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New Wave Of Classic Rock Webfest 3
15th August 2020 - Day 1
Online review by; DeeDee
The guys from NWOCR really set the standard back in June with Webfest 2, that was a one day event with 23 bands over 8 hours. Not resting on any laurels, they have now raised their own bar, returning with Webfest 3, which was over 2 days. Sixteen hours and I lost count of the number of bands, but it was somewhere in the region of 45. A mixture of special recordings, pre-recorded, acoustic and pre virus gig footage, with interviews by Anne Estella and entertaining chat from the NWOCR co-presenters. A lot to pack in but, with an incredible line-up and a wide range of styles it was also an opportunity to check out some bands new to me, so I was determined to watch it all.
Overview of Saturday 15th.
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OK, straight in with Wicked Smile the Aussie combo featuring Steve Janevski, (who you may know from The Radio Sun) and Danny Cecati on vocals. Danny has the most eye catching head of hair and of course a marvellous voice. Four songs are delivered from the GM Sound Studios, I would put them down as classic hard rock, wow what a start, Steve is a virtuoso on guitar. The debut album ‘Delirium’ is out now.
Cancel the Transmission from Cardiff, have been around since 2015, they put on a 20 minute set with their energetic and fluid brand. I liked them and the singers shirt, very colourful. The album ‘Live It Up’ from last December, got rave reviews. After a chat with Anne Estella, Wolf Moon gave us some footage from the studio and a recent gig. I was impressed with the guitarist; there were some lengthy solos that just shined. Previously known as the duo ‘Lethbridge Owen’, it was an interesting and entertaining set. Anne is in the interview seat again with Dig Lazarus who I did see before lockdown, supporting Daxx & Roxane. A great band, with unbent power and hard hitting songs, the steadfast, ‘Tell Me Why’, ‘Satisfied’ and ‘Joker’ were followed by ‘Feel’ and ‘Salacious’ new meeting old. Heavier and more pounding, they write some really intriguing stuff.
The Tom Killner Band are a blues outfit from Yorkshire. Great sublime vocals and retro guitar, reminded me of Cream and The Spencer Davis Group, as they gave off that air of classic British blues. With a set specially recorded for the festival, the sound was spot on. Listen to their CD ‘Get back Up’ and be enthralled. Blitz started up with ‘Damage’ from the new album ‘Fight To Survive’, the band have gained a lot of media interest with this sophomore. Off the first long player, ‘Welcome To The Rock Show’, that came out in 2019, ‘Don’t Look Back’ and ‘I Believe’ are intertwined with the latest single ‘One In A Million’. Stuart Corden is a cool looking frontman, decked in a bandanna and shades that fit so well. It’s a shame we lost contact for a while during the set, unless it was just my computer, however the band have added another song to the set on their Facebook page, so take a look. The Mongrel Dogs were one band I was looking forward to seeing, so a bit miffed that their performance was a few videos that I had seen before. ‘We’ll Paint This Town Red’ and ‘Pursuits’ were seen before the upcoming single ‘Fever’ and they headed out on ‘High’ and ‘Midnight Affairs’, all good, creative and easy on the ears, Mongrel Dogs are a decent new band. I know it must be difficult to get together and record anything at the present, so they are forgiven! I will just have to stay patient a while longer to see them perform live, I’m sure it will be worth the wait. We get the best acoustic set of the day, in my mind at least, from Kent rockers Gallows Circus. The 4 tracks ‘Game On’, ‘Good For My Fever’, ’Holding My Breath’ and ‘White House Road’ were perfectly accomplished by just 2 of the band. Vocals from Ian Day were outstanding, he has a tremendous voice.
Anne interviews DeVience who are a 5 piece with plenty of charisma. ’Lady Of The Night’ is the standout number for me, with as much funky groove as ‘Extreme’ and loads of cool attitude. Frontman Giovanni Spano is quite affable and is a natural on camera. Next up are Shape Of Water who are a surprisingly adept bunch. The guitar playing of Luca De Falco is particularly phenomenal and as they belt out 5 songs from the ’New Illusions’ album, I’m in admiration of the riffs. Vocals from fellow Italian Rox Capriotti are so mesmerising, I’m glad the two friends stuck at it after their previous band split up, as ‘The world is Calling Me’ is one of the songs of the day. Written about global superpowers and their supremacy, it is of the wow factor. Others included in the set also deal with deep and meaningful issues, ‘Scar’ is about life after a breakup and ‘Not All The Things’ addresses unwanted fatherhood. Excellent band, I’m adding them to the list to see live. Jack J Hutchinson apart from being the most amazing blues guitarist is one of the most hard working guys in the business. He just never seems to stop, there is always a new project up and running and the marketing is handled so well. Five from him and his band, mostly from the faultless ‘Who Feeds The Wolf’ album. But he does cover Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Oh Well’ which is a fitting tribute to the late Peter Green. Ending on a new and exclusive track ‘World On Fire’ who cannot like JJH, the man is becoming a national hero. Refreshing to see London based New Device on the schedule. The band, fronted by Daniel Leigh, give us a mix of video from gigs, studio and online, offering us some stability to the day. ‘On Your Knees’ is a spectacular number, the guitar of Matt Mallery is so uplifting and then in contrast ‘Back To You’ is quietly absorbing. I love the bass tones from Lzi Hayes and robustness of drummer Roz Ison. The new EP ‘Karoshi’ (Japanese for worked to death ) is out now and is a 6 track wonder.
As we reach Liberty Lies we get to the last 5 bands. Anne chats to their superb vocalist Shaun Richards in what is the best interview of the day; he is sat in his car in a supermarket car park while his other half is doing the shopping; only a Black Country bloke can carry this off. In his broad Wednesbury accent, he tells us how the band are progressing and the likelihood of a second album in November. We then switch to the set, most of which is from the incredible debut ‘It’s The Hope That Kills You’. The final number is cut for some reason, so the appropriately titled ‘Are You Listening?’ can be seen on the bands Facebook page. Liberty Lies are one of the best new bands around, completing the line up are Adam Stevens on drums, Miles Bagshaw on Bass and guitarists Josh Pritchett and Liam Billings. I recommend the second album already! Welsh wonders Scarlet Rebels get underway with ‘Not The One’ which features on their new 7 track, live mini album ‘Made In Sonic One’ due out in October. I am looking forward to hearing it, as it was recorded in one take, ‘no overdubs, no backing tapes, just pure rock n roll’ to quote the guys. They carry on with numbers from the popular ‘Show Your Colours’ album. ‘No One Else To Blame’, the haunting and perfectly created ‘Heal’ and finally ‘You Take My Breath Away’. A favourite band of NWOCR fans, Scarlet Rebels never fail to impress.
Pröwess are a new band for me, a 5 man crew from Charlotte North Carolina. Recorded in Club Fungus Tennessee, the songs get into your blood from the start. ‘Black Top Therapy’ ‘Welcome Home’ and the fantastic ‘Every Right’ are blasted out with cool, hard and textured layers. I like the guitarist’s Muppet t-shirt, I love the vocals from Dalton Bowes and the swagger emitting from this band. They cover Deep Purple’s ‘Mistreated’ and it’s one of the best versions I’ve heard, remarkable presence even in that little Oak Ridge Venue. They end on ‘Looking For A Bullet’ which has to be one of the best songs I’ve heard today, I want this band to get over to the UK and tour asap!
No introduction is needed for Ryders Creed the Staffordshire 4 piece are one of the most popular on the NWOCR circuit and are added to festivals on a regular basis. Lead man Ryan Antony ploughs his way through this specially recorded set for Webfest 3. The tracks from their 2 albums give us a reminder of just how blended this band have become. Go to their Facebook page for an update on new singles and what the band have been up to during lockdown. We get to the headliners Inglorious starting with an interview, joining Anne are Nathan, Dan and Danny. It is interesting to learn that Nathan is currently giving singing lessons and that he lists Liberty Lies as one of his favourite bands at the moment. A great set follows from the band, mainly gig footage but it does give us a perfect finale to day one.
5/5
Fortunately if you missed any of the festival, it can still be viewed on Youtube. It has been impossible to mention every band, so a list of all performers can be seen below. Also below are links to the main NWOCR site and a link to the merchandise store.
The review of Day 2 will follow shortly.
Webfest 3 T-Shirts: https://newwaveofclassicrock.bigcartel.com/
Saturday line-up in full -
Wicked Smile, Cancel The Transmission, Wolf Moon, Dig Lazarus, The Tom Killner Band, Blitz, Mongrel Dogs, Gallows Circus, Catfish, Bastette, DeVience, Shape of Water, Sons of Liberty, Jack Hutchinson, Everyday Heroes, Tomorrow is Lost, New Device, Liberty Lies, Scarlet Rebels, Prowess, Ryders Creed, Inglorious
FB Live: https://www.facebook.com/nwocrwebfest/live/
https://www.facebook.com/nwocrwebfest
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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
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