NEWS: Get set for Wayward Sons return to Northern Ireland

THE hard rock 'supergroup' Wayward Sons have wowed crowds across the UK since they burst on to the scene last year after the release of their album 'Ghosts of Yet to Come'.

Following their stunning set supporting Steel Panther (read the review here and listen to Ivor's interview with Toby Jepson here) fans will be delighted that they have confirmed a return to Northern Ireland.

Wayward Sons will play the Diamond Rock Club on Friday 13th April (a venue Toby is familiar with).

Details can be found on the DRC FB page - www.facebook.com/thediamondrockclub.

INTERVIEW: Toby Jepson discusses all wayward thngs

FOLLOWING a stormer of a set in Belfast supporting Steel Panther (review is here) Toby Jepson of the hard rock super group chatted with Ivor in a wide ranging interview.

Covering the band's genesis and his own personal history it is a fascinating listen.

Listen below:

Interview by Ivor Whitten

LIVE REVIEW: Steel Panther and Wayward Sons boomerang into Belfast’s Limelight

A COLD January night was no match for the pulling power of Steel Panther and Wayward Sons, who rocked up to the Limelight, Belfast.

The Limelight was packed in anticipation for a very special evening of some of the greatest heavy metal filled adolescent toilet humour this side of the Lagan.

First on the stage was Toby Jepson’s Wayward Sons and, boy, did they do themselves proud. Nailing every song with vigour and rock and roll panache.

Kicking it all off, they soared into ‘Alive’, ‘Ghost’, and ‘Don't Wanna Go’. The energy of the band radiated right across the Limelight. These guys knew how to rock out. Toby’s vocals belting out the songs like a Little Angel of the A-Rock-alypse.

There was clearly a lot of fans in the audience as it was hard to miss the thrumming massed singing alongside Toby’s own vocals.

‘Killing Time’, ‘Crush’ and ‘Small Talk’ continued the fantastic rocking set. Toby was a rocker par excellence all the while Nic Wastell, the bassist, was giving Toby a run for his rocking out money with an exuberance that defied description. Nic swung, jabbed, and lunged that bass like a halbard cutting through the lines.

It was very clear Toby, Nic, Phil, and Sam were enjoying themselves immensely and the crowd just lapped it all up and the band responded in kind.

‘Be Still’, ‘Something Wrong’, and ‘Until the End’ finished off an incredible set. The group’s energy and joyous interaction with the throng of rockers just made for a perfect performance.

Then came the main course of the night, Steel Panther. There really is no genuine way to describe how utterly entertaining, tight, fun and full on 80’s hair metal cheese these guys are.

They are full on ‘Innuendos? F*** ‘em’, cut straight through suggestive similes and deliver blunt force sexually filled lyrics. Every song is definitely not safe for work and cock-full to the rim of pure mischievous profanity.

They kicked off their set with ‘Supersonic Sex Machine’, ‘Goin’ in the Backdoor’, and the raucous ‘Aisan Hooker’.

Every single song had the whole heaving mass of metalheads going mental for more. The crowd enthusiastically singing along with Michael, lapping up the cheeky, profane lyrics feeling like they were school kids finding a porn mag for the first time.

‘Tomorrow Night’, ‘Wasted too Much Time’, and ‘Poontang Boomerang’ maintained the joyous irreverent exploration of just how dirty everyone’s minds were.

It was bluntly shown how wonderfully freeing the performance was when some of the ladies kindly assented to Michael and Satchel’s request to see titties. They also seemed very impressed with what Belfast had to offer.

Satchel was then given the stage to put on a solo performance that will be passed down from generation to generation.

As he executed his ballsy dance of licks and riffs, the crowd egged him on, which made him encourage the fans even more.  He swung between riff cover to riff cover like Iron Man and Sweet Child of Mine and on it went. It was a long solo that left the crowd satisfied but slightly disappointed when it was over.

On the went the tirade of exuberant and cheerfully delivered profanity imbued lyrics with ‘That’s when you came in’, ‘Weenie Ride’, and ‘17 Girls’.

Finishing off the nights entertainment, Steel Panther delivered their classics of ‘Gloryhole’, ‘Death to all but Metal’, and ‘Community Property’.

The crowd just kept singing, pumping the air and rocking out like they just didn’t care. It was a release of sexual tension (or even just end of a bloody long working week tension) that just hit the G-Spot.

Everyone crushed up as close as they could to the presence of Steel Panther could not stop grinning from ear to ear.

Interspersed in between the songs was one of the best comedic acts that you are ever going to see. Utter trolling, ribbing, and jest filled toilet humour that would perfectly fill an 18+ comedy movie, was executed with perfect comic timing.

These guys, especially Michael and Satchel, were as tight as a gnat’s chuff and worked the crowd to perfection.

Honestly, the whole performance was a jubilant celebration of irreverent, smutty and direct sexual references, unshackled by the chains of insinuation, ambiguity and inference. Steel Panther are the heavy metal equivalent of burning bras.

Which, to be honest, they would probably wholeheartedly endorse.

If you get the opportunity, you grab it tighter than a camel’s arse in a sandstorm and go. It truly is a night to remember.

Review by Ivor Whitten
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

LIVE REVIEW: HRH XI kicks off with a roar

LESS than 24 hours after Hard Rock Hell held its first ever Awards show, bleary heads were thrust aside as a core following also arrived determined to keep the party atmosphere going - and one man made sure that despite a family illness he was going to rock.

Dee Snider is a real trouper in every sense of the word - few can match his performance. However before he mounted the stage at HRH XI the other Thursday night acts had everyone revved up.

Ryders Creed, Idlewar, Killcode, Black Aces, and Wayward Sons delivered action packed sets - and that's no lazy cliché as each proved that they were determined to pack as much energy into every minute.

After last year's positive reception to the opening ceremony fire dancers took to the stage to bring the curtain up on proceedings. But the real bombast followed as Ryders Creed brought heavy blues in a tight and well-balanced 45 breathless minutes that left many gasping for more.

All the way from Southern California Idlewar are riding high with the release of their album 'Rite' out a matter of weeks before HRH on Off Yer Rocka. The trio were obviously out to prove a point with James booming out every line as determinedly as he hit his bass and Rick laid down licks aplenty.

New York City blues and metal rockers Killcode brought an anthemic rock and roll attitude, striding across the stage as if playing as Madison Square Gardens headliners, smiles and snarls in equal measure. On this display their next album - to be produced again by none other than Joey Z - is eagerly awaited by all at HRH.

Blues rockers Black Aces have choruses guaranteed to get those horns raised and the Knights of the Dark Order held them high for each song, pints aloft. With the crowd pleasing over of 'Rock 'n Roll Damnation' mid-set Black Aces once again prove their path is upwards.

It might have seemed on the surface that when Wayward Sons was announced the tag of 'supergroup' would be glibly given to them. But as soon as the album 'Ghost of Yet To Come' hit the shelves it was clear this was a distinct project. And, the confidence Toby Jepson has in the songs was clear in a set that only played one Little Angels track - 'Young Gods'.

Sam Wood is the perfect foil for Jepson's writing in his interpretation, as are the textures of long-time collaborator of Jepson's Dave Kemp. 'Small Talk', 'Ghost' and 'Backslide' were among many of the highlights.

With the atmosphere almost febrile in anticipation of the Dee Snider's set the packed main stage area was primed, ready and eager. Now that Twisted Sister have been laid to rest, many looked back at his 2016 Bloodstock show to see how the flamboyant front man could top that.

He did and more.

Drawing from TS songs and his release 'We Are The Ones' this was as good a set as anyone could have wished for. Strident, cajoling every audience member along, he may be going through a personally difficult time, but that didn't take one ounce of energy away from his performance.

Sure, 'The Kids Are Back', 'We're Not Going To Take It' and 'I Wanna Rock' had every voice raised, but the cover of Soundgarden's 'Outshined' brought a little poignancy, while Nine Inch Nails' 'Head Like A Hole' was a masterstroke.

The familiarity of his solo album amongst the crowd members was clear from the opener title track from 'We Are The Ones' and the awesome 'Crazy For Nothing'. And, yes every middle finger was raised in the air for 'So What'.

As the strains of 'Highway To Hell' faded away in ringing ears Mr Snider and his band left the audience members, happy, with ragged voices and beaming faces.

Review by Jonathan Traynor
Pictures by Darren McVeigh

ALBUM REVIEW: Wayward Sons bring the boom on Ghosts of Yet To Come

WE have always had a large amount of admiration for Toby Jepson - his work with Gun, Little Angels and solo recording, not to mention his production credits. When news filtered through that he had assembled a new band thoughts turned to whether he could remain at the top of his game with Wayward Sons.

But when you have rockers of the calibre of Sam Wood, Nic Wastell, Dave Kemp and Phil Martini you have the collective experience of not only Jepson's bands, but a resumé that includes Spear of Destiny, Treason Kings and Chrome Molly brought to bear.

Thus their début album 'Ghosts of Yet To Come' is a true hard rocking release that recalls the 90s, with more than a smidgeon of a tip of the hat to classic acts from the 70s and 80s.

Throughout the riffs and melodies are to the fore, especially on the immense track 'Ghost' and the mid-pace rollick of 'I Don't Want to Go'.

What makes it an enjoyable album is that they are not as clichéd as many of their contemporaries; sure they are treading a similar path, and they nod to their predecessors for example the likes of 'Give It Away' has echoes of The Fountains of Wayne 'Stacy's Mom'.

The album is a trip through memories, but brought right up to date. Jepson is as always giving every ounce into his performance, but with Wood to as a foil the solidity of the songs is clear. And Toby's social stance is present on the likes of 'Small Talk' - a refreshing diversion from others more bland rock lyrics: "I was born into Thatcher's Disaster" is a memorable line.

Many will have the benefit of having samples of the album through the band's decision to release a series of their tracks (four in total) on YouTube, but they should merely be an encouragement to buy this album.

The urgent melodies of 'Crush' are just a flavour of what the rest of the tracks offer (see video below).

For fans of true hard rock this is an essential buy. Unfortunately they won't be with Inglorious in Belfast, unlike other parts of the tour, but hopefully they will land in Northern Ireland soon to give us all a treat with their melodic boom.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

NEWS: Wayward Sons set for album release - video released

FROM being solo artist, band member and producer Toby Jepson has moved on to his next project, and it's a pretty exciting one for lover of hard rock...here's the blurb:

Wayward Sons are delighted to announce the release of their debut album “Ghosts Of Yet To Come” on the 15th September through Frontiers Music Srl.

 Wayward Sons is a UK guitar act made up of Toby Jepson (Vocals/Guitar), Sam Wood (Guitar), Nic Wastell (Bass), Dave Kemp (Keys) and Phil Martini (Drums). They have an impressive resume of groups they have previously worked with – Little Angels, Gun, Spear Of Destiny, Treason Kings and Chrome Molly to name a few - which is reassuring in terms of the band as players, but doesn’t really hint at their sound. Wayward Sons sound nothing like the sum of their parts. The music is hard rock but mixed with a vitality and energy – both musically and lyrically.

The band is set to release four videos to support single releases. The videos together will make one short film. You can see the first video (for debut single 'Until The End') below.

'Ghosts Of Yet To Come' is a hugely accomplished debut album – as might be expected. From the staccato riffing of 'Give It Away' to the melodic intro of first single 'Until The End', from the hard rock of 'Ghosts' to 4/4 rock of 'Don’t Wanna Go', the album sounds familiar yet of its own.

Toby Jepson had the basis of songs written when the band formed. Together they then took these rough song ideas and forged their own sound. Lyrically the album sees Jepson treading a far more personal line than some of his previous output.

“I feel I have unfinished business, stories still left to tell, points to make, noise to create, all of the above... besides, it wasn't a choice, more of a need. My intention is very simple. I want to write about what makes me tick; about what I believe in. Hopefully you will believe in it too. It will be warts and all,” says Jepson.

The album was produced by Wayward Sons (Toby Jepson’s previous credits as a songwriter and producer include the likes of Katie Melua, The Virgin Marys, The Answer and Toseland) and Chris D’Adda (Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds).

“Ghosts Of Yet To Come” will at turns surprise, beguile and inspire…