Artist: Black Stone Cherry & Stone Gods

Venue: Carling Academy, Newcastle  

Date: 6 December 2008  

At least it was warm inside the Carling Academy last night and more than just due to the packed out crowd who’d turned up to see these young whippersnappers from Edmunton, Kentucky, who seem to be taking rock by storm over the last twelve months or so. 

Along with Sevendust, a surprise support act was Stone Gods, who were here only a matter of weeks ago at the gig of the year with Airbourne, and even though they only had half the time to impress tonight, they once again did so big style, with their heavy sounding songs taken from the debut album ‘Silver spoons and broken bones’, that almost makes a mockery of their past ventures in The Darkness. They’re definitely a band to watch in 2009 on form like this.

Main act Black Stone Cherry took no time in getting the audience in the palm of their hand, soon proving that just because their young they can’t mix it with the big boys, as they used the stage as if they owned it, especially rhythm guitarist Ben Wells, who prowled about, rock posed and shook his head like there was no tomorrow. Surely he’s the new guitar-playing eye candy for the girls who were clamouring to touch him every time he was at the edge of the stage. 

Lead vocalist Chris Robertson has the type of voice a lad of his age shouldn’t have but is perfect for their style of grungy southern rock, the bassist Jon Lawson the quiet one and the drummer John Fred Young…Well picture animal from the Muppets and you’re half way there! We were pre-warned by Richie Edwards so as the longer the set went on, the more manic he got! 

As time passed, songs such as ‘Blindman’, ‘Ghost of Floyd Collins’ and ‘Hell and High Water’ from their two successful CD’s got an airing and Black Stone Cherry seemed well at home on stage, changing guitar umpteen occasions just to show off! Then about halfway through they decided to do what I can only describe as a jamming session that came out of nowhere. 

Robertson took over on drums, Young went on harmonica and a roadie became guitarist taking part in a quite meaningless free for all. It seemed to throw the audience for a few seconds but did not stop them from clapping along in parts. Unfortunately worse was to follow as Young decided to do he’d do a ‘Tommy Aldridge’ drum solo, sticks and bare hands that seemed to last an age but didn’t impress the older fans judging from the queue for the gents toilets mid solo! 

Luckily the band got their act together and the likes of ‘Lonely Tree’, ‘Shooting Star’ and ‘Peace is Free’ got things back on track, though it was a bad move to try and get the balcony to stand up! 

Eventually after some guitar playing via the microphone stand and a sermon of sorts from Robertson the gig ended, though on a sour note as the band were told they couldn’t play any more as they’d run out of time which was met by a barrage of boo’s that soon turned to cheers when Robertson promised to do a full two hour set next time to make up for it. The thing is, they could easily have done this tonight if they hadn’t messed about midway through, but I suppose being young kids on their own tour they’re bound to get excited and cocky so we’ll let them off this time in the hope of getting a full set of songs ONLY next time.
*Review by Bob.

 

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