IMPERIAL VIPERS
THE KRAK
FLOORS AND WALLS
FERAL
Islington Academy 03.05.09
FERAL
This band is not an opening act, so what the thinking was behind putting them on first at 6:30 is beyond all sense especially when you consider that the next two bands were not even rock!
Still ever the professionals they took to the stage in front of a pretty packed house (and not all their fans had made it at this time) and for the next 30 minutes blew the academy away with a standard of music that some might say is far in advance for a band so young!
What i really noticed tonight was their musicianship,with some quite outstanding guitarwork from Martin, it was the first time i had really taken this in as to how much work he puts into his playing.the same is also true of laurence (the other guitarist) is is no chord merchant but someone who plays the guitar with passion and style, let us not forget the bassist James who flys up and down the fretboard, unlike a lot of bass players who tend to stick to the bottom string and finally Tom on the drums who is in danger of drawing comparisons with a young Bill Ward and John Bonham.
They closed their way too short set with a storming version of "Truth Is Lies" with a guest vocal from Jaz of Man Of Kin, it was one of those great headbanging moments and the ever increasing audience loved every second of it.
IMPERIAL VIPERS
The glam/punk rockers totally packed the venue.Currently touring to promote their recent album 'Broken' they played an energy fuelled set mixing the old with the new and ending with a cover of Motorheads "Ace Of Spades".The band were a welcome relief after the indie crap that was before which had emptied the venue to the bar and smoking area and managed to get the evening back on its feet and dancing.
KING LIZARD
A while ago i said to Flash that it was time for them to "up their game" and toinght they once again proved that they have with an impressive performance.
After the intro tape London's monsters of rock take to the stage and go straight into "Waterloo rats" then proceed to tear the place up with classic song after song, while the newer "Viva La Decadance" is a stand out track with it's catchy chorus.
After Niro's guitar solo we get the first real hint of true greatness.I have to say that the rock ballad "Not For me" will in the future be hailed as an all time classic rock song, its up there with Motley Crue's 'Home Sweet Home' and Guns N Roses 'Sweet Child O Mine' it is that good and tonights rendition was perfect.
A few songs later and we hit another future classic with "Riot", tonight we get to hear Flash's piano intro as recorded for the debut album played on tape (Gotta do it live man) then Alice starts that wonderful bassline that sounds like the Doors 'Riders On The Storm' before nodding to Alice Coopers 'Im Eighteen' and then it's pure Lizard all the way with slow bits and heavy bits and of course a sing a long.
They end with a storming version of "Late Nite Dynamite" and an encore of "Johnny Be Goode".
STU
FERAL
IMPERIAL VIPERS
KING LIZARD
