Black Star Riders/The Dead Daisies/Western Sand

November 22, 2013 Off By Jon

O2 Academy, Bournemouth

After touring for the past two years as a brand new line up of legendary Irish rock band Thin Lizzy they decided some changes were needed if the band were to release and perform their own new material.

Out of respect for Phil Lynott and his estate the band changed their name to the Black Star Riders and released a brand new album “All Hell Breaks Loose”. The band features Ricky Warwick(Vocals /Guitar), Scott Gorham(Guitar), Damon Johnson (Guitar), Marco Mendoza (Bass) and Jimmy DeGasso (Drums). Tonight in Bournemouth is the 1st night of the band’s UK and Bournemouth is the chosen town in which to start it.

Western Sand 1–2–3–4

There are two supports laid on before the main attraction arrives and the 1st is Bournemouth band Western Sand who have landed themelves opening support for the whole of the UK Tour. The band arrive on stage to plenty of local support from the large contingent of family and friends in the audience, all determined to give the guys a great send off. They get things started well with their twin guitar-led Southern-style Rock, with front man Tyler doing his best to warm the audience up with some early audience participation. The 30 minute set included the rocking “Broken Bones” from their recent self titled EP, along with an epic energetic ending of “Nothing Left To Lose” with both Jimmy and Tyler impressing with their guitar work. To see a local band that we have wholeheartedly supported with success like this makes all of us all here at Rock Regeneration very proud. We wish Western Sand all the best with their massive adventure.

Dead Daisies 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9

Next up we have somewhat of a Rock super group featuring some musicians that have played with many household names within the world of Rock including front man Jon Stevens (Noiseworks/Inxs), Dizzy Reed (Guns N’ Roses), David Lowry (Red Phoenix/Mink), Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones), Charlie Drayton (The Cult) and Richard Fortus (Guns N’ Roses/Thin Lizzy). The band, despite complaining of jet lag get things moving very promptly with their definitive rock n roll blues style sound. Jon Stevens seems initially frustrated with the rather quiet crowd, however after a couple of songs things soon change and the crowd really get into it. The band’s set comprised material from the band’s new album (which is given away free with this months “Classic Rock” magazine) as well as some brand new material including a great, well crafted track called “Your Karma”. The combination of all these fine musicians performing together on one stage is really a pleasure to watch, it is so obvious that they really enjoy what they do and their dynamic energy shines through in the music. The band end on a high with a stunningly powerful version of The Beatles “Helter Skelter” which really got the audience singing along in beautiful unison with this brilliantly talented entertaining band of musical brothers.

Black Star Riders 1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8–9–10–11–12

The “Black Star Riders” arrived on stage to an amazing welcome from a very excited Bournemouth crowd, who by now were totally up for the set ahead. They opened with the title track of the album and tour and the five musicians were full of smiles so obviously happy to be playing back in the UK. The stage was filled with a huge, specially designed back drop and an impressive stage set which included the bands own personalised amplifiers. The band cleverly weaved a mixture of original songs coupled with “Thin Lizzy” songs keeping a very high tempo throughout the whole of their time on stage. Ricky Warwick is such a talented frontman doing everything expected of him and much more, keeping each member of the audience’s full attention for the entire length of the show. You also cannot fail to be in awe of the guitar skills of the legendary Scott Gorham, who with a shy smile just effortlessly runs his fingers up and down the fretboard producing a magnificent original sound known throughout the world.

One of the highlights included the Celtic style of “Kingdom Of The Lost” which with no coincidence sounds reminiscent to the sound Gary Moore produced on his “Wild Frontier” album. The evening ended with a 20 minute encore that would make any rock music fan think that their Christmas and birthdays have all come at once. Thin Lizzy’s “Cowboy Song” is nicely combined with “The Boys are Back In Town”. The band then leave the stage for a few moments only for Damon Johnston to return with just his guitar to play a stunning intro to “Whiskey In The Jar”, then rest of the band return to join him for an amazing crescendo to the set. Just when you think it is all over they perform one last number in the form of the Bob Seger classic “Rosalie”, the audience could not quite believe their luck. The band left the stage to massive amounts of applause and cheers from the more than delighted crowd for a band on stunningly fine form ready to continue to take the rest of the UK by storm.

Set-Lists
Black Star Riders
All Hell Breaks Loose
Are You ready
Bloodshot
Bad Reputation
Before The War
Jailbreak
Hoodoo Voodoo
Massacre
Kingdom Of The Lost
Hey Judas
Southbound
Kissin’ The Ground
Valley Of The Stones
Emerald
Bound For Glory
Cowboy Song
The Boys Are Back In Town
Whiskey In The Jar
Rosalie

The Dead Daisies
Gonna Take Time
Evil
Washington
Fly
Your Karma
Stay With Me (The Faces)
Angel In Your Eyes
Face I Love
Miles In Front Of Me
Lock N’Load
Helter Skelter(The Beatles)

Videos
Black Star Riders