Artist:  LA Guns, Love / Hate & New Generation Superstars

Venue: Rios, Leeds 

Date: 26 September 2008  

Now I managed to roll into Leeds around 4 pm and was expecting my female companion to arrive around 7.30 pm, but due to travel problems it was after 8 pm, so after a quick wash and brush up at the hotel and it was off to Rio's.  This venue is starting to grow on me after attending a number of gigs and the sound has definitely got better. 

Now I thought we may have missed New Generation Superstars but look who's onstage when we roll in, AJ and the boys were giving their all and even though I've seen em a few times now, it seems they'll forever be the bridesmaid and never the bride.  They are a workmanlike 4 piece and are damn good at what they do but I just don't feel they have the songs to carry them further up the ladder. 

AJ reminds me of a cross between Ricky Warwick with a headband and any number of LA sleaze-sters.  They look more like a gang than a band and songs like 'Dopefiend' and 'Do It Cus We Can' mix a punk attitude with that sleazy style and they get a healthy reaction from the partisan Rio's crowd who are out in force for the next two bands.

It's nearly 9.30 pm when Love/Hate hit the stage and the crowd are greeted by Skid and his infamous Bud Cross, which he kisses then punches the crap out of it.  The band launch straight into 'Blackout In The Red Room' with Jizz taking the crowd by the scruff of the neck from the off.  I tried to get closer to the stage but the crowd were packed at the front so I gave up and settled for a few snaps from what seemed miles away. 

The crowd were possessed, bouncing like demons, you could feel the floor moving up and down! The between song banter was kept to minimum but Jizz loves Leeds!!  Now I saw them last year on the reunion tour but this gig was better than that, Skid is a man of rubber, Darren on guitar has surfer look about him and Jizz is singing as good as he ever did.  Tearing through songs like 'Boozer', 'Tumbleweed', 'Spinning Wheel', 'Mary Jane', 'Tranquilizer', 'Wasted In America' and 'She's an Angel', this Leeds crowd lapped it up, singing along with every song and we got a rather voluptuous young lady jumping onstage at one point. This felt more like a headline set than a 2^nd on the bill slot. Finishing off with 'Why Do You Think They Call It Dope', they left a happy crowd well and truly sated. Time for a quick drinkie poos before the main event.

Phil Lewis' LA Guns entered stage right around 11 pm and with a midnight curfew, you just knew there'd be no slack in this set.  My companion and I managed to get within 6 feet of the stage right next to fire exit (thank god for the cool breeze through those doors!).  It was hot 'n' sweaty down there and the crowd, which seemed to be a bit thinner than for Love/Hate, immediately started bouncing and that floor was easily giving a good 3 inches with every jump!. The sound was really good as well and 'Slap In The Face' came across exactly like that!  Then it was straight into 'Sex Action'. 

Phil looks like he's never aged, I remember seeing him in Girl supporting UFO back in 1980, ooops, showing my age there!!  Phil has that LA swagger and that unmistakable vocal sound, he's no Robert Plant but this Glam/Sleaze baby!!!  Stacey Blades has the guitar chops and can throw a few shapes when required.  Then there's Nikki Sixx wannabe Scotty on bass, think that says it all!! and of course the ubiquitous Mr Steve Riley on drums, keeping that backbeat pounding.  This is a band that look like they're enjoying being onstage again and loving every minute. 

We got 'Over and Over', 'Some Like To Love', 'Can't Control My Gypsy Soul', 'Kiss My Ass Goodbye', 'Sleazy Come', 'Hellraisers', 'One More Reason' and 'Electric Gypsy' to finish off the set.  The band didn't leave the stage though they just got on with playing, we got 'Ballad Of Jane' and a storming 'Rip And Tear' that had the crowd singing their lungs out. 

A glorious sweat-filled 60 minute set and then the band were straight to the Merch Stall chatting with the fans, signing everything put in front of em and posing for photos.  I must give special thanks to Scotty for the extra special handshake, and yes you do look like Nikki Sixx with that LA police hat on!!

I was unsure about this show at first but the bill made the price worthwhile and all the bands seemed to raise their game a little to give this Rio's crowd a night to remember.  Hell, I paid as much for Love/Hate on their own last year and I got a better show!!! Come back again cos I'll be there with bells on.

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