Demon - The Bilston Hilton 19th April 2007
Setlist: Night Of The Demon / Into The Nightmare / Hurricane / Standing On The Edge / Blackheath / Sign Of A Madman / Life On The Wire // Don’t Break The Circle / One Helluva Night
After all these years, Dave has finally decided to hang up his horns and put the Demon suit into mothballs. I am sure that I speak for all Demon fans, and I know that you’re out there, somewhere, when I say that, deep down, it is something we have half-expected, nay feared, for some time.
But, I can understand why, as I am sure can you.
For Dave, and the many other members of Demon over the years, it has been a long strange trip, with many ups and downs. Great wealth may not have come to Dave but it must be some consolation to him to know that he will have left a legacy that will endure. It would be nice to have the money, no argument there, but the mark of a man is measured in what he has contributed to society in his lifetime and how he will be remembered by others.
Simply being good is not enough in the music business. It is no guarantee that critical acclaim, success, or financial reward will come your way. It is easy to cite the manufactured pop pap that litters iPods all over the world as the cause of this but, if we are honest, it has always been thus. Being in the right place at the right time and meeting the right people is the one thing in life that can lift you out of the abyss and elevate you to the next level. You can work yourself to death to be the best you can be and you will have no more guarantee of fame and riches than someone who is merely competent. The only guarantee is that you will, eventually, work yourself to death. During the journey, you will most likely neglect the ones you love, have no time to do the things you want to, and miss your kids growing up, all in the pursuit of respect, recognition, and remuneration. No, working hard is all very copasetic but you need to be lucky too.
After all these years, Dave has finally decided to hang up his horns and put the Demon suit into mothballs. I am sure that I speak for all Demon fans, and I know that you’re out there, somewhere, when I say that, deep down, it is something we have half-expected, nay feared, for some time.
But, I can understand why, as I am sure can you.
For Dave, and the many other members of Demon over the years, it has been a long strange trip, with many ups and downs. Great wealth may not have come to Dave but it must be some consolation to him to know that he will have left a legacy that will endure. It would be nice to have the money, no argument there, but the mark of a man is measured in what he has contributed to society in his lifetime and how he will be remembered by others.
Simply being good is not enough in the music business. It is no guarantee that critical acclaim, success, or financial reward will come your way. It is easy to cite the manufactured pop pap that litters iPods all over the world as the cause of this but, if we are honest, it has always been thus. Being in the right place at the right time and meeting the right people is the one thing in life that can lift you out of the abyss and elevate you to the next level. You can work yourself to death to be the best you can be and you will have no more guarantee of fame and riches than someone who is merely competent. The only guarantee is that you will, eventually, work yourself to death. During the journey, you will most likely neglect the ones you love, have no time to do the things you want to, and miss your kids growing up, all in the pursuit of respect, recognition, and remuneration. No, working hard is all very copasetic but you need to be lucky too.
Although Team Demon has never had the best of fortunes and it has been far from easy, Dave and the various (re)incarnations of Demon have recorded some of the best rock songs I have ever heard. I don’t believe that Iron Maiden, for example, is a better band than Demon. Their back catalogue is no more ‘classic’ than Demon’s. If anyone out there can name an Iron Maiden song that is ‘better’ than Remembrance Day, Life On The Wire, or No More Hell On Earth, I’ll let you kick me in the tender bits until you get bored. Still, whilst Iron Maiden’s last tour sold out arenas and they are headlining Download again this year, Demon, find themselves somewhere in the middle of a festival line-up, topped-off by the colossally crap Queenshite. Having seen the latter live last year, I can confidently state that they simply aren’t fit to blow the froth off Dave’s pint.
Because it has been my privilege to be closely involved with Demon in the last few years, I have been privy to many differing viewpoints as to why the accolades of success have proved so elusive. At the end of the day and, after much contemplation and deep meditation, I have concluded that there is nothing more sinister at work than plain, old, dumb luck. It’s nice to be good, but it’s much better to be lucky.
So, to Dave and all members of Demon past and present, I would simply like to go on record and say: Thanks!
Because it has been my privilege to be closely involved with Demon in the last few years, I have been privy to many differing viewpoints as to why the accolades of success have proved so elusive. At the end of the day and, after much contemplation and deep meditation, I have concluded that there is nothing more sinister at work than plain, old, dumb luck. It’s nice to be good, but it’s much better to be lucky.
So, to Dave and all members of Demon past and present, I would simply like to go on record and say: Thanks!
In common with a lot of the more senior Demon fans, I have been following them since the beginning.
As a rebellious 16 year old, I fell in love with Night Of The Demon the first time I played it. As a disaffected 20 year old, the lyrics of The Plague struck a chord, as we all tried to come to terms with the nascent Thatcher era, Ben Elton’s Sellafield suit, the greed, self-approbation, and high interest rates.
As a 35 year old family man, the Demon albums always remained in the favourites pile, right next to the turntable. As my love affair with other bands, such as Rush, Marillion, or Iron Maiden has waxed and waned, Demon was always somewhere in the background, so much so that my daughters both grew up knowing words to songs they’d never consciously listened to.
There was a time when I thought I would never, ever see Demon play live. It wasn’t until 2000, funnily enough the previous occasion they played at the Bilston Hilton, that I was finally in the right place at the right time to see this band that had meant so much to me over the years. Seven years down the line it’s a very different band. And I don’t just mean from that Y2K line-up. I’m talking about since the last gig I went to! The Limehouse Lizzy boys made that old spotlight-hogger Tim Read an offer he couldn’t refuse and his place is taken by former Demon skins-beater John Cotterill’s brother, Dave.
Now, Dave doesn’t have as much flash as Timbo; who does? And, is it just me, or do Ray and Dave look like twins? Anyway, The contrast between Tim and Ray made the two guitarists work well together and, I must admit, I was wondering about how Ray and Dave would work together, given Dave’s very different style. I have to say, I was well surprised by how good they both were and I know exactly how much chance Dave has had to learn the material and rehearse with the band, so the fact that he was so damn good is a credit to him. Even more surprising was the fact that he played quite a few solos too, something I hadn’t really expected, one of which actually removed paint from the walls. Mrs Walmsley’s little boy, as per usual, acquitted himself admirably, as did Messrs Dale, Farringdon and Ogden. Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less form these gentlemen. Even if they do sound like a firm of solicitors…
Mr Hell, always seems to look really well and fit these days, his voice as good as ever and he even manages to remember most of the lyrics ;-)
Which reminds me, where did I file his soul?
As a rebellious 16 year old, I fell in love with Night Of The Demon the first time I played it. As a disaffected 20 year old, the lyrics of The Plague struck a chord, as we all tried to come to terms with the nascent Thatcher era, Ben Elton’s Sellafield suit, the greed, self-approbation, and high interest rates.
As a 35 year old family man, the Demon albums always remained in the favourites pile, right next to the turntable. As my love affair with other bands, such as Rush, Marillion, or Iron Maiden has waxed and waned, Demon was always somewhere in the background, so much so that my daughters both grew up knowing words to songs they’d never consciously listened to.
There was a time when I thought I would never, ever see Demon play live. It wasn’t until 2000, funnily enough the previous occasion they played at the Bilston Hilton, that I was finally in the right place at the right time to see this band that had meant so much to me over the years. Seven years down the line it’s a very different band. And I don’t just mean from that Y2K line-up. I’m talking about since the last gig I went to! The Limehouse Lizzy boys made that old spotlight-hogger Tim Read an offer he couldn’t refuse and his place is taken by former Demon skins-beater John Cotterill’s brother, Dave.
Now, Dave doesn’t have as much flash as Timbo; who does? And, is it just me, or do Ray and Dave look like twins? Anyway, The contrast between Tim and Ray made the two guitarists work well together and, I must admit, I was wondering about how Ray and Dave would work together, given Dave’s very different style. I have to say, I was well surprised by how good they both were and I know exactly how much chance Dave has had to learn the material and rehearse with the band, so the fact that he was so damn good is a credit to him. Even more surprising was the fact that he played quite a few solos too, something I hadn’t really expected, one of which actually removed paint from the walls. Mrs Walmsley’s little boy, as per usual, acquitted himself admirably, as did Messrs Dale, Farringdon and Ogden. Then again, I wouldn’t expect anything less form these gentlemen. Even if they do sound like a firm of solicitors…
Mr Hell, always seems to look really well and fit these days, his voice as good as ever and he even manages to remember most of the lyrics ;-)
Which reminds me, where did I file his soul?
However, if I do have one request of the Demon management, it is this:
Mike,
Can you keep Dave away from bloody microphone stands? I swear that, one day, he will either kill himself, or a member of the audience with one of those things!
Cheers!
The God of Thunder
Yeah, that’s right. Dave managed to have yet another argument with the microphone stand. It is rapidly becoming a regular feature at Demon gigs. I think we should have a whip round and get Dave a Madonna-style headset mic… Well, he’s not getting any younger… He could lose a hip… Light-hearted banter aside, because I know the challenges Demon face just to get it all together for a gig, even on the occasions I go along to see them expecting a less-than-perfect performance, I am still pleasantly surprised each time. None of these guys are getting rich playing with Demon, that’s no surprise; they do it because they bloody love it. It may not line their trouser pockets with bundles of fivers but the audience gets a bloody smoking performance every time.
Mike,
Can you keep Dave away from bloody microphone stands? I swear that, one day, he will either kill himself, or a member of the audience with one of those things!
Cheers!
The God of Thunder
Yeah, that’s right. Dave managed to have yet another argument with the microphone stand. It is rapidly becoming a regular feature at Demon gigs. I think we should have a whip round and get Dave a Madonna-style headset mic… Well, he’s not getting any younger… He could lose a hip… Light-hearted banter aside, because I know the challenges Demon face just to get it all together for a gig, even on the occasions I go along to see them expecting a less-than-perfect performance, I am still pleasantly surprised each time. None of these guys are getting rich playing with Demon, that’s no surprise; they do it because they bloody love it. It may not line their trouser pockets with bundles of fivers but the audience gets a bloody smoking performance every time.
What surprised me most on Thursday night though was how tight they were as a band. If you didn’t know Dave was the new guy, you would have thought he’d always been there. If he reminds me of anyone, he puts me in mind of another fine guitar-playing, Staffordshire Dave, Dave Clempson, of Bakerloo/Colosseum and Humble Pie fame. It’s a sort of precise, yet fluid style, and then, out of nowhere, he’ll suddenly play a series of notes that don’t match what you’re watching, and you think: ‘Eh? How did he do that?’ He makes it look easy and effortless.It’s kinda cool.
The setlist (there, right at the top, way above all this crap…) is as close I can get without asking anyone, and to be honest, it’s not really that important to make me want to pick up the phone, or send an email.
What is important, and pay attention now people, is that something extraordinary happened on Thursday. Yes, I am biased towards Demon, generally. I don’t apologise for that. That is, until you get to the subject of Diamond Head. You remember how I wittered on earlier about some bands I had always loved, whilst others had come and gone? Well, you see, Diamond Head is the other band…
The setlist (there, right at the top, way above all this crap…) is as close I can get without asking anyone, and to be honest, it’s not really that important to make me want to pick up the phone, or send an email.
What is important, and pay attention now people, is that something extraordinary happened on Thursday. Yes, I am biased towards Demon, generally. I don’t apologise for that. That is, until you get to the subject of Diamond Head. You remember how I wittered on earlier about some bands I had always loved, whilst others had come and gone? Well, you see, Diamond Head is the other band…
When I arrived at The Robin that night, I honestly didn’t know which camp I would fall into, Demon, or Diamond Head. To be honest, I thought that the better band, on the night, would be Diamond Head. But, even a God of Thunder can be wrong. This one was on Thursday night. Demon put on a blistering hour and three minutes and stole the show from Diamond Head. ‘Nuff said! If you want to know why, you’ll have to read my Diamond Head review, won’t you?
This was the first gig for this line-up. Their first gig , and they blow off the headliners…
You up to speed now, Sparky?
Shall I get that Etch-A-Sketch and draw you a picture? Just you wait until later in the year. Anyone, on the planet who is not at the Nottingham gig will seriously regret it for ever. This band will set fire to the East Midlands on October 26th! Don’t bother coming to me in November, whining about how you wish you’d gone, because you’ll get no sympathy from this Devil.
You’ve been warned. Time Has Come...
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
26th April 2007
This was the first gig for this line-up. Their first gig , and they blow off the headliners…
You up to speed now, Sparky?
Shall I get that Etch-A-Sketch and draw you a picture? Just you wait until later in the year. Anyone, on the planet who is not at the Nottingham gig will seriously regret it for ever. This band will set fire to the East Midlands on October 26th! Don’t bother coming to me in November, whining about how you wish you’d gone, because you’ll get no sympathy from this Devil.
You’ve been warned. Time Has Come...
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
26th April 2007
About the photos...
I sometimes think that I'm just getting worse, the more photos I take...