Skid Row / The Quireboys / Crashdiet / Matt Mitchell & The Coldhearts
The Mill, Digbeth, Birminghamm - 8/12/19
Live review by; DeeDee
Arriving early in Digbeth, there was time to grab a swift drink in the Dead Wax establishment, which had a very warm and friendly atmosphere and being only over the road from tonights’ venue it was very handy. At The Mill there was a couple of interviews to do, then it was soon time for the doors to open and the room filled to capacity really quickly.
I have seen Matt Mitchell before, with a solo acoustic set, but The Coldhearts had eluded me until now, so I was keen to get a good view for MATT MITCHELL & THE COLDHEARTS and decided the balcony was the best place to be. Mr Mitchell is a totally different animal when he is stood in front of his band, let free to strut about the stage, he creates quire a striking persona. All the numbers tonight are from this years ‘Black Diamonds’ album and ‘Unavailable’ is the sultry, hook filled opener. Matt’s vocals are so distinctive, but I can’t help compare his deep and low range to the likes of Iggy Pop or Lou Reed, he has that kind of dark and mystical, self confidence when he sings, especially on ‘Kings & Queens’. The song ‘Wave Goodbye’ is another like the first, that has some very attractive guitar work. Here Matt raises to a higher and faster pace, showing us his amazing ability, retaining power with the top notes. The title track ‘Black Diamonds’ is a credit to this songwriters creativity, seductive and enticing, moody and an absolute gem. Playing to an almost full room, MM&TCH have earned a few more fans tonight, without a doubt. I will definitely have to see these guys again, hopefully when they headline somewhere.
I first saw CRASHDIET at this years HRH Sleaze, where they stormed the main stage. The band soon set up, while Gabriel Keys gets those at the barrier to join him, for some vocals to warm up. With make up, ripped jeans and custom made embellished jackets, I particularly like bassist Peter Londons’, Crashdiet just ooze sleazy rock and roll. ‘Reptile’ off this years ‘Rust’ is the first up and it takes no time at all to get the party started. Keys is a full on frontman, he spends most of the song standing on the barrier, encouraging the audience at every opportunity to sing along and clap. We get 2 off ‘Rest In Sleaze’ from 2005, as they play ’Ticket’ and ‘Riot In Everyone’, both great rockers and Martin Sweet executes a lot of quality riffs on his 6 string. More from ‘Rust’ with ‘We Are The Legion’ and the title number, by now it is evident that they are really gong down well. The Mill is full and everyone is in high spirits, judging by the scene from my excellent spot upstairs.
Oh so soon, the last one is announced, ’Generation Wild’ which harks from way back in 2010, Gabriel sings this while on the barrier again, this time held by a a kind gentleman in the crowd and a security guy, so he doesn’t fall off. Hard to believe they have been around since 2000 and despite tragedy and the ups and downs a lot of bands suffer, they carry on and boy do they know how to impress. I notice a change in the line up tonight and Martin confirms later that his brother is standing in for drummer Eric Young at the moment, but he should be back next year.
THE QUIREBOYS must be the band I have seen the most times, from around 1989, when the line up included Guy Bailey and Nigel Mogg, right up to, well tonight of course! The tinkling of keys from Keith Weir signals the arrival on stage of frontman Spike and company and ‘Hey You’ is delivered with all the raucous, rock and roll rawness, that only The Quireboys can muster. Another from the old days ‘There She Goes Again’ follows and there are about nine hundred people singing along. After all these years, the set has evolved with new tracks and from the latest album, ‘Amazing Disgrace’, the fabulous ‘Sinner Serenade’ is one of them. Lots of slide guitar form Paul Guerin and Guy Griffin and the fact that drummer Dave McCluskey has been a permanent part of the band since 2014, has probably helped to cement and reinforce the structure. Back to favourites ‘Sweet Mary Ann’ and ‘7 O’clock’ before the set ends. Still fun to watch, still one of the most professional and entertaining of bands and Spike is still one of the most respected of crooners.
After a long delay, when two guys have to fetch a ladder to switch some stage lights off, SKID ROW amid a bombardment of very strong lights, hit the stage, the lights are so bright, that those few that caused the wait, wouldn’t have made any difference. The initial three songs are from the 1989 debut album, ‘Makin A Mess’, ‘Big Guns’ and ‘Piece Of Me’. Dave ’Snake’ Sabo, sporting a shorter haircut and Scotti Hill, retain all the quick fire licks, that helped shoot these boys to fame nearly 33 years ago. ‘Livin On A Chain Gang’ from 1991 and the ’Slave To The Grind’ classic album, sees vocalist ZP Theart rip into the song and it is easy to see why he won the audition a few years ago. He has brought new life to the band and has fitted in perfectly. The next album in the United World Rebellion Trilogy, due out mid 2020, will be the first to feature the ex Dragonforce frontman. After ’18 And Life’ it is bassist Rachel Bolans’ turn to stun us with ‘Psychotherapy’ part of the usual routine but always a highlight. Some cool solo work from Scotti and more heavy laden renditions from ZPt during ‘Monkey Business’ and ‘Riot Act’, when the singer chucks water over the moshers down the front.
After a brief respite, Snake returns to deliver his heartfelt message of thanks and how much it means to play Birmingham, home to Heavy Metal. He also points out that Skid Row and The Quireboys go back years as friends and have had some good times together. At this point Spike joins him for a drinking contest, they both down a bottle of beer and Snake narrowly wins, I would have lost that bet, although he (Snake) did say Spike said he let him win! A few man hugs and then it’s back to business with ‘Slave To The Grind’ and ‘In A Darkened Room’ also from that era. A dozen or so massive balloons are set free to accompany ‘Youth Gone Wild’ and the place is in turmoil. Wow what an end to the current tour.
Another perfect evening of music, four bands who were all fantastic and an audience who thoroughly enjoyed it.
4.5 / 5