LIVE REVIEW: The Maverick asylum rocks the Diamond Rock Club with Selene

MAVERICK sing about it being "In Our Blood" and for those that make the pilgrimage to the Diamond Rock Club from far and wide, rockin' out in Ahoghill really is in our blood.

The venue sees many an act from across the world grace its stage, but it is a spiritual home for many, many Northern Ireland based acts, where they seem to relax, push themselves and allow themselves to enliven the spirits of every rock 'n' roll soul.

When Maverick played on Saturday (15th October) those souls once again soared in delight.

Before the Maverick lads soaked our blood once again in hard rock Selene took the audience by the scruff of the neck with an accomplished set of symphonic metal.

Shonagh has always had a superb voice, but the live experience over the past year has seen her stage presence grow and she now commands the front.

John's playing has an underlying and sophisticated melody hiding in the riffing and smooth solos, with Thomas complex bass runs complimenting Cameron's smooth drum fills.

Overall Selene are on the cusp  of greater things and should attract attention from labels soon.

Maverick have earned a deserved reputation as a mighty force live, and they approach every gig with the same attitude; something all bands should do, approaching each set as if playing Wembley Arena or Madison Square Gardens.

It does not matter whether playing to a few dozen or a

few thousand or headlining Download, bands play not for the crowd, but for each individual in that crowd no matter what. And, Maverick deliver that attitude in bucketloads.

This was a high energy set of songs, drawn from their début and 'Big Red'. As always David leads from the front, a ball of energy, interacting with band mates and the Diamond crowd. By the time third song 'Beyond The Gates' lands he and his four amigos have the assembled in the palm of their hands.

Terry now seems such an integral part of the band that even though he is isolated at the side of the relatively cramped stage he trades licks and is the perfect foil to allow Ryan to solo as if his life depended on it.

Too many times reviewers fall into the trap of calling a set "crowd-pleasing" as shorthand for saying that a band played just what was expected, but Maverick always mix things up, and throwing in a Tyketto cover shows that they are never complacent.

Recently released single 'Whiskey Lover' is greeted like an old friend and by the time the set concludes with the tongue in cheek 'Top Heavy' the band and crowd have poured sweat from every pore.

With the ecstasy still high there came a shock announcement. Drummer, Mike, is leaving the band, as he is moving on to foreign shores. Given his integral relationship with the band, and in particular with Ritchie on bass he will be a tough act to follow.

But Saturday night was not a wake, it was a celebration, a toast raised for all that is good in rock, what a weekend is for, why we move heaven and earth to attend hard rock and metal shows.

Maverick's ever improving shows conjure some of the best shows possible.

A few years back they could (unfairly) be labelled as aping the 80s, but that has never been the case for Maverick. Their influences have always been there, but it has always been about hard rock and classic metal in the 21st Century, and yet again they showed that they are capable of. With so many acts from history peddling their greatest hits on tours that resemble sets to earn a pension Maverick are a breath of fresh air...well, beer-soaked, sweaty air; which is exactly what good rock should be!

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Photos by Lizzie Torbitt
Reproduction by written permission only

INTERVIEW: Maverick front man David Balfour looks forward to bright future for the band as Big Red launches

MAVERICK stormed Limelight2 on Saturday 27th August to officially launch their second album, the stormer slab of rock that is 'Big Red'.

Shortly before he took to the stage we caught up with vocalist David Balfour to discuss the album, live shows and the bright future ahead for Maverick. Worth a watch for Maverick fans...

LIVE REVIEW: Maverick go large for Big Red launch with spikey Kildare metal crew Stereo Nasty

WHEN you have a 'product' that is a massive step up in terms of everything you have done before then you might as well make a big deal of it - and Maverick went large when it came launch their new album 'Big Red' on 27th August.

Rock and metal luminaries from across Northern Ireland were among the healthy numbers crammed into Limelight2 to celebrate the massive Maverick release.

To help the occasion kick off with a bang the County Kildare metal crew Stereo Nasty, who have been faithful visitors to Northern Ireland.

They have become more poised since their first tentative steps and their presentation has upped the stakes. From the first days with spikes through denim jackets now to spiked armoured shoulder pads and spiked leather.

All would be for naught were it not for the songs and the ability of the band. Mick dominates the stage, and sings as if his life depended on it. Adrian is an accomplished player, ably assisted by Rud's bass playing, who commands his side of the stage as if there was a legion of Roman soldiers about to storm it. They'd have no chance.

Fran sits behind his kit, headphone monitor and shades, a picture of concentration.

What Stereo Nasty have in proverbial spades is a succession of songs, with massive riffs and massive choruses, traditional heavy metal played well.

Maverick have grown up in front of many in the crowd at Limelight2 who turned out on to see what is close to being a band who can challenge many of the so-called big names across Europe and the US who are re-treading licks and producing samey songs.

None of what Maverick does is samey. Nothing they perform - live or on album - is a re-tread. Yes, there is homage to their influences of the 80s, but there is no sense as the 10-legged rock monster is living in the past - even if they did one cover version that harkens back to 'the day'.

Sure, the 80s heyday is celebrated, but the tightrope of hard rock and metal sensibilities is walked with sure feet and balance to give each track the sound of 2016 rock.

Not only are the songs strong, but the performance is superb. The dynamic stagecraft sees them move constantly, working every inch of the stage - and David grins like a hyperactive Cheshire Cat at every opportunity.

However, it never comes across as contrived - rather this is a band who understand that we listen with our ears but watch the performance. And, it is clear that they are fans of the bands that use that same principle.

The new songs may be unfamiliar to many, but they work superbly on stage, and instantly garner support and unanimous approval. 'Forever' is so much stronger live to what was already an impressive recorded track.

The party anthem 'Whiskey Lover' sits a well in the set as the detailed storytelling of 'Beyond The Gates'.

Ryan has developed more tricks to his already impressive array of licks, but with the flash there is form and structure. As always Richie and Mike are formidable holding the songs together, but the addition of Terry to the line-up had enabled them to step up even further live.

Of course, Maverick are great at the little twists in the set and the aforementioned cover version of 'Get The Funk Out' has the Limelight complex bouncing.

'In Our Blood' from Quid Pro Quo is a statement that resonates with everyone in attendance no matter the age. Yes, quality rock 'n' roll is in all our veins - and when Maverick play we feel that pure musical joy course throughout our bodies.

The boys "done good" in the past,  but this was men who strode on to the Limelight stage, they were great, and we believe they can only get better still.

Review by Jonny
Pictures by Jonny and Lizzie Torbitt
Big Red is out now - Maverick play The Diamond Rock Club on October 15th

ALBUM REVIEW: Maverick go large on Big Red

NORTHERN Ireland is a crucible of incredible talent at present, whether it be death metal, hard rock, punk, classic metal - and proper old school 80s cock rock.

And, there are no better proponents of that 1980s pure rock sound than Maverick. And, goddamit, but they have exceeded, surpassed and gone way beyond their début outing, 'Quid Pro Quo' on their new platter 'Big Red'.

Why the radio stations across the globe aren't beating these guys doors down and major labels throwing cheques and deals at them is a mystery.

But that's not to say they are without suitors, after signing with German label Metalapolis Records. And boy that label must be dancing around their offices having Maverick on their roster.

Let's be very, very clear, this isn't just a good release. This is a great release - more hooks than a salmon poacher on ampehtamines, more licks than Gene Simmons in the Playboy Mansion and more of just about everything that made the 80s such fun.

However, let's be clear that Maverick aren't just about re-treading the past, revelling in the glories of their heroes. They have produced a contemporary, polished album that has depth to the music as well as lyrical class. Sure, there are love songs, songs about love lost and angst, but there are also tunes that explore darker territory ('Beyond The Gates').

What the band have done on 'Big Red' is - and you'll excuse the oxymoron - a nuanced, thoughtful version of what class hard rock can do in the right hands. That's not to say they don't know how to write 'catchy'

When they released 'Quid Pro Quo' in our review we said the track 'Got It Bad' was catchier than ebola, but on Big Red they have upped the stakes with 'Forever. The riff will have you humming and by the time you listen to it in full you'll be a like a crystal meth addict wanting more and more fixes 'Forever'.

David Balfour's vocals are as a strong as ever, and no doubt their tour with The Poodles across Europe has paid off. And, speaking of The Poodles, their vocalist Jakob Samuelsson, guests on 'Asylum'. Oh, and no less than ex-Alice Cooper six-stringer Kane Roberts pops up with some solo excellence.

In an era when the pale shadows of the 1980s have scrubbed off their make-up and hope to earn a crust with the name and playing their past hits, Maverick are fresh; almost a more febrile interpretation of their idols - and whisper it quietly, exceeding some of them.

They are a band that perform live as a unit, and while 'Quid Pro Quo' showcased a large part of that, this time out the recording really captures that unitary feel, a band tight as possible, in song writing and recording.

Ryan's lead work has reached a new level, more balanced as well as showing off his obvious skills, while Richie and Mike are rock steady as a rhythm unit with enough flourishes to keep listeners' attention. There's even a brief bass solo from Richie!

There are no weak tracks on this. 'In The Night' is compelling, while 'Whiskey Lover' is perfectly set up as a live track that will have everyone joining in a great chorus. The opening of 'The One' should have the satellite stations across the US very excited when this is added to their play lists.

The addition of the multi-talented Terry McHugh to the line-up on guitar will add further to the live interpretation of these songs.

To be honest when going into review/listen this album we had a certain sense of trepidation. Had Maverick reached their high water mark with 'Quid Pro Quo' and like many a band from Northern Ireland done one big tour and that would be it?

Well, not only have they exceeded the last release, they have reached further, extended themselves and put them in the position to go beyond even their own expectations.

The tender closer 'Fly Away' is the perfect example of a song that can transcend both the rock listener and any fan of a well-crafted tune; a delicate ballad that is some god-forsaken boy band recorded it Radio One would go into collective meltdown.

Re-reading what the opinions above might seem like hyperbole until you listen to 'Big Red'. Even our death metal correspondent was humming along and for the first time in months grinning...

'Big Red' is the next step for Maverick, and we can't wait to see how high they will climb on the ladder.

Review by Jonny