Got The Time - Anthrax & Motorhead @ Manchester Apollo November 6th 2012

Oh yes, it's Anthrax

Thanks to Mr Jon Whitehead lending me Master Of Puppets back in 87, I have been a convert to what is known as THRASH METAL. So back then I was able to see many of the major names of the scene, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Slayer, but one band eluded me, that being Anthrax. With their punky approach to thrash and a love of Judge Dredd, they soon became one of my fave metal bands, but in 92 Mr Belladonna left the band and replaced by a number of competent singers. None of these had what Joey had, that Dickinsonesque/Dio power vocal, and so my chances of seeing Anthrax disappeared.

Joey Belladonna

BUT in 2005, Joey was invited back to tour with the band, along with John Bush their current singer. This tour was short lived and Joey went back to whatever he was doing before and Anthrax continued with John Bush. My hopes where raised and dashed simultaneously, as I had missed the tour, but a DVD was available, purchases made, viewing commenced and enjoyment followed.

Fast forward to 2010, and the grand reunion and magnificent new album with the wonderful Mr Belladonna on vocals, and a big four tour with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. Again getting to these gigs became problematic as most of them were in Europe until they played at Knebworth as part of Sonisphere and a weekend ticket was a little expensive.

So here we are in 2012, noodling on Facebook and a tour has been proposed, Anthrax and Motorhead, with the existing line up. So that means it's Mr Belladonna doing his stuff, time to buy a ticket.

Rob Caggiano

Rob CaggianoWhy is it that no matter how well planned, or careful I am to get somewhere or see something, situations arise to foil it. A wet evenings drive to Manchester eventually led to a huge tailback on the motorway into the city. My sat nav is showing me I have around a mile before I get to the Apollo, but all I can see are brake lights into the distance. Anthrax are the support band for tonight and so will be on stage quite soon. Time ticks on, slowly crawling to my destination, that destination I can now see on the other side of the roundabout. Eventually I am able to park on the spare land round the back of the venue, gathering up my ticket I speedily rush around and enter the Apollo.

A quick look up at the t-shirts and I want one, but the band will be on too soon for me to fight through the queue, that will have to be later, I have a band to see.

Worming my way through the crown I find a nice spot behind the mixing desk, obviously it's the best position for the best sound. A grin is forming on my face, finally I am here.

What can I say, apart from it was quite emotional, they are there, I am here, and playing many of my fave tracks, both old and new.

Frankie Bello

Set List : Worship, Caught In A Mosh, Fight 'Em Til You Can't, Antisocial, Indians, Hymn 1, In The End, Madhouse, Got The Time and I Am The Law.

The sound is perfect, not the usual bassy throb you get these days, but a nicely focused, well rounded, crisp mix. All the band are pumped up, the replacement drummer Jon Dette fills in for Benante due to some personal reasons. All the while Scott Ian whips up the crowd with his enthusiasm, even stopping Indians part way through to make sure the balcony dwellers are having a good time. Joey runs around the stage possessed and rejuvinated with his trademark microphone stand, his voice cutting through the immense sonic assault. At one point just before the start of Indians he spots that someone has a Native American Headress for him, of course he cannot pass this opportunity, makes his way to the fan and commences to wear it for the entire song, running from fellow Anthraxian to Anthraxian what he has on his head. The band love it, and you feel the intensity rise to a Spinal Tap 11. Frankie Bello blitzes through the set, singing along every lyric, stomping from left to right, showing off his skills during Got The Time and its subsequent solo. Rob Caggiano provides a counter point to Scott Ian, widdling when widdling is needed and chugging under his beany hat.

Scott Ian

There is an atmosphere here right now that you cannot fully explain, apart from actually being here, tonight there is a connectivity between the band and audience that I have not experienced that often at gigs, apart from at a Cardiacs gig where you feel you are part of an extended family.

Anthrax end their set with I Am The Law, and we feel it, tonight WE ARE THE LAW, DROKK IT.

Eventually all must come to an end and Motorhead take over the stage, somehow the electricity that charged the room during Anthrax's set has dissapated, well this is Motorhead and they play rock n roll, Lemmy by numbers and all that. I stay to watch their set, I like a few songs, but they do tend to blend into each other after a while. Ah well.

Until next time, maybe a headline tour for Anthrax in 2013, that would be something to look forward to.......

...... and yes I did get myself a t-shirt, nicely emblazoned on the front is Judge Death, with dates on the back. I don't usually buy t-shirts at gigs, but tonight has been a special night, treated myself I did.

Bonfire Night, well the Saturday Before in Witton Park

As is the tradition to trudge out into the miserable dampness that often accompanies the annual bonfire in Witton Park, I did just that. Wrapped up with my thermal leggings, furry hat and big coat I did go, with camera and tripod to attempt to capture some better images than I have in recent years.

Got myself a good spot, made sure my headphones were playing some good tunes, not wanting to listen the the shite they have coming from 'The Bee' stage, and await the fire and fireworks.

And this is what I managed

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Pre Halloween BBQ Rum & Curry

Decided to have a get together in my back garden, burn some wood, cook some food, drink some rum and generally have a good time. So we did. Dragged the huge tarp out from the shed, created a large cover for some of the garden, fashioned a chimney for my chimnea and sorted some wire for speakers. 

Everyone brought something, whether it was food or drink, it was all added to the evenings consumption. The BBQ was fired up eventually, chimneas set ablaze and rum poured generously.

As the evening progressed the silly wigs and hats came out, photographs taken and more rum consumed.

Eventually the curry was dished out and lapped up, all the bowls appeared to be licked clean, a quick tidy up and the evening was an early morning, but we all went our separate ways.

Goodnight.


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Sparks - Manchester Ritz - September 2012

One band that made me realise that music didn't just go dum dum dum was Sparks back in the 70's, seeing them on Top Of The Pops was a revelation, no band around sounded like them. Over the years I have dipped in and out of their career, but not until the mid 90's when they brought out the Plagiarism album, did I really get into them, and hunted down the back catalogue, and have loved them ever since.

To hear they were touring, and playing nearby, was a must see occasion, despite the fact that it would be a stripped down performance, hence the name, Two Hands, One Mouth, I bought my ticket and counted down the days. Parking nearby I couldn't contain my excitement of seeing them for the first time. Obviously I had seen live footage over the years, but to actually see them......

Bang on time Ron came out on stage first and played a 5 minute sampler of the songs that would be performed tonight. Over the last few years they have moved into an almost musical theatre approach to their sound, and this with the stripped down approach worked so well, even on the more rocking numbers. The audience sang, cheered and whooped as classic after classic was reinterpreted.

They left the stage briefly for a pseudo encore, instead of piano accompaniment it would be a hard electro sound for 'Number One Song' and 'Beat The Clock' during which Russel took over the keyboard and Ron was centre stage, time for his crazy dance.

Soon the evening was over, an evening not to forget. My two hands and one mouth are exhausted from clapping and cheering, this town was definitely big enough for all of us.

Cult & The Mission - Manchester Apollo

Many months ago I booked many tickets to go see many bands over the forth coming months, this one had been rescheduled due probably to poor ticket sales, they had intended to play Manchester Arena, but it got moved to Manchester Apollo, plus it made it a midweek gig, but hey ho.

Off I went in my little car, off to the Apollo. Killing Joke were supposed to be first on the bill but Jaz decided he was better than that, slagged off The Cult and pulled out of the tour. So when The Mission came on stage playing the first bars to the Killing Joke song Eighties then asked 'do you know who we are' it was rather funny. Their set comprised of most of their early material with a couple of new numbers thrown in. Having been a bit of a Mission fan it was not objectionable to me, and was quite entertaining.

The Cult came on and proceeded to rock the house, again playing many old tracks, mostly off Love and Electric, but Spiritwalker was thrown into the mix and Billy was asked to play the opening bars to Christians to which he complied, but eventually gave up. Ian's vocals were a bit staccato, this being the first of many dates, I don't think he wants to blow his voice, but saying that they played well. The mix was a bit mushy with the bass being not to defined, you can't have everything though can you.

I went home quite happy, not seen the Cult in over 20 years, so it quite good to get out and see them again.

44th Birthday

Today was my 44th birthday, took the day off work, did bugger all, had curry, few beers, that is all

Vulcan Reunion

Someone earlier this year mentioned that there may be a Vulcan Reunion, that would be grand thing to attend, better than a high school reunion, at least it would be full of people you would like to see, even if you had not seen them in many years. Anyway the weeks went by, Facebook had a page dedicated to it, and may people said they would turn up. Even Michelle was going to fly over from Spain especially for it, at least one person I would know then.

So the day finally arrived, and so did the rain, non bloody stop all day, good job the Havelock had a marquee out the back, otherwise the sheer number of people who wanted to go would have had no where to go. The place was packed, mostly full of people who must have been patrons before I started to go there. To be honest the people from my time in the Vulcan were vastly outnumbered, but it was still a good day. Managed to chat to many faces who didn't recognise at first, mainly due to the lack of hair on my part, and the fact that many of us were so off our faces we couldn't remember our own names.

There should have been bands playing, but a stupid rumour about cancellation meant that 2 band pulled out and a third band whose photograph should be here, stayed around for a while, but eventually buggered off as well, pity.

Music was piped in, trying to recreate those halcyon days, many a classic tune drifted in an out of the Vulcan Marquee as recollections of the past were recounted, memories of those who didn't make it, and of those who just couldn't make it. In all it was a great day, if the weather had been better, my guess there would have been double the attendees today. Another one has been suggested for December, I will be one of those who cannot make it, but will have a drink for those who can.

pictures taken by, or for Michelle

Barcelona - August 2012

Well here goes yet another visit to see Michelle in Barcelona, this time it's in the heat of August, gonna be sweaty, but England has been wet all year so a little of own moisture won't hurt, I think.

Fortunately Michelle has had all of August off from work, so we are free to do whatever we decide to get on with, there are a few jobs that need attending to, but nothing that will interrupt our holiday.

First night I had arrived we met up with with a couple of Michelle's friends and headed out to a local festival for some live music, which went on into the small hours, but when they are playing ska, you don't mind, your body just keeps moving to the beat.

So what did we do, managed to sort out a gate for the bottom of the steps to prevent the dogs from getting to the top of the garden and annoy or be annoyed by the other dogs in the area. Drove out to visit a cool bar at the top of Sant Pere, would be great place to spend a night out, huge beer garden with overgrown knooks and secluded crannies.

Had to adjust the gate we had put up, as two of the dogs had managed to scale over it, so a nice bit of picket fencing now adorns the gate and the wall.

Drove out to visit some of the castles in the area, there are quite a few of them scattered about in Anoia, not too far from Masquefa, good for the dogs, somewhere new for them to explore and snuffle about.

Met up with an old friend of Michelle's from her time nursing in Lancaster. Anne was over here with here daughter Amber and her partner David who was over here on holiday in Barcelona. So we couldn't pass up on an opportunity like that, and so we met them at an apartment that they had borrowed, had a couple of drinks then headed out into the night for the Festival in Gracia. The locals decorate the squares and streets with different themes, with music and food available. 

Unfortunately Anne had been bitten by mosquitos a couple days ago and had a bad reaction, and so her legs were a little sore, so they cut their night a little short and left me and Michelle to wander the streets for a little longer, only to find a street all decorated like Star Wars, oh did we laugh. It was so well done, huge papier mache figures and sound effects.

We arranged to meet up again with Anne and Amber later that week up at Sant Pol De Mar, so in the car we went and off we travelled.

What a nice place, a quiet beach with calm water. Met up with the people who Anne had borrowed the apartment from, both their daughters have been pen friends for many years and visit each other from time to time. I spent a little time kayaking in the sea, but there are no photographs to prove it, you will have to take my word for it. We all spent a little time paddling in the sea though, its definately a place I would like to visit again, maybe spend a night or two there.

Well the night was beginning to draw in and we were all on the same flight back to England next day, not Michelle, she was due to fly over later that week for something else.

Michelle drove us back, dropped Anne and Amber off on the way, cracked open a few beers and flew home the next day. Bumped into Anne, David and Amber obviously at the airport, had a brew and went our separate ways.

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Pigwitch - Tockholesbury July 2012

A one day festival on the outskirts of Blackburn, at the Royal Arms Pub, Tockholes, simply called Tockholesbury.

Wasn't able to get there during the day, but got up there just as the sun was going down with Kieran to see a mutual friend play in his new band Pigwitch.

Very good they are too, very reminiscent of early 70's Deep Purple, Focus, with a bit of King Crimson.

Just a pity when they started to play the light was fading and due to unforseen circumstances a light rig was not available, but despite that they played their stuff, got the crowd moving, and everyone had a good time. Despite the swarms of midges.

Hopefully it will be repeated again next year, but maybe to run over the weekend, and not for just one day.





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