Its Christmas Day 2024 and a special day but for one time only I sit here writing a review of a man’s music who’s been with me since the days of The Wildhearts. This album is the best thing to come out of the UK this year and these past couple of weeks has got me through some dark times.
Slots is a brilliant album from start to finish and I haven’t stopped playing it since CJ sent it through for review. The man is a rock n roll genius for sure!
This starts with the high tempo Another Big Mistake and then the high octane Punk n Roll continues with songs like the superb The Baddest Girl In The World which I think is the best track on the album! If that isn’t enough then you’ve got The Kids and the superb cover of The Jam’s In The City. And the tunes continue with You’ve Got The Best Part Of Me and closing this album is I Don’t Know What It Is!
CJ’s such a lovely humble guy and he lets the music do the talking! This is now out for general release and not only the best UK album of 2024 but the production and passion of this album is beyond words!
Buy It – Enjoy It!
The Gallagher brothers who I love say Oasis are the last Rock n Roll band but they obviously haven’t heard of CJ Wildheart! 10/10
A few days after having a heart attack and a minor operation I must have been off my head to even attempt photographing a show let alone a huge one! However this was photographing Paul Weller and nothing was going to stop me!
On arrival at the venue I set up the camera and it was time to capture the supporting act Liam Bailey who quickly won me over with his cool sound which infuses reggae, blues, rock and soul. For thirty minutes this guy won over the majority of the audience with his personality and wicked band! One artist to look out for!
After queuing for almost twenty minutes I gave up and headed back to the photo pit to see the Modfather Paul Weller!
From the moment Paul Weller and his band hit the stage I and everyone else knew this was going to be a great show and they didn’t disappoint!
Paul Weller not only looked the part he also delivered his songs in style and from the opening number Paul had most of the audience like putty in his hands!
The last time I saw Mr Weller play was in the noughties but like a fine wine he had just gotten better with age!
Despite my chest playing up a tad I didn’t want to leave. One audience member thought I was joking when I said to him I had a heart attack four days earlier!
Song after song being delivered by Paul Weller left me feeling a tad emotional as I just wanted to sing my head off and dance my ass off but I knew for health reasons I couldn’t!
Paul Weller maybe sixty six years of age but there was no stopping this man from delivering one of the best live sets I’ve seen this year!
Lets not forget Paul’s backing band who were sheer brilliant and complimented Mr Weller. Two drum kits of stage too!
Soon it was time to leave and what I experienced live on the night was a brilliant artist still at the top of his game!
Paul Weller is currently on a UK tour. Check various sites dates as this is one show you don’t want to miss!
Thank you to Warren Higgins at Chuff Media for arranging Tuesday night.
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!
Monday night and I set off to Birmingham to see Los Fastidios but it came close to not happening as the rail service was in chaos! Eventually by sheer fluke I made it to the venue and headed off to the bar which pleased me as the drinks prices were reasonable for a venue.
Subside is a great venue and for all you old times this used to be the legendary Barrel Organ where I saw many bands in the eighties and early nineties. Still is a cracking venue with a great sound and friendly staff!
I met up with Elisa and Enrico of Los Fastidios and we sorted an interview which will be on line as soon as possible. Technical issues have caused a slight delay!
Soon it was time for the first band to hit the stage and a strange choice to open up for a Ska / Punk band. This local Birmingham band were a metal / hardcore crossover. Nothing original but they were pretty good. The vocalist was all over the place but was restricted by his lead to the mic. Personally I thought he’d be better off with a cordless mic!
Second band up were Angry Itch. I’d seen their name here and there but never heard anything by them! As soon as they started I was pleasantly surprised by their catchy street punk rock n roll sound. A band that I need to see more and add their releases to my music collection.
For 30 minutes Angry Itch captured the local crowd and people were soon bouncing about. I don’t blame them. I’d have gotten up myself but sadly I’d trodden on a plug earlier which left me in agony for the rest of the night!
If you’ve not heard Angry Itch before so check them out. They’re on of the best bands to come out of Birmingham in a long time!
Soon it was time for Los Fastidios to hit the stage and they didn’t waste any time.
They started off with their intro and then headed into great songs such a ‘Monkeys’, ‘Toneremo Ancora’, ‘Where Are You Now?’ and ‘Radio Babylon’ and the audience were soon lapping up these punk and ska tracks.
Soon Elisa hit the stage and the band upped their game to sheer perfection.
For a Monday night seeing this Italian band was an amazing experience. I can’t believe this was the first time I’d seen Los Fastidios as Trev Hagl had introduced me to the band’s music in the mid-90’s.
Sadly I had to miss a third of their set as the train service was getting worse but I was left buzzing from experiencing this great band live for the first time!
Its fair to say Los Fastidios are the best band I’ve seen this year!
Street Voice UK 