NOZFEST
1865 SOUTHAMPTON - 14/8/21
Live review by; Myk and DeeDee
Photos to follow soon
You have to admire Jodie for organising this annual event, with ten bands on the bill, it can’t be easy. Even with the changes that Covid has forced upon her, she has everything covered and the staff at The 1865 are totally professional. Watching the stage crew set up and the first bands sound-checking, it’s clear NOZFEST is going to be another success for Miss Bowie. Just before the bands start Si Genaro, our compere for the day, appears playing his harmonica. You may recognise Si, as he’s been on the BBC’s ‘The Voice’ a couple of times and his ‘Chicken Train’ performance is legendary. Si thanks Jodie for everything she has done and then introduces the opening act, Spyder Byte.
SPYDER BYTE - Five childhood mates from Chatham Kent, with all the sleaze and glam you could wish for. Spyder Byte are the perfect choice to get Nozfest underway. ‘On Time’ from the ‘Addictive’ album, is thrashed out with Daniel Lawrence’s shrieking vocals and piles of decent drumming by Connor Godfrey from the off. There are not many bands about these days that offer much glitz and glamour, but Nathan Hammond is a natural, flowing blond hair and plenty of pout while wielding his bass in all directions. A couple from the last album ‘ When The Lights Go Out’ with ‘Tonight (Get Wild)’ and ‘Nocturnal Beauty’ which continue the full on sleaze effect. ‘Double Dose’ is the new single and the guitars of Connor Cape and Robbie Weller are given chance to add more riffs, with all guns blazing, it’s a head blower for sure. Daniel even gives us a small demo of his dancing technique! The older song ‘Moonshine’ gets a lot of audience participation as it’s a catchy sing along with ‘Whoa’s’ all over the shop. Spyder Byte are nailing this, ’Strip Club Blues’ is a 12 bar piece of brilliance, letting up for a few minutes with some drawling vocals and gutsy guitar, good call. ‘Spark’ and the sumptuous ‘Black Velvet Love’ both from the new album, see them out, a class act and incredible to watch. The guys have new management and were booked to support Jizzy Pearl’s Love/Hate, so if that tour is rescheduled it should be a blast. (DD)
TROUBLE COUNTY - A new band for me and first impressions count as they say. Smart looking in white shirts and black waistcoats, the trio from the deep south of Hampshire, label themselves as Hard / Southern Rock. Well, Trouble County certainly open on that vibe, as the new single ‘Wasted’ is a mix of penetrating vocals from Joolz, who also plays his guitar with lashings of bending rhythm. ‘Oradour’ has more lush lyrics from Joolz, the lower and more angry vocals are just sublime. Just when I thought I was listening to a gentle rock ballad during ‘Awake’ it suddenly turns and storms out the room, with heavy bass from Marky Mark, a throb of a riff and guttural uttering’s, oh love it. ‘World To Me’ again keeps a low profile, moody and mean with wailing and more strident bass, echoes of Zeppelin in the mid chords and I just adore the way it drifts. ’12 Gauge Blues’ is exactly what it says on the tin. With a rising tempo, it has a steady lick and then intensifies with another round of ear mashing guitar. Clear stick work from J D rocker is heard throughout, before the tune finally crawls into the abyss. Joolz asks us to join in for the chorus of the last song, ‘You Again’, which is simply ‘F**k You’ so we duly oblige. A band with a complex and intricate set, I like music that stretches the boundaries and Trouble County certainly do that, but Southern Rock? Hmm maybe, but don’t expect the likes of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’! (DD)
WESTERN SAND - Western Sand based in the South of England have built a loyal following, formed in 2008 by frontman and guitarist Tyler Hains and guitarist Jimmy Bradshaw. In the intervening years of gigging they have sharpened their on-stage craft to a keen edge and you get hard rock with an infusion of southern rock from this four piece with the solid engine room made up of Nathan Kay on drums and Findlay Hotchkiss on bass. There is nothing new delivered with their songs as they tread a well-worn path, but what you do get is energy and a tight delivery and the occasional gem like ‘Black Water Resolution’ a classy number with shades of Black Stone Cherry fused with The Answer. A heavy and really enjoyable cover of Mountain’s ‘Mississippi Queen’ was a real highlight as was the self-penned ‘Broken Bones’ in what was a thoroughly enjoyable performance. A great band for a festival like this. (MF)
THE WICKED JACKALS - These Watford based guys played a cracking set at the last Nozfest, so I was full of anticipation, could they match it today? My first thoughts were, ‘how do you follow Western Sand who just raised the roof?’
However, the brief but decent gap between bands allows the air to cool and the audience to regroup. The Jackals have matured over the last year or so, coming in with ‘Over The Top’ the pace is steadier and more controlled. Vocalist Ollie Tindall, has also gained more confidence as he holds the audience with his sense of humour, referring to the set list, that’s hardly legible as written on an old bit of cardboard, “No expense spared in this band” he jokes. He reminds me of Ted Poly and Jani Lane, from his looks and the way he acts. Ain’t Gonna Change’ is a well known track off the EP ‘About Time’ it jaunts along with razor sharp strings from Marty Venus on a really colourful guitar, (looks like a custom) and Ollie’s passionate voice. Lockdown allowed the guys to do some writing and we hear ‘Moving On’ and ‘Victory Or Death’ both really well demo’ed today and the backing vocals give a load more depth. ‘Do you like Coldplay?’ Ollie asks. Laughs follow as we know The Wicked Jackals are nothing like them. ‘Raise A Glass’ and ’Scream’ get the 1865 in full sway, before a favourite band cover, as we hear The Cults ‘Fire Woman’, which is a tremendous ending. Great to see these guys again, they have developed into real contenders for more tour and festival slots, so keep up to date with them on their social pages. (DD)
BETH BLADE AND THE BEAUTIFUL DISASTERS - I had somehow managed to miss seeing Beth Blade and the Beautiful Disasters live until now. All reports had suggested I was in for a treat, however as a sceptic and seeing various bands over the years not living up to the hype, I was keeping an open mind. The four piece band certainly looked the part as they walked on with Beth Blade looking the archetypal rock chick as they kicked off with ‘The Otherside’ a riff driven hard rocker. Beth’s powerful vocals soared over the riffs and comparisons to Lzzy Hale immediately came to mind. Followed up with ‘Forbidden Hearts’ and then onto the incredible catchy ‘Give It All You’ve Got’, this melodic hard rock band from Cardiff certainly have the tunes to go with the image. ‘Hell In High Heels’ and ‘Down and Dirty’ continue the trend and it just keeps getting better. One thing missing from the Nozfest bill today was a strong contingent of female performers and Beth Blade seemed determined to make up for being the sole representative. She definitely rocks as hard as any of her male counterparts and has a voice that grabs your attention and leaves you wanting more. ‘On and On’ another really catchy tune leads onto ‘You and I’, ‘Tonight I’m With You’ and ‘Ain’t Got Nothing’ all quality compositions before they round things off with a tribute to Lemmy in the form of ‘Jack And Coke’. They lived up to the hype and more, so I’ll definitely be checking them out again with September at the Camden Underworld looking a distinct possibility. (MF)
COLLATERAL - Ever since I first saw this band, back in 2019 at The Breaking Bands festival, I realised they had something about them. The long hair, cowboy boots and good looks, with soft rock songs on that Sunday afternoon, they were an excellent distraction, which I needed at the time. Today at Nozfest, it’s 6pm and the four piece are now six, as they added another guitarist Louis Malagodi and Robert Richard James Fenning on keyboards in 2020. Off the eponymous debut album ‘Big Shot’, ‘Promiseland’ and ‘In It For Love’ are executed with all the precise manoeuvres we have come to expect from Angelo Tristan and company. ‘Going With The Wind’ is a pleasant addition from the ‘4 Shots’ EP it’s a mellow and soul catching number. Angelo stands resplendent in his pink leggings and snakeskin jacket, while bassist Jack Bentley Smith cavorts alongside during ‘About This Boy’ and ‘Angels Crying’. The Nozzers are loving them, they are such a fabulous bunch of entertainers, and even drummer Ben Atkinson looks cool at the back. ‘Merry Go Round’ gives Todd Winger plenty of opportunities to stun us with his guitar playing and all the solos work well between him and Louis. The all too short set ends on the popular ‘Lullaby’ and we all join in singing along without any cares. During lockdown Angelo kept us entertained further with some amazing covers, now available on an EP, he really was one of the best to watch with his live streams. Of course the band have now returned to the road again, check out more dates via the socials. (DD)
HOLLOWSTAR - Hollowstar are a class act but things have changed dramatically with the loss of long term guitarist Tom Collett to pursue other avenues in his life. Carl Ledger has been brought in as a rhythm guitarist and was described by singer and bassist Joe Bonson as looking like Kris Barras if he didn’t go to the gym. One thing was evident Carl fitted right in and clearly felt at home and with lead guitar duties expanded for Phil Haines, proving he’s not just eye candy for the ladies, clearly loving the bigger meatier role allowing him to pose up a storm. ‘Take It All’ and ‘Down By The Water’ start things off with the quality and delivery you expect. With Joe’s brother Jack Bonson keeping a solid beat on drums ‘Let You Down’, ‘Invincible‘ and the brilliant ‘Money’ fly by, a downside of a great live band as it all seems to go so quickly. I’m a bit confused temporarily as it appears they are covering a Proclaimers song but it then morphs into a fantastic cover of Free’s ‘Wishing Well’ and for some reason Joe reminds me of Budgie’s Burke Shelley, well they both play bass have long dark hair, sing and have an easy going natural banter with the audience, that’s good enough for me. ‘Overrated’ is up next and is a bit ironic as Hollowstar are anything but. The next song is a poignant number dedicated to Phil’s dad who passed away recently and had encouraged Joe and Phil to pursue a musical path; the aptly titled ‘Good Man Gone’ is yet another reminder of how good this four piece from Cambridgeshire are. The closing number allows for a bit of crowd interaction as they close a storming set with ‘All I Gotta Say’. I’ll be catching them on the road again soon enough when they go out on tour with Mason Hill in September and October. (MF)
SKAM - The three men from Leicester have been going strong and building a massive following since their inception in 2011. Known for their hard driven, no nonsense kind of noise, they don’t mess about, it’s ‘what you see is what you get’ rock. Led by the high octane fuelled frontman Steve Hill, they jump straight in with ‘Fade Out’ a single from the forthcoming EP ‘Venous’ which is part 2, the previous EP ‘Intra’ being part 1 of ‘Intravenous’. They are clever like that, remember ‘The Amazing Memoirs Of Geoffrey Goddard’ from 2017, a concept about a RAF pilot who could travel through time? The second tonight ‘Iron Cross’ is from that album, it has a punishing riff with bending tones and they do hammer it. ‘Circles’ is also off ‘Venous’ which drops on October 1st, more stomping and heaviness with bassist Matt Gilmore, pulling faces and pacing around the stage to catch your eye. I think they are even more metal driven than last time I saw them at the Gravity Festival in Cannock. Two more from TAMOGG and as ‘Take It Or Leave It’ and ‘Bring The Rain’ are delivered, the room is packed and it’s getting pretty hot in here. There are a lot of dedicated fans down the front and boy are they enjoying this, got to agree the inclusion of ‘Massacre’ with the ‘War Pigs’ insert is a winner and one of the best renditions of the day, Neal Hill on the drum stool was not ignored and the loud appreciation from the crowd said it all. ‘Green Eyes’ and the slightly more melodic ‘No Lies’ brought proceedings to a climax. Thoroughly enjoyed them tonight. (DD)
MASON HILL - Over five years in the making but finally Glasgow based Mason Hill can deliver their much anticipated debut album Against The Wall to live audiences. Starting off with ‘Hold On’ and following it with the third single from the album ‘DNA’ both tracks are great catchy sing along numbers that the crowd lap up. Singer Scott Taylor wears his heart on his sleeve and his emotions come flooding through in his delivery drawing the audience ever deeper into the performance. With Craig McFetridge on drums and Mathew Ward on bass supplying the booming backdrop for guitarists Marc Montgomery and James Bird to weave their magic spell on ‘Your Memory’ and ‘No Regret’ with Scott engaging the crowd with his conversation between tracks, it’s like you’ve been invited for a cup of tea and a chat such is the genuine connection with everyone. But there is this fantastic hard rock backdrop that‘s putting you off dunking your rich tea biscuit and inciting you to nod your head and bounce with the rhythm instead. ‘Find My Way’ and the emotionally charged ‘Broken Son’ keep the frenetic pace going as do ‘Out Of Reach’ and the album title track ‘Against The Wall’ with the enthusiastic crowd singing along at every opportunity. Further audience participation is up next with a cover of the Foo Fighters ‘Best Of You’ with Scott conducting the call and response with aplomb. ‘We Pray’ is yet another catchy tune before they round things off with ‘Where I Belong’ and ‘Now You See Me’ leaving a breathless crowd eager for more. I’m eager to see them on the road again in September and October as they tour their album and I urge you to get tickets to see them in smaller venues while you still can. (MF)
Before the headliners, Jodie takes to the stage to thank everyone and Si Genaro joins her, again offering a massive thank you to everybody involved, in making Nozfest 2021 a tremendous success.
THE TREATMENT - Tenth band on at 10pm (the running order has been spot on) are the headliners. It’s a big welcome back to the stage after 18 months and the Cambridge based band have a new recruit; Andy Milburn takes over on bass from long term member Rick Newman. ‘I Bleed Rock & Roll’ summons the crowd to the front and we have action. Vocalist Tom Rampton lets loose, his screams are high and loud enough to reach the next street and you can see the band are pumped to the hilt, it’s time to release all that energy that’s been stacking up. This is full on from the start, nonstop, ferocious and as raw as grinding metal. I soon realise how much I have missed this band, as they storm through ‘Eyes On You’ and ‘Vampress’ from the new album ‘Waiting For Good Luck’ and the much loved ‘Let’s Get Dirty’ from ‘Power Crazy’. Co-ordinating their guitar waving stances, Tagore Grey and brother Tao engage with the audience on every move, firing riffs into the front rows. An older track ‘Let It Begin’ has crash and burn sticks by way of Dhani Mansworth and that catchy chorus, ‘You can’t stop this runaway train, burnin up fuel with the boys again’ yes boys, you are on fire! A long dose of new songs follow, the amazing ‘Wrong Way’ which is a sultry ear-worm of a song and one of my recent favourites, then ‘Take It Or Leave It’ and the stonking thriller ‘Rat Race’ a track that encompasses what the Treatment hold close, pulsating with all the vigour of AC/DC and chanting evenly like the mightiest of classic rock bands. The aptly titled ‘Hold Fire’ carries on in the same flowing manner and you could ignite the room with one match, the air is so combustible. We head back to 2014 for ‘Get The Party On’ and 2011 with ‘Shake The Mountain’ both getting the 1865 Nozzers into a singing frenzy, it’s impossible not to sing along. They leave the stage to roaring cheers and after Si invites them back, Tom asks us what do we want to hear, ’The Doctor’ or ‘Running With The Dogs’ ? The latter wins with the loudest response and they oblige, it’s another sing along session before the lights finally descend. A magnificent performance, welcome back guys and we will see you on the road. (DD)
Our interview with THE TREATMENT will be on the Rock Media UK page very soon.
Another well organised Nozfest and another day of sheer bliss. All ten bands were simply brilliant; it was well worth the journey to see Trouble County and Spyder Byte, new bands for me and the return of Western Sand who blew the cobwebs off early in the day. Perfect performances by Wicked Jackals, Beth Blade, Collateral and the lovely guys from Hollowstar and the final three, Skam, Mason Hill and The Treatment were absolutely awesome. Couldn’t have been any better, thanks again to Jodie, Si and David Chinery, also everyone at the 1865 and the stage crew, for making it such a great festival. We were some of the last to leave and headed for the after show at the Firehouse, which is another superb music venue and pub, just a few yards away in Vincents Walk.
To the memory of Lloyd Allen, R.I.P.
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