REVIEW BY MARK LACEY & VICTORIA LLEWELYN, PICS BY ADRIAN HEXTALL (C) MINDHEX MEDIA
It’s a cold December Tuesday, with the UK immersed in a chilly spell, and what higher tonic to heat your core than this trio of onerous rockers. The Lifeless Daisies rolled into the UK just some days earlier than and are enjoying their first London present in a yr. With all three bands releasing new studio albums this yr, we must be in for a deal with.
Graham Bonnet Band
First up on tonight’s invoice are the Graham Bonnet Band, that includes the extraordinary skills of returning guitarist, Conrado Pesinato, and the drumming experience of Marco Mendoza’s stickman, Kyle Hughes. Graham’s tenures in Rainbow, The Michael Schenker Group, and Alcatrazz have offered him a everlasting place in rock music historical past. Particularly his vocals on Rainbow’s ‘Because you’ve been gone’ will go down as maybe his best second, and its efficiency tonight brings backbone tingling moments of nostalgia for the gang. Graham can be a profitable solo artist in his personal proper, releasing newest recording ‘Day trip in nowhere’ earlier this yr. Nonetheless, there isn’t a room in Graham’s seven track set for his solo materials, and as an alternative he leans closely on his work with MSG, and Rainbow, with 4 songs coming from Rainbow’s seminal 1979 album ‘All the way down to Earth’, together with ‘Eyes of the world’, ‘All evening lengthy’ and ‘Misplaced in Hollywood’. The passage of time has undoubtedly decreased Graham’s vocal vary however as a grasp showman, he units the tone completely and leaves the stage with the gang vitalised and in admiration.
FM
Judging by the array of t-shirts within the crowd, there are quite a lot of FM followers right here for tonight’s help efficiency. 2022 has offered a contemporary pinnacle for the band, with the discharge of their newest album ‘13’ in March, and a profitable headline tour which has spanned the size and breadth of the UK, and unsurprisingly the anticipation on the O2 Discussion board is palpable.
Attributable to scheduling points, sadly FM are solely afforded time for six songs this night. The outcome ensures that only one track, ‘Flip this automotive round’, options from the brand new album, with the rest of the set dominated by tracks from their first two albums. ‘Robust it out’, ‘Unhealthy luck’ and ‘I belong to the evening’ are welcomed like lengthy misplaced pals, with the viewers singing alongside to each phrase. It’s virtually onerous to fathom how the latter of those tracks can now be 36 years’ previous. Fortunately the set additionally options two more moderen recordings in ‘Killed by love’ from ‘Atomic Technology’, and the title observe from ‘Synchronized’ with each reminding us all of FM’s continued high quality track writing. There are various in tonight’s crowd who cite FM as enjoying one of the best set at the moment. Both method, FM may have made some extra pals, additional cemented their adoration with their current followers, and ensured that their standing because the UK’s best AOR band stays undisputed.
After being completely warmed up by Graham Bonnet and FM everybody appears eager for the primary occasion, to see what the Lifeless Daisies have introduced us this time. This UK tour brings to an finish a yr of virtually back-to-back reside performances for this hardworking band, having toured the USA within the autumn, and most of Europe all through final summer time. After a number of weeks break to work on new music and get some much-needed R&R, they’re again able to do what they do greatest – loud, riff and groove pushed old-fashioned rock and roll.
The Lifeless Daisies
The present line-up options founder member David Lowy on rhythm guitar, Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) on lead, Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath) on bass and vocals, and sees the return of Brian Tichy on drums for his third length with the band. At all times identified for having killer line ups, the Lifeless Daisies will not be thought of a supergroup for nothing, every band member brings their very own attribute to the present, demonstrating each their individuality as extremely expert musicians and their potential to merge as a workforce to provide epic traditional rock tunes to a tried and examined, a lot liked components.
To some extent, what you’re going to get from a Lifeless Daisies present, they don’t declare to be something aside from what they’re, and for those who’re a fan of that you’ll not be disenchanted. There’s a simple familiarity between the viewers and the band, however that’s to not say they don’t carry the magic of their efficiency, and they’re greater than able to shaking up a crowd.
Since their inception in 2012 the Lifeless Daisies of their varied incarnations have produced (amongst different initiatives) six studio albums, 5 EPs and a covers album, so there’s a wealth of fabric to create the right set checklist from.
As Aerosmith’s ‘Candy Emotion’ begins up there’s a ripple and a surge in the direction of the stage, anticipation is working excessive, and as Lowy, Tichy and Aldrich stride out just like the powerhouses they’re you possibly can really feel the environment dial up a notch. Nonetheless, it’s the arrival of Glenn Hughes, resplendent in pink paisley velvet along with his profitable smile that raises the thrill degree significantly, and as they launch into opening observe ‘Lengthy Means To Go’ it takes no time in any respect for the gang to get into Lowy’s chugging groove, and the present is ON.
A set full of vastly common singles follows in speedy hearth, ‘Unstated’ (the primary Daisies track to function Glenn on vocals), ‘Rise Up’ and ‘Lifeless And Gone’ are all effortlessly executed, full of chunky riffs, pulsing rhythm and a few insane vocals from Glenn that aren’t of this earth. Two songs from newest album ‘Radiance’ are subsequent up, the darker, atmospheric groove of title observe ‘Radiance’ is nearly hypnotic and permits Glenn to stand up to these excessive notes he’s been hitting for greater than 40 years. ‘Face Your Worry’ is pure stadium rock and fists plunge into the air from a crowd belting out the lyrics, clearly a preferred alternative.
Bringing a cool 1970’s vibe ‘Bustle and Movement’ from Glenn’s first album with the band ‘Holy Floor’ comes up subsequent, affording Doug Aldrich a imply guitar solo accompanied by many pairs of adoring eyes from the gang. Doug’s All-American Rock Star seems to be take completely nothing away from his credibility as an excellent guitar participant and he’s, in fact, notice good, while perpetually cool-headed David Lowy holds every thing regular and drives the track onwards along with his trademark downstrokes. Subsequent, the tempo expenses up for the primary cowl track of the set – Creedence Clearwater Revival’s ‘Lucky Son’. The Daisies enhance the power of this previous time traditional and Lowy takes the lead, demonstrating the extra technical aspect to his enjoying.
Hughes, Aldrich and Lowy then take their depart of the stage, leaving a really focussed and intense trying Brian Tichy, seated as if on a throne, amongst a tangle of lights, smoke and drums. With out a lot as a quick pause, he instantly attracts us irresistibly down into the depths of one of the advanced and complex prolonged drum solos ever to grace a stage. Though not everybody appreciates a drum solo there may be many a jaw dropped when confronted with this monster of a creation. Full with drumstick gymnastics, cymbal smashes and sophisticated syncopation, this showpiece is really a winner with the gang who roar out their appreciation.
With out lacking a beat, so to talk, the blokes come again on and pitch straight into Deep Purple’s ‘Mistreated’, a track that everybody is aware of and welcomes with open arms, and clearly one which Glenn likes to sing given the power he devotes to it. Newest single – the extra bluesy sounding ‘Born To Fly’ follows, impressed by David Lowy’s love of flying. A private favorite of mine – ‘Burn It Down’ is subsequent up, the slowed-up efficiency of this highly effective observe being given the Glenn Hughes makeover; very completely different from Corabi’s in fact however having no much less influence.
One other observe from the ‘Radiance’ album – ‘Hypnotise Your self’ comes subsequent, the hovering twin guitars sounding excellent, adopted by previous favorite ‘My Destiny’, (one other from ‘Holy Floor’) and new favorite ‘Shine On’, one other from the most recent album, which completes the set earlier than the band retire for a couple of minutes pre-encore.
Trying across the crowd from my viewpoint on the high of the steps I see hugs, high-fives and excited trying chats I think about are going to be about how this evening will end. Heading to the barrier by smiling faces, I see the Daisies re-emerge and dive straight into an upbeat cowl of Alex Harvey Band’s ‘Midnight Moses’ with a lot added bounce and aptitude. They actually do have enjoyable with this one. And to complete on the final word excessive for the followers right here this night, a canopy of Deep Purple’s ‘Burn’, all eight minutes of that are delivered with all of the drama and spectacle it instructions – a last profitable stroke.
To summarise tonight’s efficiency – the band are on distinctive type. If they’re jet lagged nobody would comprehend it. It was a present for the followers, and it delivered every thing they might have wished. Musically there have been no nice surprises however that isn’t what you come to this type of present for, you need the familiarity of seeing what and love carried out to perfection. And the Daisies ship on each degree. It’s a very glad crowd that head out into the evening, with heat of their hearts and really a lot trying ahead to the following innings.
