KILBURNFLYER

2012-01-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Stopped smoking 11 days ago and have had difficulty sleeping since then - so writing this in the wee small hours but fuck it, I refuse to be beaten by a weed wrapped in paper...again. Chickenfoot at Brixton Academy willl be my first gig of the year on Saturday - but stupidly excited to have booked to see Van Halen next month in Chicago. Ridiculously extravagent but have not seen them since Donnington 84 I think it was. Am sure they will do some European festivals - probably Sonisphere but just couldn't take the chance and have got loads of leave owing due to Libya excitement last year.

2012-01-05T02:37:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Have been badly neglecting the Fleyer - it is the only way I can keep track of gig activity.

Since the summer festivals have seen:

Echo and the Bunneymey at the Palladium - absolutely first class gig - the whole of Ocean rain with an orchestra and a greatest hits set. What's not to love.

Pop Will Eat Itself at O2 Academy Islington - great fun as usual but with Clint poppy no longer with them felt a bit odd.

Volbeat at the Forum - absolutely magnificent - really got the bug for them over the summer and bought their entire back catalogue. First time I have seen them when I knew all the songs they played - Evelyn was a particular highlight - not one ofmy favourite songs but what I didn't know was that the 2nd vocalist is Mark "Barney" Greenaway from Napalm Death - he came on for that song - brilliant.

Motorhead, UK Subs and Anti Nowhere League at Hammersmith - Subs were great - indeed much better than back in the day - basically Charlie Harper and a half decent young metal band supporting him. ANL - all good but a bit going through the motions. Motorhead were back on form - they were poor at Sonisphere - and did a great set.

Hard Rock Hell V at Prestatyn - the greatest weekend of the year as usual but that down to the people not the bands - most of whom were a bit average except Girlschool, Reckless Love, Ginger Wildheart and the magnificent SSS.

Def Leppard, Motley Crue at Wembley Arena - sadly got there late and missed Steel Panther but great sets from both as usual.

GingerWildheart at the Garage Islington - exactly the same as Prestatyn - good but not great.

Saxon at Koko - fucking brilliant show. Full of energy, great setlist - well done chaps you really try hard and it shows.

2011-07-22T08:01:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Has been mental busy at work so not had the chance to update on lots of festivals. Highlights of the last few months:

Hard Rock Road Trip - an metal endurance test in Ibiza - great fun but not too many great bands. Spirytus were awesome as they were last year and some great virtuoso guitarists but nothing that memorable.

Download - shit weather but some fantastic performances- Def Leppard, Rob Zombie, Alice Cooper were all great headliners. Saw the Rods for the first time in 30 years (bloody disgrace that they only got 1/2 hour at 11am when Al Murray's shit pub covers band got a good afternoon slot just because he's famous) with notable mentions for the Cult (Astbury did his best to fuck it up but Billy Duffy is godlike and kept the whole thing together) Disturbed, A7X and Down. But the whole show was stolen by Bring Me The Horizon who were fantastic.

Ozzy at Hammersmith - bloody excellent -in great voice and great set list. Sadly I was supposed to see him a few days later at Graspop but he cried off with Laryngitis - a shame.

Graspop- the best organised festival I have ever been to - One main stage and three enormous tents - everyone got at least an hour -loads of bars, toilets and food outlets - sound was good even if the weather was a bit patchy. Scorpions, Judas Priest, Slipknot and Volbeat were all good top of the bill bands - had only seen Volbeat in a short set at download or supporting Metallica the previous year and was great to see them do a fullshow (booked to see them at the Forum later this year). Bring me The Horizon were also brilliant....again. Only sad bit was Whitesnake - a once great band now utter shite.

Sonisphere - the Big 4 were great to see - Slayer won the showdown I think but all my mates would vote for Metallica. The Wildhearts and the Sisters of Mercy in the tent were the only reason to bother with Saturday. Volbeat were again great on Sunday morning and Slipknot splendid headliners but the whole day (nay the whole weekend) was probably nicked by Limp Bizkit who were absolutely fantastic.

2011-05-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Has been a shitty year for all sorts of personal reasons that have meant only 2 gigs this year so far - Adlers Appettite at the Underworld six weeks or so ago - setlist the Whole of Appettite for Destruction plus Move to the City - Duff McKagen joined in for My Michelle and It's So Easy - great night was had by all.

Last night was a somewhat grander affair. Rush at the O2 in a private box. A magnificent three and a half hour show which included the whole of Moving Pictures and a smattering of songs from various stages of their career. I never ceased to be amazed by jusy howmagnificent a bunch of musicians they are - as tight as a duck's arse.

2010-12-13T08:22:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Last two gigs this year.

Buckcherry, Papa Roach and Disturbed at Wembley Arena - 2/3 full for 3 decent bands. Sound was terrible for Disturbed but a decent show nonetheless. Buckcherry were excellent - think the singer would be a great replacement for Brian Johnson if he ever gave up the AC/DC gig. Papa Roach always leave me a bit underwhelmed but they try very hard - best I have seen them.

Echo and the Bunnymen at Brixton Academy - absolutely fantastic. The whole of Crocodiles and Heaven up Here plus a few faves for an encore. Superb sound, great backlit set and great memories of past glories. Always gotta love the Bunnyment

2010-12-06T02:38:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Hard Rock Hell IV was as good as the previous three - a great line up, a great laugh and splendid to meet so many friends from Ibiza and previous events. Highlights not in any particular order:

MSG - great to see Schenker has turned himself around. Got a great band together and he was godlike in his playing. All the obvious MSG songs from the first two albums plus Lights Out and Rock Bottom which UFO had omitted the previous day.

Airbourne - they play with such energy that they are always exciting but first time I had seen them indoors and they were just excellent - probably the band of the weekend - diamond in the rough was their best song.

UFO - Mogg in great voice and they played well. Short set but very enjoyable with Shoot Shoot a highlight.

Di'Anno - first saw him front Maiden at the Ruskin so always a big fan. Voice was patchy and his mobility limited by a back problem but still largely enjoyable. Murders in the Rue Morgue, Phantom of the Opera and Iron Maiden the highlights. No Running Free which was a surprise.

Viking Skull - trad metal done extremely well - will def get some of their material.

Scutty Neighbours - met two of these lads at Sonisphere - was impressed by their raw energy and the confidence of their front man. They really had a lot of fun - both on and off the stage - oh to be in my twenties again - wish them very well. Bought their CD.

Attica Rage - great bunch of lads - new material sounds good. 2011 a big year for them - hope they get the breaks they deserve.

Diamond Head - decent but not the best I have seen them.

Uriah Heep and Helloween both ok - not a big fan of either band but they were fine.

2010-11-29T04:28:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Motorhead were great on Saturday. Have been attending their shows since the Bomber tour when introduced to them by an old schoolfriend. Was very strange to see them over 30 years later. Still as fresh and as loud as ever.

2010-11-24T03:33:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

The Damned last Saturday were the highlight of the Bizarre Winter Ball at the Scala. A thoroughly enjoyable evening with some very weird and wonderful people in the audience. A good trot through the back catalogue - could not think of a song they didn't do that I wanted them to play. Good sound, good crowd and great fun. I do love the Damned.

Motorhead on Saturday and then a 100 Club benefit gig on Weds prior to the joy that is Hard Rock Hell.

2010-11-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

So to the Roundhouse for Alice Cooper supported by Zodiac Mindwarp. I really love Zodiac but they were just shit last night. Nuff said. Alice on the other hand was in fine fettle. Two hours of non stop music bookended by Schools Out. Brilliant over the top stage show that just about fit in the Roundhouse and hit after hit - no more mr nice guy, under my wheels and eighteen being personal favourites. Had the great pleasure to meet him the day before in the margins of a work thing - charm itself.

2010-10-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

A busy end to last week. Sabaton and Alestorm at the Electric Ballroom was great fun. Both in fine form with good sound and a crown who enjoyed every moment.

Friday was a jaw dropping moment. A friend of a friend insisted we go to see Saint Jude at the Bull and Gate in Kentish Town as they were "facking marvellous" - he was right. The singer has a voice that is just incredible - the whole thing was like watching Janis Joplin sing for the Black Crows. If this woman is not a superstar one day the there is no justice.

2010-09-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Another stonking weekend and another discovery.

9 Below Zero at the 100 Club is always a great night out - has been many a long year since I saw Dennis Greaves and co but they took me right back to their heyday. Was very surprised to see Gerry McAvoy on bass - he was always there alongside Rory Gallagher holding it all together - and doesn't look a day older than when I last saw him what must be nearly 15 years ago. Great set with 11+11 being a personal favourite and a great homage to Rory by playing Messing with the Kid - absolutely delightful.

Zodiac Mindwarp have been a great love of mine since I dont know when and pulled out a great show mixing the old and the new. I will perhaps recall the evening as the first time I saw a band called "The Treatment" who are extremely young but fucking excellent. If this lot can write songs then they will be mega stars one day soon.

Update: good to see that Dave Ling who is much more knowlegable on such things has a similar view. He said on his excellent diary:

"......In the highly capable and sickeningly youthful Matt Jones, Mansworth may just have unearthed another rough diamond singer in the vein of Richie Hevanz. Tunes like ‘Shake The Mountain’, ‘I Want Love’, ‘Nothing To Lose But Our Minds’ and the piledriving ‘Stone Cold Love’ suggest that their potential is huge."

2010-09-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The Murderdolls at the Garage last Friday was a great reminder of just what a good live band this lot are. Full of energy and wit arriving onstage at midnight and leaving at 2am with the bar still open for another two hours. Great fun and a great warm up for Ozzfest the next day at the O2.

Skindred got the day under way in usual fashion by getting everyone bouncing around - Benji and the lads were very good but a few of his gags between songs need refreshing - heard some of them 3/4 times now.

Murderdolls - shortened version of last night and just as impressive.

Steel Panther - liking this lot more I see them. The OTT shock of it all with lines like "I've been fucking girls half my age since I was 20" makes you smile at the whole ridiculous way they have been marketed.

Korn - Meh

Ozzy - his voice was good and song choices were so much better than last time I saw him. Didn't miss Zakk and the whole band seemed very tight. Aftershow was a laugh but getting home at 5am two nights running left me feeling a bit jaded.

2010-09-13T02:58:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Muse at Wembley Stadium was every bit as preposterous as I had hoped. A massively over the top show to accompany their usual highly polished musical performance. Always impressive and never a disappointment. Biffy Clyro gave good support.

2010-08-02T01:52:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Sonisphere was as good as last year. Slightly smaller than Download it has a much better format. With show alternating on two stages set opposite each other you never miss the main acts - whenever there is something on the main stages that doesn't take your fancy you can go to one of the smaller stages and see something else - always in the hope of discovering the completely unknown band who will headline the whole thing in 3 years time. Anyway the highs and lows for me were:

Friday

Gary Numan was surprisingly hard to dislike. Some great stuff on display and a very tight band.

Alice Cooper - starting with Schools Out always a winner and then 90 minutes throughout his back catalogue - all very good without being thrilling. Finishing with Schools Out was a bizarre decision - if you have run out of decent material (he clearly hadn't given his massive back catalogue) do a cover - don't repeat a song. Still lots of energy and showmanship which made it all worthwhile.

Saturday

Rammstein - had no idea what to expect from the headliner other than the hype about being a brilliant live band. They did not disappoint apart from the fact that they only played for 90 minutes when scheduled for 2 hours. Rarely have I seen such a tight band. Definitely on the list as a must see next time they play the UK.

Motley Crue - a few technical problems did not mar what was great fun show - did everything I wanted and a great reminder of just what a great guitar player Mick Marrs really is; even if he does look like Alice Cooper's older brother.

Anthrax - my least favourite of the big 4 but a good solid show. Joey Belladonna in fine voice.

Placebo - great start with Nancy Boy and good stage set. This lot always play well. Seems a millions years since I saw them for 5DM in a small club in Munich. F good band.

Good Charlotte and Papa Roach - both good in flashes but neither were truly memorable.

Sunday

Iron Maiden are clearly the most successful british hard rock band of the last 30 years but I found this show more than a bit dull. They rather insultingly treated the headline slot at Sonisphere - their only show in the UK this year - as just another stop on the world tour doing the same set they have been touring in the USA i.e very much only stuff from the last 10 years with, Wrathchild and Fear of the Dark apart, older material only getting an airing at the very end of the set and for the encore. A dreadful rendition of Iron Maiden to close but they made up for it with brilliant versions of Number of the Beast and Running Free. I think it is a bit sad that one of the most exciting bands I have ever seen have become so dull and overblown live. Very much like AC/DC they seem to have become too big to be truly exciting and see stadiums and festival headline slots as just another show rather than something a bit special. Headlining Download or Sonisphere should be a thank you gig for the legions of fans where they do a greatest hits set with a few newbies thrown in to keep the record company happy; not the other way round. If you want to showcase your latest material then play the O2 or Wembley Arena. They both need to strip away some of the crap and get back to what they do best.

By contrast, Iggy and the Stooges and the Cult were both absolutely magnificent. Iggy had Raw Power opening the show and a very anarchic trot through they greatest songs with I wanna be your dog and Seek and Destroy being particularly memorable.

The Cult - one of the great unrecognised guitar players has got to be Billy Duffy - the way he stands, holds the guitar and how he develops riffs are just fucking incredible. Every young wannabe rock star should have a good look at this guy as he is a lesson in how it should be done. Fire Woman was a case in point - where is builds from a slow groove to a crashing riff with Billy looking the coolest dude in the world. A greatest hits setlist with Astbury in fine voice if taking the "I look like Jim Morrison" thing a tad too far.

Slayer - I just love this band and it was a terrible shame they only got 45 minutes but they put in a good strong show. War Ensemble is always a winner and World Painted Blood is really growing on me the more I hear it.

Skindred - a great live band who seemed a bit hungover - good but not the best show I have seen them do.

Pendulum - dance rock crossover is always difficult to pull off but this lot were great. I didn't think I knew anything by them but was surprised by how much stuff I recognised. Like this, like it a lot.

All in all great fun weekend

2010-07-27T03:11:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The inaugural High Voltage Festival was great fun. Good layout and some great bands A few minor niggles - a few mates complained that the prog and metal stages were too close together and the metal interfered with the purity of the prog sound. Didn't matter to me as I was usually at the metal stage anyway. A few notables:

Saturday

Focus - only saw a few songs but a quite gentle remnder of former greatness

The Answer - great show as usual and a fantastic cover of an old Rose Tattoo song Rock n Roll Outlaw

Saxon - a relatively short but well delivered set - 747, Motorcycle Man, Pricess of the night and Wheels of Steel all got in there - not loud enough but you can's have it all.

Gary Moore - frankly a bit pants (dull set delivered in a half hearted way) and fuck me has he piled on the pounds. Line of the weekend delivered by a lovely lady we met at the Ibiza festival called Rebecca (can't rememebr surname but her boyfriend Graham and his mate Tony the T-Shirt fiend were all very nice) when Moore said "this song is empty rooms" "empty fridge more like" came Rebecca's retort. I almost choked on my beer.

Heaven and Hell tribute - a bit sad a R J-D was one of my favourite singers. Glenn Hughes and another guy who's name I cant remember were decent. The Younger guy being more powerful and would be a very good long term replacement if they wanted to carry on. Die Young, Heaven and Hell, Mob Rules and Neon Knights were all great.

ZZ Top - awesome set, awesome performance. These guys are just a magnificent live band. First saw the over 30 years ago and they still excite me. Jesus Just Left Chicago always a fave of mine.

Sunday

Wishbone Ash - only saw a few but nice to see the Turners back together

Lethargy - fucking superb - first saw these at HRH 2 and then at Camden Barfly and met them in Ibiza. Great bunch of lads and did extremely well - they attracted quite a lot of interest in spite of the fact they were up against Wishbone Ash and the Quireboys

UFO - terrible slow song to start with and it just got worse when the guitar kept cutting out. Best forgotten.

Joe Elliott - sorry bored the arse off me - fell asleep

Down - absolutely fucking superb in spite of the fact that I didn't know any of their songs. Very energetic and engaged with the audience - will be buying some of their material.

ELP - better not say what I really think or Nigel will not speak to me - just say not my thing.

2010-07-20T02:38:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Public Image Limited at Shepherds Bush Empire. Great all round performance by Lydon and co with a very eclectic set list. Lots of stuff I vaguely remembered from the Metal Box album. A great start with "This is not a love song" and great versions of Death Disco, Rise and Public Image but the best song by far was Religion - just fucking awesome - Lydon kept asking for the bass to be turned up so by the middle of the song you could hear peoples fillings rattle. Shame no room in a 2 hour set for Annalisa or Careering but you can't have everything. A great band on great form.

2010-06-16T03:09:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Joan Jett at the 100 Club. Difficult to know what to say about just how great this was. The sound was crisp and loud and the venue was packed and sweaty - just like a proper rock show should be. A mate won tickets so the whole thing was free but it was also brilliant fun - a mix of old favourites from the Runaways and the Blackhearts back catalogue - personal faves such as I hate myself for loving you, Bad Reputation and I love R&R got played as well as the very splendind AC/DC to end with. I really must get some more of her stuff on my I-Pod. Also I forgot just how tiny (must be 5ft at most) not to mention gorgeous she still is at just over 50. A very very enjoyable evening. Look forward to the next show.

2010-06-14T04:04:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Two festivals on successive weekends.

The first was the Hard Rock Hell Road Trip. A relatively small affair where HRH stalwarts - both bands and fans - made a trip to Ibiza. Highlights were excellent sets by GMT, DAR, Lethargy and Attica rage. I had to return to work so missed Skindred, Quireboys and a few others. Shows started at 11pm and went on til the wee small hours - a marathon.

Download was just magnificent.

Friday - AC/DC played basically the same set they have been chugging out for the last 18 months but were really great. Possibly because it is a year since I saw them last and absence does make the heart grow fonder. I was a bit annoyed at Wembley last year with this show as I had seen them 3 times in the previous six months. Them Crooked Vultures were a bit dull - trotted out the album but all a bit lifeless. Only odd thing was the total absence of the name AC/DC from any Download merchandise - must be some financial row over the "brand" - even the programme did not mention that they were on at 8.30. Bizarre that a great rock band has decended into a marketing vehicle - not very rock and roll.

Saturday - wasn't expecting this to be a great day but it was. Caught a great set by 80s retro band Reckless Love - was like seeing Dave Lee Roth in his hey day - great show. Bizarre band Rock Sugar were very entertaining (mixture of rock classics i.e Enter Sandman merged with a bit of 80s pop Don't Stop Believing) but not sure I would shell out to see them. Megadeth and Five Finger death Punch were both excellent. Had to miss Y&T and the Deftones to catch the England game (wish I hadn't bothered) and saw most of Rage Against the Machine who were much better than I remembered.

Sunday - best day by far (apart from the weather) - Saxon, Motorhead, Airbourne and Suicidal Tendencies were all as good as ever. Billy Idol was great in flashes but the show was completely stolen by Slash who's new band seem much better than anything he has got sorted before. Great GNR covers as crowd pleasers. Due to Suicidal clash saw the end of Aerosmith only - Sweet Emotion was the highlight.

2010-05-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

It is not often you get to see a proper legend perform a gig solely comprised of some of their very best material but last night Iggy and the Stooges playing Raw Power at Hammersmith definitely falls into that category. Apart from the whole of Raw Power (Search and Destroy, Gimme Danger, Your pretty face is going to hell, Penetration, Raw power, I need somebody, Shake appeal and Death Trip) we got brilliant versions of Open up and Bleed, Cock in my Pocket, Funhouse and I Wanna be your Dog. Iggy was his usual ebullient self - his first of about ten stage dives coming halfway through the first song - getting at least 50 people on the stage after about 20 minutes. A great band performance and all round a brilliant evening - woo hoo

2010-04-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

A bad start to the evening when tottenham got beat by Portsmouth which meant I had to walk through waves of drunk Pompey fans on my way to Wembley Arena to see Bad Company. It was worth the agony. The Joe Perry Project were largely forgettable apart from a decent version of Walk this Way. Bad Company were much better than I expected them to be - Paul Rogers has one of the best voices in rock and looked very fit and healthy for a man of his years. Starting with Can't get enough (of your love) was bold move and all the classics got an airing. I would still love to see Rogers do a full set of Free songs which are more to my taste....one can but hope. That said, a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

2010-03-20T03:03:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The second installment of Hammerfest was so much better than the first - excellents bands on all three nights.

Thursday's highlight was a band called SSS who I had never heard before - brilliantly tight crossover thrash band. Especially impressed by the bass player. Since downloaded everything they have done and looking forward to seeing them again.

Friday - Devildriver and Five Finger Death Punch were both extremely impressive but completely blown off the stage by Napalm Death who were just magnificent. Not seen them for years and completely forgot how good they were.

Saturday - Attica Rage put in an excellent performance on the main stage for the first time - great version of Safe Inside and a very brave cover - Fear of the Dark - which they performed superbly. Skindred were magnificent as always and Iced Earth as dull as ever (don't understand why I don't get this lot - I should like them) but the highlight of the entire weekend were Suicidal Tendencies who just owned the stage. Got on it myself for Pledge Your Allegiance which was great fun for an old geezer like me. Sabaton finished the weekend - not particularly familiar with the but very impressed.

Already booked for next year. Now if they can just get Slayer or Megadeth to headline that would do me just fine.

2010-02-19T04:01:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Thirty years ago today Bon Scott died - AC?DC went on to become mega successful but were never as good again. A very sad loss.

Vinnie Moore was my first gig of a very poor year so far. Played to a half full Underworld which was a bit sad. I confess I never realised what a great guitar player he is - a set full of great guitar instrumentals that Steve Vai would have been proud of. A few cover versions thrown in with "All Right Now" and Hendrix's "Fire" being the most memorable.

2010-01-08T03:54:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Review of best/worst of 2009

Best Gig - always best to look back and examine things from distance those that seem the best on the night sometimes fade quickly in the memory - others don't so it is toss up between Muse at Teignmouth, Limp Bizkit at Sonisphere and the Wildhearts at Shepherd's Bush

Event of the Year - Sonisphere by a mile - just so many good bands it was immense

Worst Gig - Whitesnake at Download - just difficult to believe how shit this was and Faith No More at Brixton was also very disappointing.

Funniest sight of the year - my wife selling a poppy to the drummer from Anvil - he was just so bemused by the whole thing.

Disappointment of the year - Slayer and Dio cancelling in the same week. Best of luck with your recoveries Ronnie and Tom.

Surprise of the Year - Monster Magnet at HRH III - very impressive

Extravagance of the year - New York to see Metallica

Album of the year - Chutzpah by the Wildhearts

Return of the year - Limp Bizkit with an honourable mention to Wolfmother

Hope for 2010 - Slayer and Dio return all well, the big four play Sonisphere (the Knebworth leg not just in Poland), AC/DC return with a better set and a small venue show by the Wildhearts.

2010-01-04T01:28:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Pre Christmas shows from the Wildhearts and Public Image limited were both extremely good in very different ways.

The Wildhearts have a tradition of doing excellent christmas shows and this year was no different - lots of oldies and a fair few from Chutzpah. Sadly no Nita Nitro but plenty to get the crowd bopping.

It must be over 20 years since I saw Public Image - always a band that like to stretch their music to the limit - were extremely good. Pretty much did every song I knew plus a few I didn't remember. Lydon was clearly struggling - third gig in as many dayus - but soldiered on - seemed to be gargling Brandy or something to keep going. A brilliant opening with Public Image and Rise nto close the encore. Splendid.

2009-12-21T02:21:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Them Crooked Vultures at Hammersmith was worth the hideous amount of money I paid for a ticket from seatwave. Reminded me that Dave Grohl is a very good drummer and that we have all missed the superb musicianship of John Paul-Jones - apart from the Zep reunion show I cannot recall a recent occassion when he has performed on stage - he must just do a lot of practicing by himself which is a bit lonely. I bought one of the dodgt T-Shirts from outside the venue - don't usually do this but this lot hardly need the money. Didn't know any of their songs but thoroughly enjoyed them - very good show. Wildhearts on Tuesday and the Public Image on Wednesday to round off a good year.

2009-12-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

One of the great weekends of the year is Hard Rock Hell so the 4 hour journey to Prestatyn positively flew by - we even had to stop in a pub down the road for an hour or so because we were too early to check-in. The format has changed with an extra night - Thursday as a bit of a warm up for the main event. Still Attica Rage and GMT were both every entertaining - the crowd was all a bit scary as so many people were in viking related fancy dress. All very funny. Highlights of the weekend - in no particular order - were:

WASP - Blackie Lawless still kicks ass and was clearly having a good time - great at taking the piss out of himself by doing his hair in some saw blades on his forearms .

New York Dolls - primarily for Trash and Jet Boy which had me bouncing around like a mad thing. Much near everything else was a bit forgettable.

Tigertailz - again thoroughly enjoyed their set and again did the best cover version of the whole weekend with Ace of Spades.

Girlschool - Great set and all in all a great show - loved it - they always give 100%

Terrorvision - enjoyed this lot a lot more than I expected having seen them previously where I though they were shite.

Dumpy's Rusty Nuts - Still a lot of fun even if I wouldn't bother seeing them outside a festival

Ratt - better than I remember them from back in the day

Monster Magnet - very professional and thoroughly enjoyable - again seen before but they were much better than I remember

Die Apokal... Reiter (sic) - Music was fine but the show was bizarre in the extreme with the keyboard player dressed as a gimp with his own swing at the back of the stage - German humour you gotta love it.

Spit Like This - very enjoyable and the bass player could make me leave home.

A group of Welsh lads/lasses we met who were a great laugh - can't recall all names and certainly not how they are spelt but Dollan (85), Dewi, Abi, James, John and Nikki.

Disappointing bits: Queensryche who should have done a lot more off Mindcrime, mates leaving early for avoidable reasons , a few twats moshing where there was no pit, no Guiness, running out of Murphy's on the Saturday and the weather - it basically pissed down for most of the weekend.

2009-11-29T05:38:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

I should now be writing about one of the bestgig weeks I can recall. DIO and Slayer (twice) at the Forum and then Motorhead supported by the Damned and Girlschool at Hammersmith. Sadly for reasons of illness/injury DIO cancelled (stomach cancer - nasty lets hope the caught it early) and Slayer (back injury to Tom Araya) got rescheduled for next March.

Only caught the back end of Girlschool due to Tottenham game late early evening kick off - seeing them next weekend at Hard Rock Hell III. The Damned - well have been a fan since the beginning and first saw them as a callow youth at the 100 Club - not in the heady days of 76 but about 79 when they were more established - only got 45 minutes but were great. Usual mix of old and new - neat neat neat, love song, smash it up, new rose and Eloise all got aired.

Motorhead were great but not brilliant. Very similar set to last time I saw them and seemed a bit tired. Still very enjoyable from Iron Fist to Overkill.

2009-11-17T02:58:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

A very busy few days started with Muse at the O2. Every time I see this band I am always enormously impressed - they are just so tight - they almost seem to be trying so hard because they can't quite believe they are there. They always seem to put 100% into every show - wish I could say that about evry band I see - and are always looking at how to make the show visually more interesting. As ever a great show - from what I can recall pretty similar to Teignmouth show with the new songs blending with the old effortlessly.

Stupidly early the next morning was on a flight to NYC to see Metallica at Madison Square Garden - twice. Yes, yes I know it is a stupidly expensive thing to do but fuck me was it worth it. Metallica were supported by Volbeat - as good as I remember them from Download but more enjoyable now that I know some of their stuff. Lamb of God from "Richmond Motherfuckin Virginia" (all the 15 year olds in the audience love this way of talking but I am a bit old for that) as I fear I might be for Lamb of God - they were, well, a bit dull. Seen them support Heaven and Hell as well as at Sonisphere and a few flashes of good stuff but mainly dull. I hope I change my mind as they are clearly in this for the long haul - not sure what it is - I should like them but Lamb of God, Trivium and most surprisingly Machine Head - none of them do it for me.

Metallica on the other hand were a different class - back to the more familiar Death Magnetic set list - even on consecutive nights they managed to mix up the order and swop a few sings in and out to always keep me interested. Diamond Head's The Prince on Saturday and the Misfits' Last Caress on Sunday were the added bonus songs. They were just so professional - although still not convinced that the "in the round" show is as good as an old fashioned stage at one end. Funniest thing of the night was my wife (not a big Metallica fan) mishearing the lyrics to Master of Puppets - she was convinced one of the the lines was something like "save your badger" - well it made me laugh. Fucking superb - and worth every penny!!

2009-11-12T04:32:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

A very enjoyable evening watching Soil (don't recall seeing them before - may have at a festival but no memory) support Shinedown. Was pleasantly surprised how full the Forum was - must be Shinedown's biggest headline show in the UK - last time they played London was in June at the Electric Ballroom. The whole of the Sound of Madness got an airing plus a few standards from the earlier album (not get yet). All very good. Am incredibly impressed by this lot - especially the drummer - just wish the singer would shut the fuck up between songs. He is more verbose than Bono was in the 90s. If he cut it down a bit we could have had 2 more songs - maybe that explains it - not enough material yet. That said, still had a great time and will definitely see this lot again and again.

2009-11-09T02:24:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

The start of a very busy 7 days on the gig front took me to KoKo in Camden for Saxon supported by Anvil. Before the show my wife (who is a British Legion branch chairman but also quite likes Saxon) had arranged to get the band to doa few publicity shots to help promote the poppy appeal. Their german management team - who were all sporting poppies - were very good in arranging this and Biff and Nigel Glocker were both extremely happy to pose for the photos and to offer support for the cause - Nigel took put big poppy on his drum riser and promised to have it there for the rest of the tour. Both top geezers. The on the way out we spotted Rob Reiner having a fag so got him to pose for a photo also.

As for the music, well both were on good form. Anvil just seem so happy to be playing that they always seem to be enjoying every second - have still not seen the film - starting with March of the Crabs and through 666, mothra to more modern stuff like "This is 13" and, as ever, ending with Metal on Metal - fucking great.

Saxon were similarly superb. Most of their big numbers got an airing.. finish this later

2009-10-29T04:19:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Steel Panther - well I am not quite sure what to make of these. They were very entertaining - indeed laugh out loud funny at time - funnier than Spinal Tap. Completely ripping the piss out of themselves and the audience in a very over the top show - every rock cliche got a look in but at the same time they can play and were actually quite a good band - a great cover of Don't Stop Believing and their own songs weren't bad either. That said, not sure I would pay £25 to see them at Brixton Academy next year.

ZZ Top were sublime - cool as fuck (as ever) and superb musicians to boot. Pretty much played the same set as at Download so no complaints - a great cover of Foxy Lady as an added bonus. The sound was extremely good and they used the video backdrop to remind us of the 80s/90s hey day when Eliminator broke them worldwide. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

2009-10-24T01:39:00.000-07:00

Green Day at the 02 - has been may a long year since I saw this lot and the whole thing was extremely enjoyable. I am always worried when a band gets members of the audience up on stage with such frequency but somehow Green Day get away with it - people dragged out of the crowd to sing a song with them and then have the privilege of a full speed stage dive at the end. Pics from my phone taken from a box next to the stage whilst sipping a cheeky pinot noir - not very rock and roll.

2009-10-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The Coronet in Elephant and Castle is not a venue I had even heard of before I bought tickets to see Wolfmother there last night. A cracking venue - slightly smaller than Shepherd's Bush Empire but better acoustics, a modern PA and great lighting. Wolfmother benefitted from all of this as well as an extremely enthusiastic crowd to deliver a great show. Starting with a blistering version of Dimension and ending the encore with Joker and the Thief they were very crisp in their delivery on every song. The new songs blended well with those from the first album but the bizarre sight of the evening was when they played a guitar only version of Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush. A great return to London.

2009-10-16T05:25:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Echo and the Bunnymen at the Roundhouse last night. A fabulous gig where apart from two new songs I knew every word of every song. They played beautifully and were clearly enjoying themselves - even managing a decent version of people are strange in homage to the venue where the Doors played their only UK gig. They were even better last night than they were last year at the Royal Albert Hall for the Ocean Rain special. Bunnymen please "Never Stop" - sadly oine of the few classics that they didn't play last night.

2009-10-15T10:11:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

I saw something remarkable yesterday. My wife's mother died on Oct 2nd after a short illness and yesterday was her cremation and memorial service. My wife spoke in tribute to her for over 15 minutes. She was eloquent, heartfelt, controlled but above all magnificent. I love her dearly but have never been more impressed or proud of her than I was yesterday. I know I could not have done what she did without breaking down. I know I could not love my own mother more than she loved hers but her ability to hold it together at the most emotionally difficult time we will ever face was incredible. I love you Sheila - I don't know how you did that.

2009-10-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

I fucking love the Wildhearts. A two set show with the first hal being the whole of the Chutzpah album - really great to see these excellent songs showcased in this way - with a greatest hits 2nd set. Spent the whole show bouncing around at the front - they are such a great fun band that they make you want to jump about.

2009-09-08T02:03:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Muse at Teignmouth. Well, where do you start? A 5 hour journey from London was worth every second as they were, as ever, excellent. I don't know who their sound engineer is but he should hire himself out to other bands - the sound was crystal clear - as it always is and that makes such a difference. An unusually slow start but all the big songs were in there and a storming ending with Knights of Cydonia. So looking forward to a repeat at the 02 in November and the new album has been ordered.

2009-08-24T04:47:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Gutted ain't the word. Just handed over my tickets to Hawkwind's 40th Anniversay gig at the Porchester Hall. Got to go see my folks who haven't been well. But on the bright side we won the ashes and Spurs are at the top of the premiership.

2009-08-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Joy unbound. Got tickets to the Muse shows at Teignmouth on Sept 5.

2009-08-17T03:02:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

U2 were extremely professional if a bit over-polished to be truly exciting. A very impressive set which has the added advantage of allowing them to sell 8,000 more tickets than if the stage was at one end as is usual. Rather too much from the new album and nothing older than Sunday Bloody Sunday or New Years Day meant that it was slightly annoying. They have so many great songs from before that time that should get an airing every so often. This was the personification of corporate rock - impressive but not thrilling. Give me the Wildhearts any day !!

2009-08-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Off to see U2 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Normally love them - first saw them in about 1980 when they were relatively unknown thanks to a mate who had an Irish pen pal - but not really that excited by the prospect. Have become a bit overblown of late and rarely seem to do anything from before Joshua Tree. Lets hope for a few oldies.

2009-08-03T05:49:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Sonisphere was a great laugh. Paid extra to have VIP camping - right behind the stage, park car next to the tent that they put up for you and furnish with an inflatable mattress - which was well worth it -very very convenient, we got away in record time straight after Metallica and never worried about stuff getting nicked as it was in the boot of my car. Got drenched on Saturday but didn't spoil the fun, Didn't use the showers they laid on in VIP - queue in the morning was too long - but the toilets were as bad as ever. Anyway we went to see some bands so here are my thoughts:

Saturday -Band of the day - Wildhearts - last on and only got 45 minutes but fantastic even if they had a few technical issues. Had to follow Thunder which was a big ask as they made up for a poor Hammersmith show with a great final set in a jam packed tent for their final UK show.

Heaven and Hell were superb as were Airbourne, Anthrax, Skindred and BFMV also very enjoyable. Bizarre sight of the day was Bjorn Again doing a very decent version of Enter Sandman. Alien Ant Farm only had one song. Also caught glimpses of Sylosis and Exit 10 both of whom played at Hammerfest. Linkin Park were very professional but just not my thing. Everyone else just not very memorable.

Sunday - Band of the day - Metallica - extremely good powerful set from a band that a so confident in themselves and their material. From Blackened, creeping death, fuel, of wolf and man to start all they way to hit the lights and seek and destroy at the end they were absolutely superb. Roll on November when I get to see them do two nights at MSG.

Limp Bizkit extremely impressive and made the most of their time. Wes Borland dressed is a bizarre outfit mad eit all the more visual. Saxon played a good set but were plagued by terrible sound. Enjoyed Killing Joke especially "Eighties". Lamb of God/Machine Head decent in flashes - both a bit samey and nothing to set them apart from so many similar bands. Avenged Sevenfold clearly very impressive but surprisingly found Alice in Chains a bit dull. Buckcherry did a good opener. Corey Taylor acoustic half hour was forgettable.

2009-07-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Both weekend gigs were, in their own way, good but slightly disappointing. Thunder were tight and clearly enjoying themselves but were slightly annoying in that Danny kept getting the crowd to get involved in the singing. Now I am all for a bit of audience participation but not to this extent - a mate I went with got bored and went to the bar in the foyer. For their last gig as a headline band I thought they would pull out all the stops but they didn't.

Peter Green was good when he was good - Oh Well, Black Magic Woman and Albatros we all brilliant but a few more from the back catalogue would have been an even better gig. A decent effort but it was probably my higher than average expectations. Was also slightly spolied by a pissed couple who seemed determined to have a screaming match with each other rather than take their row outside - or at least to the bar.

2009-07-10T05:53:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

A very good weekend beckons. The Ashes on the Telly and Thunder at Hammersmith on Saturday and the legendary Peter Green at Dingwalls on Sunday.

2009-06-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Three gigs in three days - two absolute belters and one (could do better)

UFO - Shepherds Bush Empire were excellent. Even the new songs - not a fan of the new album - sounded good and the band were tight and seemed to be enjoying it. I did miss Pete Way - he is such a great performer - but the replacement was very good. AM getting used to the guitarist but I really wish Mogg and Schenker would make up - Mogg has never found a guitarist as good and Schenker has never found such a good singer. Also between them they actually write better songs than they do apart. Fucking idiots !! Here’s the set-list - again blagged from the Ling diary: ‘Saving Me’, ‘When Daylight Goes To Town’, ‘Mother Mary’, ‘I’m A Loser’, ‘This kids’, ‘Cherry’, ‘Helldriver’, ‘Baby Blue’, ‘Ain’t No Baby’, ‘Only You Can Rock Me’, ‘Love To Love’, ‘Lights Out’, ‘Too Hot To Handle’ and ‘Rock Bottom’, with encores of ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘Shoot Shoot’.

Chickenfoot - also at Shepherds Bush Empire were magnificent. It is really strange to see four legendary figures from the rock world on such a small stage and playing together in a band that is as tight as two coats of paint. Again not a huge fan of the album but live the material takes on a completely different dimension. Best version of Highway Star I have ever seen performed live and that includes the Purple reunion at Knebworth back in the day.

AC/DC - I have been a massive fan since I was about 12 and seen them more times than I can remember but sadly I was a bit disappointed by this gig. They were as good as they were at the O2 - virtually the same set with Dog Eat Dog thrown in as an extra - but this was Wembley Fucking Stadium for fucks sake so they should have pulled out all the stops and played a better and longer set. This was AC/DC's equivalent of Download or Sonisphere and they should have had the set to match the venue. Frankly I expected more - I do not expect Metallica to do the same set as they did at the O2 when I see them at Knebworth in August and I doubt I will come away from that one with a tinge of disappointment.

2009-06-16T05:24:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

One of the great joys in life is seeing Suicidal Tendencies in rip roaring form. Last night's gig at the Electric Ballrood was one such event. From the blistering opening "You Can't Bring Me Down" to "Pledge Your Allegiance" when half the crowd seemed to be on stage it was just magnificent. The sound was a bit crap at times and Mike Muir's vocals occassionally muffled but the sheer energy they generated made up for that. They played a great set with War Inside My Head, Send Me Your Money and Lost It being particular highlights. A fantastic band who really do deserve more success.

Am back there tonight to see Shinedown - had tickets for Steel Panther but have to go with Shinedown who I suspect will be huge one day.

2009-06-15T05:36:00.001-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

I regret that I am one of the many Anvil fans who deserted them when they needed us the most. The renewed interest in them following their film exploits (still not seen it) made me regret that I have only seen them a handful of times in the last 20 years or so. Tonight (Thur 11 Jun) they were as good as I always remember them - tight, energetic and they clearly enjoy playing. A mix of regret and joy. Sorry lads! We let you down - we won't do it again.

Sunday at Download was a great day out. Def Leppard were superb - crisp, tight and great song selection. LAst time I saw them here was 23 years ago - a comeback gig following the horrific injury to their drummer - was mentioned to an emotional crowd. Any band that can get me to sing out loud "make love like a man" has got to be good.

Whitsnake on the other hand were not good. In fact they were very poor bordering on downright awfu - the worst show I have ever seen from them. Sound was dreadful and Coverdale's voice was generally bad when he tried to over extend his range. To add to the controversy there was clearly a backing track being used on his vocal for a couple of songs - I know he has denied this previously but I saw it with my own eyes yesterday. Song selection was also rubbish - Whitesnake have got some fantastic songs Lovehunter, walking in the shadow of the blues, Come on, Sweet talker and can draw on Purple classics such as Burn and Mistreated - none of them got a look in - very disappointing.

ZZ Top - absolutely top notch. So many great songs crammed into a very strong set.

Journey - not really my thing but very professional and greatly enjoyable.

Shinedown - fucking great but sadly I had to cut short to go see ZZ Top. Will get to see them many times in the future I hope but ZZ could call it a day at any time so didn't want to miss them.

Volbeat - a new discovery for me. Never heard of them before - they were hugely enjoyable and hope to download some of their stuff in the next day or so.

2009-06-15T05:36:00.000-07:00

2009-06-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

As I left Brixton Academy last night after Faith No More I thought about whether the gig was worth the ridiculous price I paid for a ticket on E-Bay, the hideous journey there and the even longer journey home thanks to that cunt Bob Crow. On balance it wasn't.

Back in the day, Faith No More were polished, exciting and highly energetic. Last night they were none of the above. They were a bit dreary. Sound was bad - Pattons mic was massively overloaded in the mix, left out too many good songs (We Care a Lot, War Pigs etc) so the whole thing was a big disappointment.

Starting with Reunited - the nonsense from peaches and herb - wearing hideous pink and lilac suits was quite funny but did they have to do all of it? Headlining the first night of Download is a big gig - on this evidence they are not up to it. Hope they have shaken out the ring rust and do better for the bigger audience.

Anvil tonight at the underworld - a fraction of the price and I expect a whole lot better

2009-06-01T02:56:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Lynyrd Skynyrd at Brixton Academy. TfL did their best to spoil the night by not running the Victoria Line but I managed to get there in time - just. With only Gary Rossington as a surviving original member it could be argued they they are a bit of a tribute band but they are nonetheless brilliant. Nothing even remotely new on the setlist (will blag it off Dave Ling if he was there) but every decent song they every recorded was played from a great opener of Working for MCA to the obligatory Freebird as the encore. Donny Van Zandt has a good voice and the cool persona of his older brother and Ricky Medlock playing the Allan Collins lead guitar role was as good a substitute as I could want. Wish he would hit the road again with Blackfoot. A brilliant evening with a brilliant band.

Update: the very excellent Mr Ling has provided a set list - ‘Workin’ For MCA’, ‘I Ain’t The One’, ‘Saturday Night Special’, ‘Gimme Back My Bullets’, ‘What’s Your Name?’, ‘That Smell’, ‘Simple Man’, Medley: ‘Whiskey Rock-A-Roller’/‘Down South Jukin’’/‘The Needle And The Spoon’/‘Double Trouble’/‘Tuesday’s Gone’, ‘Gimme Three Steps’, ‘Call Me The Breeze’, ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and the perennial ‘Free Bird’.

2009-05-18T02:13:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

A bit of a barren patch for gigs was ended last night with the Black Crowes at Brixton. Have seen them many times over the years but this was the best I have seen them for ages. Lots of stuff from the first two albums which pleased me no end. Sound was a bit muddy but the enthusiasm with which they played more than made up for this. A very good night indeed.

2009-04-28T00:41:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Saxon at the Forum last Thursday (St Georges Day) was great. Doro in support was great - especially her cover of Breakingthe Law. Saxon did ‘Battalions Of Steel’, ‘Heavy Metal Thunder’, ‘Demon Sweeney Todd’, ‘Ride Like The Wind’, ‘Requiem (We Will Remember)’, ‘Strong Arm Of The Law’, ‘Valley Of The Kings’, ‘And Te Bands Played On’, ‘Hellcat’, ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, ‘Come Rock Of Ages (The Circle Is Complete)’, ‘Machine Gun’, ‘Never Surrender’ and ‘Wheels Of Steel’, with encores of ‘Live To Rock’, ‘Motorcycle Man’, ‘Crusader’, ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Coming’, ‘747 (Strangers In The Night)’, ‘Denim And Leather’ and ‘Princess Of The Night’ (hat tip to Mr Ling who always writes this shit down as it his job).

Then up early for the 4 hour drive to Hammerfest.

Now the line up was a big disappointment - especially after the last two Hard Rock Hell festivals had so many name bands on the bill - but that didn't make the weekend any less enjoyable. I was introduced to a number of new bands the most notable (good and bad) of which were:

Alestorm - I thought the pirate metal thing would irritate me after a few songs but it didn't. They were really good and I have now bought everything they have produced ready for the next time I get to see them.

Skindred - a really fantastic live act with a brilliantly enthusiastic front man. Some great songs and all in all great fun.

Sepultura - just a load of shit

Attica Rage - met these guys before and had already bought their album but they were much richer live than they are on record.

2009-04-15T03:50:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Splendid night at the O2 to see AC/DC. The show was pretty much exactly the same as when I saw them at Madison in November but the extensive touring has clearly honed the performance. They actually made full use of the stage including the runway into the crowd which was only used once at Madison for the obligatory guitar solo. Very prefessional and very enjoyable. Sadly I fear this may be the last time I see them - can't do the show at Wembley Stadium due to other commitments - but hope they come round again for one last hurrah. Was in the company of an old girl friend I took to see them at Hammersmith in 1982 - cue much reminiscing. They really are a magnificent live band and everyone left with a very big grin on their face. Next week Saxon and then the marathon of Hammerfest - bring it on !!

Set-list (again ripped from Mr Ling): ‘Rock And Roll Train’, ‘Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be’, ‘Back In Black’, ‘Big Jack’, ‘Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap’, ‘Shot Down In Flames’, ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘Black Ice’, ‘The Jack’, ‘Hell’s Bells’, ‘Shoot To Thrill’, ‘War Machine’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’, ‘TNT’, ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’ and ‘Let There Be Rock’, with encores of ‘Highway To Hell’ and ‘For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)’.

2009-04-14T01:18:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

It is a very rare event that I leave a concert early but I did on Thursday night when the Sisters of Mercy played the Forum and they were just woeful. They seemed to play ok (although it is difficult to say for sure) and the song selection was good but the sound was just so awful. I have heard better sound standing outside a venue with the band already onstage inside the venue. They might have well been playing next door for all I could hear. They were halfway through most songs before I recognised what they were. A total fucking waste of time and money.

AC/DC tonight at the O2 - lets hope for something better

2009-03-30T05:30:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Sandwiched between Wishbone Ash and Metallica I went to see "The Damned United" the biopic about Brian Clough's stupidly short reign as Leeds United manager in 1974. It felt like a bit of a guilty secret with about 200 people in the audience and from what I could tell only 2 were women. A really enjoyable film superbly well acted and it broight back so many memories of that era. The dreadful pitches, the crunching tackles and just what a bloody dirty team Leeds were in those days. I grew up calling them dirty Leeds - still do - but they were the superstars of their age but sadly underachieved with a team including the likes of Harvery, Cherry, Madeley, Bremner, McQueen, Clarke, Jones, Lorimer, Hunter, Giles they should have won more than they did. Strange I was never a Leeds fan but I just rattled those names off in the cafe with a mate before we even went in - shows just how famous they were.

Michael Sheen has rightly taken a lot of plaudits for his portrayal of Brian Clough but Colm Meaney as Don Revie, Timothy Spall as Peter Taylor and Jim Broadbent as the chairman of Derby were extremely good. A really enjoyable couple of hours - I really hope they continue the story - taking Forest to two European Cups, his never resolved bust up with Taylor and his gradual descent into alcoholism. A great story still to be told.

2009-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Metallica at the O2 - again magnificent with the highlight being a storming version of Overkill. They just come on stage and own the whole arena. So good and a very different set list from the previous show. Superb evening but what a nightmare with the travel arrangements - how the fuck TfL could close the Jubilee Line for the whole day is frankly beyond me. Machine Head - a decent version of "Hallowed be thy Name" but the rest, well I am sorry but I just don't get them and got very bored.

Metallica set list: That Was Just Your Life, The End Of The Line, Harvester Of Sorrow, …And Justice for All, One, Broken Beat And Scarred, My Apocalypse, Sad But True, The Outlaw Torn, The Judas Kiss, The Day That Never Comes, Master Of Puppets, Fight Fire With Fire, Nothing Else Matters, Enter Sandman (encore) Overkill, Hit The Lights, Seek and Destroy

Friday was Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash at the 100 Club. Great sound and really good set list - the whole of Argus for the 2nd half !!

The set-list (again ripped from Dave Ling's excellent diary): ‘Why Don’t We’, ‘Blind Eye’, ‘Rest In Peace’, ‘Lady Jay’, ‘The Pilgrim’, ‘Persephone’, ‘You See Red’, ‘Time Was’, ‘Sometime World’, ‘Blowin’ Free’, ‘The King Will Come’, ‘Leaf And Stream’, ‘Warrior’, ‘Throw Down the Sword’ and encores of ‘Living Proof’ and ‘Jail Bait’.

2009-03-26T03:51:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Testament and Sylosis at the O2 Academy Islington. A really good gig - Testament were superb doing a set comprisong their first two albums and a couple of rippers thrown in for good measure. Sylosis decent effort - first time I have seen them having bought their album in advance of Hammerfest appearance nexy month.

testament set list (ripped from Dave Ling's excellent diary) ‘Over The Wall’, ‘The Haunting’, ‘Burnt Offerings’, ‘Curse Of The Legions Of Death’, ‘Raging Waters’, ‘First Strike Is Deadly’, ‘Do Or Die’, ‘Alone In The Dark’, ‘Apocalyptic City’, ‘Musical Death (A Dirge)’, ‘Eerie Inhabitants’, ‘The New Order’, ‘Hypnosis’/‘Trial By Fire’, ‘Into The Pit’, ‘The Preacher’, ‘A Day Of Reckoning’, ‘Reign Of Terror’ and ‘Disciples Of The Watch’, with encores of ‘Rapid Fire’ (Excerpt), ‘More Than Meets The Eye’ and ‘The Formation Of Damnation’.

Wishbone Ash on Friday at the 100 Club and Metallica again at the O2 on Saturday - a good couple of days ahead.

2009-03-03T08:36:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Metallica at the O2. Where do you start? Fucking awesome gig. Excellent set list - lots off death Magnetic (sounds better live than on my Ipod) but Creeping Death, One, Enter Sandman, Sad but True, Master of Puppets and a fantastic cover of Motorhead's Too late, Too Late. Great sound, great energy, and support band Machine Head - missed Sword as still in the pub (sorry lads) and wish I had missed machine Head - about the 5th time I have seen them and they are just not that good - only minor gripe is that when they play "in the round" the stage needs to be slightly higher to help those standing get a slightly better view. This is a magnificent band at the very peak of their powers - I will be a very lucky chap if I see a better gig this year. Roll on the 28th so they can prove me wrong.

2009-02-23T02:17:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Priest Fest at Wembley was everything it promised to be. Three great bands on one night is always a treat but for me Megadeth stole the show. They were superb - great set list and a no nonsense "lets get on with it" attitude - Symphony of Destruction and Peace Sells were the highlights. Priest were, however, also very good and it is to their credit that they were confident enough to book such great support. The new material sounded good but classics like Sinner and Metal Gods were stand outs. Didn't see much of Testament - last two songs because a mate took forever to get to the gig - thanks to TfL shit policy of having planned engineering works on the Jubliee line on tghe night when 10,000 are heading to the Arean is just fucking insane. Testament next month at the O2 Academy Islington will make up for this.

Priest set-list (ripped from Dave Ling): ‘Prophecy’, ‘Metal Gods’, ‘Eat Me Alive’, ‘Between The Hammer And The Anvil’, ‘Devil’s Child’, ‘Breaking The Law’, ‘Hell Patrol’, ‘Death’, ‘Dissident Aggressor’, ‘Angel’, ‘The Hellion’/‘Electric Eye’, ‘Rock Hard, Ride Free’, ‘Sinner’, ‘Painkiller’, ‘Hell bent For Leather’, ‘The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown)’ ‘You Got Another Thing Coming’.

2009-02-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

The Answer at Dingwalls. Top show. very confident young band who know how to engege an audience. Sound was good and a totally stripped down performance. Really looking forward to seeing this lot again - suspect it will be in a much bigger venue

2009-02-05T04:47:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Have just heard the terrible news that Lux Interior has died. As lead singer with the Cramps his music formed a big part of my formative years. He was part of the bridge between the old school rock and roll I had grown up hearing my dad play (I am still a big fan of Gene Vincent) and punk which then led me into exploring hard rock. The smell of female is still one of my favourite live albums of all time and hearing stuff like the most exhulted potentate of love, ain't nothing but a gorehound, got good taste and psychotic reaction at the many gigs I saw them play during the 80s and 90s were always a particular treat. I even took my wife to see them a few years ago when they last toured the UK. What a truly fantastic singer with a great band. Feel very sad but especially for Poison Ivy who was his lifelong partner.

2009-01-22T02:29:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

A big thank you to Dave Ling for his tip on the Classic Rock website about the first UK gig by a band called Shinedown. Was absolutely gagging for a gig - did not have one booked until the Answer in Feb - and Dave has a good track record of recommending decent bands - he put me onto Pride tiger. Shinedown did not disappoint. Their new Album the Sound of Madness is a class product with some great rock songs and a few decent EMO type slower songs. A sell out show on their first gig at the Academy Islington must have pleased them and they rattled through a good set in about 80 mins. Devour and the Sound of Madness were my particular faves. A tight band (particularly impressed by the drummer) but bit too American at times for my tastes - asking the crowd to hold up their lighters/mobiles might work at the O2 but a bit cheesy at such a small venue - if he was being ironic it passed me by. Suspect these will go onto bigger and better venues very quickly so glad I caught them at the beginning.

2008-12-17T02:39:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Girlschool were very good at the Astoria 2 with Blitzkreig supporting which made it even better. Was never a big fan and although I must have seen them about 20 times over the years but this was the first time I have seen them as the headline band. Top job ladies. As an aside, a very odd thing happened - a bloke in a Motorhead T-Shirt complained twice that I was "standing in his way" - FFS it was a tiny gig in a tiny venue and most near everyone was jumping about having a good time. Regrettably I just laughed at him - got the right T shirt mate but so not the right attitude.

2008-12-16T08:02:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

My last gig of the year tonight - Girlschool at the Mean Fiddler so thought I would have a quick review of 2008. Overall a good year for gigs - 32 separate concerts, 2 festivals and 2 overseas trips - one every 11 days or so which is not bad for a 40 something with a relatively busy job. The good the bad and the ugly are below:

Best gigs; Muse at Dubai and the Royal Albert Hall, Wildhearts at Hard Rock Hell and the Forum, the Infectious Grooves at Mean fiddler, Bunneymen at Royal Albert Hall, B52s at the Roundhouse and surprising Slayer at Hammersmith (again twice in as many days)

Honourable mentions to AC/DC at Madison Square Garden (again twice) - not what they were but still really enjoyable - and Marky Ramone at Dubai technically a tribute Band but still great.

Shit Street - Korn and As I Lay Dying at Dubai and Black Label Society at Hard Rock Hell - excited about seening them all but really shit. Purple in a car part just pants. Saxon at Shepherds Bush on St Georges day was also very very disappointing - am a forgiving sort so saw them twice since and they got better.

Newbies of note - The Answer supporting AC/DC, Pride Tiger and Big Linda - am sure I will see all three again and again.

Most fun - Hard Rock Hell, Marky Ramone and Muse at Dubai (everyone else was either shit or really shit) as well as Overdose (AC/DC tribute band after Madison show)

Meets of note - Schenker in a sulk in a wet street in Colchester - still one of my heroes, Pete Way at Hard Rock Hell slowly getting pissed but really nice, friendly and talkative. The drummer/singer from Pride Tiger who was just so nice - genuinely nice - at both Hard Rock Hell and at the Barfly.

Event of the year - Hard Rock Hell - line up and venue not as good as 2007 but still a great weekend.

Moment of clarity - 20 seconds into Wildhearts at Hard Rock Hell I just knew they were going to be brilliant - and they were. Tigertailz doing Creeping Death which made me reconsider whether they were actually not the crap band I thought they were.

Sad bits - Mitch Mitchell dying, Wolfmother splitting up and the terminal decline of Deep Purple.

Hopes for 2009 - already booked for The Answer, Metallica (twice) and AC/DC (thrice), Priest and Megadeth, Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as Hammerfest. Hope for lots more especially want to see the return to Europe of Suicidal Tendencies and Van Halen - both have played the US recently so get your arses over the pond.

2008-12-16T01:28:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Seeing the Who at the Indigo 2 was a real pleasure - it is such an intimate venue for such a massive band that they could have come on farted and left and I would have been happy. As it was they played a sorming set starting with Can't explain - which they actually played twice after Pete Townsend complained of an "inner ear problem" at the end of the first version - after leaving the stage they returned a few minutes later to start again. Highlights included lots of old favourites including Baba O'Reilly, Magic Bus, 5.15, My Generation and a storming version of Won't get fooled again. All rounded off with an extended medley from Tommy. A splendid evening.

2008-12-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Pride Tiger and Big Linda at the Barfly. A great venue and tow great bands who - although very short 35 min sets - we excellent. both have great potential if they can follow up on good debut albums and I assume I will have to see them at much larger - and more expensive venues in the next few years. A great privilege to see them in such a tiny venue with such a tiny crowd - 50 at most. Pride Tiger have the edge on songs and stage personality and I am sure will go on to great things.

2008-12-11T04:26:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Wildhearts were on great form at the forum last night even if they didn't seem at all happy with the sound on the stage. It was fine out front. Very similar to Hard Rock Hell show - the entry to Nita Nitro has got to be one of the best things I have seen all year - although longer set and a few more oldies thrown in for good measure. I still can't believe this lot aren't a massive draw - they are fucking brilliant in concert and have a decent catalogue of good songs. the "A" who supported were good - 4 years since they last played together - and the first support Tragedy - a heavy metal Bee Gees - nuff said.

set-list (ripped from Dave Ling): ‘Nita Nitro’, ‘Vanilla Radio’, ‘Someone That Won’t Let Me Go’, ‘Everlone’, ‘The Revolution Will Be Televised’, ‘Suckerpunch’, ‘Sick Of Drugs’, ‘Carmelita’ (Warren Zevon cover), ‘Caffeine Bomb’ and ‘My Baby Is A Headfuck’, followed by encores of ‘Geordie In Wonderland’, ‘Understanding Jane’, ‘Noting Ever Changes But The Shoes’, ‘Just In Lust’, ’29 X The Pain’, ‘Rooting For The Bad Guy’, Medley: ‘Lonely This Christmas’/‘Red Light, Green Light’, ‘Getting It’, ‘Caprice’, ‘I Wanna Go Where The People Go’, ‘My Old Friend The Blues’ and ‘Love U Till I Don’t’.

Pride Tiger and Big Linda tomorrow.

2008-12-08T13:58:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

The 2nd instalment of the Hard Rock Hell festival was as enjoyable as the first. The line-up wasn’t quite as much to my taste but was good nonetheless. After a 4 hour drive from London picking up two mates on the way we arrived to be greeted by a very dull and overcast Prestatyn – the camp itself has clearly seen better days but you spend so little time in the rooms that it doesn’t matter. Check in was well organised and everything was ready and waiting for our arrival. Room right near the main venues which was good and all as clean and basic as you would expect. No complaints. Missed the first half of Big Linda which was a pain as especially wanted to see them but Heavens Basement and Attica Rage were both good – latter band fronted by a guy we met last year. Budgie and Lizzy on the main stage were also both superb and the raised VIP viewing area was great – worth the extra by itself. A few technical hitches spoilt the start for Budgie but they recovered well – opening with Panzer Division Destroyed and finishing with Breadfan was great. Lizzy stormed through a very familiar set list – Jailbreak to start and through most of live and dangerous (Rosalie and Rocker both sadly dropped) and closing with Black Rose - by themselves made the whole day’s travelling worthwhile. Organisation of venues was a bit chaotic – it was pontins first time with a proper rock festival – so nowhere near enough bar staff and lack of a decent smoking area late on were irritating. The end of the day (somewhere around 3am) saw Tigertailz do an absolutely storming version of Creeping Death – the song of the weekend.

Day two started early – Spit Like This on stage at mid-day – but worth dragging myself our of bed. Stage 2 saw most of the during the day action – Waysted and a very impressive band called Pride Tiger were the highlights. Met Pete Way in the Bar (where else) before the show and what a nice bloke he was – always had time for his fans and very chatty with everyone. His other band members a bit nervous about how much Vodka was going down his throat before the show but they performed well – Pete Way is one of the few people who could get on stage in a Spice Girls T Shirt and not look a complete dick – the man is a legend. Pride Tiger were superb – bought their album last night and a second listen confirmed my view that they are a very tight band. Met the drummer/singer – also very nice chap – who told me they are playing the Barfly in Camden on Friday – also with Big Linda so am definitely on for that. Orange Goblin and Clutch were both decent but Black Label Society were a bit disappointing – far too much dicking around on the guitar and not enough getting on with playing more songs. Highlight of the whole weekend were the Wildhearts who were just fucking brilliant. For some insane reason I have not seen them before in spite of a mate telling me I should go every time they have played over the last 6 or so years. Completely blew everyone else off stage. The whole thing rounded off by Viking Skull good solid set and Blitzkreig who covered 4 priest songs in a long medley and were a fitting end to a great weekend.

Roll on Hammerfest in April.

2008-11-13T05:01:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Motorhead and Saxon at Sheffield Academy - great show in a great venue - a long drive there and back in a day - was originally planning to stay over but has to get back for my flight to NYC to see AC/DC at Madison Square Garden. A fucking long way to go for a gig but well worth the effort - rock n roll train a good intro song and then into hell ain't a bad place to be. Off we went with a 90 minute show (could have been longer but they are getting on a bit now) back in black, thunderstruck, hells bells, let there be rock all included with highway to hell and for those about to rock as an encore. A solid performance and good clean sound with the new songs doing better than I expected - big jack was well received. Splendid in so many ways - looking forward to tonight. All in all very professional but not quite what they were. The Answer who supported were seriously good - at points they reminded me of the black crowes or zeppelin - have to go see them again.

Update: Thursday's gig was exactly the same - saw an east coast AC/DC tribute band (Overdose) at BB Kings who were great fun as an aftershow piss up.

2008-11-03T01:52:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Slayer again at Hammersmith. Pretty much the same set as the previous night but in a different order so the whole thing sounded completely fresh. As a band they are as tight as a frogs arse but still no room for expendable youth which is a shame. South of Heaven was executed even better than the night before which when I went into the venue I didn't think was possible. Trivium again left me unmoved - I am always surprised by bands who play two shows at the same venue and seem to assume that they can use exactly the same between song "banter"and it won't sound completely crap to people who went to both nights. It can only be considered wit if it is spontaneous which it clearly wasn't.

2008-10-31T03:30:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

I was always a bit of a snob when it came to Slayer - they weren't as good as Metallica or Megadeth in my book and they seemed to be a perpetual support band back in the day. But Slayer were a grower and the more I saw them the more I liked them. I think their Donnington show supporting Maiden in I think 92 was the turning point. Last nights show at Hammersmith was a really good example of what a good gig should be like. Good sound, plenty of volume (probably too much for supprot Trivium who I just don't seem to be able to get to like very much - they might grow but it has been a while and I remain unmoved) and a good solid setlist with minimal pauses between songs. They didn't play for too long - 80 mins max but they crammed a lot into the show. Angel of Death, South of Heaven, Raining Blood, Chemical Warfare, Dead Skin Mask were all in there from what I can recall with my ears still rining. Back for more tonight and I hope they will find room for expendable youth which is probably my favourite track. WE HAD JOY WE HAD FUN WE HAD SEASONS IN THE ABYSS - DID MAKE ME SMILE

2008-10-19T05:27:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Scorpions at Hammersmith. A great set including most of what I wanted to hear - Another piece of meat, Loving you Sunday morning, Blackout, Lovedrive and Ba boys running wild were particular highlights. Michael Schenker on for about half the set was good to see - ending with Doctor doctor was a joy. Sound was good but volume was too low. Not quite a sell out but good crowd. Uli Jon Roth in support was decent but a needs better material - he is clearly a gifted guitarist but not showing his best with current set list. Slayer next week will no doubt be louder.

Got tickets for AC/DC at O2 centre next year - yippee

2008-09-23T01:24:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

AC/DC have got a new online fan club which even at my advanced age I joined to get access to the fan club tickets for their latest tour. Was well worth the $40 to join as I am now the proud owner of tickets to see AC/DC at Madison Square Garden in November. A bit of an extravagance but fuck it - you can't take it with you.

2008-09-17T05:51:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

A splendid two set show by the Bunnymen at the Royal Albert Hall. The first set opened with Rescue and followed up with Villiers Terrace before bouncing back and forth throughout their back catalogue and a new song thropwn in for good measure. Never Stop and Back of Love were particular highlights. McCulloch's voice was superb and Will Sergeant's guitar work was as effortless and precise as it always is. That set ended and off we trooped for a beer - note to RAH: you need more bar staff. The second set was Ocean Rain played in order with an orchestra. The sound was great and the Bunnymen were clearly having a good time - black and white stills from that period showing McCulloch and sadly deceased former members as beautiful young men full of life and energy were quite moving. The pictures from that time of Pete deFreitas and Les Pattinson were quite haunting. Last time is saw the Bunnyment at the RAH was about 1983 - a storming concert and a lot of damaged chairs. The crowd were much more sedate last night - probably cos most of them were also there the last time. We're all getting on a bit I suppose.

2008-09-11T01:52:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Committed the heinous sin last night of missing a gig - was in a pub on the way to Brixton and the England match was on the box - was just about to leave when England score. Agreed with my mate that we would stay for one more and that was that. A good victory for England but feel a bit bad for missing the Stray Cats farewell show in London. Last time I did this was missing a UFO gig at the Astoria when England played Portugal in the World Cup quarter final - a worse crime as missed a much better band and we lost on pens.

2008-09-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Stray Cats on Wednesday and then Echo and the Bunneymen next Tuesday. Not my usual fare but both are great live bands and very evocative of my short time as a student. The tramshed in Woolwich packed with rockabilly's and the Bunneymen at Hammersmith Palais - they seemd to share the venue with U2 in those day - seems a very long time ago (probably because it was). Let's hope time has not dulled their impact.

2008-09-03T01:26:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The pistols were just magnificent. A really great show that they seemed genuinely pleased to be playing. John Lydon is usually a bit sneery with the audience but on this occasion he seemed strangely happy and at ease with himself. Steve Jones seems to have spent all the money he has made from the reunion on pies - he has absolutely piled it on in the last year or so and even got a lighthearted jibe from Lydon "Steve is clebrating a birthday in about 2 hours......he is going to be a 21 neck". The show was the usual "Never Mind the Bollocks" set with stepping stone, belsen was a gas (redone in parts as Baghdad was a blast) and a few others thrown in for good measure - the most bizarre of which was Silver Machine at the end - strange but done competently. The wife absolutely loved it "the best gig I have ever been to" was her reaction on the way home - a bit OTT but such was the euphoria they generated. Hope they keep going - they deserve the money

2008-09-02T01:28:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The Sex Pistols at Hammersmith Odeon tonight. Saw them last year at the very dire Brixton Academy and looking forward to this one. Like the Damned, the Stranglers, Stiff Little Fingers, and to a lesser extent the Clash, it was the pistols that made me a music - especially live music - obsessive. Was a bit too young to see them in their heyday but am more than happy to see them 30 odd years after they hit the scene. Better that than never seeing them.

Finally got rid of the sulking wanker Berbatov - let's hope the new Russian boy does the biz - am sure he will

2008-08-19T02:44:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Secured tickets for the Damned at Islington Academy - has been a while since I saw them but they are always good for a laugh. New Rose and Neat, Neat, Neat are two of the songs responsible for this life long obsession with live music

2008-08-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Diamond Head were extremely good last night and played a storming set at extremely high volume - as a veteran of some very loud rocks concerts over the last 25 years my hearing has clearly been damaged so it is rare event that my ears were still ringing when I awoke this morning. Only downside was that this was part of the "what's in your head" tour to promote their latest album and they didn't actually play that song - a bit odd especially as it is one of the best on the album. It was terribly sad that only 100-150 people were there to see the gig especially as Witchfynde were supporting - who were also extremely good. It worries me that they might throw in the towel if they can only attract such small crowds to one of their headline shows. They can't be making much if any money out of this - I know they will be doing it for love but you've got to make a living. A fucking great band who deserve better support.

2008-08-13T03:48:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Hope that Diamond Head at dingwalls goes ahead tonight. Last two gigs have been called off because singer had tonsilitis. Seen them quite a few times since first introduced to them by a lovely girl from Walsall in the early 80s. I recently downloaded their latest album and was both surprised and impressed by how good it was - I picked up a liking for some of the new material at HRH last year and then on the Lizzy tour and it is always better to hear these songs when you are at least familiar with them. Looking forward to a good gig.

2008-07-31T03:00:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The long treck out to the Excel - arse end of London - to see Deep Purple play in a car park. Quite apart from the fact that the location is not geared up to handle such a large crowd - the DLR does not have the capacity to move such numbers quickly hence long queues to get in and out - the sound was pretty dreadful. Since they reformed to play Knebworth more years ago than I can remember I have seen them every time they played in London in the hope that they will recapture former glories - sadly they have got progressively worse. I keep hoping that Gillan's once magnificent voice will get better, that they would play more songs and stop wanking themselves off with dreary solo's, that they would play with more energy and enthusiasm (Glover excluded who still looks like he loves it) rather than go through the motions - but none of these things seem to get any better. The songs seem to be selected according to what Gillan can still sing rather than what the crowd want to hear and it all seems a bit disappointing. On the morning after the show, I am convinced that that is the last time I will see them - I have left the last two shows very bored by it all - and don't want to see any more decline. They were one of the all time greats and have been reduced to a shadow of their former selves - I never saw them when they were really great in the early 70s but early in the reformnation they were a good live act but now it is a bit like watching Elvis at Vegas - once magnificent but no more. Sadly I think the decline is terminal - a bit like Ozzy - and there is nothing left in the tank.

Hated writing this.

2008-07-28T02:01:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Have not written here for an age so a bit of a round up of recent stuff.

DIO - still got a great voice and a magnificent showman. A bit of a greatest hits show but hey that's what we hoped for. Did everything you would hope for and has a tight band who know their place - stand back, play well and let Ronnie J do his thing. I am always astonished that his voice is still so strong given that he has been in various rock bands since the sixties. A few beers at the Intrepid Fox and then over to the Astoria which is a magnificent venue - compact, good bar staff and a decent PA. Top night as ever - Dio never lets you down.

Whitesnake/Def leppard - Coverdales bands in recent years have lacked any real passion and this trot through their 80s back catalogue was a bit dreary - he has a stack of great material but played hardly any of it. I hear with horror that Neil Murray - bass player when Whitesnake were really good in late 70s/early 80s - now plays in the band that does "we will rock you" - how fucking sad is that. Def Leppard on the other hand were great - crisp, good song selection and looked like they were enjoying it rather than just going through the motions a'la Whitesnake. One of my mates thought coverdale was lip synching some of the difficult bits - hmm hope not as indicates he can no longer do it - Ozzy gone the way of all things last time I saw him.

Journey - not really my thing but surprisingly good - very good new Philipino vocalist. Another good recommendation from a journalist mate.

Riders on the Storm - strange to see surviving members of the Doors but great stuff - wish they had done The End and Unknown Soldier but everything else covered. Very credible.

Yngwie Malmsteen - never seen him before but shit hot guitarist with Ripper Owens doing vocals - can do as good an impression of Dio (Gates of Babylon in the set) as he can of Halford. A great singer who deserves a break. Can't recall having been out of a gig and in the pub by 9.40 - except years ago when Rory Gallagher was so pissed he could hardly play and I walked out - bizarre to start so early if you are only on for a short time.

Fields of the Nephilim - a big trip down memory lane - lots of hats, dry ice and people covered in flour but a good solid gig - first for over 17 years but not rusty - have clearly been in solid rehearsals. Good stuff - although the wife was totally bemused.

Budgie at the Underworld - promised stacks but failed to deliver. Terrible sound - guitar buried in the mix - and the guitarist looked most unhappy. Seemed scared to play a bum note - was very mechanical. Expect so much more at Hard Rock Hell guys !!

B52s at the Roundhouse - absolutely fantastic - probably the best pop band of the last 20 years and a really great live act. Very hot and sweaty but great sound, good songs and overall a very memorable night. Superb new album which they played a few from plus a couple from everything else - finishing with Plant Clare was a joy. One of the best gigs so far this year.

2008-04-24T05:34:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Saxon at Shepherds Bush was very disappointing - have probably seen them at least 30 times in the last 30 years and this was a bit of a yawn - no let me correct that - it was the worst gig I have seen them play. Sound was crap - clear but nowhere near enough volume. Had a tiny PA that would not have looked out of place at the Underworld. What was really bad was the set list. Biff came up with some crap that they were playing a set list that some geezer had won in a competition - bollocks as it was a fucking shit set and most people left disappointed. A real shame as Saxon at the empire on St Georges day should have been a great gig - it could have if they turned it up and played a decent set. They have got to be so much better than this when the support motorhead later this year - at least I can be assured it will be loud enough. I appreciate they have got to mix it up a bit to retain interest but come on guys this was really poor.

2008-04-14T02:30:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Ace Frehley surprisingly good - was never much of a Kis fan but he was very entertaining. Am always amazed that Kiss has such a loyal and somewhat fanatical following and they were queueing round the block for this one.

Muse were again magnificent and belted out everything that you would expect. Great to see them in such a good venue - the Albert Hall is just the business.

2008-04-11T02:21:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Infectious Grooves were magnificent last night at the Mean Fiddler (one of my favourite venues) I hardly knew any of their material in any great depth but that didn't matter. Mike Muir is an electric performer and prowled the stage like pissed off tiger. A tight tight band who kept the whole thing at a very high temp. Getting 3 members of the audience to get on stage to provide backing vocals for Therapy could have been cheesy but it worked. I so hope he comes back with Suicidal - and soon.

Secured tickets for Motorhead 9with saxon supporting) at HAmmersmith and more interestingly at Sheffiled Carling Academy - never been there before but should be a laugh.

2008-04-10T03:21:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

One down three to go.

Black Crowes were good value - almost 3 hours but dodgy song selection and Brixton Academy is such a shit venue at times. Sound was terrible - so quiet and muffled mix they sounded like they were playing next door. Had to get right down the front to hear in any clarity but was overall a decent gig but not a classic by any stretch.

2008-04-08T02:04:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The best thing about living in London is evidenced by this week - 4 gigs in 4 days at 4 venues.

Black Crowes at Brixton Academy - has been years since I saw them and they have never disappointed me so looking forward.

Infectious Grooves at Mean Fiddler - always a big fan of suicidal tendencies and this funked up version sound great on record - first time seeing them live so have to see.

Ace Frehley at the Astoria - never a big Kiss fan but he is a very good guitarist so high expectations.

Muse at the Albert Hall - does it get any better than that??????????

2008-04-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Oh joy of joys. Finally secured a ticket for Muse at the Albert Hall in a few weeks.

Entered a fan club competition - didn't win but access to a few seats in the choir - behind the band but no matter. Eve then could only get one. Cunts on e-bay are selling tickets for these charity gigs for massive profits. Free trade is all very well and am all in favour of it - have bought tickets off e-bay myself - but making profit out of a charity concert is more than a bit shabby.

So looking forward..............

2008-03-17T03:15:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

All the way to Dubai to attend Desert Rock 2008 just to see Muse - call me bonkers but was worth every penny. As Wembley last year they were magnificant, in Dubai I think they were probably better. The sound was superb and with a completely stripped down show - no light show to speak of and half hearted attempt at a few videos on the big screens but just played their socks off. More than can be said for most of the other bands apart from Marky Ramone who was just fantastic - basically played the best of the Ramones with a tribute band but was fucking great. Velvet Revolver a bit dull until they palyed it's so easy and then they livened up a bit. Slash needs to mix it up a bit more and look a bit more interested if they are to progress. Everyone else was just tedious. Very disappointed in Korn and As I lay Dying both of whom I had high hopes for but neither were up to much. The round trip was worth it just for Muse and Marky Ramone was a good bonus.

Asia last night at Shepherds Bush was great - all the first album plus Fanfare for the Common Man, Roundabout, Court of the Crimson King and Video Killed the Radio Star - I know that last one is considered a bit of a joke but I always thought Trevor Horn was a great bass player and the song really does stand the test of time even if the rest of the band seemed a bit embarrassed at playing it. I hate drum solo's - usually an excuse for a piss or a pint but a Carl Palmer drum solo is the only one I will watch (apart from Neal Peart) and he again proved he is just a fucking brilliant drummer.

2008-02-04T06:56:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Schenker at the Twist in Colchester (great venue) and great return to the stage by a seemingly sober Schenker. He was clearly back to his best but really could do with a proper band around him - they were ok but he had to carry the whole thing. Met the great man outside in the street and simply shook his hand to thank him for the last 30 years. Felt like a bit of a starstruck teenager.

2007-12-12T05:49:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Only one more gig to go this year - Lizzy and Diamond Head at Hammersmith so have been thinking about the highs and lows of the year.

Best Gigs - not in any particular order:

Wolfmother at Hammersmith - best new band I have seen in a decade or more.
Muse at Wembley - just so fucking professional
Stranglers at Roundhouse - 30 years of joy with half the songs done twice

Worst gigs -

Siouxsie at Roundhouse - just flat and dull
Schenker supporting the Scorpions at Hammersmith - way too pissed to even stand let alone play guitar

Best all round event - Hard Rock Hell - just such a great laugh and so many great bands that I can't wait to book for next year

Best Comeback - Sex Pistols (didn't get a Zeppelin ticket or that would have been a no brainer)

Most fun - UFO at HRH - myself and a mate bouncing around like 14 year olds singing every word

Biggest surprise - just how good Twisted Sister were at HRH

Biggest Twat - Bass player from Saxon cruising HRH to ponce drinks and not even pretending to be interested in talking to his fans

Biggest disappointment - apart from not getting a Zeppelin ticket - has to be Schenker again - I have never wanted someone not to play Rock Bottom so much. Hope he sorts himself out.

Bands to keep a close eye on - Wolfmother (can they follow up the first album) - Beyond the Grave - were they really as good as I remember or was I just wasted

Looking forward in 2008 - Zeppelin tour (so hope so) but especially hope Van Halen come across the pond after so many years. Radio silence from AC/DC can't be maintained can it? Motorhead, Judas Priest, Suicidal Tendencies and Megadeth all playing HRH - I would love it. Someone buying the State in Kilburn and making it the premier mid sized venue in London - has got so much potential I wish I was as rich as Bill Gates so I could do it myself

2007-11-21T03:27:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Wembley Arena was not overfull for Motorhead and Alice on Saturday but that didn't matter too much. Got right down the front and felt the bass in my chest in the best traditions of attending a Motorhead gig. Was with a few friends one of whom has the claim to fame of being photographed on the No Sleep to Hammersmith album. A great set comprising the usual standards - no class, overkill, ace of spades and metroplis (plus killed by death which is a real crowd pleaser but is a track I just don't like - never have) and a smattering of later songs. Absolutely excellent stuff and an acoustic Whorehouse Blues as part of the encore capped a really enjoyable concert. Joan Jett preceded motorhead (my main reason for attending) and was enjoyable - a few too many covers including AC/DC by Sweet and Do you Wanna Touch by Gary Glitter (the irony was lost on her) but I love Rock n Roll and Hate Myself for Loving you were both excellent.

Alice Cooper always surprises me - he has a great back catalogue and is a great performer but were it not for the presence of motorhead I would not have even bothered going which would have been a shame as he impressed me again. A great show all in all and the last proper rock show on my slop chit for this year. Still got a couple of shows by the manics next months and the regular squeeze xmas show but thats all. May slip in and see Thin Lizzy if I can get out of a work do especially as I understand that Diamond Head are now supporting rather than the very dismal Queensryche.

Have been discussing with mates my best gigs of the year so will have to think further before writing this crap for my own amusement.

2007-11-14T02:48:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

Am still feeling a bit shagged out from the weekend and a very late night at work on Monday and very early start yesterday but I know I am recovering as I am already whistling "Bomber" in anticipation of Motorhead on saturday. I know they are playing second fiddle to Alice Cooper but I have not seen them for nearly a year so really looking forward to it. Understand they are the most likely headliners (i.e already booked) for next years Hard Rock Hell which would be just fantastic. Only way to feel the noise is when it's good and loud......................

2007-11-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

A very busy few days. The Pistols were far better than I had feared they might be - they are clearly a bit of a parody and doing it simply for the money but what's wrong with that. I think people can take music a bit too seriously sometimes with a few overheard comments of "not what they were" "this not what they stood for" - they stood for nothing and as a band they were as tight as two coats of paint and simply reeled off never mind .... with stepping stone thrown in for good measure. Not a classic but a very enjoyable show.

The weekender at Minehead was just such great fun. Got about 6 hopurs sleep over 2 days. Met lots of interesting people, had many pissed conversations and did not see any evidence of any trouble whatsoever. The whole thing was well organised and most bands gave it their all. A few highlights for me were Twisted Sister who were billed as headliners and didn't disappoint - last time I saw them was at the Marquee when I was about 15. Zodiac Mindwarp were great - I may have a blindspot here as when I suggested this to Dave Ling in one of my pissed conversations he said they did ok for a band who only have one song - bit of a shame he has that view as I have always loved them and think they havbbe a good number of good songs. Saxon were very good. I loved UFO - me and a mate spent the whole gig bouncing around down the front in stupid shaped cheap sunglasses (I looked like Elton John's fat brother) screaming out the lyrics. Everyone else I spoke to thought they were a bit crap because they were clearly somewhat pissed - Phil Mogg could barely stand but still sung beautifully if bizarrely he could barely speak. Tesla and Diamond Head were very professional even though they had to contend with graveyard slots. Missed Turismas (sic) and Raven which was a bit irritating cos I was dealing with a work issue and there was a unanimous view that they were both very good. The last band on were Beyond the Grave who I had never heard of but was very impressed by - think they will become well known shortly as they have a good sound. All in all a fantastic event.

Heaven and Hell rounded off the weekend nicely at the Brighton Centre - very crisp, very professional but only managed an hour and a half.

2007-11-07T07:47:00.000-08:00

KILBURNFLYER

A busy recent few days of gigs - some good some bad.

Harry Connick Jr at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday was a sublime treat. Not my usual fare but have been a great admirer of his for many years. He is just so fucking talented it makes you envious. Beatiful voice, brilliant musician and a man who seems so at ease on stage that he looks born to it. Mainly his new album of tracks inspired by or made famous in New Orleans. He has a disarming easy charm and was really very funny in his banter with the audience. Wasn't on for long though - even managed to get back home in time for match of the day.

Sunday at the Roundhouse for one and a half gigs by the Stranglers - the extra half was the first 7 or 8 songs which had to be repeated due to some technical problem (the whole thing was being recorded for an anniversary DVD). Has been a number of years since I have seen the Stranglers - first time since Hugh Cornwell left - and boy were they good. Fantastic song selection - No More Heroes, 5 Minutes, Dagenham Dave, Get a Grip, Nubiles, Feel Like a Wog etc etc. Was just brilliant - played great with great sound and a great venue. John Cooper Clarke supporting was his usual self - virtually exactly the same set and the same gags as when I last saw him support The Fall last year. Myself and a mate both had too much to drink and independently made fools of ourself when talking to Stuart Pearce - I thanked him for not winning the FA Cup in 1991 and my mate fawned over his days with the Hammers. Pearce is a real football legend and a big punk fan - top man.

Monday at the Roundhouse - Siouxsie - was just shit. She looks great but her voice was flat and her band seemed uninterested and played without any passion. She is a marvel when in full tilt and spellbound is one of my all time favourite songs - hope it was just an off night. Will certainly keep the faith as she has never been a disapointment before.

Off for a full weekend of music - Sex Pistols on Thursday, Hard Rock Hell at Butlins Minehead on Fri and Sat - UFO, Saxon, Twisted Sister, Diamond Head and Zodiac Mindwarp plus loads of others and then Heaven and Hell in Brighton on Sunday. Should be a reet laff if I don't go deaf.

2007-10-11T02:39:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Wembley Arena again and exactly the same set list as last night but strangely I enjoyed it more. I think it was the vast number of new and newish songs they played that made me slightly disappointed on Tuesday. They all sounded more familiar last night and I came away with a warmer feeling. They really are 3 of the most consumate musicians to form a band but I still yearn to hear them do more old stuff when they play a big gig. Dream Theater on Saturday - might give it a miss (it is no way a sell out - they were pushing tickets last night) as it is England v France or should that be more properly France v England

2007-10-10T03:59:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

Has been an age since my last concert so I was a bundle of excitement all day yesterday anticipating Rush at Wembley Arena. A magnificent opening with a blistering version of limelight but then the concert lost its way a bit. The sound was perfect, all three members of the band were playing as well as ever, the light show was impressive but it all fell apart with the song selection. Way too much of the new album - although the songs were good - they do not approach the magnificence of so much of their 30 year back catalogue. I appreciate that playing excerpts from 2112 or farewell to kings may get a bit dull for the band but that is what we pay our £50 for - to hear live those songs we know and love. I can't imagine going to see the Who without hearing My Generation or Deep Purple not playing Smoke on the Water (although sometimes I wish I could) but I heard hardly any of the back catalogue last night. When they did dig deep - Spirit of Radio, Tom Sawyer, Circumstances, Freewill and finally an encore including Passage to Bangkok and YYZ - the crowd reaction was great. Am going again tonight - I hope they throw in a few more oldies but I have seen them on consecutive nights twice before and each time the set list was exactly the same so I am not hopeful. I suppose I should have bought the new album before I went but I like hearing new material live for the first time - chuck in the three best songs from the album and I bet you get a better return in sales than showcasing the whole thing and letting people go home entertained but slightly disappointed because they know how good it could have been if they had mixed it up a bit more.

2007-09-12T04:04:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

They may well end up doing a version of "Stairmaster to Heaven" but I am still desperately hoping I am one of the lucky 20,000 who will be able to get a ticket to see Zeppelin at the O2 arena that is expected to be announced later. What will irritate me enormously is how many tickets will end up on e-bay for collosal amounts of money moments after they sell out.

2007-09-10T03:53:00.000-07:00

KILBURNFLYER

The reformed Jesus and Mary Chain are a very good live band. More coherent, more professional and more focussed on the audience than they were when I first saw them over 20 years ago. But for all that they were not as exciting as they were - then again nor am I - we all get a bit more mellow as we get older. The 35 minute arrogant noisefest (william played most gigs with his back to the audience) that was a Mary Chain gig in the 80's has been replaced with a more orthodox approach to concerts. Good sound balance, thoughtful song selection (shame no place for upside down which epitomised their uncompromising mix of feedback and a pounding rhythm section) and they played for nearly 90 minutes. A very enjoyable trip down memory lane with a few new songs lobbed in for good measure. I really hope they keep playing as they are very very good and well worth the entry fee.