SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
SLADY: Back in Brighton!
Slady were back! They were up for it, the sold out crowd were up for it. A night of Slade banging tunes by the only female Slade tribute? Wots not to like?
“Us lot at SLADY got together coz we luv Slade, performing on stage and bringin the house down.”
Slady were back in Brighton, at The Prince Albert. There had been a buzz around town for these guys, the gig was originally booked in for the Hope And Ruin, but shuffled back to the Albert during the year. And again, the SOLD OUT Prince Albert crowd proved that there is a thirst to see these guys do what they do. Slady have been around for a little while with various line ups. Brighton was lucky to get another chance to see and most definitely hear the noize from Slady. They claim to be the world’s only all female tribute band to legendary 1970’s glam rock band Slade. I had another quick google search and that claim would still seem to stand!
SLADY: The Band
Great job on the names!
Gobby Holder – guitars, vocals and that hat, and glitter
Some great vocals along with some top notch guitar playing, some great moves and all the while kept the huge Noddy Holder mirrored hat on.
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Jem Lea – some mean Bass guitar and vocals, and glitter
Jem Lea tucked to the side of the stage hammered out some top quality bass lines and also some fine backing vocals.
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Davina Hill – guitars and vocals, and glitter
On lead guitar duties was Davina Hill, she also put in some fine backing vox work. I have to give her a shout for some really good strong guitar leads and various breaks. During When The Lights Go Out she nailed down some top playing. Great stuff!
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Donna Powell – on the drums and vocals, and glitter
The lady at the back, Donna Powell put down some strong patterns and fills, working with Jem to fill in the whole Slady sound, and also dropping in some nice background vocal work.
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I had seen these guys back in July and they had me from the first time we met. They are a delightful bunch with a great sense of humour and mischief! Perfect. I had also had the chance to meet up with Dave Hill and Slade during the year and he knew of these guys and a few photos of their meeting during the year have been out there on social media.
The Set
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Slady took to the stage, Gobby adjusted her hat – with added festive lighting and we were off. The all out rocker Take Me Bak ‘Ome, a smash for Slade way back in 1972, was on first. Last time Slady played the Albert, the sound gremlins surfaced for the first couple of songs. Not tonight. Slady blistered through that first opening salvo and they then tore straight into Cum On Feel The Noize. Oh my! dear reader the difference from the first gig to this was huge, and matched by the fine sound. Slady were just killing it, and doing it in style. How to start your gig! The crowd surged forward, well as best they could, as it was packed in there, hot and humid – a perfect atmosphere for a rock and roll gig!
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Look wot u don was up next and that was hammered at us and then straight into skweeze me pleeze me. The mixed audience was loving this. There had been some party packs given to the early arrivals and it included a party hat and balloon and a few Slady items. Brilliant and every so often a balloon was batted towards the stage. This audience was here for a good time.
Skweeze Me Pleeze Me was up next. These guys were not going to let us go. A helluva decent glittertastic racket filled the Albert! We then had a couple of lesser known Slade bangers, Lights Are Out featuring some wicked guitars licks and riffs that Dave and Noddy woulda been proud of! That led nicely into Dont Blame Me.
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Then another fave with Slady doing Slade proud with Coz I Love You and a howler of Mama Weer All Crazee Now. The crowd who had used the two previous songs to catch their breath were back up for it with these two. Arms raised along with some fine Brighton voices to go with those two tracks. These guys really fuelled a good time atmosphere. It must be nearly Christmas? Worlds Gone Crazee and Darlin Be Home Soon were up next. A perfectly sourced set building up the crowd, calming them down, just a bit…
Crazee Partee Timez
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex. Gobby Holder announcing – It’s Chriiiiiistmas!
We then had the brilliant Bangin Man and Everyday. After that a moment to pause and then Gobby shattering windows, glasses and noise limitations let rip with “It’s Christmas!” Merry Christmas Everybody was delivered with the power of a glam powered steam hammer. It smacked us silly as we all joined in. Looking back into the crowd all I could see was hot sweaty faces and everyone, and I DO MEAN EVERYONE! was singing. The Ladies of SLADY nailed it. They actually seemed surprised to see such a reaction from the packed out venue.
SLADY: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The last one tonight was the classic Get Down Get With It. Pure class Slady. Great job! Be assured going to see Slady, you are going to get a good handful of the standard greatest hits, but you will also get some nice surprises. Slady generated an electric atmosphere for the crowd, and no doubt some new fans. The audience here tonight were well into it bopping and singing along in unison.
Tonight was definitely a hell raising, foot stomping night which delivered class tunes, one after the other. Scene Sussex fell head over heels for these guys back in July and we just knew this was a grower. Well played Guys – Come back soon, Brighton loves ya x MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU x
Catch up with SLADY here on Facebook
Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion
Guests of Slady were Brighton based Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion. If you have been to the Albert before you may have caught these guys. They play there pretty often. I love this outfit. The will make you smile and give your ears a tequila soaked massage of the highest order.
PRE TEQUILA
Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Featuring members from Surfin’ Lungs, Los Fantasticos, The Squadron Leaders and The Delmonte 3. They take you on a trip back to the seedier side of the 60’s to play some of their favourite garage punk bubblegum rock’n’roll songs from that era. Yeah baby! The banter flows when these guys take the stage. They always mix up their set and tonight had a few extras in there! Opening up tonight was Thundering Guitars – a brilliant instrumental piece. You have four damn fine musicians here, and despite the banter they always deliver a quality performance. Good Guys Dont Wear White, Have Love Will Travel, Storm Comin and Santa Clause. The guys were joined on stage with Freddie Mercurys tambourine!
AFTER TEQUILA
Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Shots of Tequila delivered as the guys took us through the set. The band, well dear reader here goes…. William ‘Bongo Sherbert’ the Third on drums, Sir Clive Sherbert Fontana on Teardrop, tambourine and vocals, Django Sherbert Dib-Dab on guitar, sonic effects and vocals, and Steven Psycho Sherbert on bass and vocals. Also in the mix, one of my faves was California Sun and Stepping Stone.
If you see these guys down as guests or support, please go see them! They pop up regularly around the city – go check em out! They really are rather good and as I say they will leave you smiling and that right foot tapping. Well played guys!
Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion are on Facebook
The night was put on by the fine fellas by the promotion team, Brighton based, Punker Bunker – Thanks guys – a great night!
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