Demon - The Boardwalk Sheffield 7th September 2006
Setlist: Night Of The Demon / Into The Nightmare / The Plague / Nowhere To Run / Hurricane / Standing On The Edge / No More Hell On Earth / Remembrance Day / Sign Of A Madman / Wonderland / Blackheath / Life On The Wire // Don’t Break The Circle / One Helluva Night
It seems a while since I last reviewed a Demon gig. They’re a lot like buses; none for quite a while, then three come along all at once. Since I last flexed my fingers on the keyboard, there have been a couple of changes to Team Demon.
Firstly, the new studio CD, Better The Devil You Know, has shown itself to be quite a fine addition to the back catalogue, with the title track and Standing On The Edge finding their way into the live sets at various points.
Secondly, that very big, and most excellent guitar player, Karl Finney, has departed the fold, to be replaced by a big show off, name of Tim Read. Only joking Tim; I love your style.
It seems a while since I last reviewed a Demon gig. They’re a lot like buses; none for quite a while, then three come along all at once. Since I last flexed my fingers on the keyboard, there have been a couple of changes to Team Demon.
Firstly, the new studio CD, Better The Devil You Know, has shown itself to be quite a fine addition to the back catalogue, with the title track and Standing On The Edge finding their way into the live sets at various points.
Secondly, that very big, and most excellent guitar player, Karl Finney, has departed the fold, to be replaced by a big show off, name of Tim Read. Only joking Tim; I love your style.
Karl brought stability and low-down grunt to the live line up, that had not been evident since Steve Brookes’ time with the band. Tim, however, has not only maintained Karl’s additive contribution, but has also added an extra dimension of his own that lifts the live shows to some of the best performances I have yet witnessed. He must be part Tasmanian Devil because, on stage he is all over the place! Tim is a naturally flamboyant individual who simply loves what he does for a living and it shows. What is more, this personality trait appears to have energised the entire band and visibly lifts everyone to a higher level. If you thought Demon was a pretty good live band in the past, you’ll be amazed at how fine they are these days. Now, before Ray begins to pout, let me state, unequivocally, that I have always rated Mrs Walmsley’s little boy as a guitar player but, to bring out the best in him required someone of equal ability, on the other side of the stage, to provide a little friendly competition. Tim does this and together, they push each to outshine the other. Whilst, I doubt, that Ray will ever compete with Tim for outright rockgodliness (I mean, who could?) his playing seems so much more fluid and precise, knowing that Tim will try and go one better at every opportunity.
What all this means for you, dear reader, is that you get two fantastic guitarists going for it for a full two hours at every gig. Not too shabby a concept, eh?
What all this means for you, dear reader, is that you get two fantastic guitarists going for it for a full two hours at every gig. Not too shabby a concept, eh?
The rest of the band is pretty much as it has been for the past couple of years. Andy Dale, on bass, still anchors the sound with Neil Ogden on drums, whilst the other new boy, Fazza, really has become a fixture on the keyboards. My only complaint with him is that he is always in total darkness and virtually impossible to take a photograph of. Mr Hell, the sole remaining original band member looks fit and well, and sounds just as good as he ever did. The biggest difference is that they look like they’re having fun on stage nowadays, not something that has been apparent previously. The sound is tight, powerful and kicks some major ass. On any given night Demon could give any band on the planet a run for their money; it is a shame that they rarely get the chance to show that to the people who could make a difference in their future. So, they have the ability, and with Messrs Read and Ogden they have the looks (!) They certainly have the songs.
So, why should you go and see them live? Well, there are two good reasons. If you don’t:
So, why should you go and see them live? Well, there are two good reasons. If you don’t:
- you’ll be missing one of the best live bands you’ve never seen
- I’ll have to come and hunt you down and kill you.
OK. So, moving on to specific recent gigs. The Boardwalk, in Sheffield, is a nice venue and this was the first in a series of gigs, over the coming months, with the legend that is Bob Catley. Given the friendly nature of the relationship between Demon and Bob, there are no egos at stake here and everyone gets to do a full set, or thereabouts, given time limitations at the venues.
At Sheffield, Demon went on first and played a very tidy set indeed. This was the first time I had seen this present line-up and was very impressed with everyone, but especially Tim. He really does go for it 100% of the time. He is ‘Dr Rock’. He has the hair, the pants, the poses, and plays the guitar hero part to the full; I love it! His presence really does make the band more dynamic than they have been in recent years.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
8th September 2006
At Sheffield, Demon went on first and played a very tidy set indeed. This was the first time I had seen this present line-up and was very impressed with everyone, but especially Tim. He really does go for it 100% of the time. He is ‘Dr Rock’. He has the hair, the pants, the poses, and plays the guitar hero part to the full; I love it! His presence really does make the band more dynamic than they have been in recent years.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
8th September 2006