Janet Gardner - 28 May 2018 - Camden Underworld, London

Bank holiday Monday and there was a very small turnout for Janet Gardner's final date on her solo UK tour. Those not familiar with the name is the lead singer of Vixen. I must admit the main reason for attending was to hear some old Vixen songs as I was not familiar with any of her solo material. Sadly we only got 1 Vixen song as an encore number. I soon found out that London was the only gig she played "Edge of a Broken Heart". We were already to go when the house lights went down and the into tape started. as soon as it finished...nothing. the bass guitar wasn't working! what an anti-climax! What seemed like ages we finally kicked off with "If You Want Me". Backed by here husband on guitar we got 12 songs including the aforementioned Vixen songs and 2 cover versions - "Fu*k You" by CeeLo Green (which was an interesting choice but went down well) and "Love Gun" by KISS (sung by the bass player - why?) Despite my comments I enjoyed this gig. Janet said that she was planning to return later on in the year. If so I hope with more Vixen songs in her setlist, or even with Vixen.

Rating: 7/10

Setlist: If You Want Me, Your Problem Now, Hippycrite, The Grind, Fu*k You, Candle, Lost, Love Gun, Let it be Over, rat Hole, The Good or the Bye, Edge of a Broken Heart.

Chris Holmes - 2 May 2018, Camden Underworld, London

This is the 3rd time Chris Holmes has played the Underworld in the last 19 months.I reviewed his concert back in October 2016 where I gave it a rating of 7/10. So was this one better? Slightly, due to more WASP songs being played (8 in total). Despite playing to a very small crowd we were treated to more WASP tunes than from October's gig. Starting off "On Your Knees" this was a mixture of  solo and WASP songs. The best of his solo stuff being "Born Work Die".Personally this is one of the best value for money show I've seen in a long time at the Underworld as we get a total of 18 songs in over 90 plus minutes. Backed by a great band, Chris obviously took lead vocals on his solo songs whilst Kevin Van Raiser didn't disappoint with his best Blackie performance on the WASP songs. Finishing off with covers of Black Sabbath, Jeff Beck and Neil Young we all went home satisfied. All WASP fans would love to see Chris & Blackie back together again playing under the WASP moniker, but it will never happen. At least when Chris tours we get to hear "Animal".
Fact - this was a better concert than WASP's 'Crimson Idol' tour last year!

Rating: 8/10

Setlist: On Your Knees, Get With It, Let It Roar, Blind in Texas, L.O.V.E. Machine, Sleeping (in the Fire), I Wanna Be Somebody, The Devil Made Me Do It, I Am What I Am, I've Had Enough, Born Work Die, Wild Child, Animal, I Don't need No Doctor, War Pigs, Electric Funeral, I'm Goin' Down, Rockin' in the Free World.

Enuff Z Nuff - 18 March 2018 - Camden Underworld, London

This was in fact a BulletBoys headline with Enuff Z Nuff as special guests. However as they are one of my all time favourite bands I just had to give them a full review. In fact they pulled the biggest crowd and by the time Marq Torein and his band come on stage, half the crowd were gone! In fact from what I heard the whole tour was poorly attended it was only Enuff Z Nuff pulling in the punters (maybe they should have been given headline status!). Any way enough of my thoughts, what about the gig. Well I must say this was the best Enuff Z Nuff gigs I have been too (and I even told Chip Z Nuff when I met him at the end of his set!) Now that he has taken over lead vocals, not only is Chip the focal point but a natural lead singer to boot. A shorter but similar set to previous London gigs, but it was good to see the inclusion of "Kiss the Clown" and a great version of Bowie's "The Jean Genie". Finishing off with their new single "Dog on a Bone" which I'm sure will be included in future sets. A note to Chip, when you come back make sure you headline next time.

Rating: 9/10

Setlist: Baby Loves You, Kiss the Clown, Heaven or Hell, In the Grove, The Jean Genie, Wheels, Fly High Michelle, New Thing, Dog on a Bone.

Chip Z Nuff

Tony Fennell

Faster Pussycat - 19 November 2017, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London

After seeing Faster Pussycat play the Camden Underworld on numerous occasions it was great to see them play on a larger stage. As special guests to Mr Big, they were also playing to much larger crowds and to punters who had never seen them before. Therefore by the time they hit the stage at 7pm it was good to see a fairly sizeable crowd (and fans as well). For 30 minutes they played a set not dissimilar to the one in September. I think starting off with 'Jack the Bastard' is a good opener. They came across as very professional and for me this was a perfect set consisting of 7 songs (8 if you include 'Ace of Spades' snippet at the end). However I think they are best suited for a top support slot for future bands that come and play the UK, rather than heading tiny venues.A faultless performance. Hopefully their profile has been raised from this tour and I hope to see them at an outdoor festival appearance in 2018.

Rating: 10/10

Setlist: Jack the Bastard, Cathouse, Slip of the Tongue, No 1 with a Bullet, House of Pain, Bathroom Wall, Babylon and Ace of Spades.

Lynch Mob - 12 November 2017, O2 Academy Islington, London

This was a curious gig for me. I'm not a big guitar virtuoso fan, but this was a chance to see George Lynch's band in a small environment (and also support the live London music scene). To be fair I was not familiar with his work in Lynch Mob, however the set did include 3 songs from his time in Dokken ("When Heaven Comes Down", "Into the Fire" and "The Hunter" which I guess was only to be expected. Although the singer Oni Logan was suffering from a cold (how rock n roll to have a hanky), this didn't affect the performance.Completing the line up was Jimmy D'anda on drums and Sean Mcnabb on bass. Sadly I'll remember this gig for how short it was. Up to the 9th song I was really enjoying the gig with the songs sounding great.However during "Testify", George Lynch's amp blew up(!) and we were informed by him that he did not have a replacement.As a result an unfortunate and early end to tonight's concert. What a disappointment. Next time George, bring a spare!  

Rating: 7/10

Setlist: Street Fightin Man, She's Evil but She's Mine, River of Love, Believers of the Day, Main Offender, When Heaven Comes Down, Into the Fire, The Hunter and Testify.

LA Guns - 2 November 2017 Camden Underworld, London

Although it was only eight months ago that LA Guns were in London playing the bigger venue of O2 Academy Islington (see my earlier review), they have decided to returned to the capital to play 2 nights at the Underworld. The first night was billed as a 'Greatest Hits' set, whilst the second was to play songs from their new album "The Missing Peace". This review was of the first night and of course we were treated to all their hits. In fact it was very nearly the same set as they played in March (even down to Michael Grant's version of Prince's "Purple Rain"). However we did get to hear 2 new songs from their new album; "The Flood's the Fault of the Rain" and "Speed". As usual Tracii was playing his best, we even got treated to a great version of AC/DC's "Hells Bells". As usual they finished off with "Rip and Tear" where Bernie Torme joined them on stage. Despite a very familiar set, it's 'Never Enough' to see Phil Lewis and Tracii Guns back on stage together as LA Guns.

Rating: 7/10

Setlist:  No Mercy, Electric Gypsy, Hollywood Tease, Over the Edge, Bitch is Back, Sex Action, The Flood's the Fault of the Rain, Speed, One More Reason, Kiss My Love Goodbye, Don't Look at Me that Way, Purple Rain, Malaria, Hells Bells (instrumental), Never Enough, Jelly Jam, The Ballad of Jayne and Rip and Tear.

The Iron Maidens - 29 October 2017, O2 Accademy Islington, London

Not strictly an 80's Metal band, but they are the only Iron Maiden female tribute band in the world! Iron Maiden are one of my favourite all time bands and having missed out seeing The Iron Maidens a year ago at the same venue,  I wanted to see them this time around. The stage was set with a plethora of Iron Maiden gimmicks which certainly set a good atmosphere. Their set list not only plays the Maiden classics but also songs they very rarely play ( "Infinite Dreams", "Losfer Words" & "Flash of the Blade") or have never played live ("Alexander The Great" - this was worth the admission alone)! Their musicianship was of the highest quality with the singer (Kirsten Rosenberg) doing her best Bruce Dickinson impression ("scream for me London")! For their encore they had a guest appearance of Maiden's original vocalist, Paul Di'Anno, on "Wrathchild" and "Iron Maiden" (with an Eddie doppelgänger running through the crowd!) Thoroughly entertaining. If you can't get to see the real Iron Maiden, then these girls are the next best thing.

Rating: 8/10

Setlist: Intro - Doctor Doctor, Churchill's Speech, Aces High, Infinite Dreams, Wasted Years, Losfer Words (Big 'Orra), The Trooper, Flash Of The Blade, Can I Play With Madness, Montsegur, Number of the Beast, Alexander the Great, Running Free, Hallowed Be Thy Name, Wrathchild, and Iron Maiden.