Cards on the table: I'm not a huge fan of the band Europe. I've always considered them a second-division outfit. You have to give them credit, though, for their persistence. Forty years is a long time to keep plugging away.
When the tour was announced, had GUN and The Damn Truth not been on the bill, I would have passed quicker than if I'd been handed a cheese board (not a fan of the stinky dairy product). However, if GUN are playing anywhere in Glasgow, I'll be there. The Damn Truth was the cherry on the cake, as I've admired their sound for a while.
We arrived before the doors opened at 6 pm, so we joined the queue outside. Fortunately, it was dry. We didn't have to wait long to get in, but there was a delay of about ten minutes before the staff opened the auditorium. Our seats were in row T downstairs. The view was fine, but taking videos this far back was going to be an issue. My photo quality also suffered as the stage had a predominance of blue light, which, for some reason, my camera can't handle.
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| The merch stand didn't trouble my wallet tonight |
The Damn Truth took the stage to their intro music, Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit". The song kept playing as the band got ready. Singer Lee-La Baum wore a white lacy number with an accompanying cat's-ears headband. The rest of the band wore striking rock outfits. The music was great; the band displayed lots of energy, bouncing about, and they really warmed up the crowd with their short, half-hour set. A triumphant start.
The Damn Truth Setlist
(Song played from tape) White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane song)
Be Somebody
Love Outta Luck
The Willow
This Is Who We Are Now
All Night Long
Tomorrow
During their set, with the lights down and the music blasting, two ladies arrived, hands full, clutching their phones and drinks. Immediately, I was taken with the appearance of the one nearest me: tousled, long blonde hair, a tasselled black leather jacket and age-appropriate curves in all the right places. She leaned close and asked my seat number. I didn't know, turned to Bob, didn't hear his reply properly and gave her the wrong information. They crouched beside the empty seats, looking around to figure out where they should be. Obviously embarrassed, she confessed this was where the usher had directed them. I whipped out my phone, shone the torch on the metal seat number, and realised my mistake. They were in the right place. She thanked me and the pair got comfortable.
During our exchange, she had been warmly tactile.
Lucky me.
At the end of the set, her friend left (toilet/bar?), and so did my pals (toilet), so I took the opportunity to apologise for the seat-number mix-up. This continued into a conversation, most unusually for me. She was a big Europe fan, knew GUN but not that well, and had recently missed the Bon Jovi concert at Murrayfield, so decided on a whim to go to their Wembley gig. She only got the tickets to Europe last week, dragging her pal along. She seemed intelligent, articulate, and interesting.
When Bob returned, his eyebrows were raised, and a smile sat on his face. "Having a nice chat there?"
I was. I couldn't lie.
GUN hadn't played live since the Barrowland gig last December, so they seemed rusty at first. It took Dante a couple of songs to warm up his voice and get into the swing of things. By the end of the cracking set, I was hoarse from singing along. I've seen them better, but they were still great. Respect to elder statesman Joolz, but he needs to sharpen up his solos, or let Ruaraidh take over (never going to happen).
My new friend enjoyed GUN's set, dancing in her seat, arms waving, singing along, much as I was. Afterwards, she confessed she can't make GUN's Barrowland date, as she has a prior engagement that night. She asked me to watch over her jacket while she went to the bar.
I happily complied.
GUN Setlist
Lucky Guy
Don't Say It's Over
All Fired Up
Falling
Better Days
Take Me Back Home
Word Up! (Cameo cover)
Shame on You
Steal Your Fire
When Europe took the stage, everyone rose to their feet. The band began strong, playing one of their new songs, which I enjoyed. Indeed, the first few songs were great. Then I noticed how uninterested the bassist seemed, and how the guitarist seemed so focused on the playing that he did little else. No crowd interaction, no bouncing about, no obvious signs of pleasure. Joey, the charismatic frontman, sporting a Tom Cruise haircut circa MI:2, worked the room, smiling and posing, in full rockstar mode. His singing was strong, but I started to notice him pulling notes, making musical choices to suit his now-older vocals.
I'm not saying the band were bad. They are what they are: a top, second-division outfit, capable of delivering a fine set, never reaching the lofty heights of sustained greatness. If I'd been a bigger fan, I would have enjoyed their set more. For example, I may have been more forgiving of the split background video screens not displaying the entire image because of the gaps between the screens.
At the end, even before the band had left the stage, while they were taking their bows, Bob wanted me to exit the row, but my two female neighbours were in the way. She lifted her jacket and crouched down, searching the floor for her empty tumblers. Rising again, she told me she didn't want to leave a mess. I was happy to wait. She was such a nice lady.
On the way out, her pal peeled off to nip to the ladies, and she walked on with her plastic containers, pausing in the open area to tell Lee-La from The Damn Truth how much she'd enjoyed their set. We headed the other way, out the doors.
For a second, I wanted to go back and tell her how much I enjoyed our chat. I wanted to know more about her and keep talking. I realised I was smitten. This is unusual for me. Normally, I look at myself and receive an instant reality check.
Fortunately, I'm happily married, and I'd told this lady I was going to GUN's Barrowland gig with my wife. Laying this safety net probably helped me overcome my shyness.
So, at the end of the day, I'll remember this gig more for the chats with that rock angel than the music. Although the caterwauling of the Westlife teenies on the pedestrian bridge might come a close second.
I wonder where the story would have gone if I'd been available: AC/DC Shot Down in Flames or Bill Medley/Jennifer Warnes (I've Had) The Time of My Life? Life's not a rom-com, so I'll never know.
Europe Setlist
Scandinavian Eyes (Live debut)
Walk the Earth
Superstitious
One on One
(Prelude intro) Last Look at Eden
War of Kings
Prisoners in Paradise
The Cult of Ignorance
On Broken Wings
Rock the Night
Carrie
Danger on the Track
Ninja
Cherokee
Time Has Come
Heart of Stone
On the Loose
Love Chaser
The Final Countdown
Ticket Price: £ 50-ish (Bob bought the tix via Ticketmaster - I still have to square up)
