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Events and Reports - Various Artists - Live Report - Stockholm Rock Out - May 1st 2010
The idea of Stockholm Rock Out was ambitious with a fantastic line up of 80's bands like Great White and Kix. Even more obscure bands like Keel, Steelheart, XYZ, Tuff and headliners Slaughter were also on the bill, so this was a must see for European rock fans since most bands rarely tours Europe. Sadly they festival was postponed less than 2 weeks before showtime with the Icelandic volcano eruption as excuse.
However, the organizers held a make up version of the festival on May 1st at Gamla Tryckeriet in Stockholm. The 1500 capacity venue seemed big for the day, but the facilities were top notch. This was a budget version of the festival, which now will take place in September. Program of the day was:
13.00-13.30 Psychosomatic Cowboys
14.00-14.30 Bohemian Lifestyle
14.45-15.15 Silverspoon
15.30-16.00 Dust
17.10-17.40 Fatal Smile
18.10-18.55 Nasty Idols
19.10-19.20 Babylon Bombs
19.40-20.30 Chris Laney
21.00-21.45 Vains of Jenna
22.15-23.00 CrashDiet
23.30-00.20 XYZ
00.50-01.50 Tigertailz
Doors opened at midday and the first band for yours truly was Bohemian Lifestyle. The youngsters sounded pretty cool and had brought in their own fans, which made them the best received "amateur" band of the day.
Fatal Smile was the first recording band on stage and they did everything in their power to win over the sparse crowd. Fatal Smile was hampered by a very bad sound, which unfortunately was characteristic for most bands. Sadly the concrete walls of the old industrial building made it impossible for the sound -men to create a good sound. Fatal Smile varied their set with material from "Neo Natural Freaks" and "World Domination". The band had smoke machines and fireworks on stage. They did really well on stage with a great attitude and magnetism but everything was mudded in a booming sound.
Nasty Idols were among the sleaze forefathers in Sweden and while members of CrashDiet, Babylon Bombs and Vains of Jenna still were in school Nasty Idols was already releasing albums. Singer Andy Pierce is a great frontman and his sleazy vocals define the band. The band aired Method to My Madness, Evil One and Rock Out from the 2009 album "Boys Town". The setlist was namely a best of set with House of Rock N' Roll, Can't Get you Off my Mind , The Way Ya Walk and Alive and Kickin' ending the set. Great band and great entertainers.
Babylon Bombs was a last minute addition scheduled to play only 2 songs showcasing their new lead singer Wick - a very young guy and also bit green on stage. It was hard to judge Wick from only 2 songs. There certainly was potential and especially Rattle My Bones worked out well. It was good to see drummer Swaint was back behind the kit after his accident in Germany. Guitarist Jon had a cool attitude on stage and bassist Ricky was energetic as always.
Two nights earlier Chris Laney held a release party for his new album "Only come out at Night". The release party was also an official pre-show for the festival. That night Chris Laney's band was unbelievable tight and therefore I was really excited to see Laney again.
Laney and his band didn't let me down. The new songs are damn catchy and even though the album hasn't been released yet everyone nodded their heads to the new songs like the title track and Rock Star. From the new album Love so Bad was introduced as co-written by Laney's best friend in the whole world Zinny Zan (more Zinny Zan later). The highlight was Get U down which was presented as classic 80's rock. Laney rounded off his normal set with Pride B4 the Fall from the previous album "Pure".
The most amazing drummer George Egg bowed out and Stixx from Shotgun Messiah was introduced along with Zinny J. Zan and 50 percent of the original Shotgun Messiah line up was a reality. The band delivered 3 Shotgun Messiah classics Squeezin' Teezin, I'm Your Love and Don't Care 'Bout Nothin. This was something special since you got something extraordinary.
The band was competent band with 3 guitar players- guitarist John Berg was an experience and Laney vocals really held up. Top notch musicianship and highlight of the festival.
Vains of Jenna made album of the year 2009. "The art of Telling Lies" was a big improvement that showed how much the 4 Swedes had grown as musicians. Sadly singer Lizzy Devine left the band just before this European tour. Instead of canceling Vains of Jenna quickly found a replacement in Jesse Forte and even though he only been in the band weeks his stage presence showed no signs of him being the new guy.
Personally I am very fond of Lizzy Devine's voice and it was a bit weird hearing the songs with Forte. However, Forte's range is bigger and opens more possibilities for Vains of Jenna. The band added a second guitar player for this tour to broaden the sound. Everybody Loves you When you're Dead and Enemy in Me were the best songs. Vains of Jenna got great response and like one of my travel companions told Jesse Forte after the show "I came with no expectations but left as a fan" - well, I came as a fan and left a bit undone. Not because of the performance but so far Lizzy's vocals has defined the band, but hopefully new material with Forte will convince me that Vains of jenna still is the most promising rock act.
Judging by the attendees the highlight of the evening was CrashDiet. The band has just released their third album "Generation Wild" and introducing new singer Simon Cruz. The setlist mixed the "Rest in Sleaze" and "Generation Wild" albums.
Simon Cruz is a good fit for the band. Especially on the new songs he sounded great. He has a punk attitude that was unfolded on Rebel and Native Nature. So Alive sounded great mixed with classics like Breakin' the Chains, It's a miracle and Queen Obscene. The backing vocals were great and it was a pleasure to witness CrashDiet regaining some lost territory. The set closed with 2 new songs Armageddon and Generation Wild.
The only American band to defy the volcanic eruption was XYZ. XYZ conquered the audience even though it only seemed like they were on stage 30 minutes. We got Maggy, Inside Out, Face Down in the Gutter, What Keeps me Loving You, Follow the Night and for encore Nice Day to Die. Drummer Joey Shapiro put on a great show. Singer Terry Ilous still sounded fantastic and bassist Pat Fontaine made it great to see 50 percent of the line-up from the first 2 albums. Guitarist Tony Marucs worked hard and played most fills that Mark Diglio immortalized on "XYZ" and "Hungry".
All the way from Cardiff, Wales Tigertailz had no problems with Icelandic volcanoes either. The band had the honor to close a long day of music. Tigertailz never managed to capture me, but I must admit Love Bomb Baby is catchy. Since my last Tigertailz show in 2006 that band has gotten a female bassist to replace the late Pepsi Tate. Heaven was a nice tribute to Pepsi Tate and everyone in the crowd brought out their lighters or cell phones.
The intentions were good for this festival and I just hope that the confirmed bands show up in September. I certainly don't hope that the promoter bite off more that one can chew with this line up. Personally I really looked forward to seeing Great White and Slaughter.
Sweden has the most exciting rock scene and the band on the bill May 1st where the best of the Swedish scene. It turned into a Swedish Glam/Sleaze all star night. No band disappointed but only Chris Laney made this event really special by reuniting half of Shogun Messiah for the event.
Chris Laney and XYZ were the best acts of the festival!
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Thursday, May 20, 2010 |
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RevelationZ Comments
| Comment by Dennis the Menace (Member) - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | 
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Comments: 12
Ratings: 0 | | Well done. Good to have had you there delivering the taste of an event that must have come near the expectations before the "full" happening. Man, that Shotgun Messiah thing ... wish I could have seen it, also Tigertailz and XYZ. But 99% I will fly over to Stockholm in September not to miss Great White, Pretty Boy Floyd, Dirty Penny and foremost the "obscure" Keel who gave us the Right To Rock decades ago. Very keen on the rest of the billing and hoping to see ya in September.
Gruezze D.
Posted by Dennis the Menace
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 |
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| Comment by Michael (Staff) - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 | 
View Profile
Comments: 4 | | Dennis - Good to hear from you. Sadly I cannot be there in September for the REAL Stockholm Rock out. Btw. See you at Sweden Rock. You are out of excuses with Cinderella and Ratt. See ya singalong Zombie!
Posted by Michael (Staff)
Tuesday, May 25, 2010 |
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