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If you're one of those people who likes the Darkness dragging some proper glitz back into the rock 'n' roll circuit in theory but finds their histrionics a bit trying in practice, we might just have found two of the ideal bands for you here. But first...
Tonight's openers Killstereo are a hard-punching gang of punkers in the 3 Colours Red mould. They've got plenty of promise but often their lack of gigging experience does show through - the sound could do with tightening up a bit here and there. But still, enough encouraging signs to suggest we may see them back here one day.
Viking Skull, by comparison, are an absolute delight. Having clearly realised that one thing the Britrock scene never threw up was our answer to Guns 'n' Roses, they take the Darkness' template and add a much-needed dose of sleaze and danger to it. Clearly these guys grew up perfecting those Slash style guitar moves and Axl poses in the mirror and the practice has clearly paid off - tonight they rock like absolute bastards. True hedonism in four-minute granite-heavy doses and a band you should definitely go and see should they play near you some time soon.
This could've spelt trouble for headliners Young Heart Attack but they put in a more than competent set to ensure the punters go home happy. If you've heard any of their singles so far you'll know the drill with this lot (imagine "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" era AC/DC had they got a Joan Jett soundalike in to team up with Bon Scott) and it's absolutely bloody brilliant. The likes of "Misty Rowe", "Tommy Shots", "Takin' You Down", "Mouthful Of Love" and "Over And Over" are the sort of things losers like Jet think they've written when they inflict another turgid monochrome Stones B-side soundalike on us - proper octane-fuelled rock 'n' roll with a high chaos and danger quotient involved. And the fact that their lead guitarist looks like Mr Kraft from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" posessed by the spirit of Angus Young somehow only adds to the rock 'n' roll factor.
Parents be warned - this lot have come for your sons and daughters. My advice? Just let 'em get on with it - pure rock 'n' roll doesn't come much better than this.
Review and pic by Andy James
