UFO, Bristol, 25/03/12

There are bands, there are good bands, and there are great bands, and UFO are a GREAT British rock band.

Deep Purple apart, I can't think of another band that I have more time or affection for. Great musicians, timeless classic tracks and all done with great performances.

Fronted by Phil Mogg, 64 next month, the outfit (with Andy Parker on drums, Vinnie Moore on lead guitar and Paul Raymond on rhythm/keyboards) have their genesis back in 1969, but only really established their credentials with 1974's Phenomenon, and then a series of hard rock opuses culminating the live "Strangers In The Night" which still forms the backbone of the set today.

It was yet another wonderful live show.

The Moggmaster
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still a fine frontman

Set list

Mother Mary

Fight Night (you tube)

Wonderland

I'm A Loser

Saving Me

Burning Down Your House (you tube)

Only You Can Rock Me

Love to Love

Hell Driver

Venus

Too Hot To Handle

Lights Out

Rock Bottom

Doctor Doctor

Shoot Shoot

Vinnie Moore

Vinnie and the great Raymondo

UFO 2012 style

Triaxis plus Elimination plus Hollow Tone, Masons Arms , Llanelli, 24/03/12

An evening of up and coming British heavy metal saw a modest but enthusiastic crowd pack into the tiny Masons Arms in Llanelli in deepest West Wales.

First up at around 8.45 were Swansea Valley based hard rockers, Hollow Tone. Described as melodic hard rock they seemed to play to their heavier end for this occasion and are definitely worth checking out (again) some time. They're here on my space.

Next up at around 9.40 were Ipswich/Colchester thrashers Elimination. Check them out here on reverbnation and here. With such a powerful sound in a tiny venue, they were bound to make an impession and they certainly did with a fast, driving sound where Megadeth meets Testament.

Elimination fly the flag for British thrash
and pack a punch in the Masons Arms

Friends of this blog will know how much I rate Triaxis, and was principally the reason why we ventured out West. With a 2nd album now in the can to follow up the highly impressive debut "Key To The Kingdom", the 5 piece are working hard to build upon their already growing reputation amongst those who know.

Owen (bass), Giles (drums) and CJ (rhythm)
Glyn (lead) and Owen
Glyn in finest Dave Mustaine pose

With a combination of tracks from the first album, including set staples, Lies, Gates of Damnation, and Sker Point, some newer material and the obligatory Iron Maiden cover (check out The Wicker Man on you tube), the band pay homage to the core values of, not only Maiden, but Priest, Dio, Anthrax and many others. An impressive rhythm section backs the fine riffage of Glyn and CJ, with Krissie's commanding vocals and stage presence making for a potent mix.

Put simply, they're the best unsigned metal act in the UK.

Krissie, lead vocals

The Evil That Men (or is it Women?) Do

Krissie, Triaxis lead vocals, with the best chauffeur a man could have!

Ebbw Vale 25 Swansea 19, 24/03/12

Awesome Ebbw Vale booked their Swalec Cup semi final place by claiming their 3rd successive Premiership scalp in the form of Swansea. The semi-final will be Ebbw's eighth historically and their first since 2002.

A Ronnie Kynes charge down try and twenty points from the boot of Dorian Jones (watched by Dad Kingsley and former Ebbw favourite Josh Tumalolo) was sufficient to give Ebbw a thoroughly deserved win built upon solid committed forward play and a solid defence.

From the Ebbw homepage:

"Ebbw recorded a third successive cup win over Principality Premiership opposition as Swansea joined Newport and Carmarthen on Ebbw's hit list. Ebbw's 16th win on the bounce - a new club record - set up a semi-final date with opposition to be decided in Tuesday's draw."

It's been a long time since we've seen these type of words: "In front of the season's biggest crowd
at ECP" and "Supporters on the sun-kissed bank were in raptures"

Steelhouse: Festival launch + Fighting Wolves + Long Knives, 16/03/12

Another interesting night at the Steelhouse, Ebbw Vale, with indie hard rock from Long Knives plus Fighting Wolves. We also had the official launch of the summer Steelhouse Festival.

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Long Knives

First up we had the excellent Long Knives, fronted by Tredegar lad Phil Carter. Think The Killers meet Therapy? with a little Manics thrown in and an excellent mix of edgy riffin' rock. With the frontman strutting his stuff a la Brandon, the local boys went down well even amongst some of the 'heavier heads' in the club.

The evening opened up with the announcement that Reef would headline the Sunday night of the Steelhouse Festival to be held on 27-29 July. To accompany this we had the bizarre site of the Lawless Girls firebreathing in the car park at 9pm on a crisp March evening. I've seen a few things at that famous old sports ground but this was one of the weirdest youtube1 and youtube2.

The Lawless Girls shake their stuff

London based Fighting Wolves were the main attraction. Again, not heavy by any stretch, but tuneful hard rock with a strong guitar sound, a little Black Stone Cherry in parts. Check out One Minute More and other fine tracks here.

Fighting Wolves...

...riff it up

...at the Steelhouse

It's nearly time for........UFO, Bristol 25/03/12

UFO, one of the great British rock acts, are about to embark on their latest UK tour.

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Vinny Moore, Andy Parker, Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond

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With a back catalogue to rival the very best, magnificent musicianship and a legacy stretching back to 1969 (a vintage year), catch them whilst you can. I will.

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Ebbw Vale 15 Bargoed 10, 03/03/2012

Ebbw Vale secured their place at the top of Division One East by grinding out a win over their nearest challengers Bargoed.

In a game played in a poisonous spirit in terms of both players and spectators, caused largely by the visitors over aggressive tackling, language and gestures, it was 5 penalties from outside half Dorian Jones which prove crucial.

From the Ebbw website,

"This win was Ebbw's 14th on the trot in all competitions, equalling the club record set by the professional Steelmen of 1999-2000 who went from November 13th's 26-18 win over Bridgend to March 11th's 29-25 loss at Neath without tasting defeat. Ebbw beat, amongst others, Toulon, Connacht and Steua Bucharest (twice each), Llanelli, Glasgow and Newport. Newport are the only team to feature in both winning streaks"

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