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
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
Opening up for CJ Wildheart was a localish band The Scumbags. On first impressions they looked like a metal outfit so wasn’t sure about watching them or stand in the lengthy queue for a drink! I’m glad I watched them as they played some pretty catchy punk rock.
From the moment they hit the stage they were on fire and a great opening act for sure. The guitarist and vocalist really moved about without compromising anything. The drummer bashed his kit like it was his worst enemy and kept everything in time. The bassist impressed me with his bass lines and being fierce with his instrument.
A band I certainly want to see again!
Next up were Face Up a band that has completely missed my radar and I’m gutted I’ve never seen them before! I need to catch up on missing time as I was left stunned with their intensity. Fast and hard driven punk rock with a HC edge is best to describe Face Up! And there was me thinking these were going to be a Ska-Core band going on the Operation Ivy t-shirt!
These guys are on a totally different level and at times I was thinking how is CJ Wildheart going to follow this band! Face Up are one of the best bands I’ve seen this century and I don’t say that lightly!
The vocalist was like a demon possessed – She was all over the stage and owning it! I felt tired watching her, haha! Seriously this woman is the business and her vocal range incredible.
The band are top notch musicians who really deliver the goods. Their drummer is one fit dude to hit those skins like he did! I’d have been having a heart attack for sure!
If you’ve not heard of Face Up you need to rectify that.
Top Band!
Having met CJ earlier for an interview I eagerly awaited his solo band as this was the first time I had seen them despite seeing CJ’s past bands a few times over the years.
Come 9.15pm and it was time for CJ Wildheart to hit the stage and they certainly hit it in style. Imagine a harder edged Ramones with a bit of rock thrown in the mix is the best way to describe CJ and his band!
For a hour they took no prisoners and the audience were lapping it up!
There’s plenty of communication with the audience with CJ telling us a funny story to why Honeycrack will never reform and his first experience of eating fish and chips!
It was great to see CJ play a couple of numbers back from his days in Honeycrack as well as songs CJ had written from his Wildhearts days.
I loved CJ’s dig at the likes of Andrew Tate and other angry men on X that used to be known as Twitter. S.D.E. from the Split album was based on Greta Thunberg’s response to Andrew Tate who insulted her. It was awesome to see CJ take a stand against toxic masculinity.
For a hour it was like being in a special place where nothing can harm you!
CJ’s band are so in tune with his you’d have thought they had been playing together for years. They were bang on with their performances.
Tune after tune was delivered in style and I like the rest of the audience didn’t want this show to end! However it had to and CJ and his band ended it in style!
If you get a chance to see CJ Wildheart you really do need to go as not only is he a great musician but a wonderful human being too!
Thank to CJ Wildheart for arranging everything for me on the night
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 