Bands: Skid Row & Sign  
Venue: Rios, Leeds
Date: 17 November 2007   

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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