Hayseed Dixie, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 24th 2010.

There are two bands on the circuit right now that have changed the idea of playing rock/metal and punk tunes, turning them upside down and inverting them to the point that the meaning of the songs has changed. The first is The Bad Shepherds with their folk versions of classic punk tunes; the second is America’s Blue Grass sensations Hayseed Dixie.

Mixing their distinctive style with tracks that have been loved by the Metal/Rock community for the best part of 35 years has led the guys to become much loved by their legions of fans and a guaranteed enjoyable night out.

Hayseed Dixie, Gig Review. The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton. full post

(388 words, estimated 1:33 mins reading time)

Calendar Girls, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 28th 2010.

Cast: Denise Black, Elaine C. Smith, Julia Hills, Rachel Lumberg, Anna Charlston, Jennifer Ellison, Susan Bovell, Joe McGann, Bruno McGregor, Bruno Langley, Mikyla Dodd.

Surely there is no better way to get some of the leading ladies of British theatre and television on one stage that by bringing the celebrated Calendar Girls to the Liverpool Empire.

Based on a real life story, Calendar Girls tells the tale of a group of Women’s Institute members attempt to create a piece of work that will raise much needed funds for a hospital sofa, the same hospital in which one of the member’s husbands had been treated for Leukaemia.

Calendar Girls, Theatre Review. Empire Theatre, Liverpool. full post

(403 words, estimated 1:37 mins reading time)

Megadeth, Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Live Recording. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2010.

In 1990, a seismic shift in the world of Heavy Metal was about to happen. For the later part of the eighties the genre of big hair and exuberant stage shows had ruled over the basic down and dirty inhabitants of Heavy and Thrash.

The likes of Metallica and Slayer had gone some way to bringing the days of early Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden back but with an American twist. Among those early pioneers of Thrash Metal were Megadeth. Fronted by the Californian colossus that is Dave Mustaine, the band went through several line-up changes during the first few albums and even though each album got subsequently more interesting and better produced, there was still the thought in some critics eyes that the band were nothing more than Metallica wannabes.

Megadeth, Rust In Peace 20th Anniversary Live Recording. Album Review. full post

(460 words, 1 image, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)

Richard O Flynn, Gig Review. Static Bar, Liverpool.

Richard O’ Flynn at the Static. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2010.

Seeing Richard O’ Flynn perform his debut album live at the Static Bar in Liverpool should go down as one of those I was there moments for the eager crowd that braved the onset of autumn and its blustery, dirty weather.

Richard O Flynn, Gig Review. Static Bar, Liverpool. full post

(394 words, 1 image, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

Manic Street Preachers, Postcards From A Young Man. Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 1st 2010.

The Manic Street Preachers have always been one of those bands that want to go from populist music makers to ground breaking visionaries that produce an album just because they can.

Postcards from a Young Man, the tenth studio album by the Welsh rockers, seems as if the band has managed to combine these two separate ways of thinking into one album. With instantly recognisable songs that have the Manic feel stamped all over them, to songs that don’t quite fit with the rest of the endeavour, one thing for sure is that this album will never be accused of being staid or neglectful to its core fan base.

Manic Street Preachers, Postcards From A Young Man. Album Review. full post

(360 words, 1 image, estimated 1:26 mins reading time)

Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review.

Level 42 in concert. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 8th 2010.

For thirty years now Level 42 have been thrilling their fans and delivering a style of music rarely heard in this country and even rarer played with the charm and sophistication that any self respecting music fan would kill to hear.

Back in the 1980’s Level 42 were amongst the top rated bands in the country, with their easy style and pleasing lyrics, they were hailed as media darlings. Mark King certainly broke the mould with his particular way of playing the bass and with Mike Lindup on keyboards and adding his own personal voice on a lot of the group’s tracks; they seemed set to be one of the country’s big musical exports.

Level 42, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Gig Review. full post

(363 words, 1 image, estimated 1:27 mins reading time)

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 10th 2010.

The Manic Street Preachers are a band that everybody should experience live at least once in their lifetime, understated, dramatic, proud and as real as you can get. There can no doubt that James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore are to be considered as three of the best live musicians of the last decade.

Manic Street Preachers, Gig Review. King George’s Hall, Blackburn. full post

(381 words, 1 image, estimated 1:31 mins reading time)

Supertramp, Breakfast In America (Re-issue). Album Review.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 10th 2010.

There has been a glut of regurgitated and repackaged albums around just recently, bands that have seemingly nothing more to add to their back catalogue getting on board a well worn bandwagon and offering their fans the opportunity to buy yet more of the same albums. In a lot of cases it is easy to see through the ploy of marketing men and the call of an easy pound but every so often there is a gem that comes through and reminds you of how good that band was in the first place.

Supertramp, Breakfast In America (Re-issue). Album Review. full post

(420 words, 1 image, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

Interview With Chris Meads, Director Of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore.

Originally published by L.S. Media. October 14th 2010.

One of the most demanding roles in recent times at the Everyman theatre has to be Director of the critically acclaimed ‘Tis Pity she’s a Whore. I was able to catch up with Chris Meads briefly and have a chat with him about the play and his thoughts for the future.

How are you today?

Interview With Chris Meads, Director Of ‘Tis Pity She’s A Whore. full post

(2171 words, estimated 8:41 mins reading time)

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 23rd 2011.

There is a new music name for people to get their teeth into; they are from Merseyside, they play like a dream, they have the authority to hold an audience’s attention and they’re rather good.

Sheerwater are a four piece outfit that shine and ooze personality and as they played through a set as part of the Band in a Box promotions night at the Static Gallery, the interested looks from those in attendance said it all. If they keep playing in this form and with the vibe they give, it won’t be long before they step up another level and get added to the names of other great 21st century bands that hail from the new home of culture.

Sheerwater, Gig Review. Static Gallery. Liverpool. full post

(356 words, estimated 1:25 mins reading time)