Gravity Festival - The Station Cannock
Saturday, Day 2 - 16/10/21
Live review by; DeeDee
It was an early start again as we headed to The Station. More interviews lined up and sadly some changes to the lineup as illness prevailed. However the selection for Saturday was still varied, having both a young, virtually unheard of band to open and some NWOBHM legends later on. I guess that’s one of the things I like about Gravity, the stage features old and new, young and old alike.
The first band are already on stage as I wander into The Station, Torque are a young bunch from around this area and have been in existence since 2018. Instant like the scratchy vocals from Eddie Voss, who sounds like a youthful Lemmy and the old school rock effect by the band has a decent flow. From the recent EP ‘Used and Abused’ we are given ‘Final Breath’, Temper and ‘Dr Death’ which are all finely written and they crash out with a rock and roll medley that includes ‘Johnny B Goode’ and ‘Blue Suede Shoes’, some quality guitar from Connor Hill throughout, who is backed up with the rhythm of Tom Wilde on drums and bassist Josh Cook. On the road soon supporting Dirty DC and having gigs lined up until the end of May 2022, these lads are literally going places.
All the way up from Hertfordshire are Electric Black , with influences listed like Bad Company, Black Stone Cherry and Rival Sons; it's a taste of Blues Rock for the early punters. Ali Shiach leads on vocals and rhythm guitar and we get a mix of ‘Gravity’, ‘Eagle’ and ‘Homecoming’ from the last album ‘The Calm Before’ with some workings for the new EP, ‘Calendar Queen’ being one of the highlights. Loads of sultry and moody chords with ample heavy riffs, from Jonny Bryant and the bass antics of Ryan Trotman are incredible to watch. They finish all too soon on another from the album ‘Not Afraid To Die’ which has a lush groove and stacks of bashing from sticks man Matt Butler. The new EP ‘Beggars, Thieves & Everything Inbetween’ drops November 26th and there’s a launch party on the 20th at Club 85 in Hitchin, be there.
Twister appear on stage with the twin kettle drums pounding the introduction, ‘We Are The Cursed And Corrected’ from the debut album. Frontman Stevie Stoker takes to the mic and the set continues with much of the track listing. There is something about Twister that sets them apart from their contemporaries. The amount of energy they throw out is an evident factor, but they also have this knack of never failing to entertain with 100% enthusiasm. The room is packed and I can see a lot of the Gravity crowd have been waiting patiently for them to unleash their style of melodic and refined rock. It’s still early afternoon but you lose a sense of time, as the atmosphere is one of a night time headliner. Stevie is joined by Jake Grimes on guitar, Jack Corbett on drums and bass player Ryan Lee. There are plenty more opportunities to see Twister live this year, go to their social pages for more info.
Due to bass player Paul Edwards leaving Theia recently, the band consists of the two Lamley brothers, Kyle and Ash today. I suppose most performers would have pulled the event, but not Theia, the duo have re-worked their music and are determined to carry on regardless. I wonder if they were nervous at the start, as I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who felt a little anxious for them? Well, no need for any concern, Kyle Lamley has lost none of his amazing character or showmanship and after they delivered the new single ‘Blue Heart’ he and Ash, on drums, were welcomed with a rousing round of applause. Dressed in all white attire, which did have a rather fetching effect, the guys carried on with ’No Crisis’ from 2018, ‘Back In Line’ the eponymous track off the 2017 album and from ‘Take The Pill’ the sublime ‘Electric Witness’. Another band that emulates a fresh, melodic twirl of rock and ending with another new one ‘The Day’ was proof that Theia are going to be around for a good while yet.
The Welsh heroes that are Scarlet Rebels are up at 5pm. I say heroes because if you see their social pages, you will know they have been delivering donations to local food banks, which fans brought along to the gigs. This and the new album ‘ See Through Blue’ are a direct result of vocalist Wayne Doyle’s annoyance, at the lack of care and attitude of our government, regarding recent food shortages. Tonight Scarlet Rebels are a man down as illness strikes Josh Townshend, one of the guitarists, but despite this they manage to play an incredible set, these guys never drop their standard. We get plenty from the 2019 album ’Show Your Colours’ including the brilliant ‘Heal’ and a few new ones thrown in. Watch out for the guys in January and February as they embark on a headline tour and order a copy of the new album, which comes in various colours on vinyl and limited signed CD’s.
I watched Vambo, when they supported Cats In Space recently and was astounded by their inventiveness. A trip back to the 70’s with a hallucinogenic performance, it was rather riveting, so I was down the front for this outfit. Frontman Jack Stiles has a unique style, stumbling around the stage and appearing to be on another planet at times. This works so well, the overall effect is captivating and guitarist Pete Lance plays like a young Jimmy Page. After an onslaught of original numbers from the ‘Vambo Delux’ album, ‘Paradise’, 'Running In Circles’ and 'We're Not The Same’ they decide to play a Led Zeppelin medley and boy is that good. Another three cosmic blinders ‘Down Little Mama’, ‘Fast Car’ and the excellent ‘Why, Why, Why’ before they blow out with another unbelievably played cover, Deep Purples ‘Burn’. Having already played ‘Download’ and the ‘Isle Of Wight’ in 2019 and also supported Praying Mantis on tour, this band are definitely on the up.
I think the first time I saw Praying Mantis they were supporting Iron Maiden at Malvern Winter Gardens back in the ’78 , that cost me about £3.50 for the ticket. Well, a lot of water and music has passed under since then so it’s great to see these legends here tonight. With a pile of a back catalogue, the 90 minute set was compiled of classic after classic, from ‘Panic In The Streets’ all the way to ‘Cry For The Nation’, ‘Dream on’ and ‘Letting Go’ there was even a gorgeous version of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Simple Man’ thrown in. One of the founding bands of the NWOBHM, which is in its 41st year now, what a pleasure to see that Praying Mantis are still going strong. On tour in Europe next year and still releasing new albums, it’s hard not to have a huge amount of respect for these guys.
Headliners The Treatment also have 90 minutes playing time and come on stage at 9.30pm. Thankfully they have overcome a recent bout of Covid and are now fully fit. Straight in with ‘I Bleed Rock & Roll’ from 2013 and the ‘Running With The Dogs’ album and Tom Rampton screams out the lyrics like there’s no tomorrow. The new album ‘Waiting For Good Luck’ is well aired tonight, ‘Eyes On You’, ‘Vampress’ the ear worm ‘Wrong Way’ and ‘Take It Or Leave It’ are split by an older favourite ‘Let’s Get Dirty’ and by now The Station is rocking to its foundations. The Grey brothers, Tao and Tagore spin around the stage with their guitars, like demons. They do have a great stage presence, the atmosphere is so alive as The Treatment are on fire. More new tracks are shot out like bullets, ‘Rat Race’ gets everyone singing along, Tom makes sure we are fully attentive and gets us to clap to nearly every note. ‘Hold Fire’, ‘Devil In The Detail’ are followed by ‘Luck Of The Draw’ and ‘On The Money’ from the previous album ‘Power Crazy’. Proper party mode now and so we hear ‘Get The Party Started’ and the enormous chorus of ’Shake The Mountain’ that no Treatment show is complete without. Just enough time for an encore of ‘Running With The Dogs’ and ‘Drink, F**K, Fight’. Phew what a show, such a powerful performance, new bassist Andy Milburn has fitted in so well and added so much strength to the rhythm section alongside drummer Dhani Mansworth. The band deserve all the credit they receive, go to their social pages for updates, they hit the road late November as support to Fozzy, a tour that is selling out fast.
Another day of really good entertainment and such a decent variety of bands. Fabulous to see everyone enjoying themselves so much, the atmosphere in The Station is always incredible but it was truly outstanding today.