Gig reviews for February 2011

Black Smoke Saints at Lock 42, 11th February

As reported by Kevin Gaughan

It was already turning out to be a busy night down the Lock, even before the first band came on. This was my second time at Lock 42 since it opened a few months earlier, the first time was an under 16 night and so a beer free zone. Tonight, however, it was an over 16 night and I was very pleased to see a selection of at least five different bottles of real ale in the fridge. Very nice.

Being a rocker at heart I was really in the mood for tonight. I had seen Jasper Jacks a couple of weeks earlier and found they were starting to grow on me (read the review here), Skam# are a favourite of mine and have also been reviewed recently (read the review here as well as being this month's band of the month). Dirty Jack and Black Smoke Saints were new to me so I was intrigued to see what they were all about.

Dirty Jack © Kevin Gaughan

First up, Dirty Jack, the sound, as always at Lock 42, was spot on, but then as the sound system comes from the Charlotte, deceased, god rest her sole, you would expect it to be. Dirty Jack are a five piece from Coalville, Leicestershire.

Their style, good, solid rock, quite commercially sounding and easy to listen to, possibly in the same way that Def Leppard are easy to listen to. Really impressive guitar solos from time to time complimented by fine, powerful vocals from Olly Harris. A pretty good performance from a solid rock band. Seemed a shame for them to play so early on as most of the audience remained in the bar area of Lock 42.

Dirty Jack on MySpace.

Jasper Jacks © Kevin Gaughan

Next up, Jasper Jacks, a three piece from Leicester, who's guitarist moved all the way from Dover just so that he could play in the band. This is the second time I've seen this band (read about the first time here) and they are seriously growing on me. They dare to be different, with Raj's unique, course, vocal style.

Jasper Jacks © Kevin Gaughan

I have to admire their commitment to push the boundaries. They stepped the pace up to 11, maybe a touch more, with powerful, complex and wonderful lead guitar sections, the Lock started to warm up. These guys have a real passion for their unique sound and what they do and it shows in their performance. Such nice guys, too, Raj took delight in telling me all about their forthcoming single, I'll definitely be buying one and look forward to seeing them again.

Click here or here to watch Jasper Jacks perform on the night.

Jasper Jacks on MySpace.

Skam# © Kevin Gaughan

Jasper Jacks got the tempo to just over 11 and the next band, Skam# kept it there, maybe even tweaking it up a notch. Track after track of original rock and astonishing guitar solos performed by Steve Hill, this band are one of Leicester's rock legends, always a real treat to see, bringing out their album soon and Arts in Leicestershire's Band of the Month. I wont write any more about them here as we reviewed them a couple of weeks ago (read the review here).

Click here, here, here or here to watch Skam# perform on the night.

Skam# on MySpace.

Black Smoke Saints © Kevin Gaughan

Last on for the night were Black Smoke Saints, a four piece from Leicester. Unfortunately a good chunk of the crowd had disappeared by this point. That didn't stop them from putting on a full-on set of in your face, head splitting, ball-aching rock. With Sean on vocals, the band have a similar style to the old Saxon, they even played a song called Surrender! It's a shame the crowd were thinning out as they missed out on some proper, old school, headbanging rock, blisteringly powerful guitar solos that grab all your rock senses and don't let go, I was in rock heaven!

I'd love to see this band again, preferably with a decent crowd to do some serious moshing with (when not on reporting duties!).

Click here to watch Black Smoke Saints perform on the night.

Black Smoke Saints on MySpace.

What a great night, feeling as though I had been properly rocked out tonight, great little venue, too, and all for a fiver!!!