Having braved the cold air outside I was a bit sceptical about tonight's show as, when the doors opened, we were still awaiting two thirds of the opening band to turn up.  

However, soon after the rest of All The Damn Vampires turned up and got on with the job. At 8pm the band ripped into opener 'Rednecking' like a beast! The wall of sound created by ATDV is unbelievable! The trio sound immense! They quickly followed with 'Rainbow Kissing' and '101 Damnations' the latter of which was introduced by guitarist Gavin Jessop as "kinda like 101 Dalmatians...but Damnations" - these two tracks are a great introduction to the band who will hopefully be releasing their debut EP in April 2010. The last two songs played were 'Hells Bells And Hail Marys' and 'What Happens At Sea, Stays At Sea' and these were played with such ferocity that the slowly building crowd were lucky to have escaped this without injury to themselves. All The Damn Vampires are certainly a band to watch out for in 2010!

After a quick gear change and it was the first of two Swansea-based bands to hit the stage, namely Vikki Van Zant. Now this band I was excited to see as every time I have been to a show in Sin City, Swansea they are always on the line up, but I always somehow seem to miss them as they have to go on ridiculously early. So as they kick straight into 'Manga' which admittedly after the apocalyptic sounds of ATDV was always going to sound like a lullaby, but the band took it into their stride and continued to play like their lives depended on it. Vikki Van Zant have played with some big names in the hair/pop metal fraternity recently and this has certainly rubbed off on them, with songs like 'Skin Bone' and 'Valkyrie' which singer Vikki introduces with bassist Freaky as "Think of Tom Cruise, only bigger!" A band I will happily watch out for again in the near future.


So to the headliners Forever Vendetta; having already played for the Spank Nite Empire back in August, but then as support to Teenage Casket Company, they returned tonight as headliners in their own right. Kicking into the opening song from their EP 'Young, Free & Crazy' the band sounded fresh and vital. Guitarist K.C. Leigh was having a couple of equipment problems during the first song, but this was rectified quickly and then the band - fresh from support slots with Tigertailz and LA Guns - went straight for the jugular with 'Shout' and 'Between The Sheets'. Chris Tippett then strapped on an acoustic guitar and treated us with the rest of the band to 'Sins Of A Saint' which is almost up there with the more acoustic based 'Bon Jovi songs from 'New Jersey'. The only low point for me was their cover of Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition' - a quick song but loads of bands have covered the song (FM and Stevie Ray Vaughan but to name two) and it seemed to slow down the guys' attack. They did quickly pick things up again pace wise with closing duo of 'My Ecstasy' and 'Unbreakable', with the latter seeing Chris doing his best David Coverdale mic stand crotch chops.

Forever Vendetta is certainly a band on the up and, having spoken to a couple of people in audience, they look to be adding to their fan base pretty extensively. I like to think I can spot a gem from a pile of shit a mile away and on this occasion I was proved right by turning up to this classic night of rock.

So, here's to 2010 and the new and improved Spank Nite that the promoter was telling me about on my way out. And I look forward to much more RAWK here in the Rhondda.  I'm certainly looking forward to the next Big Rock Show.