Two things persuaded me to get a ticket for this show: the band's new album, Wrong Side of Paradise, which includes their cover of The Osmonds' classic Crazy Horses, and I was able to pick up a resell ticket for less than face value (I do like a bargain!). The fact that there were two support acts of interest and some of my friends were going was an added bonus.
I first saw them play at the Barrowlands (as Thin Lizzy) and then again at the O2 ABC (RIP). Tonight's show at the 1250 capacity SWG3 Galvanizers was not sold out. They've been going ten years with some success but have yet to quite make that leap into the big league.
The same could be said for the two support acts, who on the right stage, in the right size of venue, could easily headline a show of their own.
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons were formed by the ex-Motorhead guitarist. Their lead singer reminds me of the bastard son of Canadian comic Craig Campbell and comedy superstar (in his dreams) Nick Helm, with his rock moves and gravelly voice.
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| Joel Peters |
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| Craig Campbell |
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| Nick Helm |
I liked this band. They play mostly their own stuff with a bit of Motorhead, finishing, of course, with Ace of Spades. The competition sing-a-long was a bit retro but fun.
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| Phil Campbell |
Michael Monroe, the former singer with Hanoi Rocks, is in his sixties but still rocks out like he's living in the 1980s. He twirls the mike stand, flourishes his fan, waves his scarf and struts all over the stage, climbing onto (and occasionally falling off) the riser because that's the glam thing to do. His party trick involves doing the splits, which is quite a feat at his age. He's said to have inspired the likes of Mötley Crüe and Guns N Roses and I can see why. Unfortunately, his career and talents never reached those lofty heights. His biggest hit with Hanoi Rocks was a cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song, Up Around the Bend. Tonight, I reckoned he looked like the Bastard son of David Lee Roth and Lily Savage. He had a bit of a nightmare performance what with the falling, his microphone cutting out and some of the PA going down but he kept smiling because that's showbiz. He also seemed a bit twitchy and all over the place, unable to settle because of his need to perform.100% for effort but a bit less for enjoyment, the band were good value as a support act.
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| Michael Monroe (2023) |
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| Lily Savage |
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| David Lee Roth (1980s/90s?) |
Black Star Riders have Ricky Warwick's stamp all over them. He's very much at the centre of the band and his muscular performance drives the show. The crowd absolutely love him.
He says his heart belongs to Belfast but his soul belongs to Glasgow and I believe him.
My favourite tracks from the night were both covers: Crazy Horses, originally by The Osmonds, and Don't Believe a Word, originally by Thin Lizzy. I didn't like the performance of Jailbreak, which they trampled all over with a heavy sound.
Scott Gorham, guitarist with Thin Lizzy, joined them on stage for most of the show. He's an elder statesman of Rock and could be the Bastard younger brother of Joe Biden, choosing music over politics and having a great time in the process.
Overall, it wasn't a bad night for under thirty quid. Here's to ten more years.
Setlist
Pay Dirt
Another State of Grace
Better Than Saturday Night
When the Night Comes In
Riding Out the Storm
Wrong Side of Paradise
Crazy Horses (The Osmonds cover)
All Hell Breaks Loose
Bloodshot
Soldierstown
Don't Believe a Word (with Phil Campbell) (Thin Lizzy cover)
Blindsided
The Killer Instinct
Before the War
Testify or Say Goodbye
Tonight the Moonlight Let Me Down (with Michael Monroe)
Kingdom of the Lost
Bound for Glory
Jailbreak (Thin Lizzy cover)
Finest Hour
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| Phil Campbell and his Bastard Sons |
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| Michael Monroe |
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| Boo hoo, my microphone's faulty |
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| Ricky Warwick |
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| Top fan, Ally McCoist |
