1 Topic by BansheeUK (edited by BansheeUK 2018-05-14 05:54:50)

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,614

Topic: Austin Gold

Whitley Bay Playhouse - 11th May 2018

So after buying (and reviewing) their debut album back in January, I’ve been itching to see these guys live; as luck would have it, that chance came on Friday night when they appeared at Whitley Bay on a short opening run for none other than the mighty King King. All I can say is that that high level of anticipation was more than amply deserved, in fact I don’t think I’ve seen a band live up to such expectations since I first had opportunity to catch King King themselves.

No surprise that their all-too-brief set was most of the before Dark Clouds album, but the sheer all out confidence of their delivery not only held the partially filled hall but managed to lure more folk in from the bar. What really impressed though was the sheer power and clarity of David James Smith’s vocals; not a gnarly “blues” voice but one that certainly pinned you to the seat. Not only that, but this guy is a double-threat as he swings a very tasty Gibson Firebird. However, it’s not all DJS’s show, when he needs to step back on the guitar to deliver the vocals, equally impressive lead is picked up by Jack Cable (on what looked like a PRS Singlecut), so smooth a transition it puts me in mind of Nimmo Brothers. Then the pair of them run of on harmony playing that wouldn’t be out of place on classic Wishbone Ash. You would think then, with two very good guitars and powerhouse vocals, there’d be no room for Hammond & keys, but, a similar set-up worked for Whitesnake all those years ago, and Russell Hill makes his presence felt, without having to elbow in. Put that over Lee Churchill’s rumbling bass and the crisp, whip like drumming of Chris Ogden and you’ve got a band that means business.

If anyone though got a surprise in the evening, it was the Austin Gold band themselves as to how well they were received; deservedly so. I’m already anticipating a headline set, hopefully before the year’s end.


From Clitheroe, the following evening - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3HQguIO3VI

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...
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Re: Austin Gold

BansheeUK wrote:

Whitley Bay Playhouse - 11th May 2018

So after buying (and reviewing) their debut album back in January, I’ve been itching to see these guys live; as luck would have it, that chance came on Friday night when they appeared at Whitley Bay on a short opening run for none other than the mighty King King. All I can say is that that high level of anticipation was more than amply deserved, in fact I don’t think I’ve seen a band live up to such expectations since I first had opportunity to catch King King themselves.

No surprise that their all-too-brief set was most of the before Dark Clouds album, but the sheer all out confidence of their delivery not only held the partially filled hall but managed to lure more folk in from the bar. What really impressed though was the sheer power and clarity of David James Smith’s vocals; not a gnarly “blues” voice but one that certainly pinned you to the seat. Not only that, but this guy is a double-threat as he swings a very tasty Gibson Firebird. However, it’s not all DJS’s show, when he needs to step back on the guitar to deliver the vocals, equally impressive lead is picked up by Jack Cable (on what looked like a PRS Singlecut), so smooth a transition it puts me in mind of Nimmo Brothers. Then the pair of them run of on harmony playing that wouldn’t be out of place on classic Wishbone Ash. You would think then, with two very good guitars and powerhouse vocals, there’d be no room for Hammond & keys, but, a similar set-up worked for Whitesnake all those years ago, and Russell Hill makes his presence felt, without having to elbow in. Put that over Lee Churchill’s rumbling bass and the crisp, whip like drumming of Chris Ogden and you’ve got a band that means business.

If anyone though got a surprise in the evening, it was the Austin Gold band themselves as to how well they were received; deservedly so. I’m already anticipating a headline set, hopefully before the year’s end.


From Clitheroe, the following evening - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3HQguIO3VI

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Re: Austin Gold

Austin is the real deal.  Jack J Hutchinson too.  Two smart bands.

Tonight though I'm listening to ZZ Top's first album I bought in 1972, Rio Grand Mud.

Saw them soon after it's release at the Louisville Opera House.  Billy was very bluesy then and the album had "Just Got Paid" on it.  A very special experience.

  • From: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England
  • Registered: 2011-08-12
  • Posts: 4,614

Re: Austin Gold

The Karma Effect + Austin Gold @ Zerox; Newcastle  4/9/24

Well, now that the Summertime Blues are over, what better way to usher in Autumn than with a loud, sweaty & bouncy gig at a new-to-me venue, Zerox, down on Newcastle's Sandgate (over the road from The Riverside). The bands that lured me out, The Karma Effect and Austin Gold.

Austin Gold are no strangers to me, I've been keeping an ear on them for a while; since they toured with King King in 2018. They've released a couple of albums since then (well, the latest is on the way, but the last was an absolute cracker), so long-over due catching up again. If you want "music with stones in", then these are the guys; like Bad Company on steroids. They absolutely owned the place; it was great hearing the older material, especially from Those City Lights; an album I highly rated in 2022. However, the lads have album #3 in the pipeline for October, Ain't No Saint, and the couple of tracks they dropped into the set last night, it's seems that it's going to be even better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guHic2futn0

So then, The Karma Effect; new to me despite this being their tour for album #2, Promised Land, but being label mates to AG and a quick poke on YouTube, well worth taking a punt on. If you rate a band to it's walk-on music, then Aerosmith's Hearts On Fire is a bit ballsy, but they carried it off, but shame they didn't jump in on it... If you didn't know, Karma Effect are a London 5-piece, 2 guitar, keys, drum & bass with silver-throated Henry Gottelier fronting. There's more than a touch of Black Crowes here, with a dash of Aerosmith swagger, but they they keep some English on it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5g07xp3zhE

Overall, well, a fun and rockin' night that to be honest, was better than some I've been to over the road at The Riverside; who knows, maybe it won't be too long before they are setting up their gear in there... And for the princely sum of £12; doesn't get much better. Catch this tour if it swings by your manor; you won't regret it. Really though, for my ear. Austin Gold were the better of the 2 bands on the night, but rally this tour should have been a double-header at least.

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...