Black Stone Cherry, Hammersmith Apollo, London
October 23rd, 2009 by Sophie
Words: Richard Heaven
Photo: Sophie Egboh
The scene tonight is the HMV Hammersmith Apollo. Fans have already been queuing for hours to be first at the barrier when doors open in preparation for tonight’s headliners: Black Stone Cherry.
Unfortunately this seemed, to me, to be a little bit of a fruitless endeavour as it was no problem finding a place against the metal for those willing to ignore the merchandise stall and bar.
The first band on is New Jersey’s The Parlor Mob. It is easy to see where the ‘essential live band’ tag comes from as they storm through a set of hard hitting Blues Rock, with front man Mark Melicia bearing more then a passing resemblance to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder in both appearance and stage presence. Bassist Nick Villapiano and Drummer Sam Bey kept themselves to the back of stage while holding down a rock solid rhythm section. However captivating Mark’s performance was, you couldn’t help but watch the onstage chemistry between Guitarists David Rosen and Paul Ritchie – regularly playing up to each others stage moves and trading licks caused them to create a sound which was both entertaining and refreshing.
Next up is a true living legend. Duff McKagen’s Loaded is a band that I have been interested in for quite a while now but never got around to seeing – until tonight. Fronted by the bassist for both Guns N Roses and Velvet Revolver as well as containing members of Black Flag, Plexi and The Reverend Horton Heat it is clear to see Duff’s original Punk influences within the band.
Playing through a set mainly featuring ‘Sick’ era material it is clear that the band have won a few more fans tonight. This was probably helped by their covers of Misfits ‘Attitude’ and GNR’s ‘So Fine’ but it would be unfair to say that this is a band surviving off former glories. Song’s such as ‘Sleaze Factory’ and ‘Sick’ are really suited to live performances while ‘Flatline’ becomes the perfect sing-along. But the best is still to come.
Introduced as ‘a man who speaks the truth’, it is a real shock when Duff brings on Manic Street Preachers front man James Dean Bradfield to finish the set with a cover of ‘It’s So Easy’. An excellent way to finish a solid set of hard rock.
But now there is only one more band to go: Black Stone Cherry. As the backdrop falls and the lights dim the atmosphere becomes almost electric. Opening with the modern day classic ‘Rain Wizard’ and going on to rip into the best from their two albums, it is clear that Black Stone Cherry have become an extremely tight unit from their years on the road. Highlight’s include their cover of ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and the incredibly moving anthem ‘Peace Is Free’. They end the night with the promise of thanking each and every fan by the merch table after the show and an impressive cover of Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child (Slight Return)’. An excellent end to a brilliant night of down to earth, bluesy hard rock.
