly on good form communicating with the crowd. Eric seemed a bit distanced from the other two (maybe his was missing Tom) but who cares when we are treated to 3 Cinderella tunes. They covered a good selection of tunes, the night turning into a glam metal jukebox. A thoroughly enjoyable evening for those who attended. Now when will we see the return of Cinderella for another UK tour?

Set list: Night Songs (Cinderella), 20th Centuary Boy (T.Rex), Ziggy Stardust (David Bowie), Helter Skelter (The Beatles), No More Mr Nice Guy (Alice Cooper), Beggars & Hangers-On (Slash's Snakepit), Save Me (Cinderella), No Matter What (Badfinger), Smell My Finger (Dad's Porno Mag), Under Pressure (Queen), Man of the Year (Alice Cooper), This is Why (Jellyfish), Boy or a Girl (Imperial Drag), I'm 18 (Alice Cooper), Fox on the Run (Sweet), Gypsy Road (Cinderella), He's a Whore (Cheap Trick), Surrender (Cheap Trick), Sin City (AC/DC) and Radar Love (Golden Earring).

Rating: 8/10

Ryan Roxie & Eric Dover