tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60476035004865703112024-02-07T12:12:43.639+00:00Sunderland from the SmokeMumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-81070851204360504942017-12-22T19:39:00.000+00:002017-12-22T19:39:16.504+00:00The Maze 2017 . . . from Vietnam to Van Halen<div style="text-align: justify;">
As a classic metal fan still firmly entrenched in the 1980s, what started off as a bit of light reading on holiday became a crazy little tale that ended up in my own back yard..... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst recently in the wonderful Vietnam in March 2017, I took with me Greg Renoff's superb Van Halen Rising and decided to wrap up the last couple of chapters over a couple of quiet afternoons, and mighty fine it was too. Filling in so many gaps, it adds much texture and extra detail to the epic story of how four punks from Pasadena changed the face of rock and metal forever. Chilling by the hotel pool in peaceful Hoi An was the perfect place to revisit the Roth VH albums along with cups of fine strongly brewed tea. A teetotaller's paradise baby. VHND's album reviews made a perfect accompaniment as each album soothed my soul on warm tranquil afternoons.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2qjXHRN2qO0J4Q56EQ50b-tGWeTx0C6thyK8wFW5EpYXFj1Fa0Q-OJG1yDGPETnd79pp3YZsNb27eBcXEDFLyhwYLxwYJpYFnzWmvUEapzbod4C4ef9xS7gIvTDJ4vCwGIVGDPbzTEb/s1600/20170219_151256_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFa2qjXHRN2qO0J4Q56EQ50b-tGWeTx0C6thyK8wFW5EpYXFj1Fa0Q-OJG1yDGPETnd79pp3YZsNb27eBcXEDFLyhwYLxwYJpYFnzWmvUEapzbod4C4ef9xS7gIvTDJ4vCwGIVGDPbzTEb/s400/20170219_151256_resized.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got to Fair Warning and I stumbled across the piece on how it got it's cover taken from a painting (The Maze) discovered by all accounts by Alex Van Halen. It's a fascinating story detailing the history of how the sleeve came about. I knew the artwork was dark and deep, fitting the album's mood perfectly but not much else. The artist William Kurelek was a Ukranian immigrant to Canada who suffered from depression and schizophrenia, and who finally found solace and an escape from his troubles through painting. He spent time at the Maudsley Mental Hospital in London where The Maze was painted in 1953 and it set me thinking. Whatever happened to the original painting?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have music industry contacts in Toronto through work and thought of maybe asking them, but after a bit off googling it turned out that Kurelek passed away in 1977 and the painting was listed under the care of Peter Naham at the Leicester Galleries in central London. They were kind enough to reply and tell me that they did not have the painting but they were aware of it and I should contact Kurelek's estate, or the Bethlem Royal Hospital who now own it for more info.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bethlem NHS Trust were kind enough to give me contacts for their Museum of the Mind who in turn gave me another contact for Kurelek's estate. Headway at last! Tell us how you do. . .</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Or so I thought. Whilst very helpful, the manager of the estate replied promptly only to tell me he had only managed the estate from the early 90s and there's nothing in the records giving any details of how VH got in contact and any fees / contracts involved for the album jacket. Dead end on the background info as no one else from the estate have been willing or able to give me any other info. At this point I'm thinking we're done, but then another twist and we're back on track and away from Mean Street. The Museum of the Mind came back to me. Come on Dave, give me a break.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Maze itself was actually in their museum, on display to the public and open three days a week for public entry with FREE ADMISSION just 3 miles from Petts Wood in Kent, where I live. Kidding right? Hey-hey-hey-hey, one break coming up.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A quick drive out from work one lunchtime and I roll up outside Bethlem (the original Bedlam) NHS Trust Hospital. Situated in a leafy affluent suburb of Kent, this sprawling psychiatric hospital has been the subject of various TV documentaries on its residents and patients, some of who are detained indefinitely for the good of themselves and the general public. In the centre of the hospital grounds is a grandiose standalone building, The Bethlem Gallery and Museum of the Mind. The helpful lady at the reception guided me upstairs past all manner of exhibits about mental health, the history of, the cure of, and everything in between and displayed in a corner, gazing out there it was, The Maze. Take a look at this.....!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFYjmqBgUjOVWUhhrHVUDJjS0Ar5DNwe6Pl_-l6oDvSGBCwOszYQcnFSpiD-8PHXkcWb9sipjYPwi8NgMb5u2G1Lvl0_ayK6Zi3BYEU-q6cDj_FEpjXcJnn_cncYUIZy8IN7OxC7xOGUf/s1600/20170315_135203_resized_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFYjmqBgUjOVWUhhrHVUDJjS0Ar5DNwe6Pl_-l6oDvSGBCwOszYQcnFSpiD-8PHXkcWb9sipjYPwi8NgMb5u2G1Lvl0_ayK6Zi3BYEU-q6cDj_FEpjXcJnn_cncYUIZy8IN7OxC7xOGUf/s400/20170315_135203_resized_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bethlem Museum of the Mind</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Painted "Gouache on board", it's a graphic insight into Kurelek's tormented soul with various compartments, some of which included the iconic snippets that became Fair Warning's cover. A perfect fit with the dark and gritty album, the lady didn't know the history that brought me here. "My son listens to Van Halen, I'll tell him tonight. If you want to buy posters or postcards of The Maze we have them for sale downstairs". So this is Love . . . my little journey was complete.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHpeqrV1_AakqwxxU0U8jtkm_reTkAuwMZLJgCRcGWj4mJqyJkoXt5dJhItLH1cdWNjqOLiUiTnENeVQe7QIKgQkPm4RUlxzEN4FhHXnEa5yfEHnEITtQSlX1RES7Jk83uUK_hzhzxUAg/s1600/20170317_113954_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHpeqrV1_AakqwxxU0U8jtkm_reTkAuwMZLJgCRcGWj4mJqyJkoXt5dJhItLH1cdWNjqOLiUiTnENeVQe7QIKgQkPm4RUlxzEN4FhHXnEa5yfEHnEITtQSlX1RES7Jk83uUK_hzhzxUAg/s640/20170317_113954_resized.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I have your picture, yes I know it well</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There's a sequal painting they also have on display "Out of the Maze" which portrays his vision of feeling cured of his mental issues which is very striking too. I'm told a Canadian gentleman visiting London came to the the museum to see this one, completely unaware of the original Maze artwork; evidently he was not of our persuasion!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I guess the bizarre thing in all this is that the Wiki page of the Maze tells everyone exactly where the painting is, but hey, hindsight is a beautiful thing. I'm sure many of you reading this can correct me on any bits here that are not quite accurate, but I hope you can gimme a break, I'm just a fan.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
For sure it places that album a little closer to my heart and possibly creeping into my top ten desert island discs, but that's for another day. A journey that was started I suppose in Pasadena, which crystallized in Vietnam ends up just about right on my doorstep.<br />
<br />
Essential reading<br />
http://vanhalenrising.com/<br />
http://www.vhnd.com/<br />
http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-59521490950179695972013-10-13T15:06:00.001+01:002013-10-14T22:27:20.050+01:00Dan Reed Network Rocks it Up<span style="color: red;"><u><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span></b></u></span>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Dan Reed Network - Enchanted Festival, Saturday 12th October 2013</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Dan Reed Network faded away in 1993 after failing to break into the big time on the same scene that saw the likes Bon Jovi sell millions upon millions of records. Unbelievably talented, maybe in the wrong place at the wrong time, we shall never really know why they didn't go on to become stadium headliners in their own right. But now they're back. Dan Reed has been playing acoustic solo shows and house concerts for some time, but the fact the Network are perfoming together again for the first time in the UK for twenty years is something truly rather special. 400 lucky fans coughed up £48 a ticket for the Enchanted Festival at Greenwood's Hotel & Spa in the quaint village of Stock, just outside Chemlsford to see the Network headline the festival on the Marquee Stage. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9Z49rcH4mw5mTdFqxWG6wAX6hirhxQVbkVqFD_EGmZwidMVg_zLqBAtwQweO8dqT9idKLWAcsVgGRYDjwgUeqvxsLXdfQjKz-_9F8T4KBQAQDjQdYO6SgkXa3mMtukVA18sQrAPoYWBb/s1600/Enchanted.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9Z49rcH4mw5mTdFqxWG6wAX6hirhxQVbkVqFD_EGmZwidMVg_zLqBAtwQweO8dqT9idKLWAcsVgGRYDjwgUeqvxsLXdfQjKz-_9F8T4KBQAQDjQdYO6SgkXa3mMtukVA18sQrAPoYWBb/s320/Enchanted.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">No mention of DRN, but trust me, they were there!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Headlining a one-day bill that featured over a dozen artists across three stages, Dan Reed & Co hit the boards just before 10pm with Dan giving us a short dialogue intro covering where the band had come from to the present day, breaking into Cute on You and Eruption along the way. It was then down to business with an evening of classics almost exclusively taken from their debut album and Slam. Cruise Together slipped into Forgot to Make Her Mine, then to Under my Skin. It could quite easily have been 1993 again, same vibe, same tight band delivering everything everyone wanted. Brion James cranked out riffs out with support from Melvin's funked up bass, and the groove was set for the evening. Other highlights included Rainbow Child, Tiger in a Dress and an intense I'm So Sorry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Qio1AgEZ3yVI2Ga4Lc8ZB9GKTRUt-clckISW5e6IzWSb6F2pjR963eltv0d9YZ54b8W83YI4Aw76TftIwIg2pAU9l-CGKSyAX0ZaB1qFFRksDMjSAs5nIQW2lvlhNxFuk0gbX73zUTF/s1600/971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7Qio1AgEZ3yVI2Ga4Lc8ZB9GKTRUt-clckISW5e6IzWSb6F2pjR963eltv0d9YZ54b8W83YI4Aw76TftIwIg2pAU9l-CGKSyAX0ZaB1qFFRksDMjSAs5nIQW2lvlhNxFuk0gbX73zUTF/s320/971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Due to an 11pm curfew they had to snip Ritual, World has a Heart Too and Seven Sisters Road from their set, and things were rounded off in style with an acoustic Long Way to Go. Most of the audience had seen Dan Reed during Network's hiatus at his acoustic shows or house concerts, but this was a real statement that Dan Reed Network are well and truly back after two decades should they have that desire. A major UK festival appearance is on the cards for 2014, and the band will be back at Enchanted next year so for those of you like me who enjoyed a glimpse back to special times, well let's just say it looks like there could be many more memorable evenings to come from Dan Reed & Co.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaLQrMmOaKWFLmEHGwNb7DMbsCXrKgUJRjcudwNF5M5wAs9uRvVKDZHytKljalCX2jmMlrz6xyJZaFDY_GYrQm3QxbmHRyEwv7_42Q84diVXUAsx47pP30YdlRt6bT6T1zMDc-FQZy9oR/s1600/1732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdaLQrMmOaKWFLmEHGwNb7DMbsCXrKgUJRjcudwNF5M5wAs9uRvVKDZHytKljalCX2jmMlrz6xyJZaFDY_GYrQm3QxbmHRyEwv7_42Q84diVXUAsx47pP30YdlRt6bT6T1zMDc-FQZy9oR/s320/1732.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n7lfHJbKwMgacQr8JAGg-BrQ8DiwugwbNIjkmpxIwdWik9b1yZ1q1s1fQX0FSAdbdCRJZvnWMxvc6BST-E4ve0UNjqFyf7IYyPcTrjolCeQENrfeE44UbACWesekUXAFvqivOOrP6Y8t/s1600/1756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1n7lfHJbKwMgacQr8JAGg-BrQ8DiwugwbNIjkmpxIwdWik9b1yZ1q1s1fQX0FSAdbdCRJZvnWMxvc6BST-E4ve0UNjqFyf7IYyPcTrjolCeQENrfeE44UbACWesekUXAFvqivOOrP6Y8t/s320/1756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Setlist</span></span></b></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaBBbtOjjc0nXzjK_DBnr5nU2Vld6QdGgTxdnVaXcDej-gQcN3Zk0eNczjEE-3xzC3nhPwdRGfqO9BES63r_aoAWv0k8rfcioV3HmmVdlyeSe-CE_867_zFGCDoA0kSoY6BayONAWdA1T/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaBBbtOjjc0nXzjK_DBnr5nU2Vld6QdGgTxdnVaXcDej-gQcN3Zk0eNczjEE-3xzC3nhPwdRGfqO9BES63r_aoAWv0k8rfcioV3HmmVdlyeSe-CE_867_zFGCDoA0kSoY6BayONAWdA1T/s320/946.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPkgsGxXMnIkFHJpsYU3XfoKWseWGukJrPOM-3tLd2ru55hDzYPdKml_WLLPLQ8TNj95zTa_QVrTZibJ5AZGFBv16pPnMEB9LYMInX2CayeJYFc7oN-nnD7Jc_PF0g8T5PPkneU8qDUgMe/s1600/946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Due to curfew, the band missed out Ritual, World has a Heart Too, & Seven Sisters Road</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/night-ranger-can-still-rock-in-london.html" target="_blank">Click here for a review of Night Ranger's O2 Islington Academy Show from 2012</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-57696360640444250922013-06-13T07:47:00.000+01:002013-06-19T20:39:48.535+01:00Newsted returns to the 100 Club<div style="text-align: justify;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Newsted - 100 Club London, Wednesday 12th June 2013</span></span></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, 26 years after playing that legendary show at the 100 Club with a previous outfit, Jason Newsted returns with his new band. With just an EP to their name, Newsted have jumped on the european festival circuit just a couple of months after the band's first early shows at the Red House in April. Maybe this tiny club show brought to you courtesy of Live Nation is harking back to those heady late '80s days, or just a promoter's freaky coincidence?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The forthoming album has been import banned, so someone smells something big on the horizon . . . . the out-now Chophouse 4 track EP is old skool Metal just like it says on the tin. Full of riffs and growling vocals, so I guess the question we all wanted answering was could Jason still cut it live after Lars & friends.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ3sU0fDeHNPA-14owizVkjOYsgouamlKPLaKrxxxdGAsqf-wb_8aIcmkplYqOlrMilbxKJAxIxEOsXvvo9_Stb7fkHwkbMbGNn6oV-Cphgz9E14VRJlIIsfSlIPgwVjL4DsnByAxNyHD/s320/Newsted1.jpg" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">They came . . . they saw . . . </span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There was no support band, contrary to the ticket stub and at 8.30pm sharp the 300 of us in the sold out club found out pretty quick just what an angry bunch of rowdy motherf**kers Newsted really are.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Newsted are hot. Red hot. They have pretty much everything; the band, the songs, the attitude, the hunger, the energy, and an enormous live sound that had the place sweating from roof to ceiling. The rabid 300 lapped up almost 90 minutes of pure undiluted H.E.A.V.Y. M.E.T.A.L. Playing all the songs on the debut EP, and supplemented with new tracks including Nocturnus and the rip roaring Long Time Dead amongst others, Jason switched between bass and guitar throughout the evening and the snarling vocals echo a man that still has an awful lot to tell the metal masses about in his new world. Not content to be working bass man in the biggest band on the planet, his time is now, uncompromising and with so much in their locker, tonight showcased what looks destined to be a magnificent return for Jason & co. The band gave 110%, everything, no half measures, scorching through thirteen songs in just under 90 minutes. They wrapped things up with a neck-breaking Whiplash, encoring with Spiderbait, and 'Head covers Love me Like a Reptile and We are the Road Crew, and just before 10pm they were done.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">On this performance, Newsted won't be playing the likes of the 100 Club again any time soon. There's also really no need to mention the M word either. Newsted have an entity living and breathing on their own, without the help of a San Francisco life support machine. If this is the future of Metal, then trust me, it's in safe hands.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMOMrrnHFCDVHjjlTbUBbpd7RIeDVSwcEo-Ts7U4CKr2LqKpKghf0k-G9frwwex60fsD-l45uoxvur6I_yP0WxL-Jhm3_Ew1rNXLEvxSNehj_OPeRi4PTvMdldE1im2_XKdGfb9AreMDh/s1600/Newsted.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPMOMrrnHFCDVHjjlTbUBbpd7RIeDVSwcEo-Ts7U4CKr2LqKpKghf0k-G9frwwex60fsD-l45uoxvur6I_yP0WxL-Jhm3_Ew1rNXLEvxSNehj_OPeRi4PTvMdldE1im2_XKdGfb9AreMDh/s1600/Newsted.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Old skool metal, with attitude</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Setlist</span></span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heroic Dose</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soldierhead</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Skyscraper</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As the Crow Flies</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nocturnus</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Long Time Dead</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">King of the Underdogs</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Twisted Tale of the Comet</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Godsnake</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whiplash (Metallica cover)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">------------------------------------</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Short bass solo</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spider Biter </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love me like a Reptile (Motorhead cover)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are the Road Crew (Motorhead cover) </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/slayer-reign-at-palace.html" target="_blank">Here's a review of Slayer performing Reign in Blood at the "I'll be your Mirror" Festival, London 2012</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-61776064452574242312012-07-09T17:47:00.000+01:002013-10-16T07:05:43.106+01:00Faith no More ~ Still The Real Thing in 2012?<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Sunday 8th July 2012 HMV Apollo</span></b></u></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>So the summer season of shows roll on in London.</b> Hot on the heels of Megadeth and Kiss, it was time for Faith No More to return to the UK and play a couple of shows after the cancellation of the Sonisphere festival.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
23 years ago, The Real Thing was unleashed upon us. It was groundbreaking, much in the same way as Appetite for Destruction changed everything coming out of L.A. at the time. It was a gamechanger for metal, and a landmark album for so many bands to follow, with every track an absolute winner. Well Faith no More are back, and as Dead or Alive would say, they're still mad, bad, and dangerous to know . . . . </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZoSqXycPsBlZ9YoWQJXdKRiOouV9JcDHnHHgKYQmHzG6lYKggJRZiGInXC1kammbcKq3q87NtbLU4toBDkrIlu8SdH8Wg5xDEPI-3ICosI4Yp0DWPuVV2c6mtBDjpHvYEOdnKQhR4rtO/s1600/Faith+No+More+-+Hammersmith.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrZoSqXycPsBlZ9YoWQJXdKRiOouV9JcDHnHHgKYQmHzG6lYKggJRZiGInXC1kammbcKq3q87NtbLU4toBDkrIlu8SdH8Wg5xDEPI-3ICosI4Yp0DWPuVV2c6mtBDjpHvYEOdnKQhR4rtO/s320/Faith+No+More+-+Hammersmith.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">HMV Apollo . . . . . or Hammersmith Odeon?</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Non-conformist is probably the best way to describe these guys.</b> The stage was like the set from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, in that everything was clinically white. Marshalls wrapped in bed sheets, mic stands white taped, keyboards whited out, even the roadies were white from head to toe and you felt you were entering the asylum. To add to the surrealism, baskets of flowers were placed everywhere around the stage, not just a couple either, dozens of them (Interflora must be loving FNM). One chap skipped the last night at Denmark's Roskilde festival to fly over for this; Faith no More fans are indeed a special breed.<br />
<br />
Lights dimmed and on they came, whipping through Woodpeckers from Mars with the mandatory clip of Tom Jones' Delilah mid song. No time for breath and Patton & co went straight into Midlife Crisis and Ricochet. Hammersmith rejoiced. The band were like everything else all in white, and very very loud, keyboards & guitar piercing the air as a kaleidoscope of colours bathed the white drapes around the stage throughout the evening.<br />
<br />
Faith no More are a band close to the edge; why do anything simply and straightforward when you can challenge your audience. They felt no need to play classics like The Real Thing and From Out of Nowhere when they could deliver Greed (1st time since 1990), and Pills for Breakfast.<br />
<br />
Epic was literally just that, an absolute stormer and then a few minutes later Rick Astley lyrics were upon us and Patton teased the crowed one minute with smiles, the next with ballistic rage and screams. Roddy Bottum thanked Hammersmith "How many times have we played here?" and they finished the set with Just a Man. Four encores followed including a demented, angry version of We Care a Lot and, after 90 minutes of madness, on came the lights. For five minutes, everyone waited half expecting a couple more; a roadie tuned the bass and the stage was left in tact, Hammersmith cheered, but that was it. No more Faith No More. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w9_H_MzOsr9ypnbILWWP6lq6um47s4gBEn0jlTRRWnMDd-XRN9dfGOyn-3okH5BFED30LFb_tbM8yiMnUoZXE33zP3KYbjX2VSqFiPyTZUxGU4IIhWxs_GaX-ryPH0CRY9z6DqBhD2IR/s1600/Faith+No+More+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2w9_H_MzOsr9ypnbILWWP6lq6um47s4gBEn0jlTRRWnMDd-XRN9dfGOyn-3okH5BFED30LFb_tbM8yiMnUoZXE33zP3KYbjX2VSqFiPyTZUxGU4IIhWxs_GaX-ryPH0CRY9z6DqBhD2IR/s320/Faith+No+More+Poster.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The unique signed gig poster on sale that sold out at £50 a pop</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The band seem</b> to be loving their renaissance as much as the fans enjoy getting another taste of days gone by. Tight, cohesive, surreal, aggressive, and slightly mad . . . . that's Faith no More all over. Hammersmith loved it; who needs Sonisphere when Faith No More can go back to the theatres?<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Setlist</span></b></u></div>
<br />
Woodpeckers from Mars / Delilah<br />
Midlife Crisis<br />
Ricochet<br />
Land of Sunshine<br />
Evidence<br />
Everything's Ruined<br />
Spirit<br />
Last Cup of Sorrow<br />
Digging the Grave<br />
Easy<br />
Epic<br />
Gentle Art of Making Enemies<br />
King for a Day<br />
Ashes to Ashes<br />
Just a Man / Never Gonna Give you up<br />
----------<br />
Pills for Breakfast<br />
Greed<br />
We Care a Lot <br />
Why do You Bother<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/deth-in-ballroom-2012-megadeth-style.html" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for a review of the Megadeth Club show at Camden's Electric Ballroom on 12th June 2012</a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-72607736205058700822012-07-05T20:59:00.000+01:002012-07-06T10:40:12.377+01:00KISS Blitz London on Independence Day!<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>HMV Forum Wednesday 4th July 2012</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>It's hotter than hell this one.</b> It's the hottest ticket in town this summer. Period. When Sonisphere Festival was cancelled due to all manner of problems, Kiss decided to box clever, and announced a charity show at the intimate HMV Forum in North London on wait for it, 4th July. Tickets went in 90 seconds although in fact no tickets were ever sent out. Get to the venue with photo id and the credit card used for your booking, and in you go. No id, no admission. All the £50 a head ticket money went to the excellent Help for Heroes charity <a href="http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/" target="_blank">www.helpforheroes.org.uk/</a> . </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17os-Ex_lDDTQAme6byK6rNYim6A1meo3_RaUjSyRxN4ElAIvYQebBbYtOgKfSwcmcIEI9UzbhP41yVzPcHBAarjUxfaQ4g6XbC8pxMR8LHH2LnxOjjHMNzLCx2z3zVztwess3_tZgdkD/s1600/Kiss+-+Forum+Ticket+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17os-Ex_lDDTQAme6byK6rNYim6A1meo3_RaUjSyRxN4ElAIvYQebBbYtOgKfSwcmcIEI9UzbhP41yVzPcHBAarjUxfaQ4g6XbC8pxMR8LHH2LnxOjjHMNzLCx2z3zVztwess3_tZgdkD/s320/Kiss+-+Forum+Ticket+2012.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b> Fans were paying nine times the face value</b> to get their hands on these little beauties on the black market, although it was only a couple of years since they last came to these shores. Plainly the prospect of such a small show was just too much of a temptation for the Kiss Army. The joy of living in London means we are lucky and often get these cosy club type shows and this followed hot on the heels of Night Ranger and Megadeth.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Doors opened half an hour late at 7.30pm and the queue was almost wrapped around the Forum by this time. All manner of creatures were on display - some spent hours on copying the make up of their idols, some obviously attempted it with the assistance of very strong lager. It was reassuring to see that at least one of the KISS Army managed to get their Paul Stanley star on the wrong eye (some things never change). Kiss fans are a truly special breed; one chap in the queue said he was getting married in the Kiss Chapel in Las Vegas next year - if only he knew what he was getting himself into! HARDCORE this lot, and some travelled from across Europe for this one. An hour later and we were all settled inside for what turned out to be a special special night.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Down came the KISS curtain to reveal an enormous stage set crammed onto the tiny Forum stage. Banks upon banks of speakers, with Singer's drum riser placed up high in the centre below the iconic KISS logo in lights; it looked superb. Detriot Rock City opened things up in glorious fashion, with enough pyrotechnics for an olympic opening ceremony. The place went nuts, with Simmons, Stanley and co strutting their stuff in full costume and make up, and loving it.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7dAdBJAJRYInEFu057aAYUVnqmUuhESdmhGpMeUoSFtrmujduJa3c9Ywy3GJEnhfXB6clP8XIHKT5REQJE42bMAFn4KMYjhA14IwMFZkDtsCq-JUBMyx6LSy3yYr-3CZLViibGVLqefz/s1600/Kiss+full+stage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7dAdBJAJRYInEFu057aAYUVnqmUuhESdmhGpMeUoSFtrmujduJa3c9Ywy3GJEnhfXB6clP8XIHKT5REQJE42bMAFn4KMYjhA14IwMFZkDtsCq-JUBMyx6LSy3yYr-3CZLViibGVLqefz/s320/Kiss+full+stage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Huge spotlights picked them out in the fog,</b> and Stanley proceeded to remind us all that we are here and free to enjoy rock 'n' roll because of our armed forces, many of whom where in attendance tonight, and did a meet and greet with the band prior to the show. The splendid new single Hell or Hallelujah was next up, slipping seamlessly into the set as if it had been around for years. Its classic old Kiss, straight down rock & roll with a bubblegum chorus and the new album Monster promises to live up to it's name if this is anything to go by.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The evening was a staple set of Kiss klassics although Makin' Love was a pleasant addition to the romper stompers of Deuce, Shout it out Loud, and Calling Dr Love to name but a few. The band seemed fresh; not suprising really as this was only their second show in almost three months. Paul Stanley's voice was excellent all night; he was finger-lickin' good, posing for every camera lens he could get close to, and feeding guitar pics to the front row from his tongue like he'd found a new game. Gene strutted around like the mad demon he is, spitting out his bass licks and vocal duties with relish throughout the evening, and Singer & Thayer are now full on bona fide members. No hired hands these days. Thayer's guitar work and solos was spot on all evening, and the jam with Eric gave the two elder statesmen a breather without it being obvious fill-in-time.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs49rM3bfKsOsfDfEpSz9rEoRr7IuE1bHsauyzYNdAeIsKnVvY8W_gHs0ZNJAYm6zQKNyI4wbaWIgpDbGRVc980XpL3MZWh1cR1-AtpSBP0M8BN7LtDHxjRjAND71I_fO0uPI_M_qQNwAP/s1600/Kiss+-+Trio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs49rM3bfKsOsfDfEpSz9rEoRr7IuE1bHsauyzYNdAeIsKnVvY8W_gHs0ZNJAYm6zQKNyI4wbaWIgpDbGRVc980XpL3MZWh1cR1-AtpSBP0M8BN7LtDHxjRjAND71I_fO0uPI_M_qQNwAP/s1600/Kiss+-+Trio.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>How the Forum never burnt to the ground I will never know</b> - the amount of flammable stuff flying around was just non stop, and by mid set it was almost impossible to breathe, let alone to see across the theatre. But don't let this detract from the music. These guys seem like they are still hungry and they are still some of the best showmen in the business. Stanley likened the show to playing London years ago. "It reminds me of playing the Hammersmith Odeon, no big production, just straight rock n roll" he sounded genuinely happy to be in a theatre for a change.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Just over an hour later and an epic Black Diamond closed the set. Back came Kiss for Crazy Crazy Nights, Lick it Up, and Rock n Roll all Nite, complete with four massive confetti cannons that left the stalls and balcony knee deep in tic a tape. And that was that. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You had the sense you had witnessed something very very special. Kiss playing a little club is pretty unheard of these days. Kiss bringing the house down, well you'd half expect that, but to still be this good at feeding the masses after all this time, well, that's why they're the hottest band in the world . . . . . . </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qCzyDd_Yclingn_j_x2XJ62iQshFV2mu8E2heDKVdc3K5z99D4BTGfxAks8Tph1cq_Zn8yHqDkwHoHl6Fg935BHYG0_aRyBZXASySkCoYIzaJWpeu9ZSs0h82ICgZ_PCZ7IsqAAyPRK3/s1600/Kiss+-+Gene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qCzyDd_Yclingn_j_x2XJ62iQshFV2mu8E2heDKVdc3K5z99D4BTGfxAks8Tph1cq_Zn8yHqDkwHoHl6Fg935BHYG0_aRyBZXASySkCoYIzaJWpeu9ZSs0h82ICgZ_PCZ7IsqAAyPRK3/s1600/Kiss+-+Gene.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV3wyasfB18EQPMkKq_s7edY25OjEcK0ca7u1SwtwNoNb-0l74hzt0OxhSxpgRvt7pfqrr7KqoxxUzAf4z-wDDafDdJxeSFR3Q21zOpGKqd9r8mi-VegeBYtkFnSpi3bFVD5T3LC9nPvJ/s1600/Kiss+-+Shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLV3wyasfB18EQPMkKq_s7edY25OjEcK0ca7u1SwtwNoNb-0l74hzt0OxhSxpgRvt7pfqrr7KqoxxUzAf4z-wDDafDdJxeSFR3Q21zOpGKqd9r8mi-VegeBYtkFnSpi3bFVD5T3LC9nPvJ/s400/Kiss+-+Shirt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The rare event T-Shirt specially produced for the London show and just £25</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Setlist</span></b></u><br />
<br />
Detroit Rock City<br />
Hell or Hallelujah (live debut)<br />
Deuce<br />
Shout it out Loud<br />
Makin' Love<br />
I Love it Loud<br />
Shock me (+ Thayer / Martin jam)<br />
Calling Dr Love<br />
100,000 Years<br />
Love Gun<br />
Black Diamond<br />
----------<br />
Crazy Crazy Nights<br />
Lick it Up<br />
Rock and Roll all Nite<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/sit-down-waldo-its-mighty-van-halen.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for our review of Van Halen from Toronto with Diamond Dave, March 2012</a></span></b><br />
<br />Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-83353948157921156502012-06-17T09:05:00.000+01:002012-06-17T09:39:27.914+01:00Deth in the Ballroom 2012, Megadeth style<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Camden Electric Ballroom Tuesday 12th June 2012 + video</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGwSNmohBub-TKD6vIcCj6bYm6yfD3f9slD5HBSp_7zxaHHVPPxj1IRD5owcCMy0M9tTkdRuAtf2OjD6gAY7eLPUYh1nQIiInNOQ2ScAz2kMXeuN5SGQh0Ie3K8aK_3NsRKHIJH4odWfu/s1600/Deth+tix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGwSNmohBub-TKD6vIcCj6bYm6yfD3f9slD5HBSp_7zxaHHVPPxj1IRD5owcCMy0M9tTkdRuAtf2OjD6gAY7eLPUYh1nQIiInNOQ2ScAz2kMXeuN5SGQh0Ie3K8aK_3NsRKHIJH4odWfu/s320/Deth+tix.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Dave Mustaine has come a long way over the years.</b> On 6th March 1987 the author saw their first european gig at Hammersmith Odeon. The venue couldn't even spell their name correctly as you can see above, and the ticket cost around a fiver. After spending six hours on a National Express coach to get there, expectations were massive that day. This would-be guitar hero who was kicked out of Metallica by now had a couple of great records under his belt, so the show was a must-see. Mustaine & co came on stage almost an hour late allegedly due to airport problems although it looked to the average fan that it was more likely down to personal problems. We got barely an hour from them, lots of sloppy snarling and snapping and intermittent audience boos, but nevertheless I came away feeling there could be something special being cooked up here. Record companies also thought so, and they've been proved spot on with steady album sales over two decades.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Twenty five years on, and Megadeth have slipped in a cosy little club show in London a couple of days after their Download appearance. With Metallica having just churned out the Black Album in it's entirety, now it was Megadeth's turn in the spotlight at this £50 (inc fees) ticket show and we hoped they wouldn't be all back-to-front.<br />
<br />
Bearing in mind we were in a tiny sweaty club holding around a thousand people, I was anticipating something above and beyond; maybe a run through of Peace Sells, or Rust in Peace or something left of centre. Instead we got a safe "part of the tour set". Sure the sound was excellent, the band were no doubt excited to be back in a club (well, excited as Dave ever can be), and worked the audience as well as they ever do, but it was just very safe. You felt they never got off the leash and really went for it. Part of the problem is they haven't released a killer album for years and unless you go back to the late 80s / early 90s there are only a limited number of highlights to roll out.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbJzR6zIegTWSmjbalGapEhTfRfPOXXk0rbjt9DD_8IBIddsbwJ4DaOZ60gESNmhvD35HyDOCDXRM0LFXeIaglDPBxZM7eFVcIZeyslKqObpJup9ilLW7EZTSLCe5KRqU3ouR9rM-K_iL/s1600/Megadeth+-+Electric+Ballroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbJzR6zIegTWSmjbalGapEhTfRfPOXXk0rbjt9DD_8IBIddsbwJ4DaOZ60gESNmhvD35HyDOCDXRM0LFXeIaglDPBxZM7eFVcIZeyslKqObpJup9ilLW7EZTSLCe5KRqU3ouR9rM-K_iL/s320/Megadeth+-+Electric+Ballroom+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The new album is an improvement however,</b> and Never Dead, Drugs Guns & Money and particularly Public Enemy No.1 were pretty tasty, but I was really anticipating more. The closing three numbers were as rowdy as it got, as everything built to a climax of sorts. After a boisterous Symphony of Destruction, a terrific Peace Sells finished the set before the encore of Holy Wars. <br />
<br />
A decent gig, but as mentioned earlier, Mustaine knows his limits these days, a safe perfomance with enough in his locker over the years to deliver enough for everyone to go home happy. If it were a game of "21" you just know he's gonna stick on 17 these days. How times have changed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/uAc8HP9_DtI/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/uAc8HP9_DtI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/uAc8HP9_DtI?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBzI-SicTkk4ZYDiHCg3euMo32vozsOzSxFtprvnXzpKnVLwzVBDVZ8KeJPmzb_ln9CDE52ix7eGnGIPzNqt5f4UXj_xuYbnYdbV8O1rMHPQWonUcHSRkG39U8LRV996Qgxpz7rEqumfI/s1600/Megadeth+-+Electric+Ballroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBzI-SicTkk4ZYDiHCg3euMo32vozsOzSxFtprvnXzpKnVLwzVBDVZ8KeJPmzb_ln9CDE52ix7eGnGIPzNqt5f4UXj_xuYbnYdbV8O1rMHPQWonUcHSRkG39U8LRV996Qgxpz7rEqumfI/s320/Megadeth+-+Electric+Ballroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mustaine has always had "a lot of neck" on him . . .</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Setlist</b></span></u><br />
<br />
<b>Never Dead</b><br />
<b>Headcrusher</b><br />
<b>Hanger 18</b><br />
<b>She-Wolf</b><br />
<b>Trust </b><br />
<b>Foreclosure of a Dream</b><br />
<b>Dawn Patrol</b><br />
<b>Poison was the Cure</b><br />
<b>Sweating Bullets</b><br />
<b>A tout le Monde</b><br />
<b>Angry Again</b><br />
<b>Drugs Guns & Money</b><br />
<b>Who's life is it Anyways</b><br />
<b>Public Enemy No.1</b><br />
<b>Symphony of Destruction </b><br />
<b>Peace Sells . . . but who's buying</b><br />
<b>---------</b><br />
<b>Holy Wars . . The Punishment Due </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkXXSSTxAQZ47g85-1BAgysjx2yLVlJ6Xghcsui2Pwv7GcXw5oQ5SSV7PjC_MMyUDhpbqfcCay3FppnXsRpTtKCoYxshV5VYbR7-sUsbDNugU5M5zrKFEqODUL2pOGT2wu_uqr_ByehU_/s1600/Deth+1987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYkXXSSTxAQZ47g85-1BAgysjx2yLVlJ6Xghcsui2Pwv7GcXw5oQ5SSV7PjC_MMyUDhpbqfcCay3FppnXsRpTtKCoYxshV5VYbR7-sUsbDNugU5M5zrKFEqODUL2pOGT2wu_uqr_ByehU_/s320/Deth+1987.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A never seen before photo of Mustaine from that Hammersmith 1987 show w/guitar pic from that night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/slayer-reign-at-palace.html" target="_blank">Here's a review of Slayer's only 2012 UK gig from Alexandra Palace . . . performing REIGN IN BLOOD!</a></span></b><br /><br /></div>Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-70295000202069907582012-06-05T10:45:00.000+01:002012-06-17T09:46:17.626+01:00Night Ranger can still Rock in London 2012!!<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>London O2 Islington Academy, Monday 4th June 2012</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NZKSkr0hvn139cd88PQJLdUlrmBS60o7zI5mOTMA5gDUC5zJrwaFiW4MPflz8RNpJTsN7E12nl2f_UbQYb7DVOTlcerpyASQHTy0DruhUBIrhi1VGq6pWkxkNvQBdr4nuIq3efSc_Zkh/s1600/IMG00497-20120604-2253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NZKSkr0hvn139cd88PQJLdUlrmBS60o7zI5mOTMA5gDUC5zJrwaFiW4MPflz8RNpJTsN7E12nl2f_UbQYb7DVOTlcerpyASQHTy0DruhUBIrhi1VGq6pWkxkNvQBdr4nuIq3efSc_Zkh/s320/IMG00497-20120604-2253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>The 80s Metal renaissance </b>continues to spread far and wide in 2012. Van Halen, Faith no More, Accept, Slayer and Megadeth have all hit the road this year playing to packed houses, and reminding us all just how fine a time the era of MTV metal really was three decades ago. Now it was the turn of Night Ranger.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The band had not played the UK for an eternity, yet this show made it the second time they have now played this intimate 800 capacity venue in just under 12 months. The place suits them to perfection. Small, and tight, yet with remarkably good sound and an audience in within touching distance meant that they ripped it up last time around, and this time everyone was anticipating more of the same. In the end, it was indeed a no-brainer.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Fans travelled the length and breadth of the country for the last show, and this year was no exception. Although not quite sold out, the Academy seemed to be full to the rafters, and Dante Fox served up an accomplished short set before the main attraction, Night Ranger . . . .<br />
<br />
Lights dimmed, the AC/DC intro tape faded away and Lay it on Me, opened things up in glorious fashion. The band looked delighted to be back in a venue they tore apart twelve months ago, and it seemed like a home town audience again, as they proceeded to play all manner of classics from their thirty year catalogue in various guises, including one unexpected treat. <br />
<br />
<b>The quintet were on fire,</b> Jack Blades rocking out like a teenager, Kelly Keagy taking his share of vocal duties with aplomb, and Brad Gillis scorching through every guitar solo like it was his last. The man was simply stunning, with incredible stage persona, pulling out impressive solos seemingly at will. He was just breathtaking.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi895DCqAOsJ7wT_AC35SzLekrMuvTEYeNf7aPmlJt6TJjD-Yp3OGCblsLN4ouCjaacMuXuLYp-bH0IGjxnAGeYcdbi5C10Po0zis3KPBhEkPWwH84ZxOx3pR8vXQTbE9Wo44Lc-MqUU05g/s1600/IMG00498-20120604-2253+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi895DCqAOsJ7wT_AC35SzLekrMuvTEYeNf7aPmlJt6TJjD-Yp3OGCblsLN4ouCjaacMuXuLYp-bH0IGjxnAGeYcdbi5C10Po0zis3KPBhEkPWwH84ZxOx3pR8vXQTbE9Wo44Lc-MqUU05g/s320/IMG00498-20120604-2253+%282%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Blades reminisced about times gone by, speaking of the first song they ever wrote, how their rider had changed over thirty years, and lauding Gillis' fine work with Ozzy on the Talk of the Devil live album. They then powered through a frenetic Crazy Train which was a real treat, and the highlights seemed too many to mention, including Secret of My Success, High Enough, and Touch of Madness. The set closed with the mesmerizing keyboard riff of Don't Tell me you Love Me, before the two encores in Sister Christian, and a supremely heavy (You can still) Rock in America. <br />
<br />
I'm not sure why it took Night Ranger so long to hit the UK since those 1985 gigs. The two shows at this venue in the last twelve months has shown they are still the absolute real deal, thirty years on from when they started out. One fan there saw them in Japan in 1985; others were on the american Monsters of Rock Cruise earlier this year; someone else was here from New Zealand, but the sentiment from everybody seemed to be they just get better and better as time goes by. Truly coming of age.<br />
<br />
The 80s Metal renaissance is alive and screaming in 2012. Magnificent.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Setlist</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<b>Lay it on Me</b><br />
<b>Sing me Away</b><br />
<b>Seven Wishes</b><br />
<b>Coming of Age (Damn Yankees cover)</b><br />
<b>Crazy Train (Ozzy cover)</b><br />
<b>Rumours in the Air</b><br />
<b>The Secret of My Success</b><br />
<b>Let Him Run</b><br />
<b>Goodbye</b><br />
<b>Eddie's Comin' out Tonight </b><br />
<b>High Enough (Damn Yankees cover)</b><br />
<b>Growing up in California</b><br />
<b>Touch of Madness</b><br />
<b>Four in the Morning (I can't take anymore)</b><br />
<b>When you close your Eyes</b><br />
<b>Don't tell me you love me (with Deep Purple Highway Star snippet)</b><br />
<b>----------</b><br />
<b>Sister Christian</b><br />
<b>(You can still) Rock in America</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1BSvX291RUEU3APwg3vAnk62iqzXAGOGGHrOe6_23EMSbsuvJUyyuW0ZKR_be7Y1OYXb5G04kLrfToliuxc1ZfD97-TWQjMsCTbKwphRoYuXb01g89fuSeCkNLMFmKj7J1WnW7Q8Ta3a/s1600/IMG00494-20120604-2252+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1BSvX291RUEU3APwg3vAnk62iqzXAGOGGHrOe6_23EMSbsuvJUyyuW0ZKR_be7Y1OYXb5G04kLrfToliuxc1ZfD97-TWQjMsCTbKwphRoYuXb01g89fuSeCkNLMFmKj7J1WnW7Q8Ta3a/s320/IMG00494-20120604-2252+%282%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJFZ-f7mwgGsyqPmqGfH3E04FzuOyoG6BzhzakF_n0eSwYff48TOlCUhn0mnUsu0EiVQ6awJLlndKW0eVPA-tbauoNmW5YU8tRZ4u1aaynxJqEcrbeQ7-C5bqoXmYjPb8NsOvDFDLeVeu/s1600/Nightranger+tix+%283%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJFZ-f7mwgGsyqPmqGfH3E04FzuOyoG6BzhzakF_n0eSwYff48TOlCUhn0mnUsu0EiVQ6awJLlndKW0eVPA-tbauoNmW5YU8tRZ4u1aaynxJqEcrbeQ7-C5bqoXmYjPb8NsOvDFDLeVeu/s320/Nightranger+tix+%283%29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/FRefYkdmd78?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="color: red;">Special thanks to everyone in the geordie corner in The Angelic for making it such a great party, and to Stevie M and Si.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/sit-down-waldo-its-mighty-van-halen.html" target="_blank">Click here for a review + pix of Van Halen's incredible show at Toronto's AC Centre from March 2012</a></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-8402071947186645462012-05-26T20:38:00.001+01:002012-06-17T09:41:59.437+01:00Slayer Reign at the Palace!<h2 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Alexandra Palace Friday 23rd May 2012 ~ headlining ATP Festival, and performing Reign in Blood in it's entirety</b></span></u></h2>
<h2 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuEE7ekV-S2-tIXr9-esvCgIB3EXgtVtfaX65ohtrq8WOZEFkdAQmRFzatUW_QNwnljztFnBu9mDB15wA0IRsI02R74zrI3n7mPA9kHAQL5Hhu0FvQ0ZXXOA9-0cPkoK0HhULs8CgApIC/s1600/Wristband.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuEE7ekV-S2-tIXr9-esvCgIB3EXgtVtfaX65ohtrq8WOZEFkdAQmRFzatUW_QNwnljztFnBu9mDB15wA0IRsI02R74zrI3n7mPA9kHAQL5Hhu0FvQ0ZXXOA9-0cPkoK0HhULs8CgApIC/s640/Wristband.jpg" width="640" /></a> It's actually twenty six years since Reign in Blood was unleashed as an import-only release in the UK on an audience already embracing Ride the Lightning and Spreading the Disease. The content was deemed too severe for the UK label to initially release it, and with it's fine artwork it became one of my first import vinyl purchases. Volume Records in Durham, I salute you. 26 years later, it's the album that shaped thrash, spawning a million wannabees, and as Carlsberg would say, it's probably he best thrash album in the world, ever.</h2>
<h2 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">
The UK shows on the Reign in Pain tour back in '87 were a landmark. Six shows in six nights, culminating at Hammersmith Odeon. They soundchecked for us with Judas Priest covers on those warm April afternoons; a leap away from the likes of Angel of Death that would follow a few hours later. Our car broke down after four shows so the roadies gave us a lift to the last two concerts. Forty eight hours of sleeping on piles of merchandise followed, living on greasy scumburgers and filling cardboard boxes with £20 notes in the capital, flogging T-shirts for the band before and after the shows. Imagine it, in 1987 Slayer paid ME money to attend those last couple of gigs.</h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2SPXyXm_OdQlkQPmYWjhCMkfQ0NnqtXN0p8nFH3PvnmeTF1LlbpDLa3bt82a3Ve8KTAXSO6dHgHfZs61bw4NZjZ2ZiAJx_RxAsifL2eZQ-xXRzfZLsSKTXqjU51Ups8XSE-YuK1qeHAfw/s640/Slayer.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">25 years of . . . . REIGN IN BLOOD</span></b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">
Fast forward then to the twenty-first century, and they still have that magical attraction. Like a bottle of fine wine, Slayer age well, and you know exactly what you're gonna get. I've seen them play RIB in it's entirety a few times before, at the London Astoria in 2003 two nights running, and later at Hammy O in 2008. It was truly a sight to behold and over in a blur, but Slayer at a gaping cow-shed of a festival is a rather different proposition from a small sweaty grubby theatre. It was a strange festival to headline; the only other band of note appearing on Friday were The Melvins, with the remaining bill made up of Sleep, Wolves from the Throne Room, Yob, and A Storm of Light. It's wasn't sold out (a steep £50 inc. booking fees for a day ticket explains why), but nevertheless ATP told me they had around 7,500 people attending on the Friday. Scarlet Mist ticket site came up trumps and after a few emails and texts, a lovely lady made my day with a reasonably priced ticket.</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
And so to Slayer live in MMXII <span style="font-weight: normal;"> . . . . no Jeff Hanneman as he's still not fully recovered from his spider bite, and Gary Holt continued to deputise. At 9.45pm sharp Slayer hit the high and wide festival stage with a thunderous World Painted Blood, Araya his usual calm and collected self. You wouldn't know it was Slayer's first show for six months; musically they were as tight as ever with the exception of a Reborn rehash, and we were blessed with perfect festival sound. As always, a sea of bodies swirled overhead and underfoot as moshpits came and went like little twisters in hurricane season. They tore into Die by the Sword, then straight into the mindless chaos that was Chemical Warfare. The pot was coming to the boil. </span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Gary Holt was filling in admirably, King his beautiful ugly self shredding every song, while Lombardo was a fireball of frenetic pounding energy.</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Dead Skin Mask gave us all a little breather and then it was time for the main feast . . . . . . Reign in Blood in it's entirety. In the past when I've seen them play the album, Slayer ripped into one song straight after the next, completing the spectacle in what seemed like fifteen minutes. Tonight it was more controlled aggression, short breaks between each masterpiece. It was served up in massive hammer blows, each one becoming gradually more ferocious than the last, until it all came sharply into focus as Lombardo delivered his massive crunching heartbeats and Raining Blood poured from the smoke filled stage. The dense red deathly fog enveloped everyone near the front, and cue mayhem & total chaos. Bodies everywhere, they scorched through it at 78rpm, with security struggling to cope with the tides of sweaty surfing corpses that descended towards the stage.</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">We were rewarded with three encores, and gracious thanks for our attendance as always, and that was it. Slayer's only UK show this year had been and gone in 75 minutes.</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">As mentioned earlier, you know what you're gonna get at a Slayer show. Yet again they delivered in clinical style. Age creeps up on us all, but these guys are still holding back the sands of time and have lost none of the aggression, power, speed, and intensity that make their shows an essential fix. Slayer yet again leave you happily battered into submission when it's all over. Truly marvellous entertainment.</span></h2>
<h2 style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Setlist</span></u></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>World Painted Blood<br />Psychopathy Red<br />Die by the Sword<br />Chemical Warfare<br />Hate Worldwide<br />Dead Skin Mask<br />----<br />Angel of Death<br />Piece by Piece<br />Necrophobic<br />Altar of Sacrifice<br />Jesus Saves<br />Criminally Insane<br />Reborn (x 2, 1st version messed up)<br />Epidemic<br />Post Mortem<br />Raining Blood<br />----<br />South of Heaven<br />Snuff<br />War Ensemble</b></span></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-GwtpYCB1zA5olzI-AZGRmUZ8Zqor2Ra5MDVgXX36ErRNl3YppAQLvBKKyvsjFap90zCk9wxWTm0S_4P3N5EjstaOnPmOTTM77tLqCxqAMNQe-EZi3R-5fL8f9QUfxtkE5OJ_pRG86uQ/s1600/Canvas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ-GwtpYCB1zA5olzI-AZGRmUZ8Zqor2Ra5MDVgXX36ErRNl3YppAQLvBKKyvsjFap90zCk9wxWTm0S_4P3N5EjstaOnPmOTTM77tLqCxqAMNQe-EZi3R-5fL8f9QUfxtkE5OJ_pRG86uQ/s640/Canvas.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The impressive Reign in Blood canvas montage on display in the foyer</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;">Big thanks to Laura, and also to the great stage security staff for the gallons of cold water, and taking care of everyone at the front.</span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">For all the best unofficial Slayer news, check out http://www.slayerized.com</span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/deth-in-ballroom-2012-megadeth-style.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/deth-in-ballroom-2012-megadeth-style.html" target="_blank">Here's a review of Megadeth's tiny London club show at Camden's Electric Ballroom from 12th June 2012</a> </span></b></span></h2>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><b style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></span></h2>Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-2715875018549172942012-03-20T17:36:00.005+00:002012-06-17T09:49:38.328+01:00Sit down Waldo . . . it's the Mighty Van Halen!<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPGVIbs8l9r9hYsOnI-kQ26Gi0CWP8Q-GvluF-lvSOeTg3dWJnYj-hHS1S5nmWdBEHaTCCEqpJSeN9JTZ8bG3U1ffTDUI-vHibYVeno66VI-OH6wfPjH_y1kpRCRwdy5RgcVQnYOp31Hb/s1600/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPGVIbs8l9r9hYsOnI-kQ26Gi0CWP8Q-GvluF-lvSOeTg3dWJnYj-hHS1S5nmWdBEHaTCCEqpJSeN9JTZ8bG3U1ffTDUI-vHibYVeno66VI-OH6wfPjH_y1kpRCRwdy5RgcVQnYOp31Hb/s320/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Outside.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Air Canada Centre, Toronto, 17th March 2012</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I guess the decision to get off my backside and see Van Halen in the Big Apple (Toronto actually) was not one to be taken lightly. It was indeed a high risk strategy. Judging by how they've got on over the years, it was quite possible that they would split up again before the tour had even started. Equally likely would be Eddie falling off one of his many wagons, Dave upsetting the toybox, or that they were just doing it for the Yankee Dollar & going through the motions as in 2007.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But to see VH with Dave for the first time since Donington 1984, was just too good an opportunity to pass up and european shows at this time were not looking likely. The new album is surprisingly strong, some old demos rehashed and supplemented with new songs and I decided to take the plunge, so with flights booked, accomodation with a friendly Mackem sorted for a couple of nights, and with tickets blagged, it was Game On.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The ACC is home to Toronto's Ice Hockey and Basketball teams. It holds 14,000 people and is a nice deep bowl giving good views from everywhere. The show was well sold out, with ticket prices ranging from $90 basic, to $995 for the Ultimate VIP packages.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Kool and the Gang opened for Van Halen at 7.30pm sharp, with the arena pretty empty. I still don't get this, I really don't. Sure, the audiences are of a similar age, but they were a real struggle for me, schmoozing through their ten semi-beefed-up songs for the sparse crowd with a few acceptable guitar solos. By the time they finished up with Get Down On It, and Celebration, the ACC was half full, and by the end of their set I concede they went down pretty well, so job done guys, thank you. Now let's have the main attraction.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxd5wc1xYDOBrsMhpCD12OSamLp9nncPJlIssSYMm6qPt8NUbazJlW1odYyyl1nIrswdX85Nxs2I6FEjHpgymCU-ZtxzWqc_4mTylzyUJEz_dOC16acmfjdqH6MZQzM7E4iXhsFFNwnQv/s1600/Van+Halen+-+ACC++stage+%252B+screen+head+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxd5wc1xYDOBrsMhpCD12OSamLp9nncPJlIssSYMm6qPt8NUbazJlW1odYyyl1nIrswdX85Nxs2I6FEjHpgymCU-ZtxzWqc_4mTylzyUJEz_dOC16acmfjdqH6MZQzM7E4iXhsFFNwnQv/s640/Van+Halen+-+ACC++stage+%252B+screen+head+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Half an hour later and it was showtime. No intro, no big build up, lights out, a ten second drum roll from Alex, and Wolfgang, Eddie & Dave appeared from the wings and launched straight into a searing version of Unchained. The stage was wide and spacious, rows of white Marshall amps flanking Alex's drum riser which was central, up a flight of four steps. Dave had a rectangular floor panel maybe 15 x 10 feet of polished wood on which he replicated a variety of high kicks, moonwalks, and smooth Diamond Davesque moves throughout the show. The large and mobile lighting rig bathed the stage with all manner of colours throughout the set, and the whole theatre for the evening was completed with a huge jumbotron screen probably 120 x 30 feet in size displaying live multi-cam shots all night, interspersed with logos and off stage footage, all in monochrome which produced a real visual spectacle.<br />
<br />
They scorched through 24 Hagar-free songs in a touch under two hours. Four new songs featured including Tattoo, and China Town. Highlights for me were Everybody Wants Some, Panama, a rip-roaring Hot for Teacher, and a glorious rendition of Ice Cream Man, prefaced by Dave strumming an acoustic guitar while the jumbotron showed clips of the man himself with his cowdogs & sheepdogs. Surreal, but it worked a treat. Roth has lost none of his charisma; the showman is very much alive and revelling in the band's renaissance, grinning from ear to ear all night, as he worked the audience like a cat with the cream. Sure the high notes are a little less high now, and the high kicks are more restrained, but it's all still there, just a touch older, and possibly wiser.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We got a neat solo from Alex mid-set, presumably engineered to give the rest of the band a breather, and allow Dave to make yet another costume change. The icing on the cake came towards the end of the show, when Eddie Van Halen produced what could only be described as a simply stunning guitar solo. We were back in 1979 again as Eddie proceeded to deliver a five minute piece featuring all the elements we know and love from Eruption and the early albums, It ebbed and flowed crisply and note for note, the perfect sound piercing the night air. The whole arena in silence as he sat casually on a step just in front of the drum riser and crafted a work that will live with all who watched him for a lifetime.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTH3ZIV5nLghopG_Et0luLEn0U-GgzcbI41itmLIL3xhO6eSdY6S3ksX0NfVgF99lPyCz-znw5_t7khHxKc8LFN54SuDVi7LBRslIVcdvGd7qikhhnEkeGp4IEZywbwX1bpd1LUybivIG/s1600/Van+Halen+-+Eddie+Jumbo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTH3ZIV5nLghopG_Et0luLEn0U-GgzcbI41itmLIL3xhO6eSdY6S3ksX0NfVgF99lPyCz-znw5_t7khHxKc8LFN54SuDVi7LBRslIVcdvGd7qikhhnEkeGp4IEZywbwX1bpd1LUybivIG/s1600/Van+Halen+-+Eddie+Jumbo+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pqRHBM0aww1O7BR2GIiHJFn5UBxOiEHbKDDWS7nV5u6krLEfXsPzWgn1YOiXk7Six_GNO9vCB0mUh3SNznLwWczKBG3j9z5bu_0M6z29ajbusOgkJXUPL6T888HAV9AyZJIjCTw5elq-/s1600/Van+Halen+-+Eddie+Jumbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0pqRHBM0aww1O7BR2GIiHJFn5UBxOiEHbKDDWS7nV5u6krLEfXsPzWgn1YOiXk7Six_GNO9vCB0mUh3SNznLwWczKBG3j9z5bu_0M6z29ajbusOgkJXUPL6T888HAV9AyZJIjCTw5elq-/s1600/Van+Halen+-+Eddie+Jumbo.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Finishing with a boyhood-like twinkle in his eye and a raised arm acknowledging the cheering crowd, he and the rest of the band tore into Ain't Talking 'bout Love. "Do you want one more? Do you?" roared Roth, and 1984's Jump closed the show, accompanied by blasts from a confetti cannon which left the stage and front rows of the crowd swimming in red and white ticker-tape. A few waves and bows later, and they were gone.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94mI1NVhZfcBri_V9ZqTEpkCHrt-509lAF4Xvfjv8OiOsmbSEhPpbMHATjecyAvyVyqNP4S5UZkzvk4HCLhilJcVbBwAUxrMjVqWxKrw05XjrT3-OgndmaibpUQ4l_wRGXWo3S6ccNK7U/s1600/Van+Halen+-+Ticker+Tape.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94mI1NVhZfcBri_V9ZqTEpkCHrt-509lAF4Xvfjv8OiOsmbSEhPpbMHATjecyAvyVyqNP4S5UZkzvk4HCLhilJcVbBwAUxrMjVqWxKrw05XjrT3-OgndmaibpUQ4l_wRGXWo3S6ccNK7U/s640/Van+Halen+-+Ticker+Tape.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Van Halen in 2012 have lost none of their glitterball party sparkle. Abiding memories a few days later are that they appear to be sober, clean, healthy, and happy. The addictions and destructions that have hindered past reformations seem to be elsewhere. They perform like they are enjoying being together again, with Dave and Eddie laughing and joking with eachother throughout the show. Wolfgang was Wolfgang, the hired hand and family member but he does make the band complete and it worked. They may well be doing it for their share of the $93 million the 51 shows will gross up to the end of June (that's before T-shirts at $40 a pop), but they seem to be having a hell of a party along the way.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Should they ever bring the show to Europe, treat yourselves and get along; I doubt you'll be disappointed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Full Setlist</b></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Unchained</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Runnin' with the Devil</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">She's the Woman</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Full Bug</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tattoo</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Everybody Wants Some!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Somebody Get me a Doctor</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">China Town</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hear About it Later</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Oh Pretty Woman</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Drum Solo)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You Really Got Me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Trouble with Never</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dance the Night Away</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I'll Wait</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Hot for Teacher</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Women in Love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Girl Gone Bad</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Beautiful Girls</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ice Cream Man</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Panama</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">(Guitar Solo)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ain't Talkin 'bout Love</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jump</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_7cjOU7BSjkjvHuzz7DFPFgBLO4sHG-pfV09FdowFfkQ7A1G6VQmR0bzJ_fpQEtBGUxmSiHjtZp4WEsQ-3qGdIYn8pbNG9Z9iwIU-fvafpV8hXaIKoRTremg2Gj7K3_R-dfdjUeVriuU/s1600/Van+Halen+-++ACC+Dave+Eddie+Duo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_7cjOU7BSjkjvHuzz7DFPFgBLO4sHG-pfV09FdowFfkQ7A1G6VQmR0bzJ_fpQEtBGUxmSiHjtZp4WEsQ-3qGdIYn8pbNG9Z9iwIU-fvafpV8hXaIKoRTremg2Gj7K3_R-dfdjUeVriuU/s320/Van+Halen+-++ACC+Dave+Eddie+Duo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>"We're buddies again, right?"</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uSceHuk_GvMOFMqp8U4TW_sSftII8LjJ1IauTDpRpd7ofzysue6umZObGNEcJ6t_LAPL1CN_-Uy_8tlAwAacGECfbnOzj4T6p1VzIDvewdaKywx7L-Td9Szgo5xBzIvDXuuvUiOM5j4Y/s1600/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Dave+Eddie+purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uSceHuk_GvMOFMqp8U4TW_sSftII8LjJ1IauTDpRpd7ofzysue6umZObGNEcJ6t_LAPL1CN_-Uy_8tlAwAacGECfbnOzj4T6p1VzIDvewdaKywx7L-Td9Szgo5xBzIvDXuuvUiOM5j4Y/s320/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Dave+Eddie+purple.jpg" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEd7EoajzUB5YUUlbziISKGwz-4WLXYcLzsVW1xAti-qIX1YBfmoISPAIROHrb8N_8BdEi23YVQN0K2bcprv2jBniLuE3eI5CZUFcz0xQg1iUaGUDE3lg7w34OJ1zfrpYd5xzPhKHHXuX/s1600/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Full+Stage+++Stagefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEd7EoajzUB5YUUlbziISKGwz-4WLXYcLzsVW1xAti-qIX1YBfmoISPAIROHrb8N_8BdEi23YVQN0K2bcprv2jBniLuE3eI5CZUFcz0xQg1iUaGUDE3lg7w34OJ1zfrpYd5xzPhKHHXuX/s320/Van+Halen+-+ACC+Full+Stage+++Stagefront.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">Spare room & selected photos with thanks to J. Also thanks to James and the G man.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><a href="http://safcsmoke.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/night-ranger-can-still-rock-in-london.html" target="_blank">CLICK HERE for a killer review of Night Ranger's London club show from the 02 Academy 4th June 2012</a></span></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047603500486570311.post-48927410555959342582011-09-18T21:03:00.000+01:002011-09-18T21:03:15.933+01:00The Stadium of Delight<div style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Sunderland 4 stoke 0</b></span></div><div style="color: blue;"></div><br />
What appeared on the face of it to be a potentially nervy afternoon quickly turned into a home town party as Sunderland ran out comfortable winners against an out of sorts Stoke side obviously worse for wear from their long trip back from eastern europe in midweek.<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">An early goal from Titus Bramble, quickly followed by a solid Jonathan Woodgate header past his own keeper (bless, never trust a mag) meant Sunderland had a two goal cushion with the game barely ten minutes old. A deflected Craig Gardner effort made it 3 - 0 on the half hour mark, and by half time, the lads were home and dry.<br />
<br />
The expected Stoke charge failed to materialise and the icing was placed atop the mackem cake with a gorgeous Seb Larsson free kick on the hour making it four nil to the Sunderland. Stoke launched plenty of Delap bombs towards the home goal which were all met by home heads, and we saw the game out comfortably to leave us snug in mid table, and looking very much forward again rather than back after a challenging week. Sunderland old boys reminded us exactly why they are old boys, with Whithead launching a screamer towards the South East corner, and Kenwyn reminding us exactly err, why he's Kenwyn and why he was sold.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Our whole XI played as a tidy unit, probably no coincidence considering that both O'Shea and Brown played the full 90 minutes in tidy fashion. Catts was rested, and David Vaughan ran the midfield picking pass after pass (89% success rate) to give some much needed creativity. Elmo looked much improved, and Mignolet dealt admirably with everything the Potters could throw at him.<br />
<br />
Steve Bruce, unhappy about the "mass hysteria" of the last few weeks left the post match press interviews to Eric Black and will take plenty of positives into the Norwich game in eight days time. The Gyan saga must now be put to bed to concentrate on very winnable games ahead. Around 32,000 watched today's win at the SoL, which is probably about 30,000 more than watched Al Ain's opening Pro-Cup match defeat this week. Sadly for the locals their new striker didn't play as he was back "resolving a couple of issues" in the UK.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVllGeqAIRcmPsJ_F9x5uOzAstcPTzxDRhqS80n8L8_wXyQS1QtBEIbZzKAeSdATVcv12XZHYjkNpaMx3k41Dx5cDH7CfNPiPDLScpNAiXeUTSOfGbeMvF6g1cyY1jylTutiiDdeJ6tsWv/s1600/Cashamoah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVllGeqAIRcmPsJ_F9x5uOzAstcPTzxDRhqS80n8L8_wXyQS1QtBEIbZzKAeSdATVcv12XZHYjkNpaMx3k41Dx5cDH7CfNPiPDLScpNAiXeUTSOfGbeMvF6g1cyY1jylTutiiDdeJ6tsWv/s1600/Cashamoah.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Your starter for ten panel . . . <br />
Geography: In what county is Stoke? <br />
I'll have to hurry you . . . .</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;">Stormer - David Vaughan brought a new dimension to our midfield (8)</span><br />
<span style="color: red;">Stinker - Plymouth Argyle, who sacked Peter Reid who had sold his FA Cup medal to pay their electric bill (3)</span></b></div><div style="color: red;"></div><div style="color: red; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Mumpy's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12322463029114390895noreply@blogger.com0