|
|
|
|
| .... and here
they are again, after not even one year, when they were on tour with
Circle II Circle here in Europe. But there is actually a huge difference
between then and now. First of all this time they are doing their own
headliner tour and are not supporting anybody else, and second they got
a new gold nugget in their luggage , which is nicely named 'Razorback
Killers'. What a great record, it's all I can say. And believe me, it's
not just me, giving the piece more than 10 points, what's up to quality
and high standard level. Yep, we are on the best way up again. And there
ain't many rockbands around, who have deserved this as much as Vicious
Rumors do. This band, who you could almost call an institution and not
only a normal rockband, led by Geoff Thorpe for the past 32 years. - To
repeat myself from former reviews, this very long trip throughout the
international musical landscape hasn't always been covered with velvet,
as it was in the late Eighties and early Nineties. Exspecially from 1994
onwards, when singer Carl Albert gave away his spoon thanks to his car
racing passion. After that, all following singers have changed frequently until about two years ago. And this is certainly
not good for tightening the band's status despite all those releases
inbetween. But Geoff is one of those - stand-up guys going for the
principal: a Geoff Thorpe never gives in - never! And though he had
suffered quite a few dry years, now it finally seems, this time is
finished. Personally I truly grant him that, as he is one of my dearest
musician friends since 1989. But don't worry, this fact will not keep me
away to review this just happened show here in Munich in a very
objectiv-neutral way. One thing is for sure, this second spring does not
happen only because of Geoff's patience and strong will, and not only
because of their new album, but also to his new pearl on vocals, who is named
Brian Allen. I think, this man is the best thing since Carl
Albert without any overdoing it. Anyway, currently Vicious Rumors are here on a rather extensive Headliner Clubtour throughout Europe and receive more echo as ever before I believe. Most of all from the already played Keep It True Festival, where some critics say, they did the best show of the whole festival. - So what? It just can't go wrong on this tour.... There is another phenomenen tonight at Munich's Garage Rockclub, where they only sold about 40 tickets in pre sale. But right on the spot that evening another 80 something fans find their way to here, and the living room is well filled in the end. Geoff Thorpe is - as we call it in german: the girl for everything: the band boss, the guitarist, the merch sales person, the tourmanager, doing Press, bus driver and kindergarden Uncle for the rest of the lot. He's a real selfmade man no doubt about that. (He is also the only remaining original band member next to drummer Larry Howe).
In Munich we got two local
support acts, whom I've personally never have heard of before. But
that's no reason to ignore them---
Apart from that their back catalogue shows about 3 albums. Red To Grey are: Andy Pankraz (Voc), Tino Bergamo (Git), Frank Pané (Git), Stefan Hendel (Bass) and Elmar Nüßlein (Drums). The band stands for solid traditional Heavy Metal, I'd call it..... and they don't even sound that bad. I personally do a little hard to fetch out any extraordinaries at first glimpse, exept maybe Andy's really funny face expressions. I assume, I should see this lot once again, to make my final mind up, because I also did miss half of the show thanks to my tete'a'tete with Geoff.
So apart from today's
Setlist and these Statements, find more Infos at
http://www.redtogrey.de/index2.htm
‚Senses May Wither’ is their name, but let's face it, these boys don't seem so bad yet, but rather still very young and innocent. Though they are playing much harder stuff then the first band. Their information says, that they were founded in 2006 and are situated in Tutzing in Bavaria on beautiful Starnberger Lake, just round the corner from Munich. According to their My Space page, the new album 'Polaris Breach' is not even born, but never mind, as they wouldn't miss the chance here for the supportslot for Vicious Rumors. And Daddy takes care about the merch, so this is what you could almost call a family company - yeah well - almost. Unfortunately no setlist
provided, which I could show you here. But however, also in this case
the first impression ain't no bad one. And the most important aspect is
the fact: the crowd do seem to like them....
Halleluja, Vicious Rumors have truly receive a kiss from Herkules eye apple - in the truest sense of the word... Because their output is stronger then the current erruption of the Ätna in Sizily. And I'm still not sure, whether this comes from a musical fresh cell injection or more or less Brian Allan's try to win the worldchampionship in jumping over 3 ovtaves and maybe above all that, winning the Ironman on Hawaii. Jesus, if this guy is as good in other things as on stage - well that's another chapter. (just kiddin'). But seriously, compared to the show last year in Ingolstadt this here is a different world. But that again is more or less due to the - back then circumstances, or better to this fresh new energy.... (mind me, I'm not saying all that, because I'm good friends with Geoff)
Vicous Rumors are throwing out 22 songs including 6 tracks from the new long player (see setlist). But not before drummer Larry Howe beats the hell out of the snare and provokes a 5 minutes interruption for fixing it again.
This again is resolved
with a lot of humor and then they carry on, just like - how to I get a
supernova exploding...This is nice indeed...
But also the rest of the
Gang ain't to ignore - no question about that... (whoever wants to buy
Geoff's guitar - it's up for sale - 5.000 Euros:-)
And with yet another
encore the murderball comes to an end here and leaves highly enthusiastic
fans. And that means something here in Munich, believe me. !!!!!
Last word: please boys -
come back soon for another magic carpet ride and maybe.... no comment
anymore... |
|
|
