I'm actually in the venue early tonight and manage to catch both support bands but, in all honesty, neither really did anything for me, both bands I found underwhelming. First band up Gentlemen Of Distorted Sound claimed to be a big sleazy 21st Century version of the Cult but I didn't see it or hear it and judging by the few people in the venue I wasn't alone. Next up were Red, White & Blues and although they seemed to go down well with some of the punters who braved the rain, again, they did nothing for me at all and weren't my cup of tea, so to speak. But, I wasn't here to see them I was here to catch The Quireboys, a band I've seen dozens of time all over the country in many different sized venues and tonight's intimate surroundings were going to be the second time I'd seen them in the past four days.

A planned interview with Spike was the main reason I was unfashionably early but, tonight, I am told Spike is under the weather and on doctor's orders not to drink having fallen unwell (maybe a dose of the post Hard Rock Hell lurgie that seems to be doing the rounds had struck). Anyway with a postponement on our chat agreed it was time for the Quireboys to get proceedings underway and tonight the set was opened up with the early classic 'Misled' and, whilst Spike sounded fine and was the consummate showman he always has been, the sound mix was decidedly iffy and between songs it was clear that all was not well but, being the rock 'n' roll troopers they are, the band just got on with it and proceeded to rip through a set of old classics as well as more recent offerings, and even found the time to drop in a new track, 'Mother Mary', that had the classic Quireboys piano driving the song along the lines of a Mott The Hoople kind of melody - very impressive indeed. 

The current line up sounded in fine fettle and the crowd sang along to the classics 'Hey You', 'There She Goes Again' and 'Roses And Rings', but it was on the superb 'Mona Lisa Smiled' that they seemed to really hit the groove and it was followed by a rare treat of 'White Trash Blues' from 'Bitter Sweet And Twisted'. After the crowd singalong of 'I Don't Love You Anymore' it was '7 O'Clock' that brought the main set to an end just as the band and crowd were warming up.

Like every Quireboys gig there are always songs they don't play that you wish they did but that's the way it goes, they can't please all the people all the time, but to hear the Quireboys live is always a treat and the dozens of times I've witnessed them they've never ever failed to deliver or put a smile on my face and the fact that there is a new album in the offing is good news indeed.  Before the night is over Spike soldiers on to belt out an encore and a blistering version of 'This Is Rock 'n' Roll' and you know what? They are right, This IS Rock 'n' Roll! and long may the Quireboys continue to be one of the best damn bands I've ever had the pleasure of seeing live. Bring on the new record and bring on the live dates to promote it. Cheers guys it's always a pleasure and never ever a chore! I look forward to 2012 and another busy year for the Quireboys.

[Photos by Tessa Blakout]