Artist:  Danny Vaughn, Violent Storm, Crimes Of Passion & In The Name Of

Venue: Corporation, Sheffield  

Date: 2 June 2007   

Sheffield, home of steel, Wednesday and United.  Sheffield, hometown of Joe Cocker, Def Leppard, the Arctic Monkeys.  Sheffield, home to the mighty City Hall, The Limit Club, The Leadmill, The Boardwalk and for us tonight, The Corporation. 

So why travel 2 hours south to see a band you ask when you could have seen em in Newcastle a few weeks earlier.  Well the reason is...not a fan of the venue, ticket price, facilities etc and I’ve been to The Corporation on a number of occasions, it may look like a warehouse but the facilities are there for bands and fans alike, if you haven’t been I suggest you check it out, and the one guarantee is, that Danny will give it 100%.

Unfortunately, due to wandering around the city checking out the Peace Gardens, Winter Gardens, the very posh and expensive St Pauls Mercure Hotel and feeding our faces, my companion and myself missed first band, In The Name Of, but the feedback was that they were young and energetic so we’ll probably get to see ‘em in future. ‘Til the next time guys. 

We got into the venue 5 minutes before Crimes of Passion hit the stage, and that is exactly what this band do, or to be more precise, it’s what Dale does, opening up with Exit Wound, he covers every inch of the stage in the first two minutes and as with every other gig I’ve seen this band play, treats it like he’s playing Madison Square Garden.  If he ever does get there he’ll probably forget what to do!  This band is a different beast to when Dale first hit a stage with ‘em and completely unrecognisable to the previous incarnation, Deadline, altogether heavier, sounding a lot tighter and enjoying themselves a lot more. 

By the 3rd song in Dale had shouted to Danny backstage that the crowd are here to see him, also told the crowd they have a myspace site and everyone should contact ‘em as we do reply, we do reply, we do reply and with each passing song I’m thinking Dale’s voice reminds me of another singer.  By the 4th song I’ve got it, Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt and Quiet Riot fame, except the blues emotion is missing, but Dale’s exuberance carries him through.  COP are only doing 35 minutes tonight and just before the last song we are told that Tony Mills of Shy/TNT fame does guest vocals on this track on the 2nd album.  Didn’t catch the title but it was the standout song of the set.   A solid set from a band that continues to hone it’s craft and in front of their home crowd.  Ditch the headgear Dale, makes you look like Benny Hill at times.

While we where waiting for co-headliner, Violent Storm my female companion asked me why the roadie was walking around with a little torch in his mouth, I explained he needed both hands to fiddle around with his equipment!!  She said he should get one that fits on his head, my reply was made easier, as said roadie waved his torch at the DJ to turn off the cd as the band where ready to come on, and I said, he’d look like he was having an epiletic fit if he had to do it with one strapped to his head woman!!

Now I’d not heard anything by Violent Storm and only knew that KK Downing of Priest has produced their album and bass player Mick Cervino has played with Yngwie J Malmsteen, the J distinguishes him from all the other Malmsteens remember!  The only two songs I got titles for were, 'Face', about ghosts apparently and 'Far Beyond The Sun', a Malmsteen instrumental that stirred a far off memory in me of Yngwie at Hammersmith many moons ago.  Guitarist Nicholls shreds exactly like Yngwie and Cervino plays his bass like it’s a lead guitar, very much in the Marcel Jacob mould.  The band gave it all they had and the set was well received by the crowd but for me there was nothing that stood out but if you like old school shredding check this band out.  Just to add, Violent Storm were the only band to have any merch on sale.

And so to the final event of the night, but before we get there, my gorgeous companion has noticed that when the roadie checks the mic it’s an inaudible grunt, she thinks this may have something to do with the fact he hasn’t got a torch in his mouth!!

The crowd has gradually swelled during the evening and you just know this is going to be a rockin’ night. It appears the acoustic jaunt with Journey has made DV a few more friends.  I have to admit that as much as a DV fan I am, going all the way back to the first Tyketto album, I was slightly disappointed with the new Traveller album, it just seemed to lack something so really wanted to hear the new stuff in live situation.  We both had complete faith in Danny’s abilities to give it all he’s got, god knows how many times we’ve seen him, and we agreed we have never seen him put on a bad show.....ever!!  

The intro to 'Miracle Days' pours from the pa and the band gradually appear on stage to cheers from the sizeable crowd, then a huge cheer as DV walks on and then boom, we’re off and running.  That voice cutting through through like a fine single malt, Lee Morris pounding the skins and covering backing vocals, the twin guitar attack of Tony Marshall and Pat Heath with Steve McKenna thumping down those basslines. 

Tonight we get songs from the Tyketto albums, including 'Wings', 'Standing Alone', 'Forever Young', 'Meet me in the Night', songs from the Vaughan albums, including 'Shadowland', which Danny tells us he never thought he’d be playing again until the guys persuaded him and 'Is That All There Is', during which Pat Heath’s solo is lower in the mix than a mute monkey and was actually like that for 90% of the show.  Message to FOH sound guy, once the sound check is done, the job ain’t over dude. 

The set is layered with songs from the new album and they are a totally different animal live, there’s an edge and vitality about them that just doesn’t come across on the cd.  'Warriors Way' in particular, heaviest song DV has written, but totally suited to this twin guitar attack.  Danny looks comfortable onstage, bantering with the crowd and the band as a whole look like they are having fun, moving around cajoling each other and this transfers to the crowd who eat up every song.

Then I notice it, Tony starts it off, hair flailing backwards, then Pat a split second later, ending with Steve McKenna a split second after that, 3 members of the band with more curls than a Shirley Temple convention, it’s a curly hair mexican wave!!! Even Danny got into it at one point.

A few songs into the set the band have exited stage right leaving Danny and his acoustic, he introduces 'Standing Alone' as a song he hopes has touched the lives of people over the years, understatement dude!!  So there we are, singing along, when suddenly the door just to our left flies open, Tony and Pat burst through, standing next to us for a few seconds, facing stagewards, whistling and cheering ... then they’re gone ... what was I saying about the band looking like they’re having fun! 

Danny thanked the bands that played, and gave a special mention to In The Name Of, young whippersnappers who introduced one of their songs as an old one, it was written in January!  Danny says here’s an old song and the band kick into 'Burning Down Inside' from the first Tyketto album, that’s an old song for you boys! 

Everything seemed to fall into place tonight, the band play for nearly 1½ hrs, old songs, new songs, crunchy guitars, crisp and clean guitars, thundering bass and solid drums, Danny belying his age and looking and  singing like a 30yr old and a whole band visibly enjoying playing in front of a more than appreciative audience.  The crowd were left smiling after singing and cheering along to every song, including a storming version of Thin Lizzy’s 'Cold Sweat' where you could actually hear Pat’s solo (sound guy must’ve woken up at this point). 

Tonight was an event and we both agreed it was the best £11 we’d spent in a long time, 4 bands (even though we only saw 3) and a rock disco afterwards where you didn’t have to leave the venue and pay to get back in. Just a shame there was no DV merch on sale, get it sorted for the next time guys.    

* Special Guest Reviewer: Brassy

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