ALBUM REVIEW: MIchael Schenker Fest live in Tokyo celebrates all that is great about rock

WAY back in the 80s the Michael Schenker played twice in Belfast's Ulster Hall as part of a set of tours that encapsulated what that era represented; a cross over from the classic era of early Scorpions, UFO, Purple, Zep and Sabbath and the burgeoning newer metal and hard rock sounds.

Bands sounds were metamorphosing from the days when Tokyo Tapes, Live and Dangerous and Strangers in the Night were being exceeded as new benchmarks were set as live performances took on ever better set-ups in terms of PA systems and dynamics and delivery what were enhanced with more and more sophisticated songwriting - snappy tracks sitting comfortably with extended jams and solos.

Schenker embraced that new period and stamped his mark with four landmark studio albums in the 1980s and one live epic recorded in Japan, 'Live At The Budokan'.

Now 35 years on from that release Schenker is set to release 'Michael Schenker Fest Live in Japan' a celebration of those past years that re-unites Michael with vocalists Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet and Robin McCauley in a two CD/DVD set (also on Blu-Ray and Vinyl).

The sumptuous packaging comes with  an insert booklet - and in the centre spread there is a picture of the band, Michael at the centre arms aloft with 'V' peace signs thrust into the air and a smile spread across his face.

It is a single image that captures what is laid out in each of the songs. This is a group of musicians that now realise the glory that they achieved and the joy they brought to hundreds of thousands of people - and there's no need to let that lie in the memory when you can bring it once again to living, breathing essential life.

From the introduction and 'Into The Arena' there is a palpable sense of vibrancy around every performance - sure Schenker is at the centre of everything with his smooth, melodic playing and astonishing lead work - but Ted McKenna (drums), Chris Glen (bass) ad Steve Mann (guitar and keyboards) also seem to be having a ball.

It is no secret that the collection of vocalists and Schenker had a fractious relationship in the past, but it is clear that bygones are bygones and now they all see the legacy that they have.

"It's wonderful how we all got on," said Schenker. "It felt incredibly natural as if it was always like this. Right from the start of rehearsal the chemistry was great. No problems, just pure fun."

Take your pick from the hits and they are there - 'Cry For The Nations', 'Armed and Ready', 'Assault Attack', 'Dancer', 'This Is My Heart' and they are all there as each vocalist takes to the mic to deliver a show that the Japanese audience laps up.

The sound throughout is impeccable on CD and DVD and many of the close-ups of Michael capture the fluidity of his playing that most would struggle to emulate. At times there is a graininess to some of the blacks - and we all know the row of Marshalls is superfluous - but that somehow adds to the whole package. It is not perfect, but then again it never was. Instead the vibrant pulse of rock at its most vital runs strong.

The extended version of 'Rock Bottom' after 'Shoot Shoot' raises the temperature until the obligatory 'Doctor Doctor' ends the show with all three vocalists on stage.

This is a release that captures the era that saw Schenker's influence spread - it's no mistake that Iron Maiden's show always starts with Doctor Doctor booming over the PA.

However, this is not a slice of nostalgia for the sake of it. This is pure and simply a celebration. Michael is still recording and playing new songs, but this is about taking a moment in time, listening, watching and revelling in it.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Michael Schenker Fest 'Live' Tokyo featuring the original MSG vocalists Gary Barden, Graham Bonnet ad Robin McCauley is released on Friday 24th March 217. It is available on 2CD, 2CD+DVD combo, Blu-Ray and Digital.

VIDEO INTERVIEW: Graham Bonnet speaks ahead of Belfast show about his career and his future

THE Graham Bonnet Band have been carving an impressive string of live appearances on the back of the recent album 'The Book' and Mr Bonnet's lengthy career.

With the tour almost complete Graham and his band mates landed in Belfast on one of the last dates of almost 12 months on the road.

Before the show (review here) he sat down for a chat about the past, present and future. This is what he had to say:

LIVE REVIEW: Graham Bonnet blasts out the hits of yesteryear and looks forward to the next chapter

CLASSIFIED as a veteran of the hard rock Graham Bonnet carries himself as if he was just another singer paying his dues on stage, earning plaudits through performances not posing. When he played Belfast on Saturday (19th November) he was received as if he was the hottest new ticket in town.

Sure he has all the hits, but this was more than a retrospective show, this was a band looking forward to the future.

Before The Graham Bonnet Band graced the Limelight stage there was also a chance to remind ourselves of when the NWOBHM was not just a buzz word but was a real music movement in the rock pantheon.

Chrome Molly were kicking about with contemporaries such as Maiden and Leppard, but it was the late 80s scored a lot of airplay on the likes of The Friday Rock Show. What is immediate from the start is this is a five-piece that retains its hunger.

Steve Hawkins grins throughout and is a thoroughly engaging front man, and while the newer material is well received, 'Shooting Me Down' receives the best reception of their set.

When Graham Bonnet assembled his band there may have been a suspicion that this was a chance for him to tour on the back of his work with the likes of Rainbow, MSG, Alcatrazz etc. But he is a canny crooner, with plenty of creativity left.

With the release of 'The Book' in September Bonnet proved once again that there is plenty still to come from a man entitled to his bus pass. When he bounded on to the stage he showed an energy many younger singers would envy.

Of course, all the hits that were expected were given an airing, but what might have came as a surprise to some is that tracks from 'The Book', such as the excellent 'Into The Night' were given a warm welcome and a smattering of the audience singing along.

Conrad Pesinato is clearly more than a hired axeman. He is the six-strong foil for Bonnet on both new and old songs, with some nice touches to tweak the sound of classics that could have otherwise been tired.

From 'Eyes of the World' through to 'Lost in Hollywood' there was not a foot put wrong. Amiable and at ease Bonnet banters with the crowd in between a lot of the songs. He and Pesinato, together with Beth-Ami Heavenstone (bass), have clearly bonded musically and as a band over almost a year of touring.

It was a set littered with highlights including 'God Blessed Video', 'Dancer' and 'Night Games'. However, it was the closing trio that capped the evening off in special style. 'Since You've Been Gone', 'Assault Attack' and "Lost in Hollywood' would stretch any band trying to maintain their energy on the last leg of a set. But The Graham Bonnet Band powered through. One can never tell the strain on the band playing three classic songs, but many a person in the audience would have awoken on Sunday ever so slightly hoarse from yelling almost every lyric.

For some it is easy to write off the likes of The Graham Bonnet Band, but to do so would be a mistake. There is more to come from Mr Bonnet, and one can also hope that many who packed out the Limelight will take the time to come out to see up and coming local acts as well as the bigger names.

When Graham and his compatriots fly back to their respective homes what we can hope is that when their next touring itinerary Belfast will once again be included...and maybe get to hear even more new songs in the set.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

MSG gig cancelled

Just had confirmation that Saturday's Michael Schenker Group Belfast appearance has been cancelled. Quote from the promoters below:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances this weekend’s Michael Schenker Group performance in the Ulster Hall has been cancelled. Refunds can be attained from point of purchase."

BUMMER!

Sweet week of rock

Right, you've maxed out booking yer Metallica tickets and still counting the shakels after buying the Machine Head entry passes...so what to do in the meantime...

Well Thursday night sees Sweet Savage play an 'intimate' show at Auntie Annie's with Exit and Red Returned for three of your finest pounds

On Friday hard blues rockers the Quireboys touch down in the Spring & Airbrake...fun, fun, fun being the order of the day!

Saturday evening...you could do worse than heading along to the Limer for Fleshgod Apocalypse, Hades Lab, Less Help and Sadisture.

Sunday, for the geetar widdlers Joe Bonomassa will be showing up the teeny shredders at the Waterfront Hall.

Take a breath then you got The Answer on the 14th and MSG on the 19th! 

MSG tour line-up announced

The Michael Schenker Group has brought in former AC/DC drummer Chris Slade and returning bassist Chris Glen for the December tour which sees the Teutonic axeman return to Belfast's Ulster Hall on the 19th.

They join Michael Schenker himself, plus vocalist Gary Barden and rhythm guitarist/keyboard player Wayne Findlay.

Mad Axeman back to rock

Mad genius, Teutonic master of shredding and melody, bonkers and brilliant: the one, the only Michael Schenker! Yes, as previously noted MSG will be touching down in Belfast again on 19th December (yes Monk I got the date right this time!) for a return to the Ulster Hall with Sweet Savage supporting.

Tickets are 18 notes standing and another two notes for the seats up the apple and pears....now how will I persuade daughter to return my Built To Destroy Tour shirt for the gig!

Michael Schenker for pre-Xmas gig

Many, many moons ago I saw the Michael Schemker Group rock the Ulster Hall. Now the blonde axeman is set to play the Ulster Hall again on 18th December, with Sweet Savage in support. Tickets at a very reasonable 18 notes...more details later

Double 'D' rockin' weekend!

Two contrasting gigs hit Belfast this weekend past, with differing types of appeal, but both showing that live music is best!

On Saturday night a packed Empire warmed up for June's classic rock Odyssey mayhemof Def Leppard and Whitesnake, when Leppard-tribute act, Deft Leppard hit the Music Hall stage. The usual plethora of well-honed greatest hits were paraded, and it has now got to the point that Deft are carving their own stamp on the classics. Remember in the early and mid eighties the Lepps were considered at the forefront of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. At times the energy from the stage brought back those heady days when the hair-splitting of rock and metal's sub-genres wasn't important. It was the music that was, and always should be!

And if there is a band that rips up the genre rule-book it's Dillinger Escape Plan. For a variety of reasons I couldn't make it, but from well-informed sources (that is people who where there at the Spring and Airbrake on Sunday night!)

They have been labelled as mathcore, hardcore, metalcore amongst other things, but the reality is they're just a damn fine playing outfit. Reports from the front are that tracks off their newly released Ire Works platter of noise slotted well into the set. Any further reviews welcome!

Now I'm off to plug into the 80s again in preparation for Wednesday's Michael Schenker and Friends gig (support from Glyder) and, though I won't be able to catch Tygers of Pan Tang on Friday nigth (with Inch High backing them up) I might slip the odd Tygers track on to the Decks of Doom...

More gig dates

In case the already hectic schedule of gigs ain't enough for you...Saturday sees Stand-up Guy with Rest and Countervela play the Limelight (£4 from 4pm)...then on 7th February it's Queens of the Stone Age at the King's Hall...on the 8th you can walk down nostalgia's alleys when Nazareth play the Spring & Aibrake...then Triggerman's unique preacher metal touches down with No Grace Given at Katy Daly's (a snip at £2) on the 9th...the next night the Smashing Pumpkins are at the King's Hall...on the 13th Chrome Hoof play The Limelight...Deft Leppard rock out The Empire on the 16th February...a mere 24 hours later Dillinger Escape Plan play the Spring & Airbrake...MSG touch down on the 20th...Tygers of Pan Tang are in Derry on the 22nd and Spring & Airbrake on the 23rd...the same night when a few hours earlier Darkest Era launch their CD with support from Runecaster in Katy Daly's...Overoth, Devil Makes Three and Abbandon Incarnate make up a triumvirate of metal the next night at the Spring & Airbrake...Jimmy Eat World's got a sold-out show at St George's Market on the 26th...then March dawns...Fish and much more.

Now if there's not something to keep you rockin' in that lot you can officially declare yourself dead!

Rollins Empire date, Schenker back

Henry Rollins - that man-mountain of intellect is bringing his Spoken Word Tour to The Empire on March 30th, but be warned that there are only 250 tickets available as the gig is being filmed...

Also, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker (UFO, Scorpions, MSG) is bringing his 'Michael Schenker and Friends' tour to the Spring & Airbrake on 20th February...

Ricky Warwick, the legendary Almighty frontman, is playing at Lisburn's Island Arts centre on 2nd February...

Hell there many more coming up...will get updating soon!