Wolfsbane, Saxon, & Romeo's Daughter
OH 'CUM' ALL YE FAITHFUL
Why do British rock fans spend hours bemoaning Donington's we welcome anything as long as it's an American band approach, and then when some one hits upon the idea of a British rock festival, with real British bands, no one bothers to turn up? The sight of a near empty rugby stadium in Workington was that which greeted the Riff Raff team as they made their entrance, and it was most disheartened in.
Maybe it was because Workington is a little out of the way, maybe it's because it wasn't properly advertised, or maybe it was just because British rock fans are bloody apathetic. Take your pick, but I think I know which one I'm laying my money on!
Fortunately a lot of British bands aren't apathetic, and did their damn best to make sure those who did turn up - about 4000 in all - had a good time.
ROMEO'S DAUGHTER
Now I have to admit to being somewhat surprised that Romeo's daughters appearance on the bill, especially as openers. Not because I don't think they're capable, but because I wondered if their particular brand of AOR was exactly what was required to get things going.
But I couldn't have been more wrong as the band took to the stage in blazing sunshine and won over an appreciative crowd. From the off they're heavy (indeed getting heavier every time I see them), and today Leigh Matty's almost painfully polite on stage banter goes down a treat.
Musically, they warmed the already roasting crowd, caressing them gently with Matty's sensuous yet cool on stage persona, rocking them with the likes of "Heaven in the Back Seat," "Wild Child," "Don't Break My Heart, "and a great newie "All This and Brains" too. Certain members may, I fear, still be too faceless on stage, but with Matty's near perfect vocals and Craig Joiner's stabbing guitar work, Romeo's daughter got Workington off to a great start. (JE)
THE ALMIGHTY
The band thundered onto the stage, into sight of the sparse crowd. Not prepared for The Almighty's brash sound, the crowd were a bit reluctant to react!
Ricky Warwick growled his way through "Thunderbird," peering through a mass of hair. Their songs were loud and mean! "Wild and Wonderful" for instance complemented Warwick's voice perfectly, but why he has to litter his songs with the word "Fuck" I don't even know! Surely he's not short of lyrics? Eventually the crowd got going and went totally apeshit... the loudest band off the day for sure! (JW)
WOLFSBANE
To the chants of "you fat bastard" the Tamworth terrors took the day by storm. Whipping the crowd into a frenzy, having them sing along to the likes of "I Like It Hot" etc, Blaze Bailey threw himself around the stage head banging and beckoning the fans to cheer!
"Do you think we're beautiful?" he asked the mad punters. "No!" was the emphatic reply, and the band steamed on regardless. These guys were manic and so at home up on stage, sounding fresh and strong as ever - they even got an encore! (JW)
SAXON
"Heavy Metal Thunder" kicked off Saxon's set, raising a tremendous cheer from the over-hungry crowd. Biff Byford and his boys were back on form!
Graham Oliver dealt out some chunky riffs, while the new bass player lapped up his newfound glory by darting around like a man possessed by some insatiable urge! Saxon proved that they still had something to offer and whatever anybody may think it was nice to take this trip down memory lane with the band.
Their music may not be representative of rock n' roll in the 90s but it sure had many a hand held high in appreciation! (JW)~
Graham Oliver dealt out some chunky riffs, while the new bass player lapped up his newfound glory by darting around like a man possessed by some insatiable urge! Saxon proved that they still had something to offer and whatever anybody may think it was nice to take this trip down memory lane with the band.
Their music may not be representative of rock n' roll in the 90s but it sure had many a hand held high in appreciation! (JW)~
DOGS D'AMOUR
Well, they screwed up sober at the Astoria earlier this year, and today they screwed up rat-arsed. From the opening bars of "Back on the Juice" their "couldn't give a damn" attitude did little but alienate the crowd who thus far had enjoyed quality entertainment.
Tyler clearly didn't want to be on stage and, drunk though he may have been, tonight the Dog's performance turned into an embarrassing fiasco. It didn't matter what they played, although for the record they hammed their ways through "Last Bandit," "I Don't Want You To Go," "Cardboard Town," "How Come It Never Rains," "Billy Two Rivers," and "Everything I Want," to name a few. They played like they weren't interested, and the crowd made clear they weren't either.
With Tyla leaping into the photo pit in a contrived effort to get a few laughs the whole performance turned into a dismal failure. Their dogs d'amour were the only band of the day to have anything thrown at them, and it may have only been one bottle, but that one bottle sure as hell said a lot.
Back on the juice they may be, but they're rapidly turning into down and outs. Sad thing is, however, I don't think anyone even cares. (JE)
MAGNUM
Headliners Magnum tonight won over any reservations I may have had about their album Goodnight LA with the best live show I've seen them do in years. And yes I've been following the boys from practically day one!
The show, like the album, represented a very brave departure for the band, featuring songs culled from their last four albums (wot, no "Sacred Hour" or "Kingdom of Madness," you're thinking!). Instead we were given a set of at least 16 numbers that cohesively gelled into an extremely competent, outstanding live performance. These seasoned veterans emphasised their presence with panache and precision. Vocalist Bob Catley conjuring up the classics, guitarist Tony Clarkin belting out the rockers, drummer Mickey Barker thundering on his tin lids, bassist Wally Lowe lovingly lapping and slapping his twang, and keyboard man Mark Stanway hammering away on his ivories.
Notably it was the strident, up-tempo rockers that were aired from Goodnight LA - "Born to be King," "Heartbroke and Busted," "No Way Out," the epic "Mama." They even encored with "Reckless Man"! Elsewhere we were treated to the live standards "Days of No Trust," "Wild Swan," "Vigilante," "Just Like an Arrow," etc.
What a fitting end to this first Cumbria Rock Festival. A remarkable band, a remarkable show, a most remarkable day! (MC)
Mark Crampton, Jerry Ewing, Julie Wilby
Pix: Paul Smith, John Mather
Riff Raff
July 1990
The show, like the album, represented a very brave departure for the band, featuring songs culled from their last four albums (wot, no "Sacred Hour" or "Kingdom of Madness," you're thinking!). Instead we were given a set of at least 16 numbers that cohesively gelled into an extremely competent, outstanding live performance. These seasoned veterans emphasised their presence with panache and precision. Vocalist Bob Catley conjuring up the classics, guitarist Tony Clarkin belting out the rockers, drummer Mickey Barker thundering on his tin lids, bassist Wally Lowe lovingly lapping and slapping his twang, and keyboard man Mark Stanway hammering away on his ivories.
Notably it was the strident, up-tempo rockers that were aired from Goodnight LA - "Born to be King," "Heartbroke and Busted," "No Way Out," the epic "Mama." They even encored with "Reckless Man"! Elsewhere we were treated to the live standards "Days of No Trust," "Wild Swan," "Vigilante," "Just Like an Arrow," etc.
What a fitting end to this first Cumbria Rock Festival. A remarkable band, a remarkable show, a most remarkable day! (MC)
Mark Crampton, Jerry Ewing, Julie Wilby
Pix: Paul Smith, John Mather
Riff Raff
July 1990
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