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:
Showing posts with label The Graham Bonnet Band. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Graham Bonnet Band. Show all posts
Monday, November 21, 2016
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
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
Monday, November 14, 2016
LIVE REVIEW: Hard Rock Hell X Day Two serves up tremendous blasts from the past and new fan favourites
THERE is nothing better than nostalgia...and, in terms of music nostalgia can sometimes blot out the reality of what happened "back in the day".
However, when it came to Hard Rock Hell X on Friday (11th November) what was served up were happy memories, once more re-created in living breathing blasts from the past that revealed there is still fire in the bellies of fans and bands alike.
And, as it was HRH there was also a feast of new and rising acts, aspiring to reach the same heady heights.
It was such a smorgasbord of rock served up in North Wales that fans were having to move swiftly back and forth between the two venues to catch snatches of the acts - thankfully they were only yards apart.
From headliners like Vixen and Ugly Kid Joe through to eclectic acts like Vordun and Bright Curse there was a sense of purpose throughout the day every time an act took to the stage. Stagecraft and stage presence were a given.
For many the newer acts playing on Arena Two provided attendees with the chance to see bands they would not be able to catch in many other environments. Departed immediately impressed as the trickle from caravans and chalets became a flood.
Two of the acts that stood out were the bluesy sound of Welcome Back Delta and the punkish hard rock of JoanOvArc.
Indeed across the two arenas it is almost unfair to try and pick out one act as a stand-out. Chase the Ace were as energetic and fun-filled on stage as always, and even treated HRH to a new track from their forthcoming third album.
Warrior Soul have the snarl of aggro politics coupled with the tunes to get the place moving, and Kory Clarke still has the cojones to challenge the audience and engage them at the same time.
German's Bonfire brought down their own version of melodic metal with Hans Ziller's crew creating merry mayhem, with 'Under Blue Skies' amongst the many songs being sang along to by the audience.
When it comes to crowd favourites there is no doubt that Ricky Warwick is up there - and when he arrived with his Fighting Hearts there was a sense of friends enjoined on and off stage. Familiar tunes from The Almighty era were given the same welcome as newer tracks such as 'Damascus Street' and 'When Patsy Cline was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Played the Blues)'.
In terms of recognisable songs The Graham Bonnet Band have them by the bucketful. Mr Bonnet arrived on stage looking relaxed in a white shirt and pencil thin tie to acclaim that is reserved for the man who was part of Rainbow, MSG, Alcatraz and his own packed track list.
Whether it was 'God Blessed Video', 'All Night Long' or 'Lost In Holywood' - well you know the tracks and everyone there was enthralled. But make no mistake that this is a band not stuck in the past, but moving forward.
Whitfield Crane is as mad as a bag of squirrels on speed - and that's why he is so beloved. When he and his compatriots in Ugly Kid Joe arrived 'No One Survives' the mischievousness, the mayhem and the merriment.
'Jesus Rode A Harley' on to the stage to find out about 'The Cat's In The Cradle' and learn that Whit was declaring 'I'm Alright'. Sense of humour? Yes. Pure funked out rock 'n' roll? Yes.
Isla Vista, California came to North Wales and enjoyed the hell out of the place.
Equally the California glory days of Minnesota's Vixen rolled up to HRH X to a warm reception. Hell, it wasn't just warm, it was a roasting, roaring welcome as Janet Gardener emerged grinning to stage front, flanked by an equally delighted Gina Stile and Share Pederson as Roxy Petrucci saluted Wales with raised sticks.
And, from the off they 'Rev It Up' with smooth melodies, and energy that was infectious. The 1980s? Nah, it was another moment in time that saw rock history brought up to date, with tracks such as 'I Want You To Rock Me' sound as fresh now as they ever did.
'Rockin' In The Free World' was a crowd pleasing powerhouse cover, but 'Wrecking Ball' and 'Edge Of A Broken Heart' even managed to draw fans away from the bar - and amidst a crowd of thousands of drinkers that was a momentous achievement.
HRH X - Day Two. A day that brought forward so many memories, created new memories from the likes of Theia and Mason Hill, but most of all was a continuing celebration of what rock can do as a community.
However, when it came to Hard Rock Hell X on Friday (11th November) what was served up were happy memories, once more re-created in living breathing blasts from the past that revealed there is still fire in the bellies of fans and bands alike.
And, as it was HRH there was also a feast of new and rising acts, aspiring to reach the same heady heights.
It was such a smorgasbord of rock served up in North Wales that fans were having to move swiftly back and forth between the two venues to catch snatches of the acts - thankfully they were only yards apart.
From headliners like Vixen and Ugly Kid Joe through to eclectic acts like Vordun and Bright Curse there was a sense of purpose throughout the day every time an act took to the stage. Stagecraft and stage presence were a given.
For many the newer acts playing on Arena Two provided attendees with the chance to see bands they would not be able to catch in many other environments. Departed immediately impressed as the trickle from caravans and chalets became a flood.
Two of the acts that stood out were the bluesy sound of Welcome Back Delta and the punkish hard rock of JoanOvArc.
Indeed across the two arenas it is almost unfair to try and pick out one act as a stand-out. Chase the Ace were as energetic and fun-filled on stage as always, and even treated HRH to a new track from their forthcoming third album.
Warrior Soul have the snarl of aggro politics coupled with the tunes to get the place moving, and Kory Clarke still has the cojones to challenge the audience and engage them at the same time.
German's Bonfire brought down their own version of melodic metal with Hans Ziller's crew creating merry mayhem, with 'Under Blue Skies' amongst the many songs being sang along to by the audience.
When it comes to crowd favourites there is no doubt that Ricky Warwick is up there - and when he arrived with his Fighting Hearts there was a sense of friends enjoined on and off stage. Familiar tunes from The Almighty era were given the same welcome as newer tracks such as 'Damascus Street' and 'When Patsy Cline was Crazy (And Guy Mitchell Played the Blues)'.
In terms of recognisable songs The Graham Bonnet Band have them by the bucketful. Mr Bonnet arrived on stage looking relaxed in a white shirt and pencil thin tie to acclaim that is reserved for the man who was part of Rainbow, MSG, Alcatraz and his own packed track list.
Whether it was 'God Blessed Video', 'All Night Long' or 'Lost In Holywood' - well you know the tracks and everyone there was enthralled. But make no mistake that this is a band not stuck in the past, but moving forward.
Whitfield Crane is as mad as a bag of squirrels on speed - and that's why he is so beloved. When he and his compatriots in Ugly Kid Joe arrived 'No One Survives' the mischievousness, the mayhem and the merriment.
'Jesus Rode A Harley' on to the stage to find out about 'The Cat's In The Cradle' and learn that Whit was declaring 'I'm Alright'. Sense of humour? Yes. Pure funked out rock 'n' roll? Yes.
Isla Vista, California came to North Wales and enjoyed the hell out of the place.
Equally the California glory days of Minnesota's Vixen rolled up to HRH X to a warm reception. Hell, it wasn't just warm, it was a roasting, roaring welcome as Janet Gardener emerged grinning to stage front, flanked by an equally delighted Gina Stile and Share Pederson as Roxy Petrucci saluted Wales with raised sticks.
And, from the off they 'Rev It Up' with smooth melodies, and energy that was infectious. The 1980s? Nah, it was another moment in time that saw rock history brought up to date, with tracks such as 'I Want You To Rock Me' sound as fresh now as they ever did.
'Rockin' In The Free World' was a crowd pleasing powerhouse cover, but 'Wrecking Ball' and 'Edge Of A Broken Heart' even managed to draw fans away from the bar - and amidst a crowd of thousands of drinkers that was a momentous achievement.
HRH X - Day Two. A day that brought forward so many memories, created new memories from the likes of Theia and Mason Hill, but most of all was a continuing celebration of what rock can do as a community.
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