Dawn Osborne

Always love to go to The Hope and Anchor for the Rockaway Beach nights run by master of ceremonies Timmy DeRella as everyone involved has a long history in Rock ‘n’ Roll. Even that unassuming guy in the corner was probably on Top Of The Pops when Punk ruled the world!

I was really surprised and delighted when Spike told me that he had been invited to headline with Tyla as the Hot Knives at the Revenant Festival in Whitby. The product of two bands I love in my favourite quirky town at the time of the Goth Weekend which I always go to. So I already had a hotel and train booked to be there! Right place, right time! It was in the stars! This is something I could not miss and despite having an AAA pass I turned up as soon as the doors open and park myself at the front on the barrier to be able to see the whole thing. This might never happen again!!

Zakk Wylde runs a friendly ship and things are opened by the band of one of the Black Label Society family Dario Lorina’s Dark Chapel from Vegas who brought another slab of doom laden riffs, fast drum beats and wailing like Ozzy vocals. There’s enough melody to keep traditionalists happy with a ballad to boot and a death metal medley including ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ and a bit of ‘Iron Man’.

Jayler’s first album is finally out! Tonight they played the full album re-organised to fit a setlist format with a few of their previous most popular tracks and one never played live before.

It is seven years since Bullets and Octane were in the UK. This is an eternity in the music industry, so what would the band be like? People are curious and despite the fact that there is a tube strike so it is difficult to get around London tonight, the venue is packed out.

Sisters Doll are over from Australia, all the way to the Cart and Horses, East London! They made quite a splash at Call Of The Wild and have supported in London, but this is their first headline gig. Despite the tube strike they still pull a good number of punters, especially for a band that, although they are well known in Australia, is relatively new to the UK.

“Who has been with us since the 1900s? ” asks a smiling Nuno Bettencourt to the packed crowd at London’s O2 Arena. “ Who here is watching their first extreme gig tonight? “. Another sea of hands shoots up in the crowd. “Well where the fuck have you been?”

First up is opening band Jayler. The young British band clearly wear their influences on their sleeve. In fact it could be argued they are wearing their influences’ clothes. Jayler are sonically a throwback to the early 70s and bands like The Yardbirds and The Jeff Beck Group, and their songs are all hooky, riff based rockers without much variety.

Tuk Smith is someone who so far hasn’t the breaks he deserves. His ability to write catchy Punk Pop songs like they don’t make ‘em anymore should have paid more dividends. His authentic Rock ‘n’ Roll personality and coolest demeanour hasn’t always chimed well in a corporate world. However, grey suits and rap-culture cannot rule forever. He is being pursued by labels and promoters and if there’s any justice the universe should be opening doors. The Monsters of Rock Cruise next year will expose him to a lot of people from all over the world who like it retro. Watch this space!

I am lucky enough to get in early to see the soundcheck tonight. It’s the first time they have rehearsed. Spike expresses some concerns he’s not as familiar with the Thirsty material as he is, obviously with the Quireboys stuff, but they sound great no doubt due in great part to Chris Johnstone’s attention to detail. Spike tells Simon Hanson of Squeeze on drums unceremoniously to “Slow Down!”.