It might be a mid week gig, but despite the wind and cold, the queue outside KK’s is a lengthy one. Another visit to this popular venue in Wolverhampton, which can compete admirably with any others in the area. Three bands on the roster and I get to see the boys from Collateral again ( they were here just a couple of days ago supporting H.E.A.T ) also my friends in Enuff Z Nuff, so as I join those in the line, I’m really looking forward to this one. Not forgetting it’s my first gig seeing Skid Row with the mighty Eric Grönwall !
COLLATERAL Heads must be spinning in the Collateral camp, so many shows around the UK in recent days. It’s another all too brief set but there’s no denying these guys have rooted firmly on the love list, for many gig goers now. As I play the new album ‘Rewired’ while writing, I’m reminded just how lush their songs are. ‘Lullaby’ and ‘Mr Big Shot’ get the audience participating with hands waving and singing along to those adhering chorus’s. As Mr Tristan picks up his 6 string for ‘Midnight Queen’ is time to savour the first single and as we mellow with the unreleased as yet, ‘Jovi’ type ballad ‘No Place For Love’, it’s cool to see so many people thoroughly appreciating the band. ‘Good to see you again, seems like yesterday’ the frontman jokes, with a Union Jack wrapped around his mic stand. He thanks everyone and we get to hear the new single ‘Sin In The City’ which also features on ‘Rewired’. They end up on the carousel that is ‘Merry Go Round’ and let all systems rip for a massive finish, bassist Jack instructs us to ‘Make some f**kin noise’ and we duly oblige.
‘ReWired’ is out now, purchase it on this link – https://lnk.to/ETF4TR
Collateral are – Angelo Tristan – Lead Vocals. Todd Winger – Guitar. Jack Bentley Smith – Bass. Ben Atkinson – Drums/Percussion. Louis Malagodi – Guitar
Collateral
ENUFF Z NUFF Awesome to see local boy, well Brummie guitarist, Tony Fennell back with the band for this tour. They make quite a dramatic entrance as Chip Z’Nuff swaggers on stage with customary hat and shades. If you go back to 2021 they released an album called ‘Hardrock Nite’ which was a selection of Beatle related covers and tonight the set includes three of them , beginning with ’Magical Mystery Tour’. It’s a rousing start, I mean how can you top the Fab Four for sublime pop. No surprise among Enuff fans that the classic self titled album also makes up the show, first it’s ‘Kiss The Clown’ gosh, there are so many hits, I’m not surprised they alter the menu so much. Tory Stoffregen handles his six string with expertise during their version of ‘Eleanor Rigby’ before we hear ‘Baby Loves You’ the only one we hear off the brilliant album from 1991, ’Strength’ tonight. On sticks is Chip’s fellow Chicago born, Daniel Benjamin Hill, who storms into ‘Jet’ with passion. No need to reiterate that there is much love around KK’s, the atmosphere is warm and the room is packed for them. I have always loved their style and it blends so well with the Beatles classic’s, three songs may be seen as too many for critics, but they fitted the vibe and actually it was tastefully executed. They are headlining while over here at The Robin 2 Bilston on November 13th, so a fuller set will on the cards then. ‘Fly High Michelle’ and ‘New Thing’ are never left out and they leave the stage all too soon. I’m still listening to that covers album, which also features brilliant renditions of ‘Helter Skelter’ and ‘Cold Turkey’, awesome.
Enuff Z’Nuff
Enuff Z’Nuff
SKID ROW We all loved 1989 when the guys from New Jersey rocked us in the UK, supporting Bon Jovi and later Mötley Crüe, with Sebastian Bach up front. The self titled debut album that year went platinum in moments and we were hooked, big time. When Bach left the band in 1996, after controversy, arguments and all the rest, it resulted in a string of replacements that struggled to reach the same level and win over the majority. Now in 2022 there’s a new vocalist who is raising eyebrows. A lot of us witnessed Erik Grönwall with H.E.A.T , who he joined in 2012 and left ten years later. Erik also won the Swedish version of ‘Pop Idol’ and was nominated for a Grammy award after his performance in a televised ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’. So when he hitched up with Skid Row this year, many could see the prospect of something phenomenal on the horizon.
The Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop’ fires up with its ‘Hey, Ho Lets Go’ chants and I’m stood far enough left of the stage, to see Dave ’Snake’ Sabo and Erik gearing up, to launch themselves onto the stage. A siren wails and ‘Slave To The Grind’ is the opener with pyro’s blazing and all the band now in position. After ‘The Threat’ there’s a trio of 89ers ‘Big Guns’, ’18 And Life’ and ‘Piece Of Me’ and by this time, folk are cheering Erik on his every move. He waltzes and swaggers around with all the enthusiasm of a kid at the funfair and we are shocked at just how good he is. The set is pretty much the same as recent tours, but added in are newbies like ‘The Gangs All Here’, the title track from the new album. Hollering like a wild cat, Mr Grönwall is a natural, reaching high notes you would think impossible for a human being and getting us to participate as the same time. We are read the ‘Riot Act’ and then they dive into ‘In A Darkened Room’. The floor is then cleared for Rachel Bolan to say a few words before his cover of ‘Pyscho Therapy’ ( also Ramones ). The band are bathed in a green light for the superb ‘Monkey Business’ which is given the full works, before a short interlude.
A heavy rumbling signals the return and ’Snake’ also thanks us before strumming his acoustic for the opening of ‘I Remember You’, the phones are already lit and twinkling around KK’s. This is a usual routine for this ballad as we adore it, but tonight it was brought to us with more feeling and grace, that I haven’t heard since the Seb days. Mouths are gapping and heads nodding in amazement. ‘Time Bomb’ is a new thumper, with a kick and more screaming lyrics. Bursting into a rocker will shrill guitar licking from both Scotti Hill and Snake and underlying bass from Bolan, who holds it down. Time for the last song ’Youth Gone Wild’ that sees the place erupt with seismic energy and the fire from the pyro’s just add to the fantastic display in front of us. Wow, that was some set and I think Mr Grönwall is going to be with them for some time, totally fits the role and has brought new life to the band without a shadow.
Link to new album –
https://skidrow.lnk.to/TheGangsAllHereAlbum
Skid Row
Skid Row
Another outstanding night at KK’s and the two supports were a credit to themselves, the fans and the audience. This is a major step forward for Skid Row, it hasn’t always been a smooth ride, but now they have hit back at critics and have a frontman who is exceptional. Yes there will always be those who prefer Sebastian over all others, but I would say check this dude out, it’s time to move onwards and many would say upwards.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
All photo credits – Alexandra Peace
For more photos see the full gallery – HERE
Watch Caz Parker’s interview with Rachel Bolan – HERE
Thanks to – Lisa Billingham and all at KK’s Steel Mill
