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Journey/John Parr – Trent FM Arena, Nottingham, Friday 27th June, 2008 A venue in Nottingham that was a 1st for me personally – kinda like a smaller version of Sheffield Arena. Of decent size although fellow scribe Tony said ther seats were a bit hard for his liking. Talking of seats, around half of them were empty and I'm sure that the Glastonbury festival had nothing to do with it. I missed seeing John Parr at The Boardwalk, Sheffield a year ago due to bad weather but here was the chance to see him tonight – that I gladly took him up on – just a pity that I couldn't take pix for some strange reason or another. Anyway, John came onstage wailing away on his customised USA flag Les Paul Gibson totally impressing everyone as well. On walks a guy with sticks twiddling around him – hang on that's my buddy Bobby Arachega (from Sheffield – famed drummer from Strongheart – what a surprise that is – some that means the legendary French Fred must be around somewhere – Bobby's Drum Tech). Seconds later the rest of the band join him. A rocker called 'Naughty Naughty' is the 1st song of the night followed by the fast ballad 'Time Keeps Tickin' and then something really cool – as for those of you that don't know, Mr. Parr has done his fair share of songs for adverts. He said we'd recognise this one for sure – this is the long version - it's just him and an acoustic guitar but like the great man said we immediately recognised it as the theme from the Gillete Razor advert when he gets to the chorus – 'The Best A Man Can Get' that he taunts us to sing on – haha – all good fun it was, “Gotta put the kids through school some how' he jokes. He's a real down to earth, friendly approachable kinda of guy who genuinely loves playing to an appreciative audience. I was personally in my element when the band came back on and a song that was written for Roger Daltrey about Keith Moon was played next – the epically brilliant rocker 'Under A Raging Moon' complete with all the synthesizer sounds that appear on Roger's album – hearing this song alone made coming to Nottingham for me completely worthwhile as it's one of my favourite songs that Roger performed and in this case that the writer performed as well. A brand new song is aired that John said he had written about censorship with the USA in mind in particular, saying that they can't have any swearing before 9pm in any way but it's OK to have a female soldiers coffin in covered in a British Flag at any time of the day – saying also this song would have probably have got censorsed a few years ago – it's one on acoustic again called 'A Natural Thing' that goes down really well and little wonder. “I'm surprised I haven't anyone say, 'Play Summat We Know' being as we are more up north so let's hear ya”, 'Play summat we know”, many shout back to him where we get a cover of Fleetwood Mac's 'Oh Well (Part 1)' – it was funny to see John get the lines of the first verse the wrong way round but I'll let him off as the guitarwork was spot on! They also incorporated the riffs of 'Whole Lotta Love' & Walk This Way' into it too – cool as! This really showed Bobby at his full potential as well on the big black kit of his. Last song from John but by no means least was his main number that shot him to fame – yes I am taking 'St. Elmos Fire' sung brilliantly that he preceded with how he came to get the idea behind the song – a film about a guy called Rick influenced him tragically lost the use of legs after his spine was broke in a crash. Rick went all round the world in his wheelchair and managed to raise $26 million – hence 'Man In Motion' – John told us when we next hear the song to think of Rick – we sure will bro! This was an excellent all round show and I look forward to seeing John Parr and his band headline a show in their own right – hopefully in the not too distant future. After around 25 mins that gives us time to have a chat, a quick nip to the lav and a beer we settle down to see what the latest line-up of Journey are like (as they have got a new vocalist called Arnel – a Phillipino dude).
It seems that the band have chosen well as he sounds not too different to the original vocalist Steve Perry and grabs the audience attention immediately with 'Never Walk Away' & the momentous classic 'Separate Ways' being played 1st.
He's a great singer and just don't stop moving on that stage at all, jumping around as though he's in the circus ring as well as throwing and spinning his wireless mike around – catching it everytime.
The vocal hamonies throughout are as you'd expect – totally amazing – the AOR eqivalent of The Beach Boys still. It's good to see that Dean Castronovo and Johnathan Caine also take on lead vocal duties still, with Johnathan doing the lead on 'Keep On Runnin'. Love the instrumental that features Neal Schon solo all the way through it.
'Who's Crying Now' sounds as good as it ever did with plenty of crowd members singing along. I gotta say that the new material from 'Revelations' stands up next to the classics with the next number 'Change For The Better' being a perfect example.
'This will take you back to my new hometown, San Francisco', seeing the fave 'Lights' starting up and lovingly getting the fans going. Next Johnathan says to us, 'You've been following us for decades, here's one for you, it's called 'After All These Years' that has Caine on lead vocals and piano – a nice touching ballad – get the ciggy lighters out darlings!
I waa really impressed with the 12 string & Harmonica Southern styled blues thang that Caine and Schon put together, giving the other members a breather then shortly it's time for another of their classics 'Wheels In The Sky' – yep they are still turnin' baby – even at Nottingham.
The last song of the set is one of their songs about pure positivity – that's right y'all, 'Don't Stop Believin' – as if we wouldn't boys – damn fine stuff indeedy – a perfect way of finishing off the set.
They aren't gone for long though as they come back on to encore with a couple of spot-on ditties. “This is a Rocker”, Arnel tells us and the band go into 'Escape' followed by the definitive 'Anyway you want it' – well if you deliver a show as good as this – that's the way we do want it. Oh yeah! The crowd cheer and cheer and cheer after such a fabulous concert.
“You want some more?”, Arnel taunts us with, the reply being 'Yes' of course, 'Next year' he tells us – 'Lovely', he exclaims at the crowds resounding response, 'Next Year' and they all leave the stage leaving Nottingham in happy joyous mood.
Maybe Rock City next year, unless more fans attend in 2009. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan |
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TOBY JEPSON + KIP WINGER
+ The Venus Guns –
Corporation, Sheffield,21st September 2007 The odds of a tour hitting the same venue an exact 365 days apart by coincidence are quite obviously trouser-foulingly remote but Toby Jepson, bless him, almost made it happen, losing out by only 48 hours. (damn!) It was September 23rd that the former Little Angels screamer only last year entertained those packed into the little room at the Corp. But look who he’s brought with him this time. I walk in as Cockney newcomers The Venus Guns are kicking off and their 40 minute slot entertains all along.
The young fivesome’s speciality appears to be a sleaze/blues/rock and at times southern sounding (as in the deep south of the USA) hybrid with also a fair old Jellyfish leaning here and there, and a more than fair Bad Company turn of things towards the end.
An impressively noisy reception from the 30 or so already in mean indicates I’m not the only one who may be talking about these lads after tonight, (although I find myself talking with one of them for a fair old while later). I must add that Metalliville Editor, Glenn was really, really impressed with the band this time around as to him they were a lot tighter and confident than when he last saw them at this 'ere venue supporting Buckcherry with Silverjet. Nice One Lads.
The lone figure who follows them on after a lightning fast changeover gets an inevitably louder heralding and then when you consider Kip Winger’s show here tonight is his first in Sheffield for nearly seven years you think it would be deafening (well it was when he struck a chord on the guitar). Something the poor geezer nearly becomes himself at one point in the show - yes it is still an acoustic set, by the way - as one of his solo tunes features one regular chord strummed so hard he has to stand his distance due to feed back from the amp.
There’s also entertainment from an annoying photographer who he suggests move to another side of the stage to try and vary his shots, but ends up snapping from the back of the boards instead, to which Kip replies ‘I asked him to move and now he’s takin’ pictures of my butt instead. I’m 46 years old man.” And so what if he is, the Wing still knows how to lay on the entertainment and cram fifteen tunes into fifty minutes - not having to do lead solos helps. Predictably enough the early half of the set strongly favours his solo fare, with ‘Cross’ still my personal fave of the catalogue these years on.   
The Winger material is sparse fro the half itself but for the latter chunk virtually solid. Sadly, ‘Can’t Get Enuff’ isn’t on the menu tonight but when blinding renditions of ‘Miles Away’, ‘Headed For A Heartbreak’, ‘Madeleine’, ‘Blind Revolution Mad’, ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’, ‘Seventeen’, and ‘Down Icognito’ plus a new number from the band’s imminent comeback album ‘Winger 4’, one can’t be greedy.
A brief disappearance later, the paying public successfully coax him back to stage front and on loud request for ‘Rainbow In Rose’ from a chap standing a couple of years behind me, duly obliges. Awe-struck as I am to hear this number again after all these years, my wait to see if he will stay on for ‘C.G.E..’ is sadly a vain one but my mouth has watered enough over the last three-quarter hour already.
To say Kip Winger gave us a treat again tonight just about classes as an understatement and why the Corp charged eleven quid a head for the evening defies belief - surely the unbelievable sets this guy puts on are worth another tenner on top Thanks again Kip, just please no more seven year gaps.
Off walks the man from New York, and on walks the man from Scarborough - funny way round, I know – and even with less than an entire year elapsed since he last visited, Mr. Jepson has a tougher act to follow but the faithful of course will remain served. Having to be used to expect an eighty-percent solo material set makes it easier for me to enjoy the ensuing seventy minute, especially thanks to my boosted familiarity with his post-Angels offerings.
Modern pop metal anthems ‘Breakdown’, ‘Unwind’, ‘Somebody Else’, ‘All Roads Lead To You’ and ‘Forgivenness’ sound like they’ve been around as long as ‘Kickin’ Up Dust’ and ‘Young Gods’ with the sing-along factor generated matching that of the two aforementioned classics. Newie ‘Tallulah’ (not the hideous tune from Bugsy Malone, thank f***) is a potential one in its own right, boasting an astronomical hook that alone could revive Tobe’s career enough to see him playing the big room here next time, and I hope to grab a copy of the upcoming EP that houses it, before long.
Despite the immense shortage of his old band’s material on the set list tonight - even less than last year’s - he unusually enough has revived his full image from the glory days with his mane having returned, in place of that afro he sported beforehand and with the torn blue jeans and low slung Telecaster, seems to pleasure in growing old disgracefully (go on mate, we don’t mind). With the subject of the halcyon period in discussion, Jeppo’s closer tonight is none other than ‘Too Much Young’, the Angels cruncher that was criminally omitted from last September’s set - all is forgiven Mr J, just listen to the roar as he gives us that intro.
‘Closer’ sadly applies literally as unlike Kip Winger, Toby Jepson is not seen again after exiting stage right except to sign a few autographs at the merch stall later. While many of his loyal followers flocked in tonight, the room was invevitably packed with as many Winger-ites who had travelled from all over the isle to witness an apparently one-off appearance but both acts as well as Venus Guns left us smiling. Wonder what had happened if the bill had been reversed between Kip and Tobe. 9.5/10 By
Dave Attrill |
| Elton John – Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, Thursday, 24th May, 2007 Set List – Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding/The Bitch is Back/Hercules/Madman Across the Water/Tiny Dancer/Daniel/Rocket Man/Honky Cat/Sacrifice/I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues/Burn Down the Mission/The Bridge/Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word/Bennie and the Jets/All the Young Girls Love Alice/Philadelphia Freedom/Are You Ready For Love/Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Sad Songs Say So Much/I'm Still Standing/Crocodile Rock/Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting Encore - Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me/Your Song I’ve been a fan of Elton John for 30 years – yep, since I was 3 believe it or not. I remember the 1st encounter hearing him on the 17/11/70 live album that my folks had bought me. I found his style and voice to be like no-one else and I was just blown away.
I remember being mesmerized by his incredible stage costume and overall presence and the fact that he’s still as popular now if not more than when my ears 1st heard him back in ’77 is by far an incredible accolade to a tremendously brilliant artist, together with lyricist Bernie Taupin and his band members past and present.
To put it bluntly, I was extremely looking forward to witnessing what would easily turn out to be one of the best concerts (sold out at that) that I have ever attended so far in my existence on Planet Earth. I had an inclination that he may open with ‘Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding’ and it turned out to be just that – as Richard Booth of Eltonjohnrocks.com said Elton had been opening up with ‘60 Years On’ – so it was a surprise for Richard too (be sure to check out Eltonjohnrocks.com which by the way is excellent after reading this review).
The atmosphere from the audience was extremely warm and wild with joy – Elton had not played in Sheffield for several years which also made the concert even more special to our city. Playing a wide array of songs from various points in his career ensured that everyone was happy, even the hardcore fans like myself were over the moon when the hurtling ‘Hercules’; the atmospheric and altogether sinister ‘Madman Across The Water’; the humour-filled ‘All The Young Girls Love Alice’ and the excitable ‘Burn Down The Mission’ from the heydays of the early 70’s were included in the mammoth 2 ½ hour set.
The set list was extremely well structured, paced out with plenty of slowies 'n' fasties, rockers and ballads - giving plenty of colour and tempo throughout (giving everyone the chance for a breather) - you just can't argue when you are greeted with live staples such as the smoochy and bright 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues'; the gorgious ballad 'Tiny Dancer'; the dancefloor classic 'Crocodile Rock' and the beautiful, heartfelt 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight'.
Hey, just check the set list above and see if your favourite was included tonight. I have only one qualm to raise of the gig - the keyboards were a bit loud during the 1st few songs which took the presence away from Elton at times but this was sorted out after the 1st 20 mins or so - after which the sound was exceptional.
To make sure all in the arena could see what was going on, we were treated to giant video screens either side of the stage that had plenty of close up shots of the main man at the piano as well as many views 'n' angles of all members of the band that would have otherwise be left unseen by the fans such as overheads Nigel Olsson at the kit and John doing all sorts of stuff with his percussion.
The entire backdrop featured a constant display of pictures and coloured images that worked with the songs and represented Elton's career, especially the imagery for ‘Rocket Man’ (that had a musical arrangement that was supreme as well – with extra lyrics included in the song). Hey, how could I forget the brilliant presentation that fit to the soundtrack of ‘The Bitch Is Back’ with synchronized giant graphic displays of lips flying around with the word ‘bitch’ being mouthed by them. Early on in the song, they went out of syncopation, so drummer Nigel Olsson slowed down to get the band to the right speed as the display.
Now that’s a gorgeous Grand piano you’ve got there Elton – who is by far still one of the best to ever tickle the ebony’s and the ivories this side of the Atlantic and beyond. His voice sounded really on form, with classy backups provided by members of the band who are well…. What can be said, probably the finest backing band I have seen in a very long time.
The out-of-this-world original drummer, Nigel Olsson is still there behind the kit as well as the legendary blonde haired Davey Johnstone on guitar (or should I say guitars as he played several that included a custom made Les Paul Gibson that had the cover of ‘Captain Fantastic & The Brown Dirt Cowboy’ on it (pictured below on left) and a red and white effort that was like a Bo Diddley Guitar in a parallelogram kinda shape – wow !!).
Davey, if you didn’t happen to know is also the Musical Director who also privides some fine backing vocals. The other members of Elton’s band are Bob Birch (Bass Guitar/Vocals); Guy Babylon (Keyboards)& John Mahon (Percussion/Vocals) all of which absolutely sensational tonight throughout.
After each song Elton got up from his stool, bowed and waved to us all – each time a large smile and grin was all over his face. The artist formerly known as 'Reginald Kenneth Dwight' is 'Still Standing' (scuse the pun) while others have faded away into the distance and seen the sun go down on them - but Elton and his boys still have everyone bopping about in the sold-out packed houses (with tonight being no exception). In fact he indeed was rubbing shoulders with the new kids on the block, like those local lads 'The Artic Monkeys' who he told earlier that day at The Ivor Novello Awards in London that he would give them a lift back to Sheffield with him in the helicopter if they wanted one - lol.
Anyways, back to the gig - I must say that there really was an overwhelming gratitude from Elton and genuine pure sense of party mode, not to mention being very appreciative of the audience, telling us he was really touched and said how brilliant we were to play for (he totally meant it as well). It made me feel extremely proud to be there tonight – it was as though I was being thanked for being a loyal fan for 3 whole decades.
Well if you can possibly top that, after performing the main set which concluded with ‘Saturday Nights (Alright for Fighting)’, something really cool took place before the encore - Elton armed with a black marker pen signed items held up by fans for around ten minutes (that included a Rocket Man 7” Picture Sleeve, Various Tour Programmes & CD Inlays) and didn’t to go back to the piano until everybody’s items been autographed. To get my ticket signed by the man himself was an unbelievable moment – I thanked Sir Elton and he nodded to me.
There was simply no animosity from fans who weren’t close enough to the great man, in order to get an autograph. It was a full-on feeling of genuine love and amazement to witness Elton signing for his excitable, passionate fans. After which ‘Don’t let the sun go down on me’ was performed before dedicating the last song of the night to us, which was of course ‘Your Song’.
Overall, this was the best concert I have seen at the Arena, putting Def Leppard and Bon Jovi (both gigs in 1992) in 2nd and 3rd place. There’s plenty more life in Elton John yet with tonight being complete proof of the fact. I would like to dedicate this review to Dee Murray (Elton’s late, great Bassist, who I never got the chance to see live). 10/10 By Glenn Milligan
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| Jethro Tull – Birmingham Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK, March 2nd, 2006 Set List - Life Is A Long Song; Skating Away On The Thin Ice Of A New Day; Living In The Past; Slipstream; Up To Me; Griminelli's Lament; Aurora; Wond'ring Aloud; Mozart Medley; Cheap Day Return; Mother Goose; She Is Like The Swallow; Boure; Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody; Kashmir; Cross-Eyed Mary; Hymn 43; Morris Minus; My God; Budapest; Aqualung; Wind-Up; Locomotive Breath; Cheerio. A sold out Symphony Hall Birmingham saw a wonderful show from Jethro Tull on Wednesday. The third stop on the 'Aqualung' tour, the two hour-plus performance featured violinist Lucia Micarelli on a lot of songs and she added a novel dimension to the classics. Ian Anderson
(59 this year) began 'Life Is A Long Song' unaccompanied, and was joined
by the other band members in turn as the song progressed. As usual the
Symphony Hall sound was incredible. 'Living In The Past' featured the
first of several 'Playing the flute on one-leg' bits, and it's still
an inspiring sight! The second set began with another Micarelli party piece, a violin take on Queen and Led Zeppelin which worked well. Stunning versions of 'Cross-Eyed Mary' and 'My God' followed, and after a good version of the dull-on-record 'Budapest', the tramp put in an appearance for the inevitable closer. 'Locomotive
Breath' was great, giant balloons were flung into the audience. Job
done! |
| Jack Johnson – Birmingham NEC, Bimingham, UK, Wednesday, March 1st, 2006 The setlist went something like this: Who Knows; Taylor; Gone; Posters; Do You Remember; Sitting Waiting Wishing; Flake; Symbol in my Driveway; Staple It Together; Constellations; Breakdown; Rodeo Clowns; Tomorrow Morning Comes; Bubble Toes; Wasting Time; Belle; Mud Football; Banana Pancakes; The Horizon Has Been Defeated; Badfish; Boss DJ; Inaudible Melodies; My Doorbell; Good People; Plastic Jesus; Fall Line; Spring Wind; Times Like These; Pirate Looks at 40; Better Together. This was a sold out debut show
at the venue now sadly famous for a shooting incident at a hip hop
show the previous night. No danger of pistol-wielding nutters at a
Jack gig, though, everybody's way too mellow in every sense! Matt Costa was next up and did
some fine numbers accompanied by just an electric guitar player. He seems
so well-practiced in playing to such huge crowds that it was like watching
a veteran performer, not a rising star as the Brit awards would have
it. A thoroughly nice guy and very good song-writer. |
| JUDAS PRIEST + Scorpions - Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield, Mon 28th March 2005 For any true metal fan worldwide, Judas Priest's reunion with legendary screamer Rob Halford has to be the biggest story this side of the millenium. And apart from an new studio album, the first other obvious requirement had to be of course, a tour of their native Blighty to make-up for the 12-year absence of this classic line-up. If that isn't apology enough, another act who have been making as much impact on the scene fro the same three decades also join the bill. It seems like Aeons since The Scorpions last played our great island so their one-hour slot seems as prestigious to many as a full headlining stint in itself for followers of the veteran German quintet. Opening with the vibrant and energetic 'Bad Boys (of Rock 'n' Roll)' that featured top tenor, note-perfect frontman, Klaus Meine whacking the cowbell with an ample of sticks and launching them into the crowd after just a few seconds of bashing much to the fans delight (well the ones who caught one anyway). It's very much a classic-laden set includes 'Tease Me, Please Me', 'Wind Of Change'; 'Dynamite'; 'Love Bites'; 'Rhythm of Love'; 'Hit between the eyes'; and the obvious closer 'Rock You Like A Hurricane' are amongst the anthems belted out tonight. You could tell by the glee on their faces that the Scorps were having a blast - loving every rockin' second of every song and posing on that stage like they were the headliner. Still on great form today and with the crucial element of their classic formation still on board, the Scorps may sting but certainly never stink. Stay with us lads, you ain't over yet. Let's hope they'll be back to these shores soon for a tour all of their own - we'll be there for certain - betcha life on it!! After a 20 minute or so interval, we await the entrance of the metal Gods themselves - Downing, Tipton, Hill and Travis take the stage and I am wondering where Rob's got to at first. When his voice lets rip to opener 'Electric Eye', my eyes are directed to the lone figure standing up in the pulpit at the back of the stage. Finally stepping down towards the end of the tune, his studded coat and leather strides are clad in almost more metal than we hear in their show tonight. That'll be quite hard actually as a solid two-hours of headbanger's delights proceed crush the skulls of each and every one of the several thousand sharing the room with the Brummie fivesome. 'Metal Gods', 'The Ripper' and 'Touch Of Evil' are amongst the following fistful before a couple of tunes from much raved new album 'Angel Of Retribution' impress me into believing the reviews I've read. Now, bands usually put their most well-known song either at the beginning or at the very end of their set, don't they? Strangely enough, 'Breaking The Law' finds itself placed neatly somewhere towards the halfway stage of tonight's proceedings but this fails to affect the reception it picks up when messrs Tipton and Downing strike that first note. Another two newies, the ridicule inciting-ly titled 'Deal With The Devil' and 'Hellrider' follows then for the rest of the night, it's back to business for the rest of the night , the highlights being ballistic renditions of 'Green Manalishi' and 'Painkiller' but the best is saved for the encores. The lads return by deafening demands for a blinding high-speed attack of 'Hell Bent For Leather' (which features Rob's entrance on the shining silver Harley that's even miked up !! . Metal don't get better than this - but hang on it does when ''Living After Midnight' is presented to us - a perfect end to a perfect show (or so you thought) - then just when you expected those dreaded house-lights to light up the arena, the brummie legends are back to fulfil our needs with the classic 'You've Got Another Thing Coming'. The best Easter Monday any metalhead could ever dream of finally ends. Judas Priest, came, they saw, the ruled, and very reluctantly…they went, but not as reluctantly as we left Hallam FM Arena this evening. And who's to bet that the following day, a few of us will be getting out our guitars and enjoying a bit of 'Breaking The Law '. One problem is… I always end up getting caught. 9.5/10 By Dave Attrill (with additives from Glenn Milligan) |
JETHRO
TULL - Sheffield City Hall, Tues 17 Feb 2004
There must be something polluting the air that's making these long-living rock acts maintain their business successfully while the world has changed several times over. Deep Purple have more than obviously inhaled it with their sell-out UK jaunt 2 years back. It also seems that the equally evergreen Jethro Tull have been touched by whatever this is floating around in our atmosphere as an almost filled-to-capacity city hall shows. Ian Anderson storms on like the sort of maniac only half his age would be expected to, the 53-year-old setting the rules for stage presence in addition to the expectations for the night. The ensuing 1hr 50 min set is grabbed firmly from both ends of their 37-year life span and pulled together, capturing everything great in between, too. 'Nothing Is Easy', 'Beggars Farm', 'Farm On The Free Way', 'A Week Of Moments', 'Mother Goose', 'My God' and the triple-headed medley of 'Songs From The Wood', 'Too Old To Rock' and 'Heavy Horses' follow the fans orders to the letter - timeless numbers one and all. The more recent material the Tull treat us to, from latest disc 'Christmas Album' plus numbers from Anderson and guitarist Martin Barr's solo works also disappoint few, largely to the various styles staying within preferred confines. The last three songs of the night are all from the legendary 'Aqualung' LP, the title track, followed by storming encores 'Wind Up' and 'Locomotive Breath' sending the crowed roaring to a similar degree as Deep Purple do when the opening bars to 'Smoke On The You-know-what' are struck. As if the standard of musicianship weren't entertainment enough, Ian had his own little piece of light comedy ready for in between every number, "This is a song called 'Eurology' which has nothing to do with study of the wee-wee hole" and "This song was written in 7/8 time so you'll have to dance to it at 3 and a half steps" plus referrals to those who had in their past mistaken the band for comedian Jethro and also Lars Ulrich's compliments about them 'not putting out another album this year' at the 91 Grammys. You see, these veteran rockers are old but they ain't miserable. Nor were 2000 odd others here tonight after witnessing a performance thought incapable of by trend-obsessed media hecklers as well as the lesser-minded doubters who cautiously shelled out 18 quid or so for the night. Jethro Tull could still be here in ten years time but if they aren't their music will still go unforgotten for decades to come. A classic night for the very most original fans of hard rock. Oh yes and the bloke still stands on one leg. 9/10 By Dave Attrill |
| Steevi Jaimz- Nottingham Rock City, 22nd September 2001 |
| Toby Jepson - Nottingham Rock City, 27th July 2002
After sadly missing Ricky Warwicke's heavy acoustic support set which by all accounts was pretty good that mixed Almighty tunes with his current cuts, I get in there in time to witness Toby screaming the Little Angels classic, 'Young Gods', as featured on the epic album of the same name after being presented with a pass by Brian Jepson (Tobe's Dad) in order to gain excellent vantage points in the packed, sweaty small live room. This point in the show felt more like the closing number because the liveliness of the fans was wild - the stage although small seems to suit Toby and he commands those wooden boards like an Army Seargent.
Noticeable straight away is the fact that the rock star image has bitten the bullet - gone is the long curly golden locks and leather look of the 80's heyday and in its place is a bloke next door look - short cropped hair, studenty jeans and trainers - looking more like a member of The Stereophonics or Blur than an ex-frontman of one the U.K's well missed Rock bands - although Toby did tell me that he never wanted to have that image after 30.
Toby on Acoustic and Electric With Slash-like style, pose and ability, Guitarist, Nick Dunne,is a supersonic riff-miester general who plays the Little Angels material better than you'd have heard if you gone to an 'Angels gig all those many moons ago - now that's pretty scary.
The new songs from the 'Re-fresh' E.P. and self-titled album help up extremely well next to epic classics like 'Don't Prey for me'. It was no doubt very satifying for Toby to see many copies of the E.P. sold after the show. Many of the followers had been present at several gigs on the tour like Patrick, who was given the golden opprtunity of singing along on stage with Toby during 'Too Much, Too Young' on-stage - an ultimate experience if ever there there was one and a major highlight during the show.
Shortly after the gig, the whole band came out to meet the audience at the merchandise stand - and what a friendly loveable group of guys they are.
Andy (a fan from Sheffield) pictured with Toby This set was 100% proof that you don't have to have all the glitz and the glamour to put on a triumphant rock 'n' roll show - all you need is fresh, vibrant, exceptional music alongside a likeable personalities - which they most definitely had.
This was the last gig of the tour after which, Toby was having few months off from the road - the next time on stage will be when then they headline a festival in Scarborough. 'Til then, keep the rock alive. 10/10 By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
| Toby Jepson's March 2002 UK Tour Set
List: I have just had the pleasure of following Scarborough's finest - Toby Jepson - around the country on his first tour for over 7 years. The shows came and went, and we're now left with just the memories, a slight ringing in the ears, and doubtless the Refresh EP permanently on play! The set comprised mainly of the rockier tracks from Jepson's repertoire. Following "Breakdown" with "All Roads Lead to You" and "Some people are more equal than others", Toby and his band were on to a winner right from the start. It wasn't just old material that was played and Toby took every opportunity to remind the crowds that "this tour is about the future". To that end, we were given a sneak preview of a new track "Inside Out". Thumbs up from me, and looking around I didn't see any thumbs down! I think we can look forward to seeing that track appear on an album sometime soon… A third of the way into the set, things slowed down for the classic Angels song "Don't Pray for Me" in which Toby proves his vocals have lost none of their haunting power. Also included in the set was the crowd-pleaser, "Too Much, Too Young", and boy did the crowds go nuts each night when those familiar chords and drum claps started. In Manchester, I was dragged on stage to sing with Toby. Christ knows, I wouldn't wish my singing voice on my worst enemy, but fuck me, I enjoyed it and what a privilege. It meant a lot, and will be 5 minutes of my life I'll never forget, thanks Toby! Without any doubt, the old Angels' classics proved to be popular, dauntlessly put across, and as good as ever before. Often at London gigs, audiences lack enthusiasm; indeed I've been to several gigs in town where I swear most people were asleep. Not so at the Garage on 28th March. The crowd with me down at the front were great, moshing and head-banging away. The title-track of the EP, "Refresh Yourself" was shown to be made for the stage and in time, as people become more familiar with it, will be one of those songs where you just have to punch the sky. Each night, Toby was the charismatic front man he has always been, encouraging the crowds to sing along. Nick Dunne plays to the crowd (well the girls anyway), and just revels and comes to life when he's in the spotlight. Matt - in the boiler room at the back - plays with a vengeance, if he played any harder, his sticks would surely break! In a set
that was all too short Toby Jepson has put British rock back on the
right tracks. Full of life and energy the lads gave it their all each
and every night in a brilliant performance that covered material from
the Refresh EP, from the Toby and the Whole Truth era, and generously
interspersed with the material from the Angels' days. By the time the band closed the set with an ear-splitting, head-bang with "The way that I live" the crowds down at the front were begging for more Toby's vocals soared, Nick's guitar screamed, and Dave Kemp's sax hit all the right spots. But alas, the house lights came on. Toby will tell you he has no favourite gig, that they all were good for different reasons. I'll second that opinion - each gig was very different, each had its own highlights. Toby has proved once again that he can provide an enthralling live show and write strong, memorable material. For those of you who, for some reason or another, could not make it to any of the gigs this time (shame on you), Toby and his fine new band kicked ass!
By Iain Roy |
| Johnny
Zhivago - Corporation Nightclub, NMB, Sheffield 26th November, 2001
First band up were Johnny Zhivago (not to be confused with Dr. Zhivago of course - which is an ancient film from yonks back). This Zhivago are an all-out rock 'n' roll experience that ought to have played to a packed house. Musically fitting in somewhere between Hanoi Rocks, Motorhead, The Backyard Babies and at times G'n'R - they pocess an abrasive, powerful confidence that suggests they're used to the many rough 'n' ready venues dotted up 'n' down America and the U.K. for that matter On stage for around 30 mins they mince up a spicey slab of songs that make Green Day look like wanna-be's. Take the number 'One bad day', where one of the vocalist/guitarists explains - 'At least we haven't had two bad days - yesterday - we had an incident with a crowbar!!!' - whatever that was all about - great rockin' number all the same - as was the entire set- they closed with a ditty called 'Rocket '69' - an uptempo effort that I prefer to the old blues number of the same name. Top Notch support - pity about the low attendance - because these guys have definitely got more entertainment value than the garbage on t.v. on a Monday night. 8/10 By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS |
