News and Reviews: 15th November 2011
14 Nov 2011.Cake live at The Roundhouse,London.Cake are well known in America but in the UK they are barely known but for the NME/XFM crowd who adore them.
Cake are an American alternative rock band from Sacramento, California.The band has been noted for McCrea's sarcastic lyrics and deadpan voice, DiFiore's trumpet parts, and their wide-ranging musical influences, including country music, Mariachi, rock, funk, Iranian folk music and hip-hop.
After creating its own label, Upbeat Records, the band released their sixth album "Showroom of Compassion" in 2011, which became its first album to debut at the top of the Billboard charts which was very impressive.
On stage for two hours over two sets of 60 mins.They started with some new album tracks including "Federal Funding",also oldies "Frank Sinatra" and "Rock n Roll Lifestyle".A fantastic version of new single "Sick Of You" had all the crowd singing along.Some great confident on stage banter from the singer.They gave out a 6ft apple tree to the first person that guessed what type of tree it was.They also played "Never There".Encores were a fantastic "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" with all the crowd singing along loudly and "The Distance".A good gig.
13 Nov 2011.Peter Frampton live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Peter Frampton back in London just six months after his show i saw at Shepherds Bush Empire.This tour is to celebrate 35 years of his multi million selling live album "Frampton Comes Alive".I first saw Peter in 1974 as a support act then as a headline show in 1976 at Wembley Arena when the album really took off big.
Again it is a mammoth show as he was on stage for just under three hours over two sets.He looks a lot different to his long blonde hair days of the 1970s as now he is bald and grey.The first 1 hour 45 mins is "Frampton Comes Alive" which is fantastic melodic rock.Loads of great tracks including "Show Me The Way","Baby I Love Your Way" and "Do You Feel Like We Do".Lots of great guitar playing by Peter and warm and friendly stage banter.Some nice 1970s images of him on the big screen behind the band.
The second set lasted 70 mins and started with some newer tracks that could not compete with the earlier "Frampton Comes Alive" material.He finished the show with a couple of good covers "Black Hole Sun(Soundgarden)" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps(Beatles)".Overall a great show.
12 Nov 2011.Motorhead + Anti Nowhere League + UK Subs live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Motorhead are another rock band i have a lot of history with.I have seen them over 30 times since 1975 when they were the support to Blue Oyster Cult at this same venue.
As usual Motorhead play a Saturday night in London as part of their UK winter tour.A great atmosphere here as the tonight is a totally rammed sold out show.Motorhead always have decent support acts and tonight we have two punk bands from back in the day.The UK Subs play a 30 mins set.
Singer Charlie Harper is a like a punk version of Lemmy.
Their good set includes "Warhead" and "Stranglehold".
Up next is Anti Mowhere League who a play a 45 mins set.
They are ok but i prefer the UK Subs to them.
Rock legend Lemmy and Motorhead just seem to be getting more and more popular again.Lemmy has his trademark cowboy hat and cowboy boots on and the growl of a voice is still intact.
Motorheads wall of sound is just fantastic.They are promoting recent album "The World Is Ours" and play a few songs from it.Lots of older gems in the 85 mins set like "Bomber","Damage Case","Stay Clean","Metropolis" and a stunning "Killed By Death".Encores were an acoustic "Whorehouse Blues" and brilliant versions of "Ace Of Spades" and "Overkill" that had the front stalls floor area going crazy.Lemmy signs off with the declaration to the crowd "We Are Motorhead And We Play Rock n Roll".Too right they do.A great show.
11 Nov 2011.7.30pm to 11.30pm.
Tia Maria "Get Behind The Mask" party at Paramount,31st Floor,Centre Point,London WC1.Fantastic views up here across London and below us across the road is the giant hole that used to be The Astoria.Tia Maria is a very popular liquer brand.We are given masks to wear if we want.Some do some do not.A nice dressed up club crowd.
There is a fun photo booth that was very popular.
Maybe 300 folks are here.Lots of free booze all night.A choice of four different yummy Tia Maria cocktails,beers and wines along with hot and cold canapes.The dj keeps the atmosphere lively.We have the finalists on stage for the "Get Behind The Mask" 2012 advertising campaign for Tia Maria.A winner is chosen and she is very happy.
We have a five song 25 mins live set by Paloma Faith who has a lovely dress on and has plenty of cheeky banter.
Set included good tracks "Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?","New York" and "Upside Down".
Check out www.tiamaria.com
I must admit we really enjoyed this event.