If you're going to kick off a European tour, there are only two ways to do it - in Belfast and in style.
And Y&T did exactly that, when they delivered a set that really could reduce this review to two simple words: fucking awesome! Or, outstanding as my mate Wez constantlt repeated throughout the night.
All too often, Belfast audiences are cheated by visiting legends: but, it's only been a little over 12 months since Y&T graced the stage of the Spring And Airbrake, and so they knew what to expect from the crowd - and exactly what that crowd expected from them in return. And they didn't disappointed, more than sating that expectation with two and a half hours of some of the best rawk n roll you're likely to hear, well, this side of San Francisco.
It didn't get off to the best of starts, mind you. As the booming intro tape of 'Prelude' died, Dave Meniketti stood mid-stage with nothing happening: his guitar wasn't plugged in. As his faithful tech rushed to remedy the situation, the affable Californian merely looked the audience square in the face and muttered, "O fuck!", before belatedly ripping into opener proper "On With The Show". Just as the band hit their stride with a magnificent "Mean Streak", sound problems resurfaced: this time it was guitarist John Nymann who was the victim, leaving Meniketti to save the day with an impromptu solo rendition of "Hang 'Em High".
But, you don't stay in the dirty old business that is rock n roll by not being on top of your game at all times, and the band quickly overcame this latest difficulty and (despite continuing wails of feedback for the next 40 minutes or so) delivered one of the most kick ass sets this town has ever seen.
Early highlights came in the form of "I'm Coming Home" and an awesome "I Believe In You", at the end of which I swear Meniketti was close to tears at the reaction, before blistering versions of "Black Tiger" and "Bar Room Boogie". Highlight of the new material from the excellent "Facemelter" album had to be the rocking "Blind Patriot", while "Dirty Girl" had the whole place singing and dancing on their seats.
Two hours in (well, Meniketti had promised us at least that), the MTV-generation hit "Summertime Girls" kept up the momentum, before the fantastic "Forever" finished proceedings on a high - and, we could have gone on forever. Of course, the band weren't going to get away that easy and were soon back: "OK, that's the first half of the show over, we've another 24 songs to do," joked Meniketti, But, I didn't hear anyone complaining, as blistering versions of "Midnight In Tokyo", "Open Fire" and "Rescue Me" finally brought the curtain down on a set that I timed at exactly two hours and 31 minutes.
With the only down side being the absence of Phil Kennemore, Y&T nevertheless proved that, more than 30 years into their career, they still can deliver the goods, first class, special delivery. God help the good people of Petaluma, wherever the fuck that is, when the tour finishes there in a few weeks' time.
Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Yesterday... Today... Tomorrow
Yesterday... Today... Tomorrow
Tomorrow evening, one of the true standard bearers for classy hard rock return to Belfast – and it’s going to be a facemelting experience.
I am of course referring to Y&T. Although the band will be without founding member Phil Kennemore (currently battling cancer), the San Francisco no doubt will rip another hole in the roof of the Spring And Airbrake when they hit the stage around about 9.30 or so. And, I’ve just one question: are you ready to rawk?
Y&T can truly be called originators of a genre: tracing their roots back to 1974, they slogged their guts out for eight years, crafting their sound and paving the way for the likes of Ratt, Motley Crue, Dokken, Great White and a whole raft of other ‘big hair big attitude’ bands who, like it or not, can pay more than lip service to the influence of Dave Meniketti and company.
Originally called Yesterday and Today, the band released two albums on London Records before, at the dawn of the down and dirty eighties making probably the best two decisions of their lives – switching to the then shit hot A&M roster and shortening their name! The result: one muthafucka of an album that brought them onto my radar – and that of millions of rockers around the world: 1982’s frankly awesome ‘Black Tiger’.
It’s hard to believe that was 28 years ago. But, almost three decades later, it sounds as fresh and as exciting as when I first slipped it from it’s sleeve and tentatively placed my old Binatone deck’s needle into it’s groove: slipping through the instrumental preview of ‘From The Moon’, the salvo that is ‘Open Fire’ still raises (now greying) hairs on the back of my neck.
OK, if you’re ready this, you’re more than likely a Y&T fan, so I’m not going to bore with you all the details of what has happened since... needless to say, ‘Black Tiger’ and the follow-up ‘Mean Streak’ remain two of my favourite albums, regularly finding their way onto my now vintage Sansui turntable (fuck, it might be 20 years old itself but it gives off one helluva sound), and a Y&T track essentially playing at any Paradise City night.
Having returned to glorious studio form earlier this year with ‘Facemelter’ – their first album in 13 years – Y&T continue to prove that, without them, the hard rock genre as we know it today probably would be a very different prospect indeed.
Going back to 1982, Dave Meniketti opened ‘My Way Or The Highway’ with “I’ll tell you what I want girl... I want respect... and I’m going to get it”. One thing’s for sure: he sure as hell has got the respect he and his comrades in arms are due. See you all tomorrow night \m/
Tomorrow evening, one of the true standard bearers for classy hard rock return to Belfast – and it’s going to be a facemelting experience.
I am of course referring to Y&T. Although the band will be without founding member Phil Kennemore (currently battling cancer), the San Francisco no doubt will rip another hole in the roof of the Spring And Airbrake when they hit the stage around about 9.30 or so. And, I’ve just one question: are you ready to rawk?
Y&T can truly be called originators of a genre: tracing their roots back to 1974, they slogged their guts out for eight years, crafting their sound and paving the way for the likes of Ratt, Motley Crue, Dokken, Great White and a whole raft of other ‘big hair big attitude’ bands who, like it or not, can pay more than lip service to the influence of Dave Meniketti and company.
Originally called Yesterday and Today, the band released two albums on London Records before, at the dawn of the down and dirty eighties making probably the best two decisions of their lives – switching to the then shit hot A&M roster and shortening their name! The result: one muthafucka of an album that brought them onto my radar – and that of millions of rockers around the world: 1982’s frankly awesome ‘Black Tiger’.
It’s hard to believe that was 28 years ago. But, almost three decades later, it sounds as fresh and as exciting as when I first slipped it from it’s sleeve and tentatively placed my old Binatone deck’s needle into it’s groove: slipping through the instrumental preview of ‘From The Moon’, the salvo that is ‘Open Fire’ still raises (now greying) hairs on the back of my neck.
OK, if you’re ready this, you’re more than likely a Y&T fan, so I’m not going to bore with you all the details of what has happened since... needless to say, ‘Black Tiger’ and the follow-up ‘Mean Streak’ remain two of my favourite albums, regularly finding their way onto my now vintage Sansui turntable (fuck, it might be 20 years old itself but it gives off one helluva sound), and a Y&T track essentially playing at any Paradise City night.
Having returned to glorious studio form earlier this year with ‘Facemelter’ – their first album in 13 years – Y&T continue to prove that, without them, the hard rock genre as we know it today probably would be a very different prospect indeed.
Going back to 1982, Dave Meniketti opened ‘My Way Or The Highway’ with “I’ll tell you what I want girl... I want respect... and I’m going to get it”. One thing’s for sure: he sure as hell has got the respect he and his comrades in arms are due. See you all tomorrow night \m/
Thursday, 2 September 2010
Once again, a list of the forthcoming rock and metal gigs that the PC crew know about. Once again, the list is restricted to gig taking place in Belfast...
Friday 3 September
Tied To Machines + Are We Supposed To Look This Good + Sons Of Encouragement + I Saved A Saviour + Torn Into Fire: The Front Page (8.30pm)
Saturday 4 September:
Electric Red (album launch) + For Christ Sake + Death of a Salesman: The Limelight (5pm)
Prozest Vito (album launch): Front Page (8.30pm)
Strictly No Ballroom: The Empire (9pm)
Saturday 11 September
For Ruin, devilmakesthree, Atheos, Corr Mhona: The Limelight (5pm)
Rockaholics: The Empire (9pm)
Thursday 16 September
Delirium Tremens + Common Bred Trigger + The Glory Holes + Like A Ninja: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 18 September
Any Means + Gacys Threads + Interrogate + Exit Wound: The Limelight (5pm)
Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)
Black Freeway + Inch High + Paradise City (Macmillan Cancer fundraiser): The Pavilion (8pm).
Sunday 26 September
Elliott Minor + TBA: The Limelight (6.30pm)
Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black + Rebels By Nature: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Saturday 2 OctoberGeneral Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Tuesday 5 October
Trucker Diablo + Exit + Bandwagon + R51: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Thursday 7 October
Gacys Threads + Beyond Perception + By Any Means + Hunt The Fallen: Lavery’s Bunker (8pm)
Escape Fails + Alaskan Death Jacket: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes + Scott McKeon: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 15 October
Therapy? + LaFaro + Axis Of: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup + Forever The Sickest Kids + A + The Dollyrots: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)
Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)
Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)
Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 28 November
W.A.S.P – Mandela Hall
Friday 3 December
Dannie Vaughn + Support (TBC): The Rosetta (8pm)
Municipal Waste + Saviours + Ramming Speed: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Thursday 9 December
Pat McManus Band + Last Known Addiction + Paradise City: The Pavilion (9pm)
Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)
Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Friday 3 September
Tied To Machines + Are We Supposed To Look This Good + Sons Of Encouragement + I Saved A Saviour + Torn Into Fire: The Front Page (8.30pm)
Saturday 4 September:
Electric Red (album launch) + For Christ Sake + Death of a Salesman: The Limelight (5pm)
Prozest Vito (album launch): Front Page (8.30pm)
Strictly No Ballroom: The Empire (9pm)
Saturday 11 September
For Ruin, devilmakesthree, Atheos, Corr Mhona: The Limelight (5pm)
Rockaholics: The Empire (9pm)
Thursday 16 September
Delirium Tremens + Common Bred Trigger + The Glory Holes + Like A Ninja: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 18 September
Any Means + Gacys Threads + Interrogate + Exit Wound: The Limelight (5pm)
Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)
Black Freeway + Inch High + Paradise City (Macmillan Cancer fundraiser): The Pavilion (8pm).
Sunday 26 September
Elliott Minor + TBA: The Limelight (6.30pm)
Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black + Rebels By Nature: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Saturday 2 OctoberGeneral Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Tuesday 5 October
Trucker Diablo + Exit + Bandwagon + R51: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Thursday 7 October
Gacys Threads + Beyond Perception + By Any Means + Hunt The Fallen: Lavery’s Bunker (8pm)
Escape Fails + Alaskan Death Jacket: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes + Scott McKeon: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 15 October
Therapy? + LaFaro + Axis Of: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup + Forever The Sickest Kids + A + The Dollyrots: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)
Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)
Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)
Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 28 November
W.A.S.P – Mandela Hall
Friday 3 December
Dannie Vaughn + Support (TBC): The Rosetta (8pm)
Municipal Waste + Saviours + Ramming Speed: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Thursday 9 December
Pat McManus Band + Last Known Addiction + Paradise City: The Pavilion (9pm)
Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)
Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Forthcoming gigs
For anyone who says there never is anything to do or see, gigwise, in this dirty ol' town, here is a quick guide to the gigs I am aware of between now and the end of the year. If there are any I have left out, apologies, it's simply because I am not aware of them. If you would like your gig included in future listings, or any other promotional assistance, please contact me through the Paradise City Belfast group on Facebook or email the details to paradisecitybelfast@gmail.com.
Wednesday 11 August
Hooligan + The String Theory: The Pavilion (9pm)
Friday 13 August
Threat Manifesto: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 14 August
Slave Zero + Zombified + TBC: The Limelight (5pm)
Intensive Care + Pocket Billiards + Running Riot + Hard Case: The Pavilion (8pm)
Ragnaröck: Queen’s Speakeasy (9.30pm)
Tuesday 17 August
Canizares, Firefly, Signed By Jeff: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 21 August
Reborn + Death of a Salesman + Oddyssey: The Limelight (5pm)
Envisage + Pospide Lock + Setback + Red Returned + Miryo Ai: The Front Page (8.30pm)
Popside LockSetbackRed ReturnedMiryo ai
Sunday 22 August
Cannibal Corpse + Condemned + Atrax Mantis: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Gacys Threads + Murdock + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Pavilion (9pm)
Monday 23 August
Suffocation + Cold War + TBC: The Limelight (8pm)
Thursday 26 August
Black Sun + Slomatics + Wreck of the Hesperus: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 28 August
Swanee River + Dirty Stevie + Mental Deficiency + Kobi + The Dead Presidents + Sweet Taste + Sister Marko + The Vires + Colly Strings + Indigo Fury: Lavery’s Bunker (1pm)
Cursed Sun + Atheos + Immersed Earth + Ozzmium: The Limelight (5pm)
Biffy Clyro + Lostprophets + FWW + Twin Atlantic: Custom House Square (6pm)
The Rubber Plants + Worlds End: The Pavilion (9pm)
Tuesday 31 August
Guns N Roses: Odyssey Arena (8pm)
Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)
Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black: The Limelight (8pm)
Saturday 2 October
General Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Chimaira + Support: The Stiff Kitten (7pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 15 October
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)
Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)
Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)
Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)
Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)
On top of all these live shows, don't forget that, despite the demise of the Venue, we have a very healthy club scene, with Paradise City on the first Thursday of every month at Madison's on Botanic Avenue, Hangar 18 on the third Thursday of every month at The Pavilion, Cornucopia and Ragnarock on alternating Saturday nights at Queen's, High Voltage each Friday night at Ma Nelson's on the Lisburn Road and two more soon to be launched - Rock N Roost at the very chic Roost Bar in the city centre, starting every Wednesday from 8 September (and hosting the Guns N Roses after show party on 31 August), and the Metal Hammer/Scuzz TV backed Redeemer, heading our way from the end of August...
Now, tell me there's nothing to do or nowhere to go... I dare ye!
Wednesday 11 August
Hooligan + The String Theory: The Pavilion (9pm)
Friday 13 August
Threat Manifesto: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 14 August
Slave Zero + Zombified + TBC: The Limelight (5pm)
Intensive Care + Pocket Billiards + Running Riot + Hard Case: The Pavilion (8pm)
Ragnaröck: Queen’s Speakeasy (9.30pm)
Tuesday 17 August
Canizares, Firefly, Signed By Jeff: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 21 August
Reborn + Death of a Salesman + Oddyssey: The Limelight (5pm)
Envisage + Pospide Lock + Setback + Red Returned + Miryo Ai: The Front Page (8.30pm)
Popside LockSetbackRed ReturnedMiryo ai
Sunday 22 August
Cannibal Corpse + Condemned + Atrax Mantis: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Gacys Threads + Murdock + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Pavilion (9pm)
Monday 23 August
Suffocation + Cold War + TBC: The Limelight (8pm)
Thursday 26 August
Black Sun + Slomatics + Wreck of the Hesperus: The Pavilion (9pm)
Saturday 28 August
Swanee River + Dirty Stevie + Mental Deficiency + Kobi + The Dead Presidents + Sweet Taste + Sister Marko + The Vires + Colly Strings + Indigo Fury: Lavery’s Bunker (1pm)
Cursed Sun + Atheos + Immersed Earth + Ozzmium: The Limelight (5pm)
Biffy Clyro + Lostprophets + FWW + Twin Atlantic: Custom House Square (6pm)
The Rubber Plants + Worlds End: The Pavilion (9pm)
Tuesday 31 August
Guns N Roses: Odyssey Arena (8pm)
Saturday 25 September
Lesshelp + Mental Deficiency + William Christ & The One Man Orgy + I’ll Eat Your Face: The Limelight (5pm)
Monday 27 September
Y&T + Support: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Thursday 30 September
Reckless Love + Jett Black: The Limelight (8pm)
Saturday 2 October
General Fiasco+ Support: Mandela Hall (6.30pm)
Chimaira + Support: The Stiff Kitten (7pm)
Ricky Warwick (Acoustic Show): Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 3 October
My Passion + Dead By April: Auntie Annie’s (All Ages Show) (3pm)
Mudhoney + Unnatural Helpers: The Limelight (8pm)
A Storm Of Light + Stand Up Guy + Slomatics: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 9 October
Glenn Hughes: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Tuesday 12 October
Porcupine Tree: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 15 October
Desaster + Altus Astrum + Decayor + Sorcery: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Monday 18 October
Ozric Tentacles: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Saturday 23 October
Bowling For Soup: Spring And Airbrake (6.30pm)
Tuesday 2 November
Robert Plant and The Band Of Joy: Belfast Waterfront (8pm)
Thursday 4 November
Cancer Bats + Trash Talk: The Limelight (9pm)
Sunday 7 November
Paul Gilbert: Spring And Airbrake (7.30pm)
White Wizzard + Primitai: Auntie Annie’s (8pm)
Sunday 14 November
Fozzy + Support: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Saturday 20 November
Diamond Head + Howlin’ Widow + Two Tales Of Woe: Spring And Airbrake (7pm)
Sunday 21 November
Young Guns: Queen’s Speakeasy (3pm)
Gogol Bordello: Mandela Hall (7pm)
Exodus + Man Must Die: Spring And Airbrake (8pm)
Monday 22 November
The Gaslight Anthem: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Friday 26 November
Volbeat + Black Spiders: Spring And Airbrake (9pm)
Sunday 5 December
Airbourne: Ulster Hall (8pm)
Sunday 12 December
The Sword + Support: Stiff Kitten (9pm)
Tuesday 14 December
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club + Support: Mandela Hall (8pm)
Saturday 18 December
You Me At Six + Support: Ulster Hall (8pm)
On top of all these live shows, don't forget that, despite the demise of the Venue, we have a very healthy club scene, with Paradise City on the first Thursday of every month at Madison's on Botanic Avenue, Hangar 18 on the third Thursday of every month at The Pavilion, Cornucopia and Ragnarock on alternating Saturday nights at Queen's, High Voltage each Friday night at Ma Nelson's on the Lisburn Road and two more soon to be launched - Rock N Roost at the very chic Roost Bar in the city centre, starting every Wednesday from 8 September (and hosting the Guns N Roses after show party on 31 August), and the Metal Hammer/Scuzz TV backed Redeemer, heading our way from the end of August...
Now, tell me there's nothing to do or nowhere to go... I dare ye!
It's 'on with the show' for Y and T
As the opening track of their excellent new album, 'Facemelter', says, it is definitely 'on with the show' for Y&T's gig at the Spring And Airbrake on 27 September.
The band are fulfilling all touring commitments, despite bassist Phil Kennemore's announcement this week that he is battling cancer. War And Peace's Brad Lang is filling in on live dates until Kennemore is fit to return, as he clearly intends to do, from the following personal statement:
“Up to now you haven’t heard much information (other than about my extreme back pain) because there really hasn’t been much until now. I hated leaving you all in the dark but I didn’t want to say anything until there was something conclusive to say. We do have a lot more information now. The number one thing you need to know is that I have cancer. It wasn’t absolutely formally diagnosed until yesterday.
“With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin’ and rollin’. I’ll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I’ll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I’ll be walking out of this place and I’ll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock ‘n’ roll life, in due time.
“I wanted to thank everyone for your well wishes. I’ve been sitting here in the hospital reading all of the things that you’ve all posted online, and I want you to know it means so very much to me to see how much I am loved, supported, and missed. I can really feel the love as I’m reading. I love reading your posts on the web site forum, and, in fact, I need to hear it. From here on out, whatever thoughts and feelings you have, please know that I wish that I could personally respond to each and every one of you, but I’m not able to right now.
“Brad – thank God for Brad (Lang)! I’m so grateful that he stepped in to help keep Y&T on tour, bringing the Facemelter album to the people while I was ordered to the hospital. Right now I think he’s the best guy on earth!
“I’ll be released from the hospital within three-to-four weeks, continuing treatment, and at some point, I’ll be returning to the road. Keep the love and good vibes flowing. Do me a favor and go out and see the band now–Y&T is kicking serious ass–and I’ll be back rocking with you all soon.”
I am sure everyone in the Paradise City community, and the whole NI rock world, will join me in wishing Phil, his family and his bandmates all the best at this difficult time, and wish the man himself a full and speedy recovery.
The band are fulfilling all touring commitments, despite bassist Phil Kennemore's announcement this week that he is battling cancer. War And Peace's Brad Lang is filling in on live dates until Kennemore is fit to return, as he clearly intends to do, from the following personal statement:
“Up to now you haven’t heard much information (other than about my extreme back pain) because there really hasn’t been much until now. I hated leaving you all in the dark but I didn’t want to say anything until there was something conclusive to say. We do have a lot more information now. The number one thing you need to know is that I have cancer. It wasn’t absolutely formally diagnosed until yesterday.
“With the bad news I also got the good news that along with surgery and treatments, I will be back rockin’ and rollin’. I’ll be getting a hip replacement as well as back surgery, which means I’ll also be more agile. The doctor said that this is treatable and I’ll be walking out of this place and I’ll be able to go on the road and do everything I need to do to continue my rock ‘n’ roll life, in due time.
“I wanted to thank everyone for your well wishes. I’ve been sitting here in the hospital reading all of the things that you’ve all posted online, and I want you to know it means so very much to me to see how much I am loved, supported, and missed. I can really feel the love as I’m reading. I love reading your posts on the web site forum, and, in fact, I need to hear it. From here on out, whatever thoughts and feelings you have, please know that I wish that I could personally respond to each and every one of you, but I’m not able to right now.
“Brad – thank God for Brad (Lang)! I’m so grateful that he stepped in to help keep Y&T on tour, bringing the Facemelter album to the people while I was ordered to the hospital. Right now I think he’s the best guy on earth!
“I’ll be released from the hospital within three-to-four weeks, continuing treatment, and at some point, I’ll be returning to the road. Keep the love and good vibes flowing. Do me a favor and go out and see the band now–Y&T is kicking serious ass–and I’ll be back rocking with you all soon.”
I am sure everyone in the Paradise City community, and the whole NI rock world, will join me in wishing Phil, his family and his bandmates all the best at this difficult time, and wish the man himself a full and speedy recovery.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
Prepare to get Katatonic
Tonight sees the third in the series of gigs that have become known as the ‘Summer of Slaughter’ at the Limelight complex.
To be honest, while I had been cognisant of the name Katatonia for around a decade, I had not been overly familiar with their music, which existed by and large on the periphery of my musical radar. In fact, I paid much more attention to the side project of two of the band members – the black metal supergroup Bloodbath.
All that changed a few months ago, when Belfast’s own ‘Mr Metal’, James Loveday, announced that he had attracted this seminal Swedish outfit to a local stage.
Katatonia, in fact, have been around for almost two decades, releasing eight albums in that period. The band was formed in Stockholm by childhood friends Anders Nystrom and Jonas Renske (who were born less than a month apart, trivia fans) in 1991, and released their acclaimed demo, ‘Jhva Elohim Meth’ (please don’t ask me to translate) around a year later. This led to a one-off deal with the legendary Swedish No Fashion label, which resulted in their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, released – suitably enough – in December 1993.
Just as things looked like they were starting to take off for the pair (who recruited additional musicians on an ad hoc basis for recording and live purposes), they then embarked on a move which was to become somewhat of a distinguishing feature of their career – they took a break.
Finally, having recruited guitarist Fred Norman, the band returned to recording in early 1996, emerging back onto the scene with ‘Brave New Day’ later that year.
Over the next decade, and between various side projects (it’s a feature of the Swedish death metal scene that even the biggest acts have members who are in a number of different bands), the band released albums – and contributed to various compilation efforts - at fairly regular, by their standards anyway, intervals, inking a deal with Peaceville Records along the way (1999). All of this culminated in the album that well and truly catapulted them into the international limelight – 2006’s ‘The Great Cold Distance’. Following extensive touring the band then, yes you’ve guessed it, went into hibernation again (well, it’s cold in Sweden!).
They emerged again last year with the long-awaited and highly acclaimed ‘Night Is The New Day’ – described by non other than Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt as the “heaviest album of the year”: but, opinion is subjective and there are many who would argue that there were heavier albums released in 2009, but it’s still a damn fine slice of dark metal and bodes well for a great gig tonight.
See you all there.
To be honest, while I had been cognisant of the name Katatonia for around a decade, I had not been overly familiar with their music, which existed by and large on the periphery of my musical radar. In fact, I paid much more attention to the side project of two of the band members – the black metal supergroup Bloodbath.
All that changed a few months ago, when Belfast’s own ‘Mr Metal’, James Loveday, announced that he had attracted this seminal Swedish outfit to a local stage.
Katatonia, in fact, have been around for almost two decades, releasing eight albums in that period. The band was formed in Stockholm by childhood friends Anders Nystrom and Jonas Renske (who were born less than a month apart, trivia fans) in 1991, and released their acclaimed demo, ‘Jhva Elohim Meth’ (please don’t ask me to translate) around a year later. This led to a one-off deal with the legendary Swedish No Fashion label, which resulted in their debut album, ‘Dance of December Souls’, released – suitably enough – in December 1993.
Just as things looked like they were starting to take off for the pair (who recruited additional musicians on an ad hoc basis for recording and live purposes), they then embarked on a move which was to become somewhat of a distinguishing feature of their career – they took a break.
Finally, having recruited guitarist Fred Norman, the band returned to recording in early 1996, emerging back onto the scene with ‘Brave New Day’ later that year.
Over the next decade, and between various side projects (it’s a feature of the Swedish death metal scene that even the biggest acts have members who are in a number of different bands), the band released albums – and contributed to various compilation efforts - at fairly regular, by their standards anyway, intervals, inking a deal with Peaceville Records along the way (1999). All of this culminated in the album that well and truly catapulted them into the international limelight – 2006’s ‘The Great Cold Distance’. Following extensive touring the band then, yes you’ve guessed it, went into hibernation again (well, it’s cold in Sweden!).
They emerged again last year with the long-awaited and highly acclaimed ‘Night Is The New Day’ – described by non other than Opeth frontman Mikael Akerfeldt as the “heaviest album of the year”: but, opinion is subjective and there are many who would argue that there were heavier albums released in 2009, but it’s still a damn fine slice of dark metal and bodes well for a great gig tonight.
See you all there.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Soulfly in Belfast - first review
Read the first review of Soulfly in Belfast at our sister blog, Belfast Fucking Rocks:
http://piedpiperbelfast.blogspot.com/2010/08/soul-hardly-flies-in-belfast.html
http://piedpiperbelfast.blogspot.com/2010/08/soul-hardly-flies-in-belfast.html
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