Thundering Rock
UK rockers the Black Spiders returned to Edinburgh as part of their spring UK tour and stopped off to lay waste to Bannerman’s Bar. The band who are back from an extended break have a new album coming out in May (12 on Spinefarm) called Can’t Die, Won’t Die from which their new single “Hot Wheels” comes.
They didn’t play much new material, just the single and I think one other that seems to be called “A Rat Is A Rat“. The group are performing as a 5 piece so it is a triple guitar attack on the senses. My god, they were loud as fuck. Someone else remarked they were doing a “Motorhead… everything louder than everything else” (thanks to the singer of Edinburgh outfit Thirteen for that!). I can’t disagree. They were out to rip your head right off and possibly shove it where the sun don’t shine.
I admit I moved a little bit back primarily as I wanted to try and hear what each member was doing. This was a gig for the less faint-hearted😂. They played a 14 song set with the last album, the self-titled Black Spiders having the most tracks represented with 5 songs being played. Well, they didn’t get much of a chance to tour them before due to some stupid bug! They played songs though from all their albums making it almost a best-of/festival set. It certainly brought the good hard rocking times.
Snarling And Sneering
As is normal in Bannerman’sthe band made their way to the stage through the crowd who seemed pretty hyped up to see them. Before the intro music itself we were treated to the Scorpions “Rock You Like A Hurricane” which didn’t only get the crowd moving but seemed a statement of intent. The band took to the stage and more of less went straight into the first 3 songs without much fanfare.
“Fly In The Soup” was a good choice of opener being an infectious and fun number that is easy to sing along with. “Stick It To The Man” was of course just a snarling sneering beast of a song, punk attitude with a dirty sleazy edge that they ripped through with high intensity. They followed on with the track I assess is going to be on the new album “A Rat Is A Rat” which also had a bit of a punky edge from first listen. It certainly fitted into the night without seeming out of place which is testament to the quality of it.
Wild And Bloody Dangerous
The first time there was real chat between band and crowd was when we were asked if we ever get “strange dreams“, well I shouted “yeah!“, but then they followed up with “about Gene Simmons” which luckily I don’t! Of course, that led into “Kiss Tried To Kill Me“. We were also asked if we were getting “suitably pissed“, bit unfair on a school night, although some folks were certainly trying to. By the time they got to “Death Comes Creepin’” members of the band were burling around, swinging their instruments with abandon, bloody dangerous on a stage the size of Bannerman’s.
The new single “Hot Wheels” got a great response from the crowd, it seems plenty have got the single or seen the video and already taken it to their hearts. Apparently, the last time they played Edinburgh they all ended up with lurgy, well as they put it “sharing is caring” which elicited laughs and cheers. “Blood Of The Kings” sounded great, due to the lyrics/chorus that did make me think of a song by AC/DC (“If You Want Blood“) whilst having a more metal edge. It is a real foot stomper and the band gave it everything.
Snotty Nosed
The band had us all howling like wolves which I then expected to lead into “Raised By Wolves” but they threw a curveball by doing “Creatures” which still fitted. Of course when we were told “fuck you and your one horse town” we all knew what was coming, the very anthemic “Stay Down” which is another snotty-nosed diatribe of a song that had the audience punching the air down the front especially. “Teenage Knife Gang” sounded even more like a Motorhead song than on record with the guitar tone being very reminiscent of “Fast” Eddie Clarke.
Strong Support
Support for the evening came from rising Scottish rock outfit She Burns Red who seem to improve on every sighting. Bassist and vocalist James McCulloch cuts an imposing figure onstage with his black kilt and red warpaint around his eyes. He is also pretty tall and there were moments I was concerned he might knock himself out hitting the roof with his head whilst bouncing around. “Rise And Fall” sounded great with a strong vocal from the guitarist Andy Moore. The band performed all of the songs from their 2020 EP Take Back Tomorrow although they weren’t planning to.
Carlisle
“Tell Me How It Ends” was added to the set due to one of the merchandise ladies complaining they didn’t do it the previous night in Carlisle. They also took time to thank the man who runs things at Bannerman’s namely Christian, who they said if it hadn’t been for him, they wouldn’t be doing what they are thanks to him giving them a break and putting them on at the venue. It was a nice moment and shows the community within the city.
The band didn’t have much space with 2 drum kits onstage and loads of guitars etc but they still put on an energetic performance that went down very well with the crowd. They finished with their brand new single “Out Of Darkness” which it seems like “Hot Wheels” by Black Spiders had been heard by plenty of the audience and hence had a great reception. It is always good when new material blends in, and even is seen as a high point as it suggests the band is holding high standards and even improving as a band. That seems to be the case here. Anyone reading this review who is going to upcoming Black Spiders shows, I recommend getting along early to see the support!
Final Thoughts
Bannerman’s has an atmosphere that is super cool when a good crowd are in and fired up, and when you add 2 bands giving high-energy performances of hard-rocking music, it is always an extra pleasure. Both bands also have good communication skills, bringing the crowd into the show, being able to banter whilst not taking themselves too seriously. They both wanted everyone to have a great night. Sitting here the day after the night before, I think it is safe to say that it was mission accomplished by both acts. The fact I can still hear is but simply a bonus to thank the rock gods for 😂. The tour continues including Blackpool, Buckley, Newport, Birmingham, York, Derby and Manchester. Get your tickets at this link for those shows… Ticket link
Black Spiders: Official Website // Official Facebook
She Burns Red: Official Website // Official Facebook
Check out my other reviews here. Tom.
