How rock’n'roll am I. It’s Sheffield and there’s a blizzard so I’m worried about getting to the O2 for the Kerrang tour gig. Where are those wellies?? My lift wants to go for tea en route and since he’s paying how can I complain? So I arrive a wee bit later than planned, full of pasta, more ready for the sofa than the pit scrum and with strict instructions to be ready for pick-up at 10pm. I’ve not had a 10pm curfew since I was 15 and on a school night.
Anyhow we got there in the end and bearing in mind my last gig had been the Military Wives I was looking forward to some hardcore rock. Support band Chiodos are actually described as ‘post hardcore’ but beggars can’t be choosers, I have no idea what that means and listening to Chee-oh-dose, as it’s apparently pronounced, I can’t tell the difference anyway. Lead Craig Owens looks a bit like Kurt Cobain. Sadly that’s where the resemblance ends. However, I thought there was a lot to like about them. They did a great job getting the crowd going and pretty soon everyone’s hands were in the air.
I’d been warned there might be a sizable computer stack and monitor on stage behind Black Veil Brides and sure enough, there it was, lurking beyond the drum kit. As they got going I wondered if it the stack was actually generating a hefty backing track and sure enough, when things ground to a halt half way through the first song and a worried band gathered round the monitor it was all over for me. The singer disappeared off stage leaving the drummer to fill and then it was time for me to rejoin my chaperone. Not your average rock gig then and all things considered it’s a wonder I got any pictures. Time for cocoa.
ps. Here’s to Kurt who would have been 46 this week.
