Where do I start with this one?

How about I have just witnessed what I already KNOW is going to be one of, if not the best gig I will see this year. How's that for an opening statement? Can I justify it? Bloody right I can, from start to finish tonight I was completely blown away by this awesome band, even though it's my third viewing of this line up in just under a year. My only question is why the hell are they only playing such small venues as this? I mean upstairs in the O2? Come on, when you look at some of the shit out there that fills arenas the length and breadth of the country (take a bow 30 Seconds To Mars), what more do this band need to do for people to make them go to a live show?

They have released probably the best album of the last five years let alone the last year recently (yes, it is that good!!) that has been critically acclaimed in just about every music weekly or rock website (including right here), so why isn't there the same buzz surrounding these shows as generated by the return of Dave Grohl and his turgid arena machine here in the UK? Have people got a fear of what real rock 'n' roll should sound like these days? Because that is what you get with the band.... high intensity, full throttle punk rock 'n' roll, it just can't be bettered. And I think that's where people need to get a grip and go out and purchase 'Sensory Overdrive', don't download it, support the fucking band, because make no mistake this is a band in every sense of the word. Yes, it's got the moniker of probably one of the most iconic singers of my lifetime, and one of the best front men you will ever see live (Axl Rose, just weep) but there's so much more.  

In Sami Yaffa and Karl Rockfist you have the tightest rhythm section currently out there, in Steve Conte, you have the real deal, he exudes rock 'n' roll attitude from every pore and with every shape he throws with the guitar, and in Ginger you have probably one of the most underrated guitarists and songwriters ever to grace the planet. What more can you want from a band? 

Oh yeah to be fantastic live, I guess. So to the gig itself and, from the opening beat of 'Trick Of The Wrist' to the encore of 'Back To Mystery City', tonight was a sticky, smelly hour of fun, and certainly just what the rock 'n' roll doctor ordered for Bristol's diehards. Rampaging through 'Hammersmith Palais', 'Dead, Jail or Rock 'n' Roll' and the Hanoi tracks 'Motorvatin' and 'Malibu Beach', the cover versions from the last tour still remain ('I Wanna Be Loved' was immense), but for me the gig was about the strength of the new material, and not for dwelling on the past. Track of the night was most probably a caustic 'Got Blood' closely followed by the stomping '78' whilst 'Bombs Away' was running very close to both and 'Modern Day Miracle' was just class. 

Anyone reading this might start to think I'm maybe a bit biased when it comes to Michael Monroe and his band, well I am and unashamedly so, as I love real music and that is what this is all about, nothing fake or manufactured or contrived in any way, I would urge everyone to go out and buy 'Sensory Overdrive' now, then when he tours next time look out for the gig near you as you will not be disappointed, oh and don't forget to treat your self to the t-shirt. 

To plagiarise some words from the immortal Ronnie James Dio, "Long Live Real Punk Rock 'n' Roll"...The world needs bands like Michael Monroe, but they also need fuckers like you.