Go Back   Aural Moon - Progressive Rock Discussion > Prog Rock Discussion > Concert Happenings
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-15-2009, 05:38 AM
eloy1964's Avatar
eloy1964 eloy1964 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Live near York in the UK
Posts: 354
Talking Rotherham Rocks 2009 Review

After a hard days work it was great to unwind with the prospect of Rotherham Rocks 2009. There had been a lot of changes to this years line up and was very saddened by the withdrawl of Abel Ganz in particular. Montgomery Hall, Wath Upon Dearne was the venue, which apart from one violent complaining neighbour, is an ideal venue, it even had seats for old farts like me! The quality of the accoustics is very good too.
The line up was:

8th May
Threshold
Haze
Crime of Passion
Beckonsale
Kyrb Grinder

My Photo's:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1292449

9th May:
Pendragon
Final Conflict
DeeExpus
Kramer
The Dreaming Tree

My Photos:
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/inde...lbumId=1292462

Went this year with great friend Norm, who hopefully will join us in the wacky world of myspace at sometime in the future with his band Bungalowhead. We were early but was greeted at the door by Damian Wilson, lead singer of Threshold. This guy really knows how to talk to potential fans, no pretensions here my friends. Given the delay in starting we popped off to a local house to sample some great Yorkshire Ale.

We arrived back just in time for Kyrb Grinder, a powerful trio fronted by drummer/vocals Johanne James, who plays in Threshold. He is an amaizing drummer and how he manages to add vocals to his complicated drumming style was some achievement. Although very heavy rock in focus it was highly enjoyable and a great start to the festival.
http://www.myspace.com/kyrbgrinder

Beckonsale were next up and they managed to deliver a great set of Thrash metal which really impressed again, even though it's not my usual taste in music. They are very competent musicians for their age and hopefully will get the chance to hit the big time.
http://www.myspace.com/beckonsale

Next up was Crimes of Passion. They were a blast from the 80's era, reminding me of the glam/NWOBHM from that decade. They did play a tight set and were very good at posing in the right places, but alas not my cup of tea. 25 years ago I would have thought them great! Norm was not amused!!

I was so pleased to see Haze on the list of acts. I saw them back in 1982, at what I thought was a Hull University gig, but was politely corrected as Hull College, glad someone could remember! It was time for the first real prog of the festival. I loved this group and they played a great set of tracks. The flute was haunting as a good flute should be. I am now a reunited fan and will certainly try to get to their next local gig for a full set. I managed to update my audio cassette from the 80's for a cd and will wear their T-shirt with pride. KeithieW, you were right, they held their own and were a breath of fresh air on a very heavy rock line up night. It has been a while since I have seen a guitar stroll through the audience - loved it! A great bunch who obviously enjoyed their music and evening as much as we did.
http://www.myspace.com/hazeuk
My Video link:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oID=57366 080

Top of the bill was Threshold. I am a true convert to the Threshold cause. Slipstream to start, what more could you ask for. Damian Wilson, what a guy who knows how to engage with an audiance. Fantastic set of tracks, with all my favourites included. Very pleased they didn't run out of Yorkshire Tea, since Damian had 5 cups throughout the set! 2 great hours of a class act, what a treat!
http://www.myspace.com/threshold
My video Link:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu...oid=57399 588
Time for a bag of chips!!

Day 2
After a 8 mile hike in the local countryside it was time for Prog night. Just got the last space in the local car park at Montgomery Hall, was this an omen to a great night ahead?
The Dreaming Tree started us us out. I love this band, they are so hard to quantify in music terms, which they fully admit themselves, but refreshingly different. They played a different set of tracks to the previous gig, which gave us an oportunity to listen to more of their repertoire and some new songs! Again a very friendly bunch of lads who love what they do. I look forward to their new album in a couple of months time, which is being produced and engineered by the Threshold guitarist by all accounts. I would love to catch a full set from these guys one day soon. Great music, great entertainment and superb value, even Norm had to agree that they were excellent.
http://www.myspace.com/thedreamingtreeuk

Next up was Kramer, a new band to me, with a guitarist who reminded me of KeithieW (a slimmer version), check out the photo's if you don't believe me!
I liked their different style again, contrasting well with The Dreaming Tree and all the rest of the nights bands. I was dissappointed not to see them after the event to thanks and chat to. I didn't even get the chance to purchase their cd! I hope to catch them again sometime, even though Norm took a real dislike to them!!
http://www.myspace.com/kramermusic

As stated earlier, I was disappointed not to have Abel Ganz and I was not sure about the replacement DeeExpus, who at first glance looked like the road crew for Metallica or the Northern Hells Angels! When chatting to Jim ( The Dreaming Tree Bassist) who stated that they had to share a changing room with the guys. Frightened them to death when they first arrived, but broke out the tea and quiche and offered to share the picnic - first impressions can decieve! A genuine bunch of guys whose love to play music was very obvious. From from the start you realise you have something very special on stage and it was definitely prog. Excellent bunch of guys and what a great vocalist. I felt that they needed another dimension to the music, like a flute, but Norm just shook his head in disgust! I loved the jibe "If you like us we are DeeExpus and if you don't we are Abel Ganz" -very funny guys. I loved the tricoloured beard of the bassist, but not sure my wife or work would agree with me having one like it! They were very well recieved at the CRS and hope they will get another booking sometime soon. One to definitely look out for.
http://www.myspace.com/deeexpusmusic

Next up was Final Conflict, one band I was really looking forward to seeing, since heard a lot of positive things about them. I found them a good band playing some good music but just lacked that wow factor. I don't know what I thought was missing, just something to go make me buy their latest cd, probably the lack of available cash or the promise of a strip search when I got home!! The crowd loved them though and responed well, must have just been me on the night!
http://www.myspace.com/finalconflictmusic

Top of the bill was Pendragon. Both Norm and myself havent seen these guys since the mid 80's (I calculated 4 previous gigs)and was really looking forward to seeing them again. I was not sure they would be headline material but boy was I wrong. Fantastic set. All my favourite tracks old and new. My only gripe was the backdrop video screen - I hate them things. They cause too much distraction especially the videos. Could not fault their performance and Nick was a hoot, even the swine flu jokes and the balding of the audiances causing too much glare for the stage!! I would have liked a better sound for Clive Nolan, but Nicks guitar was a dream, that crisp sound he has, could hear every note, bliss. I am now ecstatic that they will be headlining one of the days at Summersend 2009 - will get the t-shirt ready.
http://www.myspace.com/toffrecords

A big thanks goes to the organisation of this event, great line up of bands, a huge variety of sounds and styles and comfy venue with a large supply of liquid refreshment.
Time for a curry! but what a mistake that was!!!
__________________
Quote:
A cause du soleil, we're living here, we suffer dear, let's start new life today.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-16-2009, 12:28 PM
KeithieW
 
Posts: n/a
Re: Rotherham Rocks 2009 Review

Great review Steve....I really wish I could have made it. I'm glad you enjoyed Haze. They really are bloody good.

And what do you mean "A slimmer version". I've lost weight you Yorkshire Pudding........but he does show a bit of a similarity.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-17-2009, 02:15 PM
eloy1964's Avatar
eloy1964 eloy1964 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Live near York in the UK
Posts: 354
Re: Rotherham Rocks 2009 Review

It's obviously been too long since we met up! Hope we get the chance to rectify that one.
Have you had the email about the Summersend tickets going on sale next week?
Hope you enjoyed ROSfest. I look forward to the reviews and photo's.

Quote:
Originally Posted by KeithieW View Post
Great review Steve....I really wish I could have made it. I'm glad you enjoyed Haze. They really are bloody good.

And what do you mean "A slimmer version". I've lost weight you Yorkshire Pudding........but he does show a bit of a similarity.
__________________
Quote:
A cause du soleil, we're living here, we suffer dear, let's start new life today.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:20 AM.