Four piece
band The Trews all the way from Canada completely won over the
Assembly audience with their set of high energy rock which was for me a
mix of indie and classic rock styles, on the indie side shades of bands
like The Stereophonics and on the classic rock side at times they came
over like a young Stones and at others they had the power of bands like
Black Stone Cherry.
Their
material, short, snappy and full of passion included opening rocker 'The
World I Know' the lively 'Hope & Ruin' and with its pounding powerful
opening drum work 'Not Ready To Go', all of the numbers catchy and full
of good hooks, one of the best opening bands I have seen.
I was
impressed with the fact that the headliners allowed the band to make use
of the back screen which was used all set and made a real impact during
the number 'Highway of Heroes' written about the death in service of
soldier Captain Nichola Goddard who came from the bands home town.
Headliners
the Hawklords - who consist partly of former members of space
rock pioneers Hawkwind and were first put together in the late 1970's -
delivered a fabulous performance of sheer power, full of driving rhythms
and hypnotic beats, a full on wall of sound enhanced by a huge screen at
the rear of the stage projecting spectacular images to compliment the
music which included psychedelic patterns, robots and a huge eye.
The
material was all Hawkwind or Hawkwind related and mostly on the heavier
side of that bands material with all manner of strange and atmospheric
sound effects used effectively between numbers, the band included in its
line up the legendary Nik Turner on the sax and flutes as well as
occasionally lead vocals.
Highlights
of the set included a frantic 'Shot Down in the Night', the chilled out
flower power of 'Children of the Sun', the classic pop rock of 'Spirit
of the Age', and the awesome 'Masters of the Universe' which surely has
one of the all time great rock riffs and prompted numerous bouts of
dancing around the hall.
The
dancing and headbanging continued for '25 Years' (the track not the
length of time !) and a thunderous 'Brainstorm', closing a truly
spectacular show in some style, impressed with how much this band really
rocks as well as of course adding the expected elements of dance music
and punk to the sound.
In a
line-up full of top musicians and top characters (not least Mr Turner) a
special mention to Jerry Richards for his top draw work on the rocking
riffs, Harvey Bainbridge's keyboard and synthesiser work and the lead
vocals of the charismatic and spectacularly dressed Ron Tree.
Two very
different bands, one fabulous evenings music and entertainment.
