Rock of the North Convention 2006

I attended the very first Rock of the North Convention held at the Squires’ Café Bar in Sherburn-in-Elmet near Leeds run by Mr Harry Weston.

This venue is very large and very well run plenty of seating and great bar staff, fine alcohol and great food served all day. I found the people I met here very friendly and most helpful. I had the best time of my life at this event.

This is not so much of a review but a rock fans point of view this event was very well run the day moved along like clockwork we arrived around 4.30pm only to be met by a young rocker playing Back in Black by AC/DC.

At just 12 years of age Charlie Meehan owned the stage and he moved around the floor playing lead guitar “amazing” Way to go Charlie (Brian Glover's protégé).  Next we were entertained by a band called Broken Angel who played a varied set consisting of Queen, Whitesnake, Red Hot Chilly Peppers, Thunder and The Darkness. All five members of the band were excellent musicians a good sound and very entertaining performance.

The second band that arrived on the stage were called In The Name Of from Sheffield/Rotherham. This is a young band but very together with an excellent sound. I was told these guys were bullied into this gig by a lady named Bev, Well-done Bev and thanks lads for an entertaining set.

Black Rising arrived on the stage soon after and what a performance! This band really rocked playing classic’s from Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy, and the best performance of War Pigs I have heard, well done guys.

Blackout consists of four guys who can rock your socks off this band really was the mutts nuts they took the Golden Earing track Radar Love and made it their own, taking it to the max ....and then some.

Taking to the stage next was a band called Gun Law this band is more up to the minute with their set playing a very high charged Vertigo by U2, they also did Fight For Your Right to party at this point, the place definitely had a party atmosphere, Nice one guys.

Last but one was a band named No Quarter. They had to be the loudest band of the day but a crisp clear sound lead solos were spot on, this is a no nonsense band, rock is the key word with these guys, Very well done..... worth the journey.

Last but not least was a band called (Riff Raff) and awesome band that filled the room with their presence. The drummer was out of this world. He did an amazing solo lasting at least ten minutes, then they went into a very different performance of Blockbuster (Fat-B*stard) and Nutbush City Limits (Knutsford Scabby Women). Only those who have heard them will understand! Our small group really enjoyed this band. Well done lads.

I would like to say a big hello to Crazycat (A Brilliant Guy). You must take some time out next year to attend this event all the bands we managed to catch (As I think we missed one or two) were outstanding. We would like to thank all the sponsors that were involved with the Rock of the North. Thanks to Steve, Tracey, Pete, Ady of the Tourettes and Dave Marsh of Gunlaw.

I had to see for myself if live music was still alive elsewhere in the UK and it sure is kicking in Yorkshire! Well done to all involved in live music from the pubs, clubs, landladies, landlords and of course the bands and their fans and all lovers of great music.

I have had to keep this story basic and I have been told to keep it clean but as I like to have the last word, it was fooking awesome!

Heavy Load at The Magnet, Ferry Bridge.

Well what can I say people, on Friday the 24 th of November we travelled up to Yorkshire too watch a band called Heavy Load at the Magnet Ferrybridge and we were so glad we did it. We received a very warm welcome, so warm we were forced to keep drinking to cool down (The truth). The place was packed to the rafters some were standing on the window sills and the ladies were standing on their chairs, the band were fantastic these guys are very well practiced at getting the crowd up on their feet and keeping them there. This band is amazing, the vocals are provided by Taff (yes he is originally from Bridgend, Such a nice bloke) He is good really but not quite Shirley Bassey “ Ok Boyo”. When John did his Phantom of the Opera impression the place went wild, John is amazing on the guitar, he performs well, moving around the room dressed as the Phantom of the Opera mask and cape and all the crowd gets in the spirit, the band as a whole are bloody outstanding when these guys play a Welsh gig you must be there don’t forget the name Heavy Load.

(P.S) Thanks for putting up with us and for the welcome we received.

Thanks to john’s missus Alice for my V-Neck t-shirt. I would also like to thank Steve and Elaine for their hospitality. See you soon Glo and the gang

 

Gloria (G-L-O-R-I-A) P.S. See links www.southwalesbands.tk