Ok. I confess, I have neglected this blog for over two years now. Originally intended as a music blog where I would review albums and gigs I went to, things quickly became sporadic and I got lazy about updating pictures. In my defence...blogger was a bitch to use, and it didn't help when my photographs went haywire. In the two years I've spent at university, I can hardly say I would have found time. About time that changed!
Greece and project work aside, this summer has been a bit quiet. I haven't been doing much, but it's been good to be back home. It's September as of tomorrow, and something like guilt is creeping into my mind. Two things I've struggled with called "focus" and "direction" recently need to be found in massive abundance over the next year or so, in order for me to gain something from this degree. Plus, near half of my degree will depend on essay and dissertation work, so it is gone time for me to brush up on my writing skills! Self-discipline is a great thing if you can find it, but first you must find willpower. I want this year to be a fun and enjoyable one, without ruining what I must do. Truth is, I'm not even 10% sure where I will be this time next year. I've quit my job, I'll be living closer to my studies again, so I really don't have any excuses this time.
I dislike the expression, but in essence, it's time to sort my life out.
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Thursday, 8 April 2010
GIG: Bad Company/The Joe Perry Project
For me it was a case of third time lucky with Paul Rodgers, having been silly enough to miss him twice before in Newcastle. With Bad Co reuniting for this tour, I was keen to see the legends in action.
However it was Joe Perry of Aerosmith and his band who opened proceedings with some raunchy rocking sounds from his new album, Have Guitar, Will Travel. Produced when hundreds of rumours were circling about whether or not Steven Tyler would continue in Aerosmith, it comes from a man with an ambition to develop his own music. Though very different from his roots, stand out tracks such as We've Got A Long Way To Go and Wooden Ships gave a great example of this man's guitar skills. Aerosmith are due to play a few gigs this summer, but only a few months ago it was Perry had put forward names such as Rodgers himself for a replacement. As for the gig, the Project were very good, but singer Hagen did seem out of place occasionally despite his vocal talent. They were a good warm up for Bad Co, but I believe it is nothing more than Perry exploring his musical style. They finished with the unforgettable Walk This Way, which was a nice touch. I hope the so called toxic twins can get back to where they belong or a great rock band will be lost.
After a short break, on came Bad Company, currently including Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs on guitar and Simon Kirke (also of Free) from the original line-up plus touring guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen. It was clear to see that these guys had lost none of their flow. Storming on with Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Rodgers strutted about the stage, the true frontman he is. Though a fair bit back, the acoustics and light show were brilliant and Rodgers' voice got everyone on their feet with one twirl of his microphone. Every song was a classic, and Rodgers and Leese took turns to play on the grand piano situated on stage. Burnin' Sky and Feel Like Makin' Love were stand out tunes from their seventies albums. A brilliant acoustic version of Seagull provided a breather before the pace picked up once again for Rock N' Roll Fantasy, for which Joe Perry reappeared on stage to provide a memorable performance.
The crowd favourite was always going to be Shooting Star, and behind the band a vast screen showed a montage of lost legends like John Bonham, Jimi Hendrix, and Freddie Mercury, the crowd singing along. Rodgers still has one of the best voices in rock today, and this showed through the brilliant encore of Ready For Love and Bad Company. Though I prefer more intimate venues, Bad Company started out in 1973 and on a chilly spring night in 2010 they blew us all away.
However it was Joe Perry of Aerosmith and his band who opened proceedings with some raunchy rocking sounds from his new album, Have Guitar, Will Travel. Produced when hundreds of rumours were circling about whether or not Steven Tyler would continue in Aerosmith, it comes from a man with an ambition to develop his own music. Though very different from his roots, stand out tracks such as We've Got A Long Way To Go and Wooden Ships gave a great example of this man's guitar skills. Aerosmith are due to play a few gigs this summer, but only a few months ago it was Perry had put forward names such as Rodgers himself for a replacement. As for the gig, the Project were very good, but singer Hagen did seem out of place occasionally despite his vocal talent. They were a good warm up for Bad Co, but I believe it is nothing more than Perry exploring his musical style. They finished with the unforgettable Walk This Way, which was a nice touch. I hope the so called toxic twins can get back to where they belong or a great rock band will be lost.
After a short break, on came Bad Company, currently including Paul Rodgers, Mick Ralphs on guitar and Simon Kirke (also of Free) from the original line-up plus touring guitarist Howard Leese and bassist Lynn Sorensen. It was clear to see that these guys had lost none of their flow. Storming on with Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Rodgers strutted about the stage, the true frontman he is. Though a fair bit back, the acoustics and light show were brilliant and Rodgers' voice got everyone on their feet with one twirl of his microphone. Every song was a classic, and Rodgers and Leese took turns to play on the grand piano situated on stage. Burnin' Sky and Feel Like Makin' Love were stand out tunes from their seventies albums. A brilliant acoustic version of Seagull provided a breather before the pace picked up once again for Rock N' Roll Fantasy, for which Joe Perry reappeared on stage to provide a memorable performance.
The crowd favourite was always going to be Shooting Star, and behind the band a vast screen showed a montage of lost legends like John Bonham, Jimi Hendrix, and Freddie Mercury, the crowd singing along. Rodgers still has one of the best voices in rock today, and this showed through the brilliant encore of Ready For Love and Bad Company. Though I prefer more intimate venues, Bad Company started out in 1973 and on a chilly spring night in 2010 they blew us all away.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
GIG: The Answer
A short mention first of all to support bands Toxic Federation and General Fiasco, whose sets I largely missed due to arriving late etcetera. As you do.
Oh wow. On a cold night in March 2007 I saw these guys at a very small venue at Northumbria University with a small but dedicated crowd. I was impressed then, and bloody hell have they grown - in fanbase size, talent, and so much more. This time they headlined the oh so very slightly bigger O2 Academy nearly a year after supporting AC/DC touring the USA. Having released debut album Rise in 2006, they were touring to promote the sophomore Everyday Demons. The special edition comes with a live CD recorded in Japan - where the band are liked very much. They've good taste, those Japanese rockers.
It was a very confident performance and in addition to tunes from their first album such as Never Too Late, Under The Sky, and the foot-stomping Preachin' they played much of the new stuff, including the spectacular Evil Man and the darker Why'd You Change Your Mind. The first album having probably sold more, I prefer Everyday Demons - purely because of its depth. As a band The Answer have come far and matured. We salute you!
Oh wow. On a cold night in March 2007 I saw these guys at a very small venue at Northumbria University with a small but dedicated crowd. I was impressed then, and bloody hell have they grown - in fanbase size, talent, and so much more. This time they headlined the oh so very slightly bigger O2 Academy nearly a year after supporting AC/DC touring the USA. Having released debut album Rise in 2006, they were touring to promote the sophomore Everyday Demons. The special edition comes with a live CD recorded in Japan - where the band are liked very much. They've good taste, those Japanese rockers.
It was a very confident performance and in addition to tunes from their first album such as Never Too Late, Under The Sky, and the foot-stomping Preachin' they played much of the new stuff, including the spectacular Evil Man and the darker Why'd You Change Your Mind. The first album having probably sold more, I prefer Everyday Demons - purely because of its depth. As a band The Answer have come far and matured. We salute you!
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