New Wave Of Classic Rock Webfest 3
16th August 2020- Day 2
Review by; DeeDee
After a blazing Saturday of so many epic performances, Webfest 3 continued promptly at 2pm on Sunday afternoon. With my head still ringing from some amazing music yesterday, I joined the event full of anticipation and excitement. Once again the NWOCR boys were down the garden in their cozy and rather splendid shed, to link us to all the bands. Anne Estella was in charge of interviews and with around 22 bands to get through in 8 hours, it was time to settle back and watch the second day of the NWOCR Webfest 3.
Overview of Sunday 16th.
It was a voyage of discovery for the first 2 hours or so, with bands I hadn’t seen before, starting with Crooked Shapes. Using the garage as a stage was a stroke of genius, the band are very blues/rock orientated with that early 70’s retro feel. Coming out of Reading the 3 friends have been together for over 10 years. Last year the ‘Fallout’ EP was released, five tracks of moody and blissful vocals from George Twydell and high pressure groove guitar by George Ives. Craig Carlaw on drums, completes the line up. What a fantastic beginning, their latest single ‘Let It Go’, is a heavier composition, with deeper, soul finding lyrics and complex guitar parts, that just stun you.
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The Dead Amigos are from Melbourne and from the off, you witness their unspoilt and unashamedly chaotic brand of Aussie humour. Lighthearted rock edged with a tinge of country, they only play a couple, but ‘Starve Together’ was a masterpiece. They did record a 5 track, eponymous EP in 2016, which makes for good listening. Old Glory and The Black Riviera introduced themselves with an acoustic session, only 2 of them, but lovely harmonies and a chance to sample the sweet vocals of Jord Davies and Jay Meehan. This paved the way for a full on performance, that showed how they create Southern swamp inspired melodies. ‘Dirty, gritty, sleaze metal from Kent’ is how Spyder Byte are described. Playing tracks from the album ‘When The Lights Go Out’ they lick off with ‘Norturnal Beauty’ with its glam and sleaze driven magic. Have to say this is the video of the day, the up close and personal face of singer Daniel Lawrence is from the Kenny Everett school of showmanship, so brilliant it totally wiped me out. Cutting to the rest of the band individually, we saw just a mass of hair from Nathan Hammond on bass and the over serious guitarist, nail that pout, Connor Cape was awesome, I was mesmerised. ‘Spark’ and ‘Back Velvet Love’ were full of the cheesy and sunset strip attitude that Spyder Byte aim to please us with, I loved them.
King Voodoo provide a really decent video, in black and white that gives it a classy edge. ‘Fever’ is in the heavy grunge mode, but Jamie Suffield has such elegance and warmth in his voice, it counterbalances the rawness to perfection. You have to admire Ian Johnson’s choice of guitars as well, during ‘Hold On’, which addresses the prevention of suicide, he picks up a twin necked beauty to add some 12 string panache. This is quite a poignant song, sad and haunting, I hope it gets the message across from the lyrics, as you know ‘You Are Not Alone’. ’Tvc’ also from the ‘4 EP’ of 2019, is followed by a new one called ‘Drag Me To The River’, another with low riffs and impeccable vocals. Up next is a familiar face, that of Rob Reece. Previously of ‘Reece’ he now fronts The Autumn Killers with Duncan Richardson on guitar/keys and Kriss James on drums. Giving an acoustic version of tracks from the EP ‘Dance Floor Mayhem’ that only came out recently, Rob and Duncan do themselves credit. These are well written songs, hard punching yet remaining simple, they catch as easily as sparks. I am new to The Deep Sea Gypsies a Canadian outfit with a new 10 track album out titled ‘Check Your Pockets’. All 5 songs they play are from the album, first being ’Situation’ which is a cheerful jazzy number. I am immediately hooked, watching them on their video, it is evident how professional these guys are. Get a load that Black Gretsch as well, I don’t even play guitar, but that is a stunning instrument. As they amble through the set, ‘First Stone’ with its Joe Walsh, laid back melody, is before ‘Double Down’ that has loads of slide from that Gretsch. ‘Way She Goes’ and ‘Crazy Thing’ are rocky rhythm and blues. Fantastic stuff guys and some pretty impressive Zeppelin tattoos.
Soul Jacker hail from Wrexham and have only been together since early 2018. They describe themselves as a, quote ‘Alternative Rock band with heavy indie, blues, punk and psychedelic influences’. To be honest the sound isn’t wonderful coming out from Rhos Mountain, but I like the more rough and ready attitude of these Welsh young guns, so I endure the poor audio quality. Check out the new 5 track EP ‘The Rhostyllen Sessions’ it’s basic and naively brilliant. The next video starts up, somewhere in a wooded area. I guess in the vicinity of Southampton, stand The Outlaw Orchestra this band are like no other. If you have seen them live, you know what I mean, a banjo, lap Steel, double bass, guitar and drums, along with the verse, humour and charming vocals of Rocker Dave, the combination is unique. The new album ‘Pantomine Villains’ is a thing of wonder. If you get the chance to see them, don’t hesitate, you are pleasured with true Dixie and Cajun Southern style music, maybe a bit of Flamenco thrown in as well. Pretty new on the scene to me are Häxan, although they have been together for a few years now. Anne interviewed vocalist and guitar player Sam Bolderson first of all and we gained an insight into how the trio from Cheltenham and South Wales are progressing. The set from their recent performance at Download, didn’t offer the best of sound, but ‘Back To My place’ and ‘Louder Than Words’ showed them to be the female answer to Motorhead without being at all sexist in my comment. ‘Grave Digger’ with its drag along the kerb hook, is a mean piece of work. The new album ‘White Noise’ came out back in July and raised a few eyebrows that normally remain stationary.
Albany Down already have 3 albums under their belt, providing a lighter and more blues focused set, I did admire how beautifully crafted their songs were and how well they came across in their video. ‘Jealousy’, ‘Not over Yet’ and particularly ‘Sing Me To Sleep’ won me over. A casual meeting in a studio and a need for a new melodic rock band, resulted in Devilfire. The Birmingham legends, are fronted by Alex Cooper who’s grand scheme has come true. The set for Webfest 3 is from the 2017 debut album ‘Dark Manoeuvres’ and consists of ‘A Thousand Times’. ‘(You Gotta) Revolution’, ‘Kill Your Love’, God Gimme Vengeance’ and ‘She’s Like Fire’. You have to accept that this band is one of very few, young UK crews that can safely say they are AOR anthem huggers. The new album ‘Black Soul Vendetta’ is out on September 4th and is already causing shock waves of anticipation from the faithful. Go to their social pages for a link on how to pre-order what will be a massive 2020 hit. I first saw Twister at the HRH Highway to Hell contest last year, they won it quite convincingly and a record deal was part of the spoils. Amazingly, frontman Stevie Stoker started Twister at the tender age of 12, the sleaze/ glam rockers, with their flowing, pumping and melodic numbers are increasing their foothold these days, so it is fantastic to learn that a new album ‘Cursed and Corrected’ will be released on November 13th. Reading up on the band, they all started playing when they were very young, as early as 9 for drummer Jack Corbett, good to see that all that effort has paid off. I was captivated with the interview by Anne with Elles Bailey. What a lovely person, so genuine and open, she told us how she was astounded to win 'Artist of the Year' & 'Album of the Year' at the UK Blues Awards and ‘UK Song of the year' with Americana Awards. She said it was such a joy to be able to play again after being reunited with her band after lockdown and her set was utterly amazing. For lovers of Blues in its truest form, take time out to listen to Elles, she is 100% Blues goddess. Carrying on with Blues to headline the festival were The Kris Barras Band Kris also spoke to Anne before the set, catching up on what he’s achieved so far and how he enjoys every part of the journey. Well, the guy is a once in a lifetime phenomenon, winning countless accolades and the only band to play the Rambin’ Man Festival 3 years in succession. Signed to Mascot records alongside the likes of Joe Bonamassa, Black Stone Cherry and Monster Truck, just signifies how highly he is considered in the dynasty of the Blues. A promise of maybe a new album in 2021, but in the meantime listen to ‘Light It Up’.
Time to say thank you for all those involved, the NWOCR guys, Anne Estella and all the bands who took time and trouble to provide their music. After 16 hours over the two days, it finally comes to a close. Again apologies if I didn’t mention your favourite band, it is impossible to cover all, but I will probably catch many of them on the road next year. A full list and links to the show can be found below.
Sunday line-up:
Crooked Shapes, The Dead Amigos, Old Glory & The Black Riviera, Spyder Byte, Stone Thieves, Graces Collide, King Voodoo, The Autumn Killers, Deep Sea Gypsies, Soul Jacker, Haxan, Ward XVI, The Outlaw Orchestra, RHR, Albany Down, JoanovArc, Devilfire, Revival Black, Twister, Skam, Elles Bailey, Kris Barras
FB Live: https://www.facebook.com/nwocrwebfest/live/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/hvwVmlsqj50
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Inglorious Kris Barras Band Ryders Creed, Elles Bailey, Twister, Pröwess, Revival Black, Liberty Lies,SKAM, Scarlet Rebels, Tomorrow Is Lost, New Device, Soul Jacker,JOANovARC, Albany Down, Devilfire, RHR Redfern & Ross Hermanos, Häxan, Ward XVI, Everyday Heroes, Jack J Hutchinson, deVience, Shape Of Water, Deep Sea Gypsies, Sons of Liberty UK, The Outlaw Orchestra, Bastette, Mongrel Dogs, AUSTIN GOLD, Wicked Smile, Catfish, Graces Collide, Stone Thieves, The Autumn Killers, Gallows Circus, BlitZ, Tom Killner Band, The Dead Amigos, King Voodoo, Wolf Moon, Dig Lazarus, Crooked Shapes, Spyder Byte, Old Glory & The Black Riviera Cancel The Transmission Anne Estella