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Once again I find myself travelling to attend a gig. There are great
memories of Bradford Rio’s and watched with glee as something new would
have been done everytime we attended. Well that venue is no more and so it
is to the new Rio’s in Leeds we go. Now I had heard a few stories about
this venue before I attended, a former nightclub called Heaven & Hell that
didn’t seem to suit a gigging venue status. Yes, the stage is much
smaller, but there is a lot soundproofing which helps the sound no end.
It’s also a fairly intimate venue with good views around the room on three
levels and a couple of TV screens project the band playing onstage, pity
the stage lighting doesn’t help the screen view though.
Anyway, onto the first band of the night, Iceland’s very own Sign, not The
Sign, just Sign, a band who seem to have made England their 2nd home. I
caught them headlining the 2nd night at Trashstock in August and was
mightily impressed with this supercharged, young and “too-good looking for
their own good”, band. I was also taking photo’s tonight, first time with
this camera, so hoping the flaming things turnout, I apologise to one and
all if they’re crap, plus I was in the grip of the bug that is currently
doing the rounds, so wasn’t feeling on top form at all. Was so busy
trying to get some piccies the first 3 songs flew by, included 'Dancin’
In', but the set includes songs from new CD
'The Hope' (buy, buy, buy!) and get
the crowd at the front going.
These boys really go
for it, making use of the small amount of space they have on stage,
Zolberg is an energetic and captivating frontman and the ladies love him,
especially when he takes his top off (calm down girls!!). He brings to
mind a young Iggy Pop but with a much better voice. When he straps on a
guitar the band are transformed into a triple axe attack and assault the
front of the stage like their lives depended on it. 4th song in is
'Misguided' and I think to myself that if MTV got a hold of this band they’d
be huge, they have the looks, attitude and the songs. There’s quite a few
in here tonight just to see Sign, so the constant touring, playing every
toilet that will have them, is slowly paying off.
Next up is 'Thank God
For The Silence' and after deciding to move away from the front of the
stage I get to hear the sound a lot better, very beefy with a great drum
sound. The band launch into the title track from the new CD, 'The Hope' and
I could just about hear the keyboards on this one. Then all too soon it’s
over with last song of the night, 'When Demons Win', a combination of melody
and balls out rock. I recommend you check this band out if they come to a
town near you, they will entertain and rock your world.
And so to the main event, Skid fuckin’ Row people!!. Last time out I was
impressed with vocalist Jonny Solinger, he had the voice to tackle the
songs and really got the crowd going, so was looking forward to being
battered about the head with some balls out rock’n’roll. The band explded
on stage with 'Makin’ A Mess'
and it was a case of take no prisoners as they
attacked the front of the stage, sending the crowd into a feeding frenzy.
We get, 'Piece of Me'
and 'Sweet Little Sister'
in quick succession, Solinger
always seems happy when he’s onstage and give’s it the “ it’s Saturday
night and we’re in Leeds with you fuckin’ crazy english muthafuckers”
speech. The crowd lap it up, the band are flicking plecs into the audience
like confetti. At this point I suddenly realise that Scotti Hill looks
like an extra from Planet of the Apes, the beard is not a good look on
him, he also has the scariest eyes this side of an in-patient from the
local psycho ward, but who am I to talk, being the fat, ugly, bald bastard
not in a band!
Just when you think the whole night is gonna be all about
the first two albums we get 'New Generation' and the band continue to bait
the crowd before slowing things down with '18 and Life', the crowd singing
the words. Next up is 'Monkey Business' and
'Big Guns', before Solinger
retires from the stage to let Rachel Bolan sing the fuck out of that old
Ramones cheshnut 'Psycho Therapy'. Solinger returns for I
'Remember You', the
song starting off acoustically and the crowd sing along like banshees
before the band crash back in to finish it off.
Then it’s on to last years
album 'Revolutions Per Minute', for
'Disease' and the sound is great from
behind the mixing desk. Then we’re on to
the last song of the main set, the
heavy as fuck 'Slave To The Grind', the audience feeding off the energy
coming from the stage, the band having given their all and done it with
smiles on their faces. Encore time and we get 'Beat Yourself Blind', party
anthems 'Get The Fuck Out' and, of course,
'Youth Gone Wild'.
Skid Row thrive in a live situation and can still pull a sizeable crowd
year in year out Tonight they entertained and worked the crowd like the
pro’s they are and the lapped up every last ringing chord. Next time
they’re in the vicinty 'Get The Fuck Out'
the house and be a 'Youth Gone Wild'
one more time.
PS. The photos were crap!!! Never said I was David Bailey, oh well better
luck next time.
* Review by Brassy.
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