ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND – Friday (Concert Blog)

ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND - Friday (Concert Blog)
ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND – Friday

ROCKMANTIC AT THE WATERLOO BAR BLACKPOOL

Friday Night

Blackpool, sea air breezin’ in from the Irish Sea, a stick of rock, a quick pint after a bite to eat and I find myself returning to the wonderful Waterloo Bar. That was the plan anyway but didn’t manage to get food although there is pizza available outside. It’s a bit of a stroll from my B&B on the seafront but it’s a great venue. I was right about that, it’s blowin’ a bit of a hooley down the Waterloo Road. Been here before for a free gig to see The Wagons and Hands Off Gretel, tonight though it’s the turn of the wonderful Rockmantic crew from Upstaged promoting two nights of in-your-face rock and roll even throwing in some Blackpool rock to spice up your life.

ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND - Friday (Concert Blog)WILDFIRE

Opening the stage this early evening is WILDFIRE, travelling down from Scotland to warm the hands and hearts of the building and appreciative audience. In fact, two songs in and they have a healthy crowd appearing to watch these young guys groove their way through some classy metal tunes. “Burned Deep” is buried in NWOBHM sound but with a freshness only such youthfulness can provide, I like their sound and let’s face it Scotland does produce some fantastic music. I would have written more about these guys but I got accosted by a young female promoter wanting my photos and reviews, this is new to me…

SLYDER SMITH & THE OBLIVION KIDS

I’ve been lucky enough to see and photograph Slyder before! A great rock n roll guitar slinger, looks the part, and is the part so here is SLYDER SMITH & THE OBLIVION KIDS. I’m going to endeavour to avoid obvious comparisons but this joyous occasion opens with the wonderful “When the Rain Comes” followed by “Calico Queen” and the groovy charm offensive. It’s bouncy cool rock n roll that brings smiles to the faces of the early punters, there’s even a bit of dancing going on amongst the onlooking party people. They make time for an excellent reworking of the Last Great Dreamers’ “Crash Landing“. Slyder looking and sounding every bit the Rock n Roll star he is, with both swagger and a warmth appreciated by the audience.

I must admit to laughing when I realized “NE Story” wasn’t a Geordie traditional folk song about life in the North East but actually Slyder and the guys giving the song “Never Ending Story” some kudos. When asked about anyone lucky enough to see the Hanoi Rocks reunion recently in Stockholm he was greeted with silence, I don’t think anyone could afford it or they weren’t listening. Straight into “Malibu Beach” and finishing with obligatory but brilliant “Oblivion Kids“, a great night’s work for Slyder, Tim Emery (bass) and Rick Pratt (Drums).

ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND - Friday (Concert Blog)A’PRIORI

With A’PRIORI come the obligatory remarks about Blackpool rock but where these guys are concerned, we need to be more serious. Just released their second album following on from their debut. Saw them at COTW and loved ‘em, bought the cd, and here I go again….Nah nah nah nah.Opening with “Watch the World Burn“, the lads look the part, sound the part, what’s not to like? The hall is filled with fans old and new taking in a mixture of tracks lifted from both their releases, “Black Church” and “House of Cards“. Tony Lang on vocals and lead guitar has a cracking voice and holds the room.

The bassline interestingly enough coming from the keyboards of Mark Wilson and it sounds fantastic. “Shotgun Blues“, “Here Comes the Reign” and the magnificent “Making Love to the Devil” follow. The latter has an awesome low-key cello-like sound lurking, reminiscent of the cello in Therapy’s cover of “Diane“. I really like this. These are definitely ones to watch, especially if you love to see long flowing locks dancing in the light, but these guys, Tony, Mouse and Mark are so much more than that. This is all about knowledge that is acquired independently of any particular experience……go figure!!

SAINTS OF SIN

Saints of Sin is another band I saw and enjoyed at COTW, now though with a new lineup that looks interesting. I remember these guys being fun at COTW but I don’t remember them being so young. God, I feel old! Well, I am old but that’s for another time. I don’t want a “Heart Attack“! I ain’t got a choice because that’s exactly what they give us straight away, bouncing in, full of smiles, fun, energy and mild aggression in the vocals. This band have great funky, meaty rhythms and carries it off extremely well.

The room is warm and getting warmer as they burst into, “We’re on Fire“, “Stars in the Sky” and “Circus“. They sound nothing like the image I get from their name. That’s nothing bad just my own perception. It’s a shame but their cover of the 2015 Mark Ronson party piece “Uptown Funk” gets the column inches, problem is they do it so well. Watching on, big burly rockers dancing around and enjoying the funk that is so definitively Uptown. Saints of Sin have been through it a bit as far as membership is concerned but with the passion and spirit they hold, there will be no worrying about “Nasty Love”. We’ll raise our glasses and salute the Saints of Sin with a final “21 Shots” these guys are a blast, take off your blinkers and embrace the funk….

ROCKMANTIC WEEKEND - Friday (Concert Blog)SOUTH OF SALEM

SOUTH OF SALEM one of the business’ current rising stars hailing from the south coast and becoming more famous than Harry Redknapp, Bournemouth’s latest attempt to take on the world. My third time watching SOS. I didn’t get them the first time. I think it was something to do with everyone telling me how awesome they are. No one can live up to that hype and expectation straight away. Second time I saw them, I became more accepting and now tonight, third time, there is absolutely no denying, these guys have it.

South of Salem are no longer on trial in my house, “The Sinner” does indeed take it all, South of Salem are standing tall on the back of their debut release (The Sinner Takes it All (just in case you didn’t get the reference)). The Waterloo Bar is nice and busy, and the crowd is full of expectancy, they know these guys are good, no worries. They burst into life with their opener “Let us Prey” and the choir join in with every word, hypnotized by the orchestration from Joey Draper. Joey has us all in the palm of his hand throughout the show, these guys are destined for bigger stages, bigger tours and more elaborate stage sets, they’re gonna have a lot of fun.

The band energetically bounce through the album sounding vibrant and exciting with “The Hate in Me“, “Another Nail” and “Severely Yours” (love this title) setting the mood perfectly. Even though the show is interrupted with a couple of minor technical issues, the vibe doesn’t falter. Joey chats, we listen, smile, laugh and we’re back moving again. A headline show that the band are obviously enjoying is filled out with a cover of the Velvet Revolver classic single “Slither“. The band finish with a couple of crowd favourites “Pretty Little Nightmare” and the big sing-along “Cold Day in Hell“.

The perfect end to a perfect night. Well done to the organizers of Rockmantic, the Waterloo Bar and all the bands that performed excellently from start to finish. Back again tomorrow for more fun…..can’t wait.

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