SLADE: pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
SLADE:
Did you know the band have been celebrating the bands 50th anniversary? Slade are back in town and set to give Brighton one hell of a show. So, prepare your voices, prepare to stamp your feet as we will all go crazee now! Some cum on feel the noize, and lets have a party!
Without doubt one of the most exciting bands to come out of Great Britain in the pasts. With their unique blend of perfect pop-rock’n’roll, outrageous flamboyance and pure fun, and no less than 23 Top-20 singles of which 6 were No-1 smash hits….plus 6 smash albums, Slade have become a firm favourite in the hearts of pop fans all over the world.
Slade’s chart career has spanned 3 decades and their enduring songs “Cum On Feel The Noize” and “Coz I Luv You” are still featured today in TV commercials for some of the Worlds biggest companies. Don, Dave, Jim and, of course, Noddy were the foursome who always seemed to be in the charts with classic rock anthems and hits.
I had waited three years to photo these guys, and hell yes – it was well worth the wait for me.
The present SLADE line up tonight consisted of:
Sole original member: Dave Hill (guitar/vocals);
John Berry (vocals/bass/violin),
Russell Keefe (vocals/keyboards/bass),
Alex Bines (drums).
SLADE: Dave Hill – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A stunning set from Dave. He played the hell out of his guitars, he sang his heart out, he rocked around the stage pulling of some fine rock poses and even got in some high (ish) kicks. Gone are the 6 to 8 inch silver platforms though!
SLADE: pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
The band were made up of John (left), Russell (centre) and Alex (right).
SLADE: The Set
2016 was the last time the guys had played in Brighton and with a new line up and a change of drummer as Don Powell is still recovering from a nasty injury, the question on everyone’s lips was Can they still do it? A stage entrance started up and SLADE came on to the Thunderbirds theme tune, no chat and they just blast into and through Take Me Bak ‘Ome and, in a single song proved that they certainly can. And then some.
SLADE: pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
A blistering rendition of the class Lock Up Your Daughters fired up next. The marvellous Look Wot You Dun was up and followed by the first Brighton choir sing-along-time of the night with Everyday. Joining the band is John Berry on bass, violin and vocals and local chap Russell Keefe on keys, bass and vocals. Both swap around to share lead vocal duties and after the soundcheck and hearing them in full flow I feel they have enough of Noddy about them to deliver those songs. I never saw the original band play live dear reader, and so some XXXXX years later :-), here I am rooted to the spot watching them play for the very first time!
SLADE: John Berry pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Now it was time for some foot stomping and more singing as Coz I Love You was up. Slade were generating one hell of an atmosphere in Concorde 2, the venue was warming up quite nicely. I saw one lady feint, and another looked a bit shaky, not sure if it was due to aforementioned heat or the presence of Dave Hill! Both ladies were fine and were looked after by the brilliant Concorde 2 staff. Also I have to say that someone got the “no smoke machine memo”, and the resulting view for everyone was perfect! Dave hammered down some frets and belted out the chords to Run Runaway after a thundering drum intro from Alex. This was probably one of my favourite songs of the show, they nailed this one to the floor as it seemed the volume was turned up! My Friend Stan and My Baby Left Me were served up from the back catalogue.
SLADE: Russell Keefe pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
With Dave and John seeming to spend more time climbing onto the stage furniture than time spent on the stage, I have to confirm Slade were pouring it on with pure heart and energy into this than many a young band I have seen grace stages. There are no politics, no anger, just a set of crowd pleasing classics, this was just pure great rock and roll and everyone seemed to be having a blast. And Gudbye T’Jane confirmed this! Super Dave Hill nailing the riffs as the band kept it rocking as he did he thing.
SLADE: pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Mama Weer All Crazee Now and the monster that is Get Down And Get With It closed the set. Drummer Don Powell and guitarist Dave Hill have worked together for over fifty years. They have been through bad times and good times together and Dave gave a warm heartfelt mention to his friend who was still recovering after his accident last year, and, although Don wasn’t with us, they both deserved the warmth and applause tonight. Get well soon Don, take your time and hopefully we will see you back behind that kit.
SLADE: Dave Hill and Super Yob – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
It was awesome to see Super Yob wielded by Dave during Mama Weer All Crazee Now . The only time I ever saw that guitar was on Top Of The Pops and various magazine shoots. It has a bit of an upgrade mind you! Still looks great though, and if it is the original its amazing to see how it has taken the punishment over the years! Now, back in the early seventies dear reader, this band were one of my musical heroes (Take Me Bak ‘Ome – on Polydor was one of the first 7″ singles I bought), and tonight I still have nothing but the utmost respect and admiration for them. It is clear that they are having as good a time as we are!
SLADE: pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
SLADE: And Finally
The band were back on stage for an encore, a slow burner to start My Oh My had everyone singing along to this one as the song built towards its ending. The last one of the night? So many songs out there not included – so what was it going to be? The last stomper was Cum On Feel The Noize – that really did bring the house down. A fairly short set I thought and a couple of bangers missing but you know what it didn’t matter – I enjoyed every minute of their set along with a sold out Concorde 2. The band left the stage to the strains of Mission Impossible.
SLADE: “Goodnight!” – pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Dave Hill is, of course still larger than life! Brilliantly dressed as ever, a figure who bounced all over the stage, delivering the familiar solos and glueing the whole thing together. The crowd loved him and responded accordingly. He and the band looked to be having a great time and seemed to warm to the packed in Brighton audience. Its great he is still out on the tour bus and delivering Slade.You really out to go see them live, its a great family night out and thoroughly recommended! A top night out.
SLADE: A VIDEO
Feel the noize!
I just hope that both Dave Hill and the hopefully soon to return Don Powell will show that they have a few more SLADE gigs left in the tank. Thanks SLADE – well worth the wait to see you.
And if you love your SLADE – dont forget the limited edition The Singlez Box!
Catch Slade live – visit their website!
Congrats to the fab team at Black Rabbit Productions! Tonight you gave us SLADE!
Black Rabbit Productions hosted the evening. They work hard promoting live music on the south coast. They are a promotion company with years of experience putting on music shows. Tonight was superb. They have some great gigs lined up. You can find Black Rabbit Productions on the WWW
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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2019.
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