EP REVIEW: Dead Daisies rockin' out with a set of good old fever pitch on Face I Love

CAST your mind back some time and you'll remember that the 'supergroup' that is Dead Daisies wowed audiences when they supported Black Star Riders in a Christmas show in Limelight1.

They proved that they were not just another band of geezers intent on lapping up the cash, but were a bunch of musos having a good time, and playing some killer rock tunes. [Review of that gig is here.]

After achieving critical acclaim and hooking up some stellar tour spots (they toured with Kiss and Def Leppard last month) the band have released their 'Face I Love' ep, a collection of four tracks.

And, they've even released an app to go along with the release...  More on that later.

Powered by the stunning vocalist, Jon Stevens (Noiseworks/INXS) and co-founder David Lowry, the combination of these two with bassist and showman Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy/Whitesnake), Guns 'n' Roses guitarist Richard Fortus and key tinkler Dizzy Reed and recent drum addition of Brian Tichy (Ozzy/Billy Idol) this is a group that knows its chops.

Released yesterday (September 8th), this is a collection of three original tracks and a cover of the band's favourite Beatles song, 'Helter Skelter'.

Lead track, 'Face I Love' is a smooth riffing rock 'n' roller, languid yet powerful - just as hard rock should be played, with Reed's keys perfectly backing Fortus and Lowry's tones.

'Angel Eyes' is a track with a dirty drive and Stevens vocals roll out as if his vocal chords have been coated with the best bourbon. The pace is picked up for 'Your Karma', with a real honky tonk groove, as all the band step up to get it down.

The cover of 'Helter Skelter' is pure rock nectar, although has an echo of Gillan's version, albeit with super solo snatches from Fortus that may owe a little to Bernie Tormé.

Overall this four-track is an enjoyable placeholder for a band that can bridge the classic rock/Radio2 gap, yet can sit in playlists of hard rock and classic metal.

And - as mentioned earlier - there is a 'Face I Love' app enabling Facebook users to upload a picture of the "face they love" on to Dead Daisies skull and watch it bloom...old fogeys may no truck with this witchcraft, but we're sure plenty will have a dabble with the app...and groove out to all the tracks on Face I Love.

Review by Jonny

Face I Love is out now on Spitfire Music/PIAS

Rock Royalty raise the roof as Black Star Riders shine

THERE are sometimes when past glories can overshadow individuals and bands, but there are other instances when those past glories are synthesised by a rare alchemy into a heady mixture of fine rock and finer still stage performances.

Black Star Riders and Dead Daisies proved on Sunday, December 15th at Belfast's Limelight1 that nothing can stop rockers when they show up with great tunes and a great attitude.

Faced with opening for a galaxy of star rockers many bands would be intimidated, but Hampshire's Western Sand took the stage with a swagger and style that shone through in songs rooted in straightforward, heads down rockin' out.

Despite being hampered by having drummer Nathan being isolated from the rest of the band the honest professionalism and energy evoked a positive response from the gradually filling venue.

Findlay on bass was a bundle of energy, while Jimmy and Tyler led from the front; solid stylish vocals and a twin guitar attack to flay. Western Sand showed not only potential but a clear intent to develop and grow as a band.

Dead Daisies are on paper the archetypal rock supergroup, with a collective CV that includes INXS, the Rolling Stones and Guns 'n' Roses and Disney....

With an impressive album [review here] under their belts it would have been an easy task to turn up and just ride the wave of that album's critical acclaim - but not Dead Daisies; they came to Belfast intent on raising the roof.

Jon Stevens has a helluva set of pipes and they were deployed to good use. And a killer combination of being a strong frontman and appearing relaxed in the role won the crowd over from the off.

With Dizzy Reed adding keyboard flourishes his Gunners colleague Richard Fortus delivered stunning solo after stunning solo; a truly par excellence performance.

Tracks like Washington and Miles in Front of Me emerging from the album invigorated in the live environment, the band also - in the words of Stevens - road tested new songs; all of which resonated with solid rock credentials firmly established by the time each chorus arrived.

Bassist Darryl Jones (unusually using a music stand and notation for each song) and David Lowry on rhythm guitarist were locked in tight with Charlie Drayton on drums; this trio forming a solid basis for other band members to allow each song to grow stage legs.

Concluding with a stormer cover of The Beatles Helter Skelter Dead Daisies have all the elements that both win a crowd's backing and also to have that same crowd baying for more.

The Black Star Riders have emerged phoenix like from the remnants of a post-Lynott Thin Lizzy. An album, originally intended to be released under the Lizzy monicker, balanced the heritage of Thin Lizzy and a new intent to produced songs that have a unique identity. [Review here]

But on stage is the real test. Can a fine line be trod that links the past and the present? Achieving that Black Star Riders have an ace in the pack - singer Ricky Warwick. Appearing as part punk-cowboy desperado and part hellbound rocker Warwick dominates the stage, oozing charisma and performing with well-executed stage routines. Whether with mic stand held aloft or with guitar strapped on his frame Warwick proved why he is becoming one of the top frontmen in hard rock.

With a setlist drawing on BSR material and well-executed Lizzy tracks Scott Gorham and Damon Johnson delivered harmony pieces and solos that were note perfect when required and fluid when they took on adventurous six-string work.

BSR songs Bound for Glory and the excellent Kingdom of the Lost shone through, with new breath on stage and an energy  most acts would struggle to match.

Bassist Marco Mendoza laid down a solid performance, while at the same time showing himself as a performer for the audience - while all the time locked into Jimmy DeGrasso's drum lines.

Classic Lizzy tracks were delivered faithfully, and at times new twits were introduced such as in the Cowboy Song intro. Southbound, Don't Believe A Word, The Boys Are Back in Town, Emerald and Jailbreak delivered the crowd into the hands of the band members.

All Hell Breaks Loose and Hey Judas were also notable moments, but to try and analyse each track and each performance would be a disservice to BSR. The sum of the parts are a tsunami of rock; a masterclass for aspiring hard rock acts.

Rock royalty is sometimes perceived as a lazy bunch, re-treading the past. Such perceptions were blown aside in the Limelight1 on Sunday as aspirants Western Sand showed swagger need not be about arrogance when you deliver; Dead Daisies showcased how rock can meld together Antipodean power and US-style; while Black Star Riders just laid down sheer rock 'n' roll joy. Joy through hard rock - you just can't beat it!

Dead Daisies - a supergroup for those needing an extra fix of classic rock

THE term supergroup is one which can carry a lot baggage - but with Dead Daisies an unlikely combination of ex-members of INXS, current members of Guns 'n' Roses and session men playing with the likes of The Rolling Stones there may be a magic formula at work.

And for those planning to check out Black Star Riders when they play in Belfast's Limelight1 on December 15th all present are in for a special treat when the Dead Daisies hit the stage.

Featuring an array of musical delights their current album has all the great tunes you'd expect from a group of artists who have had their souls firmly locked into the great AOR tunes of the 70s and 80s, but with their hearts and heads bringing the sound bang up to date.

Formed around front man John Stevens (ex-INXS) and David Lowry a rolling line-up of luminaries such as previous members Marco Medoza they have settled on a line-up that sees them surging into the higher echelons of music performance with their self-titled album.

Slash lends some soulful work on lead single, Lock and Load, but having such a guest on that great track should not detract from the rest of the album.

Self-confessed fans of Bad Company and Foreigner, their twist on the classic sound is nothing new; but when treading this road, the only way to make your songs stand out is to don a new pair of cowboy boots and walk with purpose and intent down that road.

From the deep soulful songs like Yesterday, and the excellent opening track, It's Gonna Take Time this is a release that oozes rock and blues. That's not to say they don't know how to rock out - Bible Row being the perfect example of a song that Van Halen or even Queen would have been delighted to have in their repertoire because of its musical pace and nice set of lyrics. The chorus is a killer hook that has you humming along to it from the first listen.

Yes, there is nothing earth-shattering when you hear another act playing 70s and 80s rock, but who cares when it is this good!

The momentary panic of seeing a track with the title Can't Fight This Feeling and expecting an REO Speedwagon cover sneaks off as you sit back and listen to this ode to love.

Dead Daisies pedigree is clear, with Stevens at the helm and David Lowry anchoring down while Richard Fortus (Guns 'n' Roses) flows free; the whole thing hangs around a rhythm section of Darryl Jones (The Rolling Stones touring bassist) and Charley Drayton in drums (ex-Cold Chisel and The Cult).

Having Dizzy Reed (G 'n' R keyboardist) adds flourishes that are subtle but important to add to the rich sound.

With the prospect of Dead Daisies supporting Black Star Riders this release is an excellent introduction to the band; an excellent set of tunes; and a set of songs that can transport you away from the dreary autumn nights to the Californian sun.

Dead Daisies album will be release shortly and make sure you're down early to the Limelight1 on December 15th.