Liverpool Academy 2, 4 April 2005

I sometimes wonder why promoters arrange gigs at excellent university venues when the students are on holiday. It really doesn’t make a lot of sense and especially when it’s a genuine heavy rock gig as good as this one. However, fans of all three bands did turn out in modest numbers to provide an enthusiastic response to the incendiary performances provided by the New School of Rock Tour bands.

A good rock band can make up for the lack of great songs through skilled play and mega-charged levels of energy. On the night the lucky audience experienced the whole box of dice with good songs delivered with energy, enthusiasm and power-passion. I admit to having doubts about attending the show but they disappeared within seconds of opening band Hurricane Party taking to the stage.

Of all the newer rock bands I’ve seen, this is one of the very best. Created a couple of years ago, the band has been steadily garnering both critical acclaim and fans. And I could see why. In vocalist Richie Hevanz the band possesses a powerful performer who looks like the classic heavy rock front man. Robin Hirshfield on lead guitar filled one side of the stage with his exuberant and expressive playing, while on the other side of the stage Jonny Rocker on rhythm guitar and Rob Randell on bass played like things possessed.

In summary, it was a wild and wonderful metal rock display which combined skill and verve. The band’s music is obviously influenced by classic rockers like Aerosmith with a bit of Led Zep thrown in for good measure. But this is no tribute band. Songs like Killer, Liar, Last Survivor, Big Rock Star and the amazing Roadstar had melody to burn, distinction, thrilling guitar riffs, and with wicked drumming from Chris Rivers, truck-loads of spine-tingling power.

Days Full Of Vox, Lets Get Started and Steam completed a stunning set and one surprisingly superb rock display. I think my photos probably tell the story, and I’m hoping to see the guys again at the Download Festival. What a great band!

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Next on the bill was a band whose first record failed to impress while its new one is quite another story… The Glitterati have now chosen to tread a more simple, honest rock path and put in a boisterous performance that both entertained and impressed.

Paul Gautrey (looking suitably camp) on vocals and Nick, animated and expressive on guitar, held centre stage to the outstretched hands of several front row female fans. The melody and drama of songs like Better Man, You Got Nothing, Love Yourself, and Still Thinking got the show off to a storming, breathless start. Nick in particular proved to be the photographer’s dream and looked the part of the classic riffist complete with rampant long hair and a Hendrix-esque style of stroking his guitar into life.

The brilliant Heartbreaker, You Need You, Back In Power, First Floor and Close Up made up the second half of a show and provided it with welcome changes in pace and mood. This was a passionate, committed and tight performance from a band that seems to have found its ideal vibe and sound, and I can heartily recommend the new album that is released later this month.

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Last on the bill were Liverpool foursome The Black Velvets and although the main act for this particular show proved to be less than inspiring in comparison to the other two bands. In vocalist Paul Cardew is a guy with a strong voice and rock star looks. Robbie on guitar was a passive onlooker while Dave Dutton on bass and backing vocals performed with enthusiasm and verve.

But it was Dutton who had to carry the show and did so bravely and energetically. Won’t Lie Down, Get On Your Life, Glamstar and 3345 opened the show reasonably well but lacked that special something, if you get my drift…

By the second half of the show things got a lot better and Save Me, Lady Lime, All The Time and You’re Not Giving It All were played with more commitment. But I remained unconvinced and especially in the wake of stonking live performances from the previous bands. Maybe it’s the songs since the band are well capable in instrumental and vocal areas. But there was definitely something missing…

That said, this was a fabulous heavy rock show and one that I’m glad I attended. The audience loved every moment and it’s a shame that it wasn’t a deserved sell-out - a packed, raucous and sweaty auditorium was all that was missing…