The Wildhearts Jun 24 When is a band not a band – it’s the age old question that has been debated in bedrooms, pubs and now internet forums since the dawn of rock n roll. It is inevitably that band line ups will change over time as individuals lose interest, fall out over creative differences or succumb to the unhealthy aspects of the music industry’s dark underside. Will the new lineup be a pale facsimile of the original lineup, or an equally worthy one?

So here we are with the latest lineup of The Wildhearts. The ‘classic’ reformed lineup of Ginger Wildheart, CJ Wildheart, Danny McCormack and Ritch Battersby ended in disarray in early 2022 after four gloriously chaotic years that had seen the band release two albums including the excellent ‘Renaissance Men’. Two years later Ginger is back with a new lineup and an album already in the bag ready for release.

‘Random’ Jon Poole is back on bass having played in the band numerous times since 2003. Joining on guitar is Ben Marsden who is well known to the extended Wildhearts family. Normally to be found playing in The Warner E Hodges Band, the fact that the Jason and the Scorchers’ guitar legend frequently allows Ben to solo is a testament to his playing talent.  Former Scorchers drummer and Bonafide singer/guitarist, Pontus Snibb provides the rhythmic backbone to the lineup whilst out in the wings, the multi talented Carol Hodge sprinkles some of her magic glitter on the keys. Having promised an arena sized show with big tunes and pyrotechnics, would Ginger and his new band of renegades satisfy the crowded Empire.

Before that, we have the spectacle of Asomvel with their impressive stack of Marshall amps teasing their hard rock credentials. The UK based four piece have been entertaining audiences with their high octane sets for a good number of years now and latest album ‘Born to Rock n Roll’ has been well received. Opening track ‘Louder and Louder’ is a thumping piece of Motorhead inspired speed rock that proudly pounds its heritage on its chest.   Asomvel Jun 24 ‘Born to Rock n Roll’ continued in similar style with singer/ bass player Ralph channeling his inner Lemmy much to the crowd’s delight. Sadly, venue photographer rules meant that we missed a big part of the remaining set before it was decided that we could re-enter the venue just in time to catch the last few equally enjoyable numbers. Asomvel Jun 24 Next up were Florence Black, a Welsh three piece who have been making a decent name for themselves on the live circuit. With new album ‘Bed of Nails’ recently released, the band are eager to gain some new fans. The title track to the new album opens the set and is initially reminiscent of Killing Joke in its riff heavy execution until it reaches the more melodic chorus. ‘Start Again’ invokes the spirit of 1990s US alternative rock and is none the worse for it. Florence Black Jun 24 The momentum drops for ‘Look Up’ and ‘Warning Sign’ which both embrace a more melodic classic rock sound but are ultimately less interesting. ‘Rockin’ Ring’ and ‘Zulu’ reinstate the goodwill with the former having a cracking guitar solo at its centre. Finishing with the anthemic ‘Sun and Moon’ it will be interesting to see which direction the band follow for future releases.

Florence Black Jun 24 The venue is heaving by the time The Wildhearts hit the stage and the cramped photo pit is on a quick turnaround system given the press interest in the band’s return. Opening with ‘Sleepaway’, one of the strongest songs of the last album, the new lineup makes an instant impression. The playing is tight and Ginger is clearly happy to be back on stage playing with a full band with the rockabilly section of the song showing off his playful side.

The Wildhearts Jun 24 Following up with ‘Diagnosis’ the room goes wild – one of Ginger’s best songs of recent years, its lyrics remain as powerful as the first time I heard it. Launching straight into the triple assault of ‘Suckerpunch’, ‘I Wanna Go Where the People Go’ and ‘Caffeine Bomb’, we see a combination of pyrotechnics, confetti cannons and sychronised leaps from the band. The crowd are in fine voice throughout singing to the memorable choruses. The Wildhearts Jun 24

There’s a welcome outing for ‘Slaughtered Authors’ with its multi layered sections taking us back into Metallica territory. ‘The Jackson Whites’ and crowd favourite ‘Mazel Tov Cocktail’ are followed by the classic bounce along beats of ‘Vanilla Radio’. Announcing that the new lineup has an album ready for release we are treated to new songs ‘Eventually’ and ‘Hurt People Hurt People’. The first is typical Wildhearts fare and was received very favourably whilst the latter is a much slower and quieter song that will no doubt grow on me once I can listen to it properly.  The Wildhearts Jun 24

Sandwiched between the two new songs is the epic ‘Everlone’, one of the songs that singled out the band as something special all those years ago. The new lineup plays the song with aplomb and it is clear that they are all enjoying themselves as Ginger, Ben and Jon all make use of the risers behind them. Finishing the set with ‘Chutzpah’ and its mammoth instrumental section, it has been a successful night so far. The Wildhearts Jun 24

The band return for a rousing encore of ‘Greetings from Shitsville’ and ‘My Baby is a Headfuck’, before finishing on ‘Caprice’ and a final chance for the band to thrash it out. The Wildhearts Jun 24 It’s been a good set throughout and the new material bodes well for the new line up. There may be times when the vocal harmonies of CJ are missing, and seasoned fans of the band may be mourning the chaotic nature of the ‘classic’ lineup, but there is enough here tonight to ensure that this iteration of The Wildhearts will be allowed to prove itself on its own terms. The Wildhearts Jun 24