WHOOP DEE ROCKIN FEBRUARY!

Me again..

Little ole me

It's time to catch up on the delights that February brought and it was just that for me - delightful.
February brought new anticipated album releases, Winters End festival and most importantly memorable moments with the best of friends.
The last few years, has seen me hit the gig circuit as much as possible. My motivation behind this, is simple - the sheer joy it brings to me.
Seeing and supporting a band live, is a euphoric experience and something I am happy to say, I am truly addicted to.
To the bands I have yet to catch, I promise I will soon and to the bands I already have, in the words of Arnie - I'll be back !

Firstly, a big One woman Audience salute, to 3 bands who released albums this past month:

The amazing Bad Flowers, with their debut album Starting Gun.
What can I say, the powerhouse trio from the Black Country, have produced nothing short of a superb album. The standout track for me, has to be ' Let's Misbehave', not only do I love the notion of the track but it's a classy rock track, smooth and dreamy one minute, then feisty riffs that just advocate what the song preludes to, the next. My kinda song !
I wanna say a huge Thank you at this point, to Tom, Dale and Karl. Was a massive honour to get a Thank You, in the album credits - still speechless, meant the absolute world to me, so thank you with all of my heart.

Next album to be saluted, is The Temperance Movement - A Deeper Cut. I was both excited and nervous about this album. The Temperance Movement stole my heart with their self titled debut album and that album, will always be magical to me. The moment you see an autistic lad, with no real desire for music, just stop and listen, then repeatedly request the album over and over again, you know the album is special .
A Deeper Cut has returned my passion for The Temperance Movement, if anything, it has exceeded it, this album is a different level altogether and has left me punching the air in sheer glee. Get the album and just kiss it ! ( Playing it too, is strongly advised )

The most recent release, that needs little introduction, is the awesome Stone Broken - Ain't always Easy. The second album is always tricky, especially when All In Time was your debut album! We all knew they could do it though, and they have whole heartedly. A fantastic album, that I'm sure will be a game changer for the guys completely. The album should come with a warning though! That, you will be compelled to keep playing it - can you guess what I am listening to right now, by any chance ?! Thanks for making this gal, one super happy Stone Broken fan, it's Stunning.

Next up, Winters End festival. Where to start  ....?? Not only a plethora of Awesome bands but a catalogue of funny memories, antics and selfies to keep me giggling away to myself for months to come.

Friday kicked off magnificently, with The Fallen State, instantly getting everyone set up for a truly rockin weekend.
Next was The Bad Flowers, who were as always, mesmerising live. Being treated to new those tracks, from their debut album I mentioned above, was everything you could wish for. The Bad Flowers may be a trio but there is a man that is always in tow with them, Tom's Dad - Paul, sound man, merch man - his skills are endless, so give him a wave too when you next see them and trust me, you must see them!

Tom working some Bad Flowers magic

Friday continued with Aaron Buchanan & The Cult Classics, I'm a huge fan of their album - The Man With Stars On His Knees and have been lucky enough to see the band live a number of times. They are a passionate lot and phenomenal live, Aaron's party trick of headstanding  on the crowd, is an absolute winner, along with a rendition of Heaven's Basement -  I am Electric. This is a band here to stay.
The main guest spot to the Headliner on Friday, went to Phil Campbell & The Bastard Sons. If you loved Motorhead you will LOVE this band, if you didn't love Motorhead - trust me, you will STILL love this band. Phil & Sons are the epitome of Rock n Roll, hearing tracks from their recent album - The Age of Absurdity and rockin my little socks off to them ( note - was not actually wearing socks) made my night. Watching a legend and how they diffuses through the band, is a beautiful thing.

The legend that is Phil Campbell

Last but no means least, the Headline act for Friday - STONE BROKEN . The band have performed at both Rockstock and Winters End previously and have always stolen the night. A packed house, full of Stone Broken tees, awaited the band and with the biggest roar from the crowd, I've ever heard at one of the Planet Rock events, the guys and Robyn stormed the stage to give a set that dreams are made of . One word ..... AWESOME.

Stone Broken stealing the night, yet again .

Day 1 was complete and in complete awe, I was swooped up and carried back to my caravan, nothing to do with the number of vodkas consumed throughout the evening, at all!!!

Day two, was a full day in downtown Sandford, bands from 11am with a small gap later in the day, before the fun recommenced all the way through till midnight .
The daytime bands consisted of  The Dust Coda, 13 Stars, Erin Bennett, Gasoline Outlaws and The Amorettes. All fantastic and performing to large day crowds of slightly hungover rockers.
The band of Saturday for me though, was the heavy southern rockers 13 Stars. The biggest compliment you can receive, is when a fellow member of the crowd, has to check, they are actually a British band as sound so authentically southern! Take that praise indeed guys, because it is more than well deserved.
The front man of 13 Stars is Hoss, he makes for a larger than life character and had the crowd laughing, smiling and bewitched with his deep, gravel toned, southern voice. If you get the opportunity to catch this band - do so!  The White Raven album from the band, is also a MUST for your collection.

Hoss of 13 Stars

Time for evening number two frivolities to commence. Deever took control of the stage first, a fairly newly formed band, but one that a lot of the crowd were there to support, and they did their multitude of supporters, proud that night.
Broken Witt Rebels followed, now I have seen this band a number of times along their path of growth and can say with my hand on my heart, they just get better and better .....and they were pretty mind blowing to start with! Danny on lead, is one of those uniquely gifted people, who has a one off voice that can only be rated only as miraculous.
I also, had a really good giggle with the Broken Witt Rebel guys later in the bar too, so not only are they are TOP class band, they are TOP class fellas. ( still giggling now )

Up the rebels!

Winner of Guy Bellamy's Great Music stories - Band of the Year, was up next, and that band is.... Those Damn Crows. This is a band going one way - through the roof way! Creators of awesome catchy songs and masters of  live gigs, they have it all. Shane Greenhall, lead vocalist, works the crowd like a true rock legend, if these guys are not huge by the end of the year, I will be damning all crows!
Saturday night Guest spot, went to Wayward Sons. My inner teenage Little Angels fan swiftly bubbled to the surface, as did my outer 40 year old Wayward Son fan, put the two together and you have one over excited wooooooing ME! Ghosts of yet to come, was the album of the year for me, last year, and boy, do the tracks from the album transcend well live. I salute you Mr Toby Jepson, full of energy, amazing voice, great band dynamics and for 1 night only, I was 16 again - THANK YOU.

Scream for Wayward Sons

Headlining Saturday night, the breath taking - Temperance Movement. I have seen these guys a few times, grateful for every chance. Something has changed as of late for them, band member changes - maybe.... but it feels more muse based than that. I can only surmise, they have got to that profound point, where they can finally say  - this is who we are, and all we empower. A very enviable position and one that has resulted in a band, that I think, easily have worldwide potential.
Singing my heart out to  A Deeper Cut, with my arm entwined round one of my best friends (Johnny), is a moment that just secured a space in my heart from this day forward. To The Temperance Movement, you enchanted us and reached the core of my soul - truly a gift to watch.

Now Saturday finished much the same as Friday for me, rather than being swooped up though, I had the pleasure of being Fireman carried from the venue. It's tough being a diddy rocker !

Last day but no means least, brought the repeated struggle to rise and get rocking for 11am but in true, rocker style, I did it (just) !
The line up for today, was another list of fabulousness, including - Jet Black 3, The Outlaw Orchestra, Ghost Community, JoanovArc and Voodoo Six.
There was no competition for the winning daytime band for me, not only did they fill the venue to maximum capacity, they had everyone smiling, laughing and foot stamping along. That band ....drum roll.... or should I say, banjo twang, was The Outlaw Orchestra. The Southampton based foursome, not only created a buzz, but created chaos at the merch stall for their ware. Not many bands, that rock the boards at a Planet Rock event, can boast a double bass, and banjo player ! Their raucous southern/ blue grass music, embroiled with their charismatic humour, is a winning formula and they did just that, win over a whole army of new fans on Sunday. Definitely a band to see but most importantly enjoy again.

Yeehah for The Outlaw Orchestra

Sunday evening brought Winters End to a close. The first band, to rock the stage Sunday night was Theia. The terrific trio from Burton upon Trent, smashed the opening set.  Not only do the band have the best titled song EVER  - Whoop Dee Fuckin Doo but to get a crowd of that size, punching the air and singing it back to you, is a sign of a great band. Kyle Lamley, on lead vocals combines power and passion, to give a winning set every time. Roll on April, when I will be catching these guys on the road again.

Theia - tastic!

Redline brought a more classic rock feel next to the stage. The Hairy Bikers are big fans of these guys and if you love Saxon, Dio , Megadeth... this is a band you need to checkout. Classic and classy.

Fragile Things followed Redline, they have been going from strength to strength these past few months. Most recently a contender, for Best New Band in the Planet Rock, Rocks awards and receiving huge amounts of airplay for their track 'Disappear'. Within seconds of hitting the stage, Steve Lathwell was balancing his bass on his knee due to a snapped guitar strap but the legend that Steve is, didn't drop a note, with some quickly administered gaffer tape, he was back in full flow to conclude an amazing set with his fellow bandmates.

I feel the need, not only to woooooo but scream extra, extra loud before I confirm who hobbled onto stage next . The legends that are THE QUIREBOYS!!! Spike, the infamous front man, may have had a broken foot... but was that gonna stop him, like heck it was! I don't know anyone who didn't LOVE the set The Quireboys delivered, a mix of classics, southern and a smidge of blues. This my friends, was a masterclass of  HOW to be a Rock n Roll band. Spike not only has a voice that is still as amazing as those days long gone, when I woooooed my heart out at Southend Esplanade but his anecdotes and stories are priceless. I think we all came away from that night, with one question, when can we see Quireboys again?!

The man of the weekend - Spike from The Quireboys

Up last, and bringing Winters End to a corking conclusion, was the blues masters King King. Alan Nimmo and his liquid gold vocals are unmissable. They delight the crowd as always, especially with the tracks off their most recent album 'Exile and Grace'. King King ooze talent and sophistication but all in, a kilt clad rock n roll way... what's not to smile about with that ?!

Sunday night finished, and you will be surprised to hear, my own two feet got me back to my caravan tonight!

That's it my friends... Winters End done and dusted for another year. A weekend full to the brim of fantastic bands and friends. I treasure those times and feel so lucky to share them with so many of you. These festivals are a dream platform for many of these bands, but do me one favour, keep supporting them throughout the year to come too.  I know it means everything to the bands and keeps our beloved Rock n Roll scene alive and kicking. In the words of  Those Damn Crows - Rock n Roll Ain't Dead! And lets keep it that way!

Remember everyone, life is better with music in your heart and soul

Xx G xX