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Street Voice UK

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  • Grey Daze + Support – Live KK Steel Mill – Wolverhampton – 17th May 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK



    After getting crushed by TAKE That fans, interviewing three bands and having a diabetic hypo it was time for High Regard. Having never heard this band before I couldn’t wait to see their set after watching their sound check! High Regard didn’t disappoint with 30 minutes of pop-punk / rock tunes. Imagine Paramore with a harder edge to them and you get High Regard. Certainly a decent live band that you need to check out for sure!



    After having an ice cold drink at the bar it was time for North Atlas a metal band hailing from Scotland! I’d first heard them over the chrimbo period through a friend’s daughter.

    As son as North Atlas hit the stage they tore KK’s away with their catchy metal / rock sound. There were few in the audience but that didn’t put this Scottish outfit off and they well and truly delivered.

    At times the vocalist was like a man possessed throwing himself around the stage. The bassist and guitarist weren’t far behind and the drummer hit that kit like his life defended on it!

    One of the best metal acts I’ve seen in 2024!



    Grey Daze were the band I’d been waiting to see for years. Once fronted by the late Chester Bennington of Linkin Park fame I was looking forward to seeing how Cris Hodges would deliver those songs written by Mr Bennington!

    I didn’t have to wait long!

    As soon as Grey Daze hit the stage they went straight into it and with it in style. Cris was amazing on vocals and put his own stamp on the songs. The drummer was killing his kit and the guitarist was playing his heart out strolling around the stage with Cris being given the room to go mental!

    Their brand of rock is pretty unique and the fans were loving it! Sadly not many in but those who were there witnessed a top rock outfit in action last night!

    Chester Bennington was given a mention – A front man still missed by many!

    The bassist wasn’t on stage due to an injury but that didn’t prevent the band tearing Wolverhampton a new one!

    I for one can’t wait for these guys to come back to the UK to play us their new album. If this live show was anything to go by then the new album is is going to be a killer!


    Thanks to Simon at Medium Rare Music for arranging everything.

    Words / Photos     – Kat Riot

  • The Quireboys + Support – KK Steel Mill – Wolverhampton – 11th May 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK


    Medically I should have given this show a miss as my cilitis had kicked in big time but my brain went into failure mode and I staggered to the train station where I found there were more delays. I eventually make it to KK’s after a painful stagger to the venue. Sadly I missed most of Matty James but what I heard was some pretty good hard rock being delivered!


    After a quick ice cold drink and pain killers it was time to hit the stage to see main support Willie Downing. I hadn’t see this guy play since his Honeycrack days and from the moment Willie hit the stage I was enjoying what was on offer. Willie played a keyboard and sung while complimented by a cool bass guitarist!

    For 30 minutes Willie Downing not only played a tidy set but it was something original and I wasn’t the only one enjoying the moment. Aside from a great set Willie also showed a humorous side by making anti-tory / anti-brexit statements.

    What a man!

    This is one guy I want to see again very soon!


    With two Quireboys bands doing the rounds I decided to see Spike’s version. After all he is the voice of The Quireboys and the guy I wanted to see singing the songs he wrote!

    To be honest I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t seen these guys since the early days. Don’t know why but I put it down to the amount of gigs back in the hey day and having to pick and choose.

    Entering the photo pit I was blown away from the very moment Spike and Co hit the stage. They didn’t disappoint either! In fact I was loving the opening song Jeeze Louise that much I momentarily forgot I was there to take photos. It made it harder when Spike pointed to me with a smile!

    Once I’d gotten the photos out the way it was another 50 minutes of Spike’s Quireboys and despite being overcome with my colitis issues I was refusing to budge as I didn’t want to miss anything.


    The band were fantastic and I was loving every minute of the show as were The Quireboys and the audience.

    The entire band were up for it including Willie who had already played a thirty minute main support slot. This I can safely say were one of the vest bands I’ve seen so far in 2024 and I’ve seen a lot!

    With songs like Sweet Mary Ann, Raining Whisky, Trams And Thieves and Hey You the band couldn’t go wrong especially with Spike at the helm leading his good ship.

    Spike paid a lovely tribute to Guy Bailey the guitarist and co founder of The Quireboys who past away in April 2023. I’m sure Hey You was the song but at that pointed I needed to sit down for a few minutes.

    The hour just passed and what a rock n roll experience to be in crowd seeing a legendary band play your local venue. I was in awe and I don’t say that lightly! Spike and Co were the ultimate pleasure to see!

    If you get an opportunity to see Thee Quireboys make sure it’s Spike’s version and look out for their new album in September 2024.


    Thanks to James Sherry at Division PR. for making this show happen for me!

    Words / Pictures: Kat Riot

  • Monica & The Explosion + Jess Payne – Live Alberts Shed – 11th April 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK



    First off I’d like to point out what an apathetic bunch of people there are at times when gigs are not well attended!

    On the night Jess Payne was pretty cool as I’ve now seen her acoustic set a couple of times now! On the night the odd mistake was made here and there but on the whole a decent of covers and originals were delivered in style.

    Songs such as Riot Grrrl Blues, Grown Up Daycare, Miss World and I Wanna were brilliantly delivered and on that basis I would highly recommend you book Jess a gig or come to see her play.



    Main artist of the night was Monica & The Explosion from Sweden. I knew absolutely nothing about her – I did look at a couple of you tube videos and that was about it!

    What did I think?

    Monica was bang on the button – Easily the Swedish version of TV Smith.

    Despite this being an acoustic set every song came at me and grabbed my attention. Monica also grabbed the the attention of others including a small group who had come in for the karaoke later on that evening!

    Those into punk and alternative music who weren’t there certainly missed out big time and I for one hope Monica comes back in the not too distant future!

  • The Rumours + Boom Boom Womb – Live Alberts Shed – 28 March 24 – Review

    Street Voice UK


    On arrival at Alberts Shed there didn’t seem to be anyone there and I came very close to leaving to catch a coach back home but I’m glad I stayed!

    With things running late I didn’t have to wait that much longer for local band Boom Boom Womb to hit the stage. I’d never heard of them before so was intrigued to see what the Alberts Shed team had conjured up to support a high octane rock n roll and from the USA.

    As soon as Boom Boom Womb hit the stage they grabbed my attention straight away. Their highly charged riot grrrl sound is infectious. Imagine The Muffs meets Bikini Kill with L7 and The Runaways thrown in the mix and you get Boom Boom Womb!

    Totally superb set and the only change I’d have made is the number where they really go for it is one they should finish the set on! It’s the kinda song that leaves people wanting more!

    How this band have not hit my radar before is a mystery.

    If you want to see a cool as fuck band then Boom Boom Womb are one to see. I myself will pop along to more gigs, Fantastic band!


    Soon it was time for American band The Rumours to hit the stage! I’d never seen this outfit before and not heard much by them either!

    From the moment this female fronted band hit the stage I realised just what an amazing live band they are. They just tore into numbers such as U Suck, Its Not Me and Cuntrol and to be honest I was so gutted when I had to leave as I just want to hear more!

    The Rumours are a great band to watch visually as the bassist and guitarist find it impossible to stand still! They all over the stage and that’s how a great rock n roll band should be!

    If rock n roll is your poison you really need to see The Rumours and don’t think as a three-piece they’re some soft pop punk band. This is a fully on and powerful as fuck band – Lemmy from Motorhead would be proud!

    What’re more they’re lovely people too! Its a shame they have to go back to the USA as the UK is missing out on high octane rock n roll bands at the moment!

    Do the sensible thing and go and see The Rumours play!


    Thanks to Steve Iles of IndigoBravo promotions for putting these shows on. Thanks also and big love to Boom Boom Womb and The Rumours for excellent sets.

    Words / Photos: Kathleen Riot – Queer-Core Press.