HRH Sleaze - 02 Sheffield
Sunday 29/8/21
Live review by; DeeDee
This weekend goes so fast, it’s unbelievable. It’s the last day of HRH Sleaze already, so after a bit of a lie in I get over to the academy just in time for the start of the acoustic shows, that’s after the shock of seeing my friend Russ in the street, looking the worse for wear and clearly still half asleep, he certainly had a good night, party on dude ! With no interviews to do today, I can plan which bands to see, it’s a bit easier as not so many clashes and it’s a short distance from the balcony to stage 2, so I might just stay upstairs for most of the day.
Having left Slyder Smith still at the bar late last night, it’s amazing to see him looking so fresh and awake this lunchtime, as THE LAST GREAT DREAMERS are on stage 2 and playing an acoustic set, to the early risers. They went down a storm yesterday so I’m sure a few of the punters are new followers. One of those bands that never fail to impress, the LGD could hold a gig in any location and entertain you for hours, they are that versatile. After them are THE MERCURY RIOTS a three piece who have actually made it over from the US and have been wowing people at recent shows, on their tour here in the UK. Zachary Kibbee and Felipe Rodrigo play a superb acoustic set, with humour, grace and enlightenment. I liked how when Felipe struggled to open his beer, Zachary flipped the bottle top using his metal ring. More from them later tonight on the main stage and I can’t wait.
First band up on stage one today are SWEET TEAZE, formed back in 1989 around the Lincoln area, they famously state they got back together for a one off reunion and are still going. With the guitar of promoter, song writer and all round good guy Raz White and vocals from Dean Foxx (Knock Out Kaine) they really are good to watch. Stevi Fitz also on guitar and newer comrades Mark Stevenson on drums and bass player JJ Watt, make up the five man strong outfit. Lots of applause and cheers from the Sleaze punters and there are quite a few in here. Today is all about keeping my wits about me, as a few of the guys will pop up with other bands, like when all your mates are on board helping out and want to join the party. Saying that, next up are THE CITY KIDS with JJ Watt up front, he’s playing in successive bands, is that a first?!! Last time here at HRH Sleaze was the finale for THE MAIN GRAINS, out of that JJ has joined up with Berty Burton (Tigertailz) on bass, guitarist Denis Post (Warrior Soul) and drummer Dave Sanders (Falling Red). With street like punk and basic rock and roll, they are a delight, no wonder the likes of Tracii Guns and Kory Clarke have appeared as guests on their albums. Billy Tee comes on for a collaboration, as the band have also joined forces with ‘The Suicide Notes’ on ‘Rats’ which is an EP to look out for. In all seriousness, that was a stupendous performance, innovative songs dealt with by experts in the art of sleaze.
Just time to visit stage 2 as SILVERJET are in progress. I’m surprised they’re not on stage one to be honest, they have a long and well established bio and would have attracted a massive audience. Anyway, it’s pulverising stuff and they give us quite a few off ‘Push,Kick,Bravado’ from 2012. Dave Kerr on vocals and guitar is sharing the stage with Andy Mewse an original member returning as the other guitarist. Liam ‘Pais’ Hill on bass, renders the bottom line and the result is the heavy and string bending distortion that Silverjet are renowned for. I did enjoy this set from the local Sheffield boys and I see they played ‘Rockin The Bowl’ as well, so looks like they are getting back in their stride. I watch BLACK ROZE from near the front, as I do like the glamour that front woman Viixen brings to the proceedings. The set is mostly from the debut album’ Spiritual Hell’ and they start with the swagger of ‘Godz ’n’ Queenz’. Vic is looking fabulous with her mass of blond dreads, fishnets, black body and hints of pink, (I love the pink suspenders). ‘Obscenity’ is heavier but still melodic and then we hear the latest single ‘Not Your Whore(Anymore)’ lower in places and more dramatic, it’s a moody little tune. There’s a cover of The Eurythmics ’Sweet Dreams’ which is dealt with passionately by Viixen. ‘Why Don’t You’ is one of my favourites, guitarist Baz Roze strums a wedge of riffs in this one and it has pace, raunchiness and stacks of muscle. After the slightly more gentle ‘So Sleazy’ they bow out with a gorgeous version of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘These Boots Were Made For Walking’. A brilliant bit of sleaze that livened up the afternoon for us.
I also have my feet at the barrier for SOUTH OF SALEM, it’s no secret I’m a big fan of these five from Bournemouth. Formed in 2018 but having stood together previously in bands, SOS can be best described as having a horror theme with an essence of 80’s rock. The set is the debut album ‘The Sinner Takes It All’ played in full and I have to keep turning around to see what the Sleaze troops think of them, I’m like a doting mother checking they are liked! Not to worry as each song is met with cheers and applause, I even spot a few SOS T-Shirts. After their recent festival appearance at Bloodstock, they are starting to gain even more of an appreciative following. Today they stun most who haven't seen them before, as SOS dominate the afternoon with their sheer brutal and hostile manner. It’s full blown, fast and dangerously addictive music. Guitarist Kodi Kasper spurts riffs and chords relentlessly as he shifts around the stage, jumping on and off the risers. Vocalist Joey Draper blasts out ‘Let us Prey’ and ‘The Hate In Me’ and takes time to interact with those in front of him, his warm nature and humour seeping through the darker visual appearance. There’s no let up, ‘No Plague Like Home’, ’Severely Yours’ and Demons Are Forever’ are thrust at us with conviction and drummer Pip Sampson with Darren ‘Dee’ Aldwell on bass, are the most steadfast rhythm section. They get everyone singing and bouncing with a cover of Velvet Revolvers ‘Slither’ before bowing out with ‘Pretty Little Nightmare’, take a look at the latest video for this, which has a Tim Burton theme and finally the hit ‘Cold Day In Hell’ crikey they went down really well. Got to be one of the bands that has the most promise at the moment, so go see them as soon as possible.
SHE BURNS RED have recently brought out an EP which was helped along by Toby Jepson (Little Angels , Wayward Sons) a four track piece of rewarding tunes, that are part of todays show. James McCulloch in his Black kilt and warpaint, looks a menacing character and as the heavy thudding of ‘Gone’ and ‘Copernicus Falls’ hit the airways, we see how his persona matches the style of SBR. I haven’t seen these rockers from West Lothian before and on initial findings I do like the hard attitude rock they produce, the live encounter is slightly more ferocious than the recorded version, but check out the guitarists Andy Moore and the Italian Naz Scanferlato , who both offer such incredible licks. ‘Crosshairs’ and ‘Out of Darkness’ also from the EP are intertwined with the single ‘My Curse’ and the end track ‘Interstellar’ is indeed a whirling cosmic experience. New drummer Scott Hanlon was also spot on thoughout the set. A band that have overcome many difficulties with health matters both physical and mental, they have gained a few new fans after today that’s for sure, me included.
The first band to get over to the UK to tour since the plague, THE MERCURY RIOTS really impressed me earlier on the acoustic stage. Made up of three former members from the project by Gene Louis, ‘Bullets and Octane’, they have all that US West Coast sultry charm that just manages to attract your attention. Zachary Kibbee has a pleasing rich and velvety voice and as they get into the groove soaked set, his delivery is one of intoxicating and enrapturing beguilement. The band have released three singles so far on their own Bad Mojo Record Label - ‘Save Me A Drink’ being the first, a bustle of light rocky rhythm and a sing along chorus. ’Light It Up’ another single is more hard trodden and has deeper more severe guitar from master strings man Felipe Rodrigo. He’s a real firecracker, not only cavorting around the main stage tonight, he takes to the barrier several times, surrounded by the photographers in the pit, who can’t get close enough for that perfect shot. Once finished there he’s out in the audience, playing face to face with several of the stupefied and stunned Sleaze faithful. ‘Make It’ allows drummer Jonny Udell to hit some more defining sticks, he’s originally from Philadelphia and started playing at the tender age of eleven. His first band was with Chad of CKY fame, but he’s probably better known for his ‘Warner Drive’ days. They play an instrumental, that captures all the blues/rock you need to satisfy (sorry I don’t have all the titles) and we stand engrossed with this performance, which is one of the best this weekend.
What time is it, time for THE QUIREBOYS headlining tonight and still celebrating 30 years of their hit album ‘A Bit Of What You Fancy’ which was released in 1990. I suppose the set list lying on the stage and mostly made up of the album tracks is superfluous, especially when frontman Spike says he can’t read it ! Although I guess guitarists Paul Guerin and Guy Griffin only have to strike a few opening chords for the vocalist to go into automatic mode and fire up that scratchy and grit filled voice. I think I’ve seen this band more times than any other, from the early days with Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg, following them around the country and managing to get in to see them at Junction 10 Walsall, just after they appeared on Top Of The Pops, right up to this day. Since then Paul Guerin, who I saw with The Red Dogs, has been a permanent member and although the bass players and drummers come and go and come and go again, the Quireboys are always there for us and never fail to host that 7 O’Clock party atmosphere. As they cavort through ‘Hey You’, ‘There She Goes Again’ and Whippin Boy’ with added slide and the ample ‘bar room’ blues, the room is a display of people enjoying what’s been missing in their lives for the past 18 months. Clapping along, drunken singing and arms around gig buddies,(that includes Felipe from the Mercury Riots, who’s having a whale of a time) it’s a beautiful sight indeed. After ‘Long Time Comin’ and ‘Roses & Rings’ there’s a tribute during ‘I Don’t love You Anymore’ to Charlie Watts as they play lines from ‘Fool To Cry’ that fits in perfectly with the Quireboys favourite ballad. We get all the laughs and jokes as Spike is on form again tonight. The encore is ended with ‘Sex Party’ and this whips up a crowd frenzy to bring the whole event to a perfect sleazy end.
Whoo! What a weekend and so good to be back in Sheffield at the 02, it was great to see friends and meet new people, interview some of the bands and chat to others. Seeing some bands for the first time, that I’ll definitely see again and listening to some awesome music. Next year will hopefully see the return of the bigger names and those from overseas, but this HRH Sleaze was something quite special, mostly UK bands that deserve to be in the spotlight more often, perhaps we should have an annual HRH UK event, for the likes of these loveable people. But yes, it was a blast, see you next year.
5/5