H.E.A.T.
Camden Underworld, London, UK - 18th March 2009
Line-up: H.E.A.T., Lost Weekend, Godsized
Review by Jon Wilde, (crappy phone) pics by Jon Wilde
I was told in no uncertain terms by at least two different people I had to go this gig as H.E.A.T. were utterly amazing live. Now, there were no threats involved in these fairly voracious insistencies, but I didn't want to take any chances...
First on stage in a woefully empty Underworld (100-150 people?) was Godsized. Must be honest, I hadn't heard of them before. But I have now! They were loud, heavy, and bloody good.
Think Black Stone Cherry, Black Label Society, in fact any other Southern USA heavy rock band... the influences are clear. Quite strange, therefore, to hear front man Glen chatting away with the crowd in a British accent. Yes, they are actually from Croydon, not far from Rock Realms Castle. Surprises aside, Godsized are a band on the up. Ridiculously talented, they have a blindingly bright future ahead of them. I'm trying to blag an EP at the moment to get a review on the site. If it sounds anything like their live show it'll be an absolute cracker.
Lost Weekend were on next. They really are like a cross between UFO and Magnum... which is no bad thing. Reading about them, they've actually done a lot of work with Bob Catley and Magnum over the years so the comparisons are hardly a surprise. After Godsized, their music sounded a little tame, but was actually very good with loveable choruses and plenty of fine riffery.
Headline act H.E.A.T. were simply staggering. I can't remember the last time I saw a band with such energy. Singer Kenny has one of the best voices around. He seems to have an infinite amount of power behind his vocal chords and probably didn't need the microphone. Everything about the performance was top notch. From the songs and the musicianship to the audience interaction and sound balance. It couldn't really have been any better if they'd tried. The cover of Journey's 'Separate Ways', although brilliant, only served to show how good the band's original material is.
Do whatever you can to go and see this band. In fact do whatever you can to see any of these bands. I have been to a lot of gigs over the years and this was certainly one of the best. The fact so few people had the pleasure is a shame, but at least WE can say we were there!
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