Just be early on Wednesday for Venrez opening for Hardcore Superstar and Buckcherry

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO LIMELIGHT1 AND THE NEW DOOR TIME IS 7PM. Still, no reason why you shouldn't get down early for a pint or two.

WHEN it comes to Wednesday night there is good cause to make sure you get down to the Limelight2 early on. That way you can make sure to get a pint in hand before Venrez opens up for Hardcore Superstars and Buckcherry.

The headliners should be enough to drag you down there in the first place, but relative unknowns in Ireland Venrez are well worth cutting off work early to see: a combination of heavy rockin' and a social conscience holding a broken mirror up to a broken world.

Last month we reviewed their outstanding album American Illusion, with its dark vibe and intensity it should be enough to have you making tracks to Ormeau Avenue. Earlier our colleague on our syndicated outlet rockradioni Nigel caught up with singer Ven and Buckcherry vocalist Josh Todd, and this weekend we managed to catch a few quick words with Ven about the tour to date.

And - by all accounts it is going to plan.

"Awesome tour," he told us. "We are playing to packed houses and being well received. [And] all the bands get along great."

As to what to expect from a Venrez's set the singer is short and to the point as to what to expect in Belfast: "Something new and raw".

While other bands have taken technological routes to boost their sound Venrez seem to have decided early on to go for a more 'primitive' and authentic rock and roll sound.

"Jason [Womack] writes the music and has heavy influences from The Jesus and Mary Chain as well as from all the bands influenced by them," said Ven. "So we go in a darker direction with our music and the lyrics I write, combined with a bit of 70s meets 90s beat."

And those lyrics may be the game changer for Venrez in the future. Unlike a lot of hard rock bands who follow the clichéd 'boy meets girl' lyric tack American Illusion is much more socially aware if than many of it contemporaries. The vocalist again is clear and straight to the point as to why.

"I feel as responsibility to inform and teach with my lyrics, so [that is what] I do."

Ven's vocal style has that raw in your face vocal style, which reflects his avowed influences in Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison, and it is a style that is guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows on Wednesday evening in pleased delight before the next stage in the Venrez's plan, one we can't help but acknowledge. ("Continue touring well into next year," he told us).

Doors are at 6pm on Wednesday night and Venrez are on shortly after that - don't be caught in the queue!

Trivia fact: It's not Jason Womack nor Ed Davis (drummer) first visit to Belfast...they both played with Juliette Lewis and the Licks...

Venrez bring Coppola to bear on new video ahead of Belfast show

OPENING act for next Wednesday's Buckcherry and Hardcore Superstar gig, Venrez have hooked up with a heavyweight Holywood connection to record the music video for their new single 'Sanctity'

Director Christopher Coppola is brother to Nicholas Cage and Francis Ford Coppola, legendary director of the likes of the Godfather Trilogy, is his uncle.

Released in time for the tour dates which will see them open up proceedings at the Limelight2 on Wednesday 27th November.

Coppola is pretty clear about what vision he brought to the video:
“Ven contacted me and asked if I would direct a music video based upon his poetry, a lot of which I really responded to.

"Sanctity's not your typical rock video, it's an art movie that ties in with Venrez's message on American Illusion.”

Venrez frontman Ven explained further: "I wrote the song 'Sanctity' about government control, selling lies to people, removing our freedom, our children's future and treating us like sheep.

"We wanted to work with Christopher Coppola on this new video. He's an amazing artist when it comes to producing and directing film. He knows exactly what he wants to capture in telling the story through his eyes."
 You can read our review of American Illusion here.

The Sanctity video is below:

Venrez provide perfect counterpoint to hard rock clichés with American Illusion

VENREZ are an odd, but likeble bunch on record. They have produced an album in American Illusion that is both challenging and accessible, and eight of its 10 tracks are straightforward rock with a lyrical social consceince.

But on two of the tracks they wander off the well-worn hard rock mode, but in no less an enjoyable way.

There is a rawness about the entire feel of the album, with opener a perfect example. Singer Ven said of it:

"'Unforeseen'  is my favorite track on 'American Illusion'. It's brutally heavy and demanding to play right.

"It's 'At The Drive In' meets 'Alice in Chains' and really reflects the experiences we've had touring the world together."

Ven's comparison to these bands stand up, but throughout the rest of the album it teeters between the classic hard rock edge and alternative, stoner rockers such as QOTSA.

For example, Free Will has moments of sheer rock splendour amidst a groove that would not be alien to desert rock. But the previous track has a stomp and vigour reminescent of the glory days of 80s hard rock.

Ven's vocal delivery is under-stated, and almost laconic at times, echoes of Layne Stayley merging with his own take on how difficut issues should be delivered. Unlike many of Venrez's contemporaries there are not tales of excess and misogny.

As the title of the album - American Illusion - suggests lyrically they tackle a society with more problematic issues than it can cope with; and no army of therapists, counsellors, pchychiatrists or psychologists can help during this century.

That combination between hard rock musical attitude and lyrics to challenge listeners means that this album falls into that elusive category - a 'grower'. On the first couple of spins there is more than a little to engage, but by the time you have listened to the likes of Silver and Gold and Vultures you 'get it' and can settle back to enjoy.

The weird bit comes in the last two tracks - the Beat Goes On and Temptress of the Moon. Beat Goes On has dated synth and distorted vocals which would have not been out of place in an early 90s experimental rock act. However, the repetitive, almost hypnotic delivery makes it strangely likeable.

Throughout the album - anchored by the rhytm section of Mike and Ed - the twin guitars of Alex and Jason are to the fore, with riffs aplenty prominent in the mix.

But, on the album closer - the lengthy Temptress of the Moon - they are given free reign to explore delicate textures. At times it is as if Dave Gilmuor, Snowy White and Syd Barret got together with some prog rockers and did some acid. And that is a good thing.

Apart from the slight departure of the last two songs Venrez have produced a solid, enjoyable album - one worthy of a listen before their Belfast date. Guitarist Alex Kane is no doubt about where the band are:

Now with this new album, "American Illusion", we have our best material to date and the band has never been tighter. I think everyone who comes to see us again will say it was worth the wait. Those seeing us for the first time will not be disappointed either."

American Illusion is available now. You can catch them supporting Buckcherry and Hardcore Superstars in the Limelight on November 27th. Tickets available from usual outlets.