Artist: Dave Evans & Falling Red 

Venue: Trillians Rock Bar, Newcastle

Date: 20th May 2010

Well the summer has arrived and tonight things were going to get a lot hotter, as Dave Evans the original singer of Aussie legends AC/DC comes to Newcastle, England to kick-start his first UK tour.  I would normally comment on the formality of the support acts, but tonight this is far beyond a formality as we are treat to some down and dirty sleaze filled hard rock from young guns Falling Red, who simply lit up the place from the off.

Opening up their set with ‘Shake The Faith’, it was clear this band were out to show us what they are made of. Leading the way was frontman and lead guitarist Rozey, who was aided and abetted by Shane Kirk on rhythm guitar, the poodle headed Millsy on bass, and last but not least Dave Sanders on drums.  Together these four young guns are showing that there is more to Cumbria than just sheep, and there is rock n' roll in them there hills.

The set continues it's high octane path with ‘Immoral Heights Of A Lowlife’, with Kirk just exploding round the tiny Trillians stage like a man possessed (or high on pro-plus, its hard to tell), while Rozey showed he can master the mike as well as throw out a few 

shapes himself on the old six string razor.  Millsy might be a man of few words off stage but put a bass in his hand and he speaks volumes, and as for Sanders,  well watch out Tommy Lee 'cos this guy can sure pummel those skins.  

To say this band are tight is an understatement, they were on fire, delivering riff after mother f**king riff with blazing songs like ‘How You Fell (on me)’, the excellent ballsy ‘You Were Out To Get Me’, and songs of the set for me the fantastic ‘Out Of Control’ and ‘If You Ain’t Down With The Rock’, before putting a sleazy stamp on the classic 'Long Tall Sally’, which rounded off a great set from a band that I highly recommend.  I’ll be down the front with you rocking the night away with these guys, because these guys sure know hot to deliver the goods and more.  

Now after Falling Red it was time for the main event, Dave Evans.  A man who despite his years still has one hell of a set of pipes on him, and with the absence of his regular Badasses backing band, he’d recruited Chris Appleton and Martin McNee of Fury UK to fill guitars and drums, while the brothers Leon and Marshall Gill filled the bass and other guitar slots, under the moniker 'UK Badasses'.  

The Aussie hit the stage running with the anthemic ‘We Don’t Dance To Your Song’ and from here on in the crowd were in his hands.  At this moment it soon became apparent that we were going to be treat to some real Thunder from Down Under.  Rocking all the way things continued with ‘Little Headbanger’, again a full on rock n' roll song that had feet tapping and heads bobbing throughout the venue.  

It was hard to believe that this wasn’t Evan’s full band because the guys behind him were tighter than Dave's leather pants and it was plain to see by the smiles on their faces that they were enjoying every minute of it.  

There was little rest bite as the big Aussie kept things going with the full on attitude rock of ‘You Talkin’ To Me’, before the groove filled rocker ‘Ain’t Gonna Do You To Me Anymore’.

Then it was time to play tribute to those band of hearty souls, the band groupie, with ‘Band Molls’.  Again a big groove filled monster that had us dancing down the front, before rocking things up big style with one of the songs of the set, the fantastic ‘Helluva Night’, with Appleton and Marshall Gill throwing out the licks like a confetti cannon, while Leon Gill made the bass simply purr.  All the while McNee produced a flawless back beat.

The title track from Evan’s latest release ‘Judgement Day’ was next, which hailed a switch in tempo’s.  Big heady bass lines wrapped in a menacing drum beat were the order of the day, while the guitars poured out some slick riffs.  

The kick-ass rock continued with ‘Another Kid On The Street’ and ‘Shoot On Sight’, before we were treat to the first AC/DC song of the night ‘Can I Sit Next To You Girl’, which was actually the bands very first hit single and the one that got things started.  Then it was time for a rare slice of 'DC with the B-side of the single the rockin’ 'Party In The Parlour’.

One of songs of the set for me wasn’t a AC/DC song or a Evan’s song though, but rather the Big Joe Williams song ‘Baby Please Don’t Go’.  A track that has been covered by many from Van Morrison to the Ted Nugent, and even appeared on the Australian version of the AC/DC 'High Voltage' album, although it never made the later international release.  You really gotta check out Bon Scott in drag on the video for this song, tremendous.  Ah but that's enough trivia.  

Well what night.  Regardless of whether the AC/DC member was an old or a new new, the proceedings simply wouldn't be complete without ‘A Whole Lotta Rosie’.   A true classic in every sense of the word, and what a way to end the night.  This was a night of true old fashioned rock n' roll which also made my night as this was the completion of something special for me as a fan because I can now say I’ve seen every singer of AC/DC perform live!

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the tour goes well for Mr Evans as I'd love to see him back on these shores touring again.  It's been a long time since I enjoyed a gig this much and it's a feeling I'd like to relive another day.  As for Falling Red, this band would go down an absolute storm with the Trashstock crowd.

 

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