Review & Photography by Manny Manson for MPM
The Asylum Venue in Birmingham played host to a quartet of bands, ‘AIRFORCE’ being slightly younger than the co-headline acts of ‘GIRLSCHOOL’, ‘RAVEN’ and ‘ALCATRAZZ’, who incidentally swap headline slots on each gig.
How I’ve been trying to get to the previous incarnations of this tour over the last little while but have failed, so when I was asked to cover this, I jumped up and down with glee, okay that’s a bit twee, shall we just say I was more than keen to spend a school night in front of 3 bands that I used to thoroughly enjoy in my teenage years when these bands were all the rage. In fact, I have pictures of my dorm wall ( I went to boarding school o’right!) plastered with pages from Kerrang of these bands plus lots of others.
I make haste to that black hole of a road, the M6 to find it is unusually quiet, despite the 40mph speed limits we actually achieve this speed and make good time, even the Aston Expressway is empty? Ah well I get to the venue in good time and decide to give my brother a call, we haven’t spoken in a while so it was good to catch up with him and his wife, until the point the sound of loud music became apparent, Ooosh! a quick excuse me and I run to the venue, well its more an elderly loping gait, I’m on the guest list but there’s no pass but I’m assured I’m good to go.
AIRFORCE have hit the stage on time, which I’d over run with my phone call. There is a modest crowd in, it’s a Monday night and its only just gone 6:30pm, it’s an early doors with there being four bands.
The sound is great and as yet we are not over run with the dreaded smoke, a photographer’s nightmare. I’m pleased to announce that this was quickly remedied it would seem Jack the Ripper had entered the venue as we are cast back to those cobbled Victorian streets of horror, as the smoke billows forth. Joking aside Flavio and the boys are on form.
His voice is stunning as he shows off his dynamic range with the set opener, ‘Strike’ from the 2022 ‘Strike hard’ album it also featured on the Black Box Recordings Vol 1 back in 2017.
The meaty guitar riffs are classic hard rock, the thunderous drums propel this one along with a Maiden-esque rumble, partly down to Flavio’s vocal, an equal of Bruce Dickinson from Maidens early years. ‘Life Turns To Dust’ continues the thunderous sounds of this tight four piece. Flavio’s vocal, yet again, scaling the heights and giving the bats in the belfry bleeding ears, a stunning voice for sure. ‘Son of the Damned’ another from Strike hard has the intimate crowd punching the air as ‘Chop’ digs in effortlessly making his guitar scream in anger.
The bass of Tony Hatton is thumping into our chests as he ties in tight to the dynamic drumming of Doug Sampson. This is solid good old-fashioned rock as we go into ‘Heroes’ from 2016’s Judgement day. The buzzsaw riff builds and Doug unleashes a bombardment of snare as this one gallops along, the vocal is pure rock as it weaves around the anthemic guitar chugging melody, which leads into a sweetly crafted solo from ‘Chop’ it’s not frantic but well thought out, dare I say it’s a tasty lick or two put together with skill.
The heads in the crowd are down, bouncing along to the beat, this is another great tune as with a controlled scream Flavio brings this one to a climactic finish. The next one is introduced as what we are to each a ‘Band of Brothers’ another from off the 2022 long player Strike Hard.
As the guitars play out Flavio is encouraging the crowd to get their fists pumping, His foot on a monitor his outstretched arm just missing the over head roof supports. ‘Chop’ continues his tasteful soloing on this great tune as the crowd cheer along to the songs demise. ‘Finest Hour’ picks up where ‘BoB’ left of with display of fast feet and fingers, Tony Hatton is hitting his poses as he thumps out a thunderous bassline which is shaking the dust from the cobwebs overhead.
The crowd join in with the sing along sections, ok there’s a bit of prompting but we’re there, it’s a Monday night after all. The set finishes with one of my favourites, ‘Sniper’ with its romping bassline intro joined by Chop and Doug powering this one with a triplet feel. The harmonised guitar cuts through the smoke as Flavio’s voice delivers with power and flavour, his range is phenomenal as he tells the crowd we’re in his sights. Once more we are encouraged to sing along with the band as this one plays out, finishing with a trademark Flavio scream.
It’s a great opening set and has set the bench mark for GIRLSCHOOL to at least maintain. With there being another three bands it’s all hands-on deck for a quick change over.
Denise Dufort is sat behind the kit waiting as others scurry around sorting amps and leads and things, but before too long it’s time for GIRLSCHOOL, Tracey, Kim and Jax get into place whilst the assembled give them a warm hearty welcome, Kim is grateful that we have ventured out on a Monday night to see some old bands kick some ass, as they get under way with ‘Demolition Boys’ from the album Demolition from back in 1980.
It’s classic old school and an album I well remember. Dirty guitar and dirtier bass riffs slam at you, I can’t help but smile as it brings back memories from my youth. 1981’s ‘C’mon Let’s Go’ from Hit and Run continues with the nostalgia.
It’s a girl band playing heavy rock which back in the day was almost frowned on but then Motörhead where big friends and The collaborations with them helped with them being accepted as the real deal. Denise’s powerful drumming has lost nothing of its raw brutality.
Her double pedal work is still tight and on point as this great tune slams you fair and square on the chin! The girls are having fun as Jax shows she has chops to make this track her own, ‘The Hunter’ continues with songs from Hit and Run. It’s a driving tune full of dirty guitar and smiles as Jax rips the solo, her long locks flashing about in the mist as she does so.
We jump forward to a newer offering and its obvious we have the Jax Chambers influence on ‘Guilty as Sin’ the title track from the 2015 release. It’s got a thicker guitar sound but has lost none of the GIRLSCHOOL charm of old. It’s a head down banger of a track and fits into the set seamlessly. ‘81’s breakthrough album, Hit n Run features heavily in the set and why not it’s full of Iconic GIRLSCHOOL greatly enjoyed by those of us in the partisan crowd old enough to remember them from the day.
‘Future Flash’ has the heads bouncing and the fists flying, this has a Ramone’s feel to it, which is great in my book. ‘Kick It Down’ continues this run of 1980’s bangers. Both the crowd and the girls seem to be loving it, Traceys five string bass is thunderous as is Denise’s dynamic drumming, reminiscent of Philthy Phil’s style is crushing in its delivery, both have lost none of their edge. Kim’s voice is great, she has that snarl of old, classic stuff indeed, throw in the harmonies and its goosebumps time.
Yes, I’m a big fan and this is a guilty pleasure that I’m thoroughly enjoying, my neck is getting a good work out, ok not as wild as it was back in the early 80’s where we’d head bang all night and not be able to move our heads the next day. ‘Nothing To Lose’ returns us to the 1980’s album Demolition with is Rock/Punk feel.
This is a romping song with clattering guitars and throbbing beat and great vocals harmonies. Jax cuts lose and does a great job in playing a solo that’s solid and keeps the essence of the song despite having the Jax taste and flow, great job as her flies back an’ forth while doing so. Now we come right up to date with ‘It Is What It Is’ from the latest release WTFORTYFIVE.
It’s a driving number full of dirty guitar and thundering bass. It’s classic GIRLSCHOOL in the 21st Century, Jax’s scorching solo reminding everyone that the band can still cut it as they deliver this powerhouse of a track. This is followed by another from the new album, a pacey number by the name of ‘Up To No Good’, It pulses along with Denise getting a work out on the kit. Another solid track from the new album, full of GIRLSCHOOL angst.
Another ripping solo has me thinking of Fast Eddy, it’s that good in my book, and for me that’s what counts. We now get the first of two covers, the first one is the formidable ‘Race With The Devil’ by Gun from 1968, gets the GIRLSCHOOL treatment, the bass slams you in the gut like a tsunami as the familiar guitar riff breaks the verses sung by Tracey. Jax has her guitar screaming as the pace quickens, this is as good as I’ve seen Kelly play it back in the day a fitting compliment to Jax’s ability to keep it real.
Well, they couldn’t not play a Motörhead track and they don’t disappoint as Denise lets loose those fast feet and we get the unmistakable riff of ‘Bomber’ screaming at us. The crowd are on it singing and head banging, well those of us with hair are.
Its powerful and vicious, hard rock at its best, this is a hell of a Monday night and we still have another two bands to go. Jax rips into the solo as the song screams along, it’s a triumphant tribute to this great band. The night finishes with the romp that is Emergency from 1980.
The crowd are singing along again “999 Emergency” at the top of their voices what a song to finish on. This has been a GIRLSCHOOL fans wet dream, the band have been unreal, judging by the smiles and the playful banter they have enjoyed playing to this small but receptive crowd. The cheers continue long after the band have finished, what a smashing set, we liked that, a lot!
Wow another treat up next, another band that have been earmarked as being instrumental in a genre of bands dominated by the likes of Metallica, who, incidentally, opened for them back on their US tour in ’83. The mighty RAVEN from Newcastle.
As youthful as ever they get their set started with ‘Hard Ride’ from their 1981 album Rock Until You Drop. Hard hitting, they set off as they mean to carry on. Vocalist John Gallagher has his Rickenbacker bass thumping as his brother, Mark screams his solo out on his telecaster hanging from a studded strap, he pulls those familiar faces as he does so.
The associated athletic clothing that they used to wear has long since gone but the ferocity of their delivery is still there in spades. Old favourite, ‘Hell Patrol’ knocks it up a gear with a thunderous drum groove and a great riff coming from Mark, as John, having lost none of vocal dynamic screams the lyric of this one, another from Rock Until You Drop.
Great double foot work from Mike Heller keeps the brothers on track as this one smashes everyone against the back wall. Metal City’s ‘The Power’ continues this journey down memory lane with a superfast guitar riff and equally slamming drum groove, Heller working over-time as John’s bass rumbles fast and furiously whilst he screams the vocal, his voice is stunning as he waves at the crowd to get onboard and let loose.
His bass playing is remarkable, ok he’s using a Rick’ at the moment so you can’t help the Lemmy comparison as his distorted licks play back to his brothers, no pic being used, he has a technique of using his nail to catch the strings on the up and down strokes giving a tighter more controlled note when played lightning fast.
‘Top Of The Mountain’ from the same album continues the brutal assault. John’s great vocal weaves and soars around the melody, the drum groove is a phenomenal pace as Mark lets rip a tasty albeit short filthy riff. John’s voice gets higher and higher as he screams out the lyric, never venturing into it being out of control, the mans looked after his voice.
The song continues with a screaming pinched harmonic filled solo, the distorted bass bullying the song along, its frenetic as we get blast beats from Heller and some timely double foot action as the song soars to a climatic blast beat finish. WOW! We like that one, but before we have time to catch our breath, we get a thunderous slamming of drums as John introduces us to a new track from 2023’s album, All Hell’s Breaking Loose, the track is ‘Surf The Tsunami’ and just like one it’s a flourish of monumental proportions, a mighty wall of destructive riffage sweep across the crowd at an unstoppable breakneck speed, this is a corker of a track, proper old school speed metal and RAVEN are up there with the best of them.
The title track to ‘Rock Until You Drop’ follows and gives us a chance to catch our breath. This is full of some tasty playing, maybe not subtle but you get a reggae riff thrown in as the brothers share lead breaks between each other, great playing and hugely entertaining.
The youngsters in the crowd are nodding away, their faces gurning as they do so. As the song dies out Mark moves centre stage and amidst the smoke and red lighting, unleashes a torrent of break neck licks, riffs and runs up and down his guitar neck, these are accompanied by the much-needed face contortions as he squeezes the very life out of his guitar, his sweat flying as he twists and throws his head around, finishing with a screaming growl they run straight into ‘Faster Than the Speed of Light’ a devastating speed machine from the album, 1982’s ‘Wiped Out’.
The screaming guitar and thundering beats have the crowd nodding after cheering the solo work from Mark. It’s another stomping foot tapper that you can’t help locking into the beat with a screwed-up face.
The lead runs score your face as they are delivered in with a wicked slashing style, concussive drums and soaring vocals tie this one up tighter than a tight thing as the bass runs fill out the snare slams to finish to huge if somewhat breathless cheers. ‘Read All About It’ has the crowd joining in with the lyrics as John explains that when he says “what’s in the News” we say “read all about it”.
This is another break neck speed song as we have to be quick to reply, as the guitars scream and the bass thumps along relentlessly, it’s fun as your trying to breath, nod your head, sing out and thoroughly enjoy the moment.
The band are tireless as they continue the onslaught at break neck speed as ‘All Hells Breaking Loose’ underlines what is happening, the screaming guitar cries out in agony as John Screams the lyric from behind green and red back lit smoke.
The drums are machine like as they slam out and play some tasty grooves whilst the nasty bass lines rips your head off and Marks guitar makes a mess of what’s exposed, the dive bombs and screams continue to propel this monster of a song towards the back of the venue with intent full hurt written over it. ‘On and On’ brings back memories from 1985’s Stay Hard and the Football helmet wearing era, YouTube the videos if you weren’t there. Screams and harmonised vocals soar around a nasty guitar with the bass thundering, tightly locked in with the concussive drum groove slamming out hard and fast.
The mighty ‘Crash Bang Wallop’ finishes the night off in style. The intimate crowd joining in as and when they can as this one brings the set to close with all the subtlety of a mills bomb. And we still have a band to go.
ALCATRAZZ are the headliners tonight, a band I’ve been looking forward to seeing again, I got into the band with the release of No Parole From Rock n Roll in 1983. That album rocked my boat and I still have my original vinyl today. Forget all the band politics, tonight is about enjoying the music of this great band. Jimmy Waldo is still playing keys so there is a connection to its origins despite several line up changes and other versions of the band.
After another super quick change over we are quickly up and running with ‘Little Viper’ from their new album released last year called Take No Prisoners. It’s a great number full of fast drums and scorching guitars. Dougie White has taken control of the vocals for the recent years and is doing a great job as he toys with the crowd the microphone stand held high overhead.
His vocal is heard over the thundering drums Joe Stump on guitar is grooving out legato runs just like the Swede that occupied that slot all those years ago, he even has scalloped necks on his guitars. ‘Too Young to Die, Too Drunk to Live’ and this transports us back to the No Parole’ year of ’85, the haunting sound of Jimmy on the keys brings an atmosphere to add to the smokie haze, the drums clatter and smash as we settle into this belter of a tune.
The bouncing guitar riff is interrupted by a speedy legato run, we have a guy who is a maestro on the guitar as he struts his stuff, a showman making his chosen guitar scream, he has a choice of three, all scalloped necks to help with the speed, favoured by Blackmore as well as Malmsteen. Adam on bass is out stretched as he powers the bass along, Dougie is interacting with the crowd.
This is an old school set, entertaining as well as delivering the goods. Next, we get one of several covers destined to be played tonight. Rainbows ‘Wolf to The Moon’ has us transported to 1995. Swirling keys cuddle around the vocal as Dougie patrols the stage crouching and pointing to individuals in the crowd.
On stage left we have Joe screaming his guitar, at times beating the strings with his cable, he’s pulling out all the stops and giving us the poses and flamboyancy expected from a lead guitarist of class. A jump to 2021 and we have ‘Turn of The Wheel’ from the album V. heralded by fast riffing and a slamming snare groove we are off and running as Dougie tells us of looking in the mirror, his voice soaring strong and powerful as he paces the stage.
This has the essence of early ALCATRAZZ and sounds great. The crowd seems to appreciate it as they are head down nodding as it gallops along into’ Jet to Jet’ from the debut album, a great choice of tracks and one that the great Steve Vai played on live, having replaced the sacked Malmsteen, mid tour.
Stump kills this one which has a familiar Rainbow feel to it until the legato solo, the crowd are loving Stumps playing as he stands one foot on the monitor giving it rock all. This a terrific album, and having seen the setlist there is my favourite coming up later.
Sword of Deliverance another from the 2021 album, an album that should be in every classic rock fans collection by the way, the musicianship is stunning. Swirling keys, Thundering drums, killer guitar all help to bookend Dougie’s soaring vocals, The chugging guitar of ‘Battlelines’ from the 2023 album drive this power song forward, again Dougie’s voice is sublime, he’s giving it all the hand gestures as he delivers with aplomb.
With nasty riffs and strange voices this one is a proper head bouncer as Dougie sings about Mutually Assured Destruction, a nod to Ian Gillan maybe? Up next is another nod to Rainbow with a cover of their 1995 song ‘Too Late For Tears’ from Stranger In Us All, and for those of you not sure why they are playing Rainbow tracks, it’s because Dougie was the then singer In Rainbow, and sang on that album. ‘Don’t Get Mad . Get Even’ has us return to original material, from Take No Prisoners.
The driving beats pulse as the dirty guitar of Joe Stump cuts through the smoke as he throws shapes and wrings his guitar for what it’s worth, the melodic solo is sublime as Dougie points and teases Joe as he rips lick after lick from his ESP. Sadly, due to curfews put on the venues we are sadly not treated to ‘Hiroshima Mon Amor’, ‘Vigilante Man’, a Michael Schenker cover, yes Dougie has sung with this great German mad axe man, or the final Rainbow cover ‘The Temple of the King’. Instead, after quickly consulting Joe the band launch into another from their latest album, ‘Bring On The RAWK’. It quickly flies into a ballsy head down stunner of a final track.
High speed crazy guitar and drums that blast away, Dougie is on fire playing to the crowd as the music dances around the venue. I almost forgive them for not playing Hiroshima such is the performance being displayed, Stump is again whipping his guitar strings with its lead as he dances around, Jimmy Waldo hiding in the shadows is swirling up a storm on his keys as the song makes way for Stump to explode with a fierce run of super-fast sweep picking licks all at break neck speed, Larry Patterson is killing the drums, his feet haven’t stopped they’re doubles.
As the song comes to an end Stump is dragging his guitar across the over head rafters before dropping it to the floor and beating it with his feet. Bloody awesome and a great track to finish the night off. The crowd are cheering and smiling as the night is drawn to a close.
With the thanks coming from Dougie, he jokingly adds “ ‘GIRLSCHOOL’ are up next, you’re going to have a great night”, to which Larry points out they’ve already played and that ALCATRAZZ have closed out the night, there’s a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he reply’s, “have they I was in the pub.” It has to be added that Kim McAuliffe has stood side stage for most of the night after her set, even joining in on ‘Don’t Get Mad’.
Well, what a way to spend a Monday night, watching 4 stunning bands as they bring memories of a by gone youth, it’s just a shame it wasn’t sold out because they deserved a bigger crowd. I’m only to pleased that I made the 130-mile round trip to catch it. If you have the chance go and spend £25 or whatever it is, stunning value for money and the smile they put on your face is priceless.
