Question: Where the f**k is Dudley!  The only reason I knew it existed is because comedian Lenny Henry states he grew up there. 

After seeing Lynyrd Skynryd at Birmingham NIA the previous night, it was only a 15 min train and 10 min bus journey to my hotel for the next 2 nights.  To my eternal joy JB’s was directly across the road from the hotel, as was Dudley Zoo……that where the Z in Z Rock comes from then Mark! 

In the closeted world of melodic rock Z festivals have always been controversial and this years has proved to be no different with Big Noize, Tony Harnell and Stormzone all pulling out for one reason or another.  So why do I put myself through the pain each year…….cos I enjoy the music and it always proves entertaining one way or another. 

I didn’t leave the hotel ‘til 7pm and the first band, the 3 piece Angel House kicked off Z Rock 2009 in fine style. Featuring Pete Easthope (Guitar & Lead Vocals), Phil Easthope (Bass & Vocals) and Simon Cooper (Drums).  I noticed straight away that the drum and bass guitar sound was really good and the vocals were cutting through no problems, so things were boding well for the weekend PA wise. The Angel House sound can best be described as late 80’s LA Hard Rock, played with a passion.  The band played 7 songs, including 'House of Love', album title track, 'World On Fire' and finished their set with the aptly named 'Last Song'. The few people who turned up early enough definitely appreciated them and I would definitely go see ‘em again. 

Next up were Redline, a band of whom I had no previous contact with.  Once again the drum and bass sound was spot on but the vocals seemed a little weaker.  The majority of the set featured songs from the bands first album and best song of the set, 'Heavens Gate' was culled from that release. The band do have a new album, 'Relentless Authority' and played 'Black Sky' from that one.  The singer definitely tried to get the crowd going but it was the drummer I was watching.  As mentioned before, the drum sound was huge and this guy sounded like he was giving it some, but his movements seemed to be in slow motion!  I was transfixed until I was side-tracked by the arrival of Mr Newdeck and the rest of SGB.  Redline played well but a band needs more than one good song. 

The next band I was really looking forward to seeing, Stampede.  Still love the 'Hurricane Town' album and they were damn good live.  Formed in 1981 and featuring the talents of Laurence Archer on guitar, saw him play with UFO at Redcar many moons ago, and Reuben Archer on Vocals.  First saw Stampede at Reading in 1982 where they went down a storm and they didn’t release 'Hurricane Town' until 83.  The band started off with 'Leaving Town' then straight into 'Moving On'.  The guitar sound unfortunately left me feeling cold.  Laurence Archer is really good but that sound…..oh dear how much chorus do you need!

Meanwhile Reuben is throwing his best Phil Mogg shapes and struggling with the vocals.  And so we get 'Shadows of the Night', 'Shine a Light Down On Me', 'Send me Down an Angel' before the band the songs I’ve been waiting to hear 'Days of Wine & Roses' and 'Missing You'.  Then it’s 'Back Door Man', a song written by Laurence before finishing with a couple of songs I didn’t get titles of.  It was great to hear the tunes but seeing the band left me feeling hollow. 

After another short interlude it was time for a fave band, the Steve Grimmett band, featuring Facebook friend (or should that be fiend!) Pete Newdeck on drums.  The band kicked off with 'Perfect Alibi' before launching into 'Karma', Steve sounding on top form and the band tight as the proverbial duck.  The majority of the set tonight featured material from 'Personal Crisis' with some 'Lionheart' and 'Grim Reaper' thrown in for good measure.  Next up was 'Portrait' and Ian Nash, 6 string shred-meister, had a few tech problems, his lead kept coming out when he stood on it.  Bassist Chas Grimaldi seems to be ensconced in the band after replacing Ritchie Walker and he pummels the bass like his life depended on it.  The band play 'Wait', 'Don’t Believe', 'Rock You to Hell', my fave from 'Personal Crisis', 'Enemy' (without the female vocals) a new song called 'Can’t Sleep' (it’s IMMENSE!! Pete), 'So Cold' and ending the incendiary set with 'See You In Hell' complete with sing-a-long ( or was that just me!!).  The Steve Grimmett Band have to be experienced live so if you get the chance go see ‘em. 

Now don’t ask me when it happened but I’d been drinking double vodkas since entering JB’s and could’ve sworn I’d only had a couple but, and I quote Mr Newdeck on this one, “you were talking some shite last night Dave!”.  This started just after Wig Wam hit the stage, looking like they’d just come from the carnival in Rio, the band were a blur of colour.  Kicking off with 'Hard to be a Rock n’ Roller', Glam, Teeny, Sporty and Flash proceed to take the audience by the scruff of the neck.  It’s Kiss, Poison, Alice Cooper and Dave Lee Roth all rolled into one!  'Crazy Things' and 'No More Living On Lies' fly by and the crowd are going wild. The drum sound that had been so phenomenal for the previous bands was now reduced to an effects driven monstrosity.  The snare drum had so much reverb on it I thought I was in space!! Note to all: the drink had nothing to do with what I was hearing, Mr Newdeck will confirm this fact. The set continues and we get I 'Turn To You', 'You Can’t Kill My Rock n’ Roll' and 'Daredevil Heat'. Glam is a frontman extraordinaire and cajoles the crowd to clap and sing-a-long to every song.  They play 'Mine All Mine', 'Rock n’ Roll Girl', 'Erection'/'The Drop', 'Rock my Ride', 'Out Of Time', 'CAR-lyle', 'Gonna Get You Someday', before finishing the set with 'Bless the Night'.  I’ve seen Wig Wam on a two previous occasions now and once again they put on a show but it’s all starting to seem a bit same old, same old. 

So there it was, the first day of Z Rock 2009, the crowd may have been small in number, the ticket price high, but the bands did their best to give value for money.  As always at a Z festival something always happens and I did hear about the problems experienced by Ted Poley and his band but if he isn’t going to go into details about it then neither am I.  I’ll leave that up others to spread the story. 

And so to bed, thank god the hotel is just across the road cos I can just about walk without aids.   See ya all in the morning. 

Review by: Brassy