Crazy Cowboy 7 XIII Shades Of Black

Live review by; Trundmyster

I knew that the Crazy Cowboy 7 all day gig was going to be a long one (leaving my house in North Devon at 5.30am), but I never imagined how amazing the day turned out to be.

First of all a massive big up to the organizers Victoria and Alec who did a great job putting this gig together and running it so smoothly... thanks.

Secondly, to all the bands that took part... thanks as well.

I arrived at 11am and headed inside to find two stages which would be alternated throughout the day so no bands clashed.

There was a small room and a large room that was just separated by double doors, so easy to get from one to the other.

The 1st band on in the small room were Ransom, a four piece band. They claim they are are just a pub band as all they have ever done are covers up until today, but after watching them, they are so much more by playing their own songs that were all written during lock down, hence one of their songs called Locked Down London.

Opening up with the song Vindication, they went straight into it with heavy guitar, thumping drums and a heavy bass and the energetic vocals of singer Matt.

They did not stop once throughout their nine set song list, which only included one cover version, which was AC/DC's Riff Raff.

The band announced they are playing on stage 2 at HRH 15 in November and if you get the chance to see them there, do so as you will not be disappointed.

Next up and the first to play in the larger room were a two piece band called TenSheds. This band had a totally different sound and vibe to the rest of the bands that were on the bill for the day. TenSheds consist of a drummer and singer on keyboards and the style of James Leg keyboard playing, the sound of Lemmy's voice and songs in the style of The Urban Voodoo machine. This type of music was not for everyone on the day as it showed on the capacity of people watching, but for me I loved it and will be checking this two piece out again sometime as it was a refreshing change of music.

Redhead followed, who were a last minute addition. This band with a fast paced energetic rock sound with powerful clear vocals had the crowd going and even with the singer having two broken ribs, it did not stop him having a good time on stage. Songs like Weekend Woman and Devil On Your Shoulder were spot on, but Hold On Me with the incorporation of Queen's Another One Bites The Dust was the winner of the RedHeads set.

The next band Liberty Slaves are a band of pure down and dirty rock. With an energetic performance, loud guitars and another singer with a husky voice, this is another band to watch out for in the future. They had some great songs - 'Devil in Me' and 'Aint It A Bitch'.

Liberty Slaves definitely livened up the day with the interaction with the crowd, beer spraying and showing the essence of just having a damn good time on stage.

Unfortunately, the next few bands, The Verity White Band, Circus 66 and Rich Ragany and the Digressions, I did not see much of, as had other things to do, but did hear good things about them when I asked other fellow rockers.... Sorry everybody.

The City Kids had the place packed out and with the sound of rock and sleaze mixed together the place was rocking from start to finish.

Everything they did was 100%.

This was the first time I had seen or heard of the band and was not disappointed with what I had witnessed. Great sound and some seriously amazing songs.

By this time of the day I started to flag, so some much needed food and air seemed like a good idea.

Next up were Swansea based band Pearler, who I had seen before at HRH14. Their hard and heavy sound along with the powerful voice of their singer Wendell is all the ingredients you need for a metal band like these are. The band did not falter once throughout their set. With songs like Desert Slut and Submarine with their hard hitting riffs, you know its gonna be a good night and this band know how to have a good time on and off the stage..... as the band say, it's gonna be a Pearler and you know when you've had one!!!

Unfortunately I missed the Suicide Notes and Stevie Pearce, but from what I could hear from outside, I missed one hell of a set, so will have to catch them again sometime...sorry guys.

Next were the amazing South Of Salem. This five piece band never fail to disappoint me, they get better every time I see them.... even if a certain person nearly forgot their Bass guitar. From the moment they hit the stage with the first song Let Us Prey from their debut album titled The Sinner Takes It All, they never let up and with a set list that included Made To Be Mine and No Plague Like Home and Cold Day In Hell they had the place rockin' like there's no tomorrow. This band know how to put on a show.

South Of Salem are just about to head out on a tour of the UK supporting The Treatment. If you have not seen this band before, I suggest you do, as you will not be disappointed.

The last band of the night The Gypsy Pistoleros, hit the stage with their new line up and went straight into their set with the song Mescalito Vampires.

For a band with a new line up it came together very well with lead singer Lee very entertaining with great stage presence and being very humble thanking everyone who had turned up, which was a very nice gesture as it had been a long day for everyone.

Throughout their set everyone was having a good time with the fun that was going on, on the stage. The last song of the evening was their cover version of Ricky Martins' Livin' La Vida Loco, with which they do with some serious attitude. If you have not heard it before download it... you wont be disappointed.

Overall the whole day was an amazing one which ran top notch and I am looking forward to the next one.