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.

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.