British Lion with support from Stray, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham.
Sunday evenings were made for music. A throng of folks snaking their way into the Rescue Rooms seem to feel the same way as British Lion hit Nottingham ably supported by Stray.
The barrier is jammed full of Maiden t-shirts, fans packing out the sold-out venue the evening before Iron Maiden play Nottingham Arena. There is a definite buzz in the air as Del Bromham and his band ‘Stray’ begin their heavy, blues rock set.
Formed in the mid 60’s, Stray have released near on 18 albums, their 18th due out later this year and are well known faces on the live music circuit. Also familiar to those older Maiden fans who may have seen them as one of the bands who were support to the guys on their 2003/4 world tour.
Opening with ‘Come on Over’ the band sounded tight from the off, Del Bromham smiling broadly as the crowd responded with claps and cheers. ‘One Night In Texas’ and ‘Jericho’ followed, no time for a chat as Del noted, they wanted to get through as much as they could in the short time they had.
‘I Believe It’ brought down the tempo and the richness of the blues tones flood through. Rinaldo on keys adds so much to the sound, orchestral richness underpinning the emotional guitar solo. With the three guitarists all more than able to take lead vocals, each adding their own style to the songs and blending together seamlessly. I’ve seen Stray a few times over the years and they always put on a great show, ‘Houdini’ is one of my personal favourites, Bromham informing the crowd that they played it when they opened for Kiss ‘I wonder what happened to them?’ he remarks. One that Maiden have covered early on in their musical journey on 1990’s “No Prayer For The Dying’, ‘All In Your Mind’ saw some major headbanging at the barrier. The band moving around the stage and Bromham reaching his guitar up to the high dragging the frets along them before repeating the process on the monitors. A great set and with so many connections to Steve Harris, a welcome opening band for tonight’s main event.
British Lion are Dave Hawkins (guitar), Simon Dawson (drums), Grahame Leslie (guitar), Steve Harris (bass) and Richard Taylor (vocals). Known for being Steve Harris’s ‘other’ band, they are way more than just an ‘other’ band.
Lighter than Maiden but still smashing out roaring riffs and soaring solos throughout their songs, British Lion are very much their own brand.
Richard Taylor has an expressive and melodic, classic rock, vocal style and opening up the set with ‘This Is My God’ it’s a flood of noise in such a good way. Guitars throwing riffs and the bottom end vibrating through your feet.
Steve Harris sings along to the lyrics, forward on the stage, foot on the monitor in an oh so familiar stance, the crowd are going nuts… as Dave whacks out a solo and the air splinters!
I’ve seen them a couple of times before but I don’t know if it’s the sold out Rescue Rooms, the splendid sound or the energy of both the band and crowd but this is the best I have seen them. Richards vocal is clear and strong as he drops into ‘City of Fallen Angels’ and “Judas’.
With two albums to raid for the setlist, “Judas’ from the self-titled album drops well into the set, Taylor joining in with guitar duties, it’s a slower pace and hearing the quality of the vocal is just spinetingling.
I’m not sure how Harris has the energy to keep prowling round the stage like he does, this tour is running in tandem with Maiden’s and you think the guy would need a night off but nope, he and the band are on fire tonight, clearly enjoying every minute.
“The Burning’ has the crowd clapping along, singing back at an animated Steve Harris. This is an absolute banger of a track. Bloody brilliant.
With such a strong setlist to get through, the chat is short and sweet. The performance and the songs are what this is all about and ‘Legend’ and ‘These Are The Hands’ allow Taylors voice to demonstrate its melodic tones ably supported by the Nottingham crowd.
As with every song of this set, the crowd involvement is willing, claps, waves, sways, fists, singalongs -what a show.
‘Spitfire’, ‘The Chosen Ones’, ‘Bible Black’, which is a pulsating, bass heavy lesson in classic style rock, all delivered by a band who are certainly on top of their game.
‘Us Against The World’ begins with an explosive cascade from the drums punching a hole in your ear canal before kissing it better with a sweet soaring solo from Hawkins.
I don’t want to give away the whole set list for those who have resolutely kept away from setlist FM etc but be assured that each one will have you bouncing either with those heavy meaty bassline rumbles or punching the air with emotions breaking through from heartfelt storytelling lyrics. I cannot speak highly enough of Richard Taylor, his delivery is so controlled and powerful together with emotive and passionate.
Towards the end of the evening, Taylor gives heartfelt thanks to those who had travelled so far to watch the show, I was talking to Canadians, American’s and a couple from Sweden prior to the show, fans who cannot get enough of the band on this tour and seeing them over the course of several dates. Of course, there are many who are Maiden fans , staunch supporters of Mr Harris but it is impossible not to appreciate and enjoy British Lion.
Finishing the night with ‘Eyes Of The Young’ from their self-titled first album, this is a big crowd pleaser of a track, the room is pulsating, the sweat running off those bouncing along in time to the music, full of big bassline and melody. Another great singalong and another great night for British Lion.
The perfect night of Rock and friendship. I just love a good crowd, they make a show and judging by the smiles on the band members faces, they enjoyed it just as much.
An awesome night and so far, gig of the year for me!
Words & images: Lindsay Smith
