Stonedead Competition 2024: Highlights from an Unforgettable Rock and Steel WeekendStonedead Competition 2024: Highlights from an Unforgettable Rock and Steel Weekend

Phrases: Smudge Smith

Photos: Adrian Hextall MindHex Media

Friday twenty third

Has it been a yr already? Crikey, time flies. As I pulled into the web page front, it used to be all acquainted faces with large smiles that greeted me and welcomed me again. The click accreditation used to be great and simple, and I used to be directed to the clicking space – sure, we fortunate press other folks have an entire construction to ourselves the place we will be able to interview other folks, obtain and submit our photographs. After a catch-up with some outdated colleagues, we went for a walk across the area and determined it used to be time for a lager – a very simple choice actually.

Opening the competition had been Scarlet Rebels, who I noticed headline a level at Name Of The Wild again in Might. I discussed then that I wasn’t positive in the event that they had been ‘large enough’ to headline a level at a competition, however their efficiency modified my thoughts straight away, and their efficiency this night simplest reconfirmed my choice. They oozed self assurance at the giant level with guitarist Chris Jones ensuring he used each inch while tearing out fills and solos as he pulled some right kind rock famous person shapes. Those guys have their heavy melodic rock chops delicate, they usually recuperate each time I see them. We were given the scoop that their new album The place Colors Meet had entered the charts at quantity 15, and 4 new songs had been aired this night – opener ‘Grace’, ‘Streets Of Hearth’, ‘Secret Drug’, and ‘It Was once Gorgeous’ along ‘Those Days’ and set nearer ‘Take You House’. Scarlet Rebels have come some distance since I noticed them fortify the Graham Bonnet Band once they had been referred to as V0ID; they had been just right that night time, and it’s a excitement to look how they’ve advanced.

I noticed Paul DiAnno and his band supporting KK’s Priest previous within the yr, and I assumed they performed an amazing set with DiAnno in nice voice regardless of his contemporary well being problems. He used to be nonetheless in a wheelchair after contemporary knee surgical procedure, however the voice used to be nonetheless sturdy as he gave us a suite of vintage Maiden numbers with a wholly other band in the back of him. We were given ‘Sanctuary’, ‘Charlotte The Harlot’, ‘Prowler’, the large ‘Wrathchild’, ‘Murders In The Rue Morgue’, a stupendous ‘Take into accout The next day to come’, and ‘Phantom Of The Opera’. He advised us that he used to be taking part in on simplest about 4 hours’ sleep in 3 days and used to be none too complimentary a few sure lodge chain, however he used to be the consummate skilled as he completed with ‘Iron Maiden’ and ‘Operating Unfastened’. So much used to be written on social media about DiAnno’s efficiency, with actually part the folk disliking what they heard and the opposite part pronouncing he used to be superior. Each myself and my erstwhile spouse in steel, Adrian Hextall, agreed that he and his band sounded nice.

Now, I’ve stated it earlier than – I used to be by no means partial to The Quireboys, particularly reside, the place I assumed they had been sloppy, inebriated, and unprofessional BUT Spike has accrued a shit-hot band who this night incorporated Thunder drummer Harry James along his colleague Luke Morley, Willie Dowling from The Grip tinkling the ivories, and authentic Q’boy Nigel Mogg on bass. I noticed them at Name Of The Wild and used to be mightily inspired, however this night they had been superior. It used to be a night of sheer a laugh and delight with their logo of cheeky chappy Faces/Stones rock ‘n’ roll. Spike’s voice sounded transparent and strong, and Morley threw out the ones rockin’ R&B riffs like confetti, a large credit score to Dowling too, who performed like The Killer himself – Jerry Lee Lewis. ‘Jeeze Louise’ and ‘Can’t Park Right here’ are best openers, and Hannah from Truro dancing subsequent to me advised me they had been ‘bouncy’, as did her son Harry. Now, Hannah is a foster carer and he or she had her ‘ward’ along with her – legally I will not identify him – however this lad used to be having the time of his younger existence. We were given ‘Misled’, ‘Candy Mary Ann’, ‘Raining Whiskey’, and ‘Whippin’ Boy’ earlier than the gang went nuts and sang alongside to ‘Whats up You’. The nice occasions persevered with ‘I Assume I Were given It Fallacious Once more’, ‘King Of New York’, and ‘Roses And Rings’, which has a chorus just like ‘Some Kinda Glorious’ earlier than it used to be sing-along time once more with ‘There She Is going Once more’ and ‘7 O’Clock’. Hannah regarded disenchanted as they hadn’t performed her fave – ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ and advised me to deduct issues, however after the calls of ‘yet one more tune’, she were given her want. A fantastic opening night time made everybody excited for day after today.

Saturday twenty fourth August

Smartly, we attempted the early get started, however we had been hampered by way of an coincidence at the A17 which supposed a thirty-minute diversion. We ended up on a farm due to my deficient native wisdom, so we overlooked the beginning of The Scorching One Two, however what we stuck used to be completely surprising. The gang used to be huge regardless of the bleak climate, they usually lapped up the lively top quality rock ‘n’ roll that the band creates of their sleep. We walked in as they had been midway thru ‘Feeling Excellent’ – yeah, we had been – then we were given ‘The Fray’, ‘Rolling Stone’, ‘Is It Scorching’, and the large sing-along ‘Tie Me Down’. I truthfully don’t know the way they devise songs with such grimy heavy riffs and candy melodies. Personally, they provide one thing slightly distinctive, which is difficult to do in those fashionable occasions. I encourage you to catch those guys reside. They don’t prevent transferring, and in Nick Manners and Kev Baker, they’ve a guitar duo the equivalent of any individual available in the market, plus Baker pulls essentially the most superb faces even if he’s no longer taking part in!

Tailgunner stepped up and taken the NWOBHM screaming into 2024. They’ve a singer with an enormous vary who too can cajole a crowd, a rhythm phase locked in tighter than a duck’s butt – particularly on this climate – and a couple of guitarists who’re virtuosos in their very own proper but additionally play telepathically in combination. They usually’re from the United Kingdom!! After the ‘Zorba The Greek’ intro (sure, we did the mandatory dance!), they careered into ‘Weapons For Rent’ and ‘White Loss of life’ earlier than the mighty ‘Beast In The Evening’ the place singer Craig Cairns took a tumble at the slippery level however styled it out impressively, such a lot in order that the guitarists didn’t even know what came about. It used to be vintage steel all of the approach on ‘Warhead’ earlier than we were given a super guitar struggle between Zach Salvini and Rhea Thompson, which led right into a steel model of Grieg’s ‘In The Corridor Of The Mountain King’. ‘New Horizons’ and a rousing ‘Revolution Scream’ resulted in the foot-on-the-monitor-heads-down banger ‘Crash Dive’ earlier than they bravely completed the set with an completely superior quilt of Dio’s ‘Don’t Communicate To Strangers’, a courageous transfer which the gang beloved.

I’m no longer generally partial to the sleaze/trash style, however I used to be wholly inspired by way of the sheer enthusiasm of The Bites as they introduced an entire load of Hollywood a laugh and solar to a lifeless gray day. Singer Jordan Tyler is camper than a row of tents and taken equivalent portions Jagger and Plant. They gave us nearly all of their debut album Squeeze, which I can be buying ASAP. The songs inform the tales of the seedier aspect of Hollywood with ‘Knockin’ On The Door’, ‘Beautiful Boys’, and ‘Grimy Town’ being nice examples. A canopy of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Excellent Instances, Dangerous Instances’ were given the gang going earlier than some extra tongue-in-cheek sleazy punky rock ‘n’ roll with ‘Excellent Love’, a story about sexual encounters at the highway, ‘Chilly Blank Woman’, and the excellent ‘Heather Leather-based’ – ‘heather eternally, she desires to like me and I’m gonna let her..’ catchier than no matter Heather almost definitely gave him! The identify observe of the album is simply dumb-ass rock ‘n’ roll, as used to be ‘Hearth In Hollywood’, then Tyler advised us the following tune used to be a ballad – and we believed him! Don’t purchase a used automotive from this guy! ‘Do Me A Choose’ used to be every other easy catchy punk ‘n’ roll song and a nice strategy to finish the display. The Bites play severe rock ‘n’ roll, however they don’t take themselves too severely. A in point of fact unforgettable set.

Bonafide didn’t excite me in anyway. They got here throughout as a knock-off AC/DC, so I went off to mingle with The Scorching One Two and took good thing about their loose booze. Sure, I’m affordable and simply purchased. I used to be excited to look Eclipse once more, they usually introduced every other stage of efficiency and songwriting ability. Erik Martenson is a uniquely gifted guy with a present for the riff and an ear for a right kind catchy melody; neatly, he’s Swedish, they usually appear to be naturals with melodies. The gang had thinned dramatically all over Bonafide, however they quickly returned as Eclipse rattled out their tunes. ‘Run For Quilt’, ‘Bleed And Scream’ each had the correct amount of melody and correct quantity of heavy riffage earlier than the mighty ‘The Toughest Phase Is Shedding You’ and ‘The Downfall Of Eden’. ‘Anthem’ used to be an acoustic ballad masterclass earlier than issues were given right kind heavy on ‘Black Rain’ and the bouncy set nearer ‘By no means Glance Again’.

Doro used to be at all times going to be nice – how are you able to no longer revel in her? She has the most productive level presence of any feminine performer available in the market, and he or she has made herself a family identify along with her taste of heavy steel. She did play so much from her newest document Conqueress – Robust And Proud. ‘Time For Justice’, ‘I Will Succeed’ had been right kind heavy, then we were given some target market participation on ‘Lift Your Fist In The Air’ earlier than different newies ‘Youngsters Of The First light’ and the rabid ‘Hearth In The Sky’. After all, we were given her common finale ‘All We Are’. Doro is best for a competition as she simply loves taking part in heavy steel and getting a crowd going.

Everyone knows the 2 giant Unpleasant Child Joe songs, proper? On account of the ones two songs, I used to be at all times reluctant to find them additional, however now, at the energy of this efficiency, I can be rectifying that. The ones two numbers are simply no longer indicative of what they if truth be told do. The primary couple of songs – ‘That Ain’t Livin’’ and ‘Neighbor’ had been absolute heavy rock bangers the place singer Whitfield Crane had the gang proper the place he sought after them from the off. They rattled thru a suite of high quality heavy rock till they were given to ‘Cat’s In The Cradle’, at first performed by way of Harry Chapin, and despite the fact that the gang lapped it up, it simply wasn’t the similar – the power of the former songs disappeared. That power returned in abundance once they ripped out a large model of Motorhead’s ‘Ace Of Spades’ earlier than their different giant one ‘The entirety About You’.

I’ve noticed KK’s Priest a few occasions this yr, they usually actually do ship the products (sorry). The 2 albums they’ve launched display what an integral a part of the Judas Priest sound KK Downing used to be, and enlisting Ripper Owens used to be a masterstroke. My simplest grievance will be the overlong intro, however when they fired into ‘Hellfire Thunderbolt’ and ‘Strike Of The Viper’, it used to be all forgotten. Downing and fellow awl guy AJ Generators are a pressure to be reckoned with, and as for Ripper, the bloke’s voice is more potent than ever. ‘One Extra Shot At Glory’ were given us to ‘The Ripper’, which for me is the archetypal steel tune. ‘Evening Crawler’ went into ‘Sermons Of The Sinner’ earlier than the most productive Ripper generation Priest tune ‘Burn In Hell’. ‘Hell Patrol’ led us to ‘The Inexperienced Manalishi (With The Two Pronged Crown)’ and ‘Diamonds And Rust’ earlier than the marvel of the night time, a gorgeous rendition of a deeper minimize of ‘Earlier than The First light’ off 1978’s Killing System. The Priest vintage ‘Breaking The Legislation’ were given the gang going psychological, then ‘Sinner’ confirmed what an excellent guitarist KK Downing is. They got here again with ‘Lift Your Fists’ for some extra crowd participation.

Saxon are every other I’ve noticed this yr. I’ve stated it earlier than that they’ve reached a degree of efficiency consistency this is slightly horrifying. They really by no means fail to ship. Kicking off with ‘Hell, Hearth And Damnation’, they combined the arrange with classics and more moderen subject matter which sat completely along each and every different. ‘Motorbike Guy’ then ‘Energy And The Glory’ took us to ‘Madame Guillotine’ off the most recent document. ‘Dallas 1PM’ used to be surprising, and the 2 children beside me didn’t notice that the tune used to be in regards to the assassination of JFK. ‘By no means Give up’ and ‘Robust Arm Of The Legislation’ were given us making a song, then it went instantly into every other fabulous new observe – ‘1066’. Biff used to be in nice voice as standard and gave the gang the collection of ‘Sacrifice’, ‘The Eagle Has Landed’, or ‘Damaged Heroes’. Biff made the manager choice and gave us all 3 after his rallying cry of ‘let’s be fuckin’ havin’ you!’ Shit were given actual as they fired into ‘The Bands Performed On’, ‘Denim And Leather-based’ oh how we sang alongside then ‘747 (Strangers In The Evening)’ saved us making a song. ‘Wheels Of Metal’, ‘Crusader’, and the excellent ‘Princess Of The Evening’ ended what used to be an improbable two days of rock and steel song.

Smartly, that’s it for every other yr, however judging from the musicians I noticed taking part in the 2 days, subsequent yr might be very attention-grabbing. Nope, no spoilers. Stonedead is a competition arranged and run purely by way of volunteers. It’s pleasant and inviting with many of us now regulars. Once a year the workforce develops it to make it run smoother, so I say thanks and neatly performed to Chris, Neil, and Louise for his or her determination. Because of Tosh, Caz, and Mark at the press and picture aspect for all you do too. Lorna-Jayne, congratulations to your promotion, totally deserved, and due to Carly for protecting that VIP space protected. On a private word, it used to be nice to satisfy up once more with some faces: Craig and his son, Skidd and Stevie J, Debz, Charlie, Robyn, and Bradie (sorry hun – double hugs subsequent time). Mogs and her new bionic hip, Claire you’re a warrior, however Hanneka you will have to feel embarrassment about your self – light-weight! Paul McWilliams, thank you for taking the ones photographs, remaining however maximum without a doubt no longer least Mr. Adrian Hextall – thank you for using and Raven misses you! Thank you too to all of the musicians and punters who took the time to speak to us two. Stonedead, pleasant, a laugh, and worth for cash plus an excellent unfold of generations which can be protecting this song alive. See you on the bar subsequent yr!