HRH AOR, Prestatyn
March 14th - 16th 2019
Reviewed by; DeeDee
It’s that time of year again, when the AOR faithful descend onto a caravan park for 3 days of festival merriment. Time to catch up with friends and acquaintances, meet new friends and just chat to random like-minded music fans. You may even bump into one of your ‘Rock God’ heroes in the bar.
Starting on the Thursday night, the main stage has 4 bands to entertain us. THE NEW BREED have the opening slot and I catch just enough of them to be impressed. The lads from the North-West are pure Rock and Roll with a cutting edge and some rather classic guitar. They do play quite a few gigs, so I would recommend checking them out.
KNOCK OUT KAINE have been on the scene for almost 10 years and always give a worthy performance. With a couple of albums in the bag, ‘House Of Sins’ and ‘Rise Of The Electric Jester’ there is plenty to choose from tonight. ‘16 Grams Of Heart Attack’ ‘Ain’t Your Kind’ are pleasing rockers and ‘Fire And Smoke’ is a really groove filled little beauty. There are some changes happening in the Kaine camp at the moment, so keep up to date with Dean Foxx and the band on their Facebook page.
Original SURVIVOR vocalist DAVE BICKLER is next, this is true AOR. It takes him a while to get into full momentum, with some singers the larynx doesn’t warm until 2 or 3 songs in. He seems a bit nervous to start with as well. But by the time we get to ‘Burning Heart’, a Survivor classic, he is in his element. Many numbers from his old band follow and of course he ends on ‘Eye Of A Tiger’. By the finish he has won over the audience and cemented himself in HRH AOR history.
Having interviewed Danny Vaughn and Michael Clayton earlier, I knew they were planning to play the whole of ’Strength In Numbers’ as they are celebrating 25 years since that brilliant album was released. What an awesome show from TYKETTO tonight, just proved how magnificent a band they are. From the opener ‘Inherit The Wind’ followed by ‘Catch My Fall’, ‘Rescue Me’ and ‘Forever Young’ where Danny was joined by Nick Workman from VEGA to duet, right up to the encore, ‘The Last Sunset’ ‘Reach’ and ’Standing Alone’ we were in awe. Thanking the audience with lengthy and sincere messages, you sense how truly genuine these guys are.
The second day I start off in the smaller stage and watch SCARLET REBELS do an amazing acoustic set. Previously known as VOiD, they are developing into something quite magical. Later I see the electric show, again on stage 2 and they are mind-blowing. Vocalist Wayne Doyle is quite charming and leads us through 45 minutes of splendid and original work. ‘Heal’ which is a new ballad, is one of the best I’ve heard for a long time. I predict a massive future for this South Wales band, has to be one of my favourite discoveries of the weekend.
Earlier in the main room THE RADIO SUN all the way from their native Australia, returned to HRH AOR for a 4th time, something of a record. It’s no surprise as they are so charismatic. They launched straight into songs from past albums and then the new one ‘Beautiful Strange’ which was out last year. I adored Stevie Janevski’s custom painted guitar with the bands logo. Do we understand the Aussie sense of humour? Nope! As halfway through, frontman Jason Old announces he is leaving the band, confirmed by Stevie, the crowd are distraught. RADIO SUN without their renowned vocalist? It isn’t until later when I speak to the guitarist that I learn it’s all a joke ‘He’s not going anywhere’ I’m informed. I was fooled along with the rest of the fans.
No AOR event is complete without VEGA, with an army of followers and rated in the highest of ranks, they are one of the most popular bands out there today. Nick Workman is a natural, good looks and a powerful stage presence; he fronts this 6 piece, who are all extremely talented musicians. We are delighted to hear a mix from the albums including ‘Let’s Have Fun Tonight’, ‘Explode’, ‘Every Little Monster’, ’White Flag’ and Worth Dying For’ all upbeat rockers that keep the audience captivated while bouncing around to every song. Melodic Rock that is quite phenomenal. On the road again soon with FM and THE QUIREBOYS, don’t forget to bag your ticket.
Staying in the main room, which is now full to capacity, I take to the bar and watch JIZZY PEARLS LOVE/HATE from the relative comfort of a high stool. He does a blinder of a set, all the favourites from ’Blackout In The Red Room’ and ‘Wasted In America’. The guy still looks dangerous and the HRH mob love him.
WAYWARD SONS are fronted by ex LITTLE ANGELS crooner Toby Jepson; it is an impressive line-up with Dave Kemp on Keyboards, who played in Little Angels. The young Sam Wood on guitar who is well thought of and Ex Quireboy sticksman Phil Martini. Nic Wastell on Bass completes the crew. Lots of numbers from the 2017 ‘Ghosts Of Yet To Come’ debut, which go down well with everyone.
UFO are here as part of their 50th anniversary tour entitled ‘Last Orders’ and it will probably be the last time we see them, as lead man Phil Mogg has announced his retirement. They go out in a blaze of glory with many classics; I love ‘Only You Can Rock Me’ and ‘Rock Bottom’, before an encore that includes, ‘Doctor Doctor’ and ‘Shoot Shoot’. What a fine end to the night, the veteran rockers were perfect.
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Which brings us to Saturday, after a stormy night with strong winds, it’s still a bit breezy around the site this morning. Many look worse for wear, guess it’s not easy falling asleep in a caravan, during such weather. I go into stage 2 early to see SYKKO DOLLZ, glam/sleaze rock and rollers, heavily disguised behind white painted faces. Despite being on first there is a quite a crowd, Gas Harris gets them singing along to the very catchy, ‘I Win You Lose’ from their EP ‘We Are The Dollz’. Yes, a thumbs up from me.
PSYCHO KISS are also first up, but on the main stage. I wandered in and caught most of the performance. What an incredible songstress Helen Ceri Clarke is, very deep and blues ridden vocals, loved her. Next up were SAINTS OF SIN, from the Christchurch area. 5 energetic AOR creditables who are fronted by Rui Brito, great harmonies and some very cool guitar licks. It was a bit too trying for me in places, over zealous theatre, but the music itself shone through. Check out their debut album, ‘Welcome To The Circus’.
PRETTY BOY FLOYD are Hollywood hair metal/cock-rock legends, still looking the part Steve Summers chants out ‘Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz’ and we are grinding back to ’89. Onwards in a fine glamorous poise PBF give us ‘Rock And Roll Outlaws’ ’48 Hours’ ‘Wild Angels’ and ‘Feel The Heat’ from their back catalogues. Ok, the over-the-top sleazy attitude isn’t everyones cup of tea tonight, but those of us who still miss those guys who wore more hairspray, makeup and jewellery than the girls, they are well received. With a couple of well-known tracks ‘I Wanna Be With You’ and ‘Rock And Roll (Is Gonna Set The World On Fire)’, together with a brace of Mötley Crüe covers ‘Run For Your Life’ and ‘Live Wire’ they certainly created a stir.
TED POLEY ex Danger Danger is headlining the final night, backed by DEGREED a fine melodic band from Sweden. He has to earn best celebrity of the weekend, he was seen all over the place, his manner, infectious smile and down to earth attitude rubbed off on all of us who met him, we all love Ted now. Of course his show is filled with Danger Danger songs, ‘Crazy Nites’, ’ Bang Bang’, ‘Don’t Walk Away’, ‘Feels Like Love’ and ‘I Still Think About You’ are all delivered in true showman style. Ted leaps into the crowd and suddenly the room has a party atmosphere, even those sat in the VIP/Royalty bar don’t escape his attention, what a fantastic end to events on the main stage.
There is still HEAVY PETTIN to watch at midnight, for those of us who can still stand, bizarrely they are playing in the smaller room. These veterans of British Metal have attracted quite a large pack of die-hards. Emerging in 1981 from Glasgow, Hamie, Punky Mendoza and Gary Moat (former drummer now fronting Burnt Out Wreck) probably helped create the NWOBHM. After years away, lead-man Hamie returned in 2017 with a new line-up and they played a practically sold-out tour. An awesome band, into the early hours we get the appropriate ’Victims Of The Night’ and ‘Roll The Dice’ from the debut 3 Track single and also ’Lost In Love’, ‘Shout It Out’ and ‘Rock Ain’t Dead’. Oh wow I’m back at Reading ’83 where I first saw them. Playing a couple of festivals this year, I’m so glad HEAVY PETTIN have returned to the scene.
On that note, it’s time to leave, HRH AOR is over for another year. I have braved the weather, the way-too-small venue and the antics of Ted Poley. I have met up with friends, made new ones and chatted to people who have stood next to me, as is the manner with the Rock Music community.
See you all next time!