Panic Cell @ The Sound Circus, 27.11.09

Bournemouth’s rockers where spoilt for choice on Friday as, amongst others, Kiss tribute act Hotter than Hell & Dead Lettuce played at Champions, Motorhead, The Damned & Girlschool were at the B.I.C. and Panic Cell & Maniacal Edge were trashing the Sound Circus… I opted for the latter.

With everything going on elsewhere I was surprised to see such a good turnout tonight, loads of familiar faces and an absolute plethora of photographers, all jostling for the best position. Good to see one of Dorset’s best young photographers, Tim Churchill, snapping away then slamming headlong into the pit!


The mighty riffs from tonight’s support act, Bournemouth’s own Maniacal Edge, blast from the speakers and after a few minor sound issues, they settle down and deliver another tight performance of their first-rate melodic death metal. I dig this band.


Panic Cell take the stage and have to raise their game to compete with the support, this they (just about) do and immediately show why they have been added to the bill of this years Hammerfest, playing alongside the likes of Iced Earth and Devildriver.


Panic Cell are sponsored by drink giant Jagermeister and the German cough medicine flows freely as singer Luke Bell wades into the crowd, furnishing them with hefty swigs from the bands complementary supply. Panic Cell’s heavy groove-laden metal riffs pound out of the PA; encouraging the swirling drunken mosh pit to ever-greater extremes… this is what a Metal gig is all about!




Stand out tracks of the evening for me were: Maniacal Edge – Blind Leading The Blind and Panic Cell – Save Me.

Richie Kotzen (ex Mr.Big) @ Mr.Kyps 11.10.09

Mr Kyps played host to guitar virtuoso Richie Kotzen on Sunday night and those assembled were treated to an veritable orgy of fretboard action. The Los Angeles based singer song-writer has had a packed career so far. He released his first album at nineteen, then joined LA hairspray glam rockers Poison, contributing to the worldwide success that was the platinum selling Native Tongue album. Mr Big was his next stop and after four albums (another of which one went platinum!) the group disbanded and Richie decided to go solo.

Which brings us back to tonight and what a gig! The music is a hard rock blues hybrid with a distinct southern swagger, very reminiscent at times of The Black Crowes but his own personal stamp on it. The group deliver a solid set barely pausing for between song chit-chat, trying to cram as much music into the show as possible.


The man handles his signature Fender Telecaster like wild west gunslinger at the O.K. Corral, blasting out riffs and licks and blowing the heads off the cheering assemblage. Effortlessly changing from a foot stomping rock track, to a lilting blues melody, sung with real soul.

Thankfully he doesn’t resort to playing songs from his previous bands, although he would be well within his rights to do so, as he wrote most of the hits! A set highlight was the track ‘Paying Dues’ from his latest offering Peace Sign, but even with a short break in the show, because Richie blew out his amp, everyone left the venue having had an absolute killer evening.

Cinders Fall, Cilice @Wreckless Intent, The Gander 7-3-09

Wreckless Intent’s is celebrating its 2nd Birthday on this cold March evening. It should be a time of fun and the excuse for a right old knees up, but whether it’s the economic climate or the outdoors one, the attendance tonight is poor. The previous times I’ve been to this well organised event, you haven’t been able to swing a cat, so I’m very surprised to say the least!

Usually bands can tend to not put as much effort in when the crowd is sparse but both of tonight’s outfit’s have come to kick ass. Fifty people or five hundred, it’s all about the music and those that have bothered to turn up get treated to a cracking good gig!





The first band on tonight has travelled all the way from Holland. They are Cilice and are on tour in the UK promoting their new album Deranged Headtrip. They get straight down to basics and deliver a head numbing set of rip-roaring metal. A lung busting vocal display by the singer, is perfectly complemented by the two guitarists desire to lay waste the ear drums of those assembled, with crunching heavy riffs. There is no bass player present, nor does there seem to be a need for one, as Cilice’s sticksman, takes on all of the rhythm duties. A truly impressive exhibition of drumming, that left everyone agog.





Cinders Fall hail from Essex and make no bones about where their influences lie. The Swedish Gothenburg sound is heavily evident in their music, but that is no bad thing. Take what’s around you and make it your own, is what they have done and the distinctly British result, literally speaks volumes. Their set is delivered with absolute conviction; this is clearly a band that has set their sights high.






Excellent guitar work from Ben Sullivan and main songwriter James Bartram, riff after riff rains down and we are pummelled into submission by shredding solos.
New bass player Jordan Pillai dashes around the stage like a man possessed, all the while keeping time with the frenetic drumming of Laurence Al-Shaar. Providing backing vocals is Colin Eatherton, who adds an extra edge to the sound with some outstanding keyboard playing.






The obvious gel that’s holding everything together is main front man Anthony Masters. He shouts, screams and cajoles the small but eager crowd to get down the front and start banging their heads. And in doing so, he makes everyone feel a part of the show rather than just spectators.

Up and coming British Metal at it’s best.

Wreckless Intent 7-2-09 Ramesses, Summa and Shy Of The Depth

Ramesses II was regarded as Egypt's greatest and most powerful pharoah. The word powerful certainly describes the ear splitting deluge of thundering riffs,that Ramesses the band use to crush tonight's audience with.


But Wreckless Intent kicks of tonight with Brighton 5 piece Shy Of The Depth. It's not easy being first band on, that said, their hook laden, tech-metal goes down well the crowd. Lead singer Eddy, let's the front row know what a good pair of metal lungs should sound like, by bellowing at them, until heads begin to bang. Good riffs, good show, great band.



Summa are a band local to Bournemouth, who have been gigging for about seven years but have decided to call it a day. This is their last show and judging by the brutal opening onslaught, they aim to make it count. Full on pile driver guitars and in-your-face attitude is the order of the day. Their set is fast and loose and the band members and audience are enjoying the whole vibe. On a table by the door, their EP CD is available for free and most people leave tonight with one in their pocket.

Down-tuned Doom Metal isn't to everyone's taste and small minority people head off when Ramesses hit the stage. It's their loss as the rest of us are rewarded with a master class in extreme musicianship, dredged up from one of the nine circles of Hell (probably the sixth!).
On the left side of the stage Tim Bagshaw stands as still as a statue but his guitar work is awesome. On the drums Mark Greening is just a blur of arms, pounding his kit with unbounded ferocity. The throaty roar that emanates from Adam Richardson's vocals is matched only by his heavy bass sound, which shakes the heart in your chest. They finish off with a wall of feedback and the drums being kicked all over the stage. Fantastic stuff!

Wreckless Intent Metal Night at The Gander

Featuring Malefice, The Arusha Accord and 1000 Sins

Wreckless Intent Metal Night is on the first Saturday of every month, run by Bear, who used to host Metal DJ night at The Sound Circus.

I'm guessing he decided he didn't want to just listen to good Metal bands but watch them too, so on the 1st of March 08, Wreckless Intent at the Gander became the only place in Bournemouth to see quality live Metal acts.

The First band on tonight are 1000 Sins, who immediately start to pummel the lethargic crowd with some thrashed out old school metal.

Lead singer Nick Evans restlessly prowls the floor in front of the Gander's low stage, occasionally stopping to spit lyrics into some static punters face.

By the end of their set the audience has woken up a bit and the evening's tone has been well and truly set.

The Arusha Accord up the tempo with a well delivered set of technical prog metal, both guitarists showing off their riffing skills by duelling each other like madmen, backed by a solid wall of beats and a mountain of a bass player.

All of this is topped off with not one but two vocalists, each competing with the other for jumping space on, and in front of, the stage. A cracking show, by a band to watch out for.

By this time I'm in need of refreshment and on my way to the bar, I bump into a fella with the same Mastodon concert T-shirt on as me.

We chat for a bit about how good the gig was, then I collect my pint and head on back to take some photos of the headline band Malefice.

They come out all guns blazing and I'm blown away to see that the lead singer is the bloke I've just been chatting to!

Having just signed to major label Metal Blade and with killer new album 'Dawn Of Reprisal' under their belts, they waste no time in whipping the crowd up into a head banging frenzy.

The music is massive, they remind me of Pantera in their heyday, loads of riff heavy kick ass songs, played with raw passion.

Front man Dale Butler is a different entity onstage and exudes attitude from every pore. This band are destined to become big, having played the 2008 Download festival to critical acclaim.

I personally feel that getting the chance to see them up close and personal in a small club setting is fantastic.

Thanks to The Gander and Bear for organizing this event, see you at the next one!

The Quireboys and Voodoo Vegas, Mr Kyps, Poole, 28 November 2008

Tonight is the grand re-opening of Mr Kyps and Rock 'n' Roll is the order of the day. The venue has been closed due to refurbishment on the ceiling and as a result, Mr Kyp has been staging shows at the Opera House in Boscombe. The decor there has obviously impressed him and, as the first audience, we are treated to freshly painted white walls and the changing mood lighting that graces said venue.

On with the show and due to be on the bill tonight was American rock songstress Mary McBride but due to visa complications, she and her band were held up at the airport and sadly couldn't perform.



It's down to Voodoo Vegas to get the crowd warmed up, and with their original brand of classic rock, they do just that! Although plagued with sound issues they soldier on like true professionals. The addition of new guitarist Merylina has given them a new dimension and beefed up their sound considerably. Highlight of the set was the harmonica duel between lead singer Lawrence and their special guest Si Genero, when the bass and guitar sound cut out mid set. Overall they rocked!




The Quireboys good time Rock 'n' Roll was always going to go down well with a Mr Kyps audience. Front man Spike's raspy cigarettes and whiskey soaked vocals are the perfect compliment to the band's bar room hard rock style of music. He informed us that there was still painting going on when they arrived and they (the band) even pitched in and helped (I'd take that with a pinch of salt though).



Honky Tonk keyboards by Keith Weir and excellent guitar work by Guy Griffin and Paul Guerin bring songs like, There She Goes Again, Tramps And Theives and Hey You to life. Pip Mailing provides a solid rhythm foundation for the songs on drums and with Jimmi Crutchley on bass, this is most notable on I Love This Dirty Town. Bringing this great show to a close with hits 7 O'clock and Sex Party; Spike assured us that the smell of paint would soon fade and that the band would be back.

Welcome back to one of the best live music venues on the South Coast.