Climbing up the rock and roll ladder
Burnt Out Wreck (with Scarlet Rebels) - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow, 15th February 2019
Burnt Out Wreck (with Scarlet Rebels) - Hard Rock Cafe, Glasgow, 15th February 2019
Scarlet Rebels front man Wayne Doyle
Scarlet Rebels had some 800 miles of round-trip travel to support Burnt Out Wreck on their two Scottish dates in February, but the South Wales outfit were more than happy to make such a journey to play with a band of friends they dovetail well with (the Welsh ‘Rebels have previously played north of the border with BOW; they also performed at StormBreakers 'Battle of the Bands' at the DreadnoughtRock in Bathgate last year).
Fronted by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Wayne Doyle, the Scarlet Rebels are a contemporary rock band who border on metal when at their big-beat heaviest (drummer Gary Doyle hits his kit so hard the toms must be structurally reinforced).
But, as the forty-five minute set at the Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow showcased, it’s about the songs first and their sonic weight second.
Numbers such as 'Let Me In' (which goes back to an earlier line-up and three album career as V0iD) and 'Say My Name' typify that "about the songs" comment – the former is bristling, contemporary hard melodic rock while the latter thunders off into Foo Fighters territory but with simple but purposeful hook-chorus attached.
That the Scarlet Rebels are a top-notch contemporary rock band who may yet separate themselves from the pack was underlined by the three newer songs in the set.
Attention grabbing opener 'Head in the Ground,' 'Part of Me' (which carried a southern rock swagger within its meatier and muscly grooves) and hard hitting set closer 'You Take My Breath Away' (which seemed to confirm Wayne Doyle’s comment that Chris Jones is "the best lead guitarist in South Wales") all led to the conclusion that the forthcoming debut album (scheduled for later this year) is shaping up very well indeed.
Tidy.
Fronted by vocalist and rhythm guitarist Wayne Doyle, the Scarlet Rebels are a contemporary rock band who border on metal when at their big-beat heaviest (drummer Gary Doyle hits his kit so hard the toms must be structurally reinforced).
But, as the forty-five minute set at the Hard Rock Cafe in Glasgow showcased, it’s about the songs first and their sonic weight second.
Numbers such as 'Let Me In' (which goes back to an earlier line-up and three album career as V0iD) and 'Say My Name' typify that "about the songs" comment – the former is bristling, contemporary hard melodic rock while the latter thunders off into Foo Fighters territory but with simple but purposeful hook-chorus attached.
That the Scarlet Rebels are a top-notch contemporary rock band who may yet separate themselves from the pack was underlined by the three newer songs in the set.
Attention grabbing opener 'Head in the Ground,' 'Part of Me' (which carried a southern rock swagger within its meatier and muscly grooves) and hard hitting set closer 'You Take My Breath Away' (which seemed to confirm Wayne Doyle’s comment that Chris Jones is "the best lead guitarist in South Wales") all led to the conclusion that the forthcoming debut album (scheduled for later this year) is shaping up very well indeed.
Tidy.
Ex Heavy Pettin' drummer Gary Moat? No, Burnt Out Wreck front man Gary Moat.
Burnt Out Wreck are between an old school classic rock sound and a hard place to sell it, but front man and songwriter Gary Moat is trying his damndest to have this band recognised for what they are – a great guitar led rock quintet in their own right and not simply a group that features the ex Heavy Pettin’ drummer (that was the poodle haired Then; this is Now, people).
While the recently reformed Heavy Pettin’ are getting some attention hanging their trademark Lion Rampant flag behind original members, vocalist Steve "Hamie" Hayman and guitarist Gordon Bonnar, Gary Moat (and his band of Burnt Out Wreck brothers Adrian Dunn - lead guitar, Miles Goodman - rhythm guitar, Paul Gray - drums, Alex Carmichael - bass) is finding himself in the same situation as many other musicians and players who no longer have the franchise tag or brand name to hang their microphone, guitar strap or drum sticks on.
To wit, harder work than it should be, given the talent.
That said a fair few well received festival appearances, supporting the likes of Anvil and a clutch of headline shows have all started to pay some dividends; nor does it hurt that 2017 debut album Swallow was a first class slice of old school rock that unashamedly took its lead from the High Voltage rock ‘n’ roll of back in the day.
With a second album not yet in the can (recording should however start in the spring with a release towards the end of the year) and every song on Swallow geared for live performance (a well-conceived studio to live transference from Gary Moat) it was no surprise the band’s Hard Rock Cafe show was based around the album.
While the recently reformed Heavy Pettin’ are getting some attention hanging their trademark Lion Rampant flag behind original members, vocalist Steve "Hamie" Hayman and guitarist Gordon Bonnar, Gary Moat (and his band of Burnt Out Wreck brothers Adrian Dunn - lead guitar, Miles Goodman - rhythm guitar, Paul Gray - drums, Alex Carmichael - bass) is finding himself in the same situation as many other musicians and players who no longer have the franchise tag or brand name to hang their microphone, guitar strap or drum sticks on.
To wit, harder work than it should be, given the talent.
That said a fair few well received festival appearances, supporting the likes of Anvil and a clutch of headline shows have all started to pay some dividends; nor does it hurt that 2017 debut album Swallow was a first class slice of old school rock that unashamedly took its lead from the High Voltage rock ‘n’ roll of back in the day.
With a second album not yet in the can (recording should however start in the spring with a release towards the end of the year) and every song on Swallow geared for live performance (a well-conceived studio to live transference from Gary Moat) it was no surprise the band’s Hard Rock Cafe show was based around the album.
Gary Moat and Alex Carmichael, Pullin' Out the rock and Stickin' in the roll
Additionally, the Heavy Pettin’ air punching anthem 'Rock Ain’t Dead' worked well in its role as a crowd pleasing sing-a-long set closer while AC/DC's 'Highway to Hell' was an equally well received encore.
It was also a fitting cover choice given Gary Moat's fondness for, and similar vocality to, the late Bon Scott (it’s also worth noting just how well Gary Moat has been singing of late, both in chest voice depth and acetylene highs).
What was a little surprising, but a welcome switch-up, was opening the set with the gritty swagger of 'Best of Your Life,' the closing track on Swallow.
The song’s slower rock sway and spacier, bass-pumping middle section worked well as an appetiser before giving way to the beefier main courses of 'Burnt Out Wreck' (featuring the best intro 80s era Scorpions never did) the AC/DC influenced 'Swallow,' the mid-tempo, bluesier muscle of 'Flames' (with a suitably fret-burning solo from Adrian Dunn) and the fun, fast paced rock and roll of 'Pullin' it Out,' which isn’t as much of a Carry On up the Hard Rock Cafe as the "stickin' it in!" call and answer chorus would have you believe).
'Pullin' it Out' also included an extended middle section that provided room for crowd participation and a fast and fluid solo spot from Adrian Dunn that was dulled only by a technical glitch on the guitarist's pedal board
(which, of course, worked perfectly as soon as the song/ solo was over).
With upcoming festival slots and impressive showings such as heard and seen at the Glasgow Hard Rock Cafe, Burnt Out Wreck may be on their way to the wider recognition and next step up the rock and roll ladder their efforts deserve – hard as that might be for the naysayers to Swallow.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits: Mark Rutherford (Wayne Doyle and Gary Moat images)
Graham "Gebs" Gebbie (Gary Moat & Alex Carmichael)
It was also a fitting cover choice given Gary Moat's fondness for, and similar vocality to, the late Bon Scott (it’s also worth noting just how well Gary Moat has been singing of late, both in chest voice depth and acetylene highs).
What was a little surprising, but a welcome switch-up, was opening the set with the gritty swagger of 'Best of Your Life,' the closing track on Swallow.
The song’s slower rock sway and spacier, bass-pumping middle section worked well as an appetiser before giving way to the beefier main courses of 'Burnt Out Wreck' (featuring the best intro 80s era Scorpions never did) the AC/DC influenced 'Swallow,' the mid-tempo, bluesier muscle of 'Flames' (with a suitably fret-burning solo from Adrian Dunn) and the fun, fast paced rock and roll of 'Pullin' it Out,' which isn’t as much of a Carry On up the Hard Rock Cafe as the "stickin' it in!" call and answer chorus would have you believe).
'Pullin' it Out' also included an extended middle section that provided room for crowd participation and a fast and fluid solo spot from Adrian Dunn that was dulled only by a technical glitch on the guitarist's pedal board
(which, of course, worked perfectly as soon as the song/ solo was over).
With upcoming festival slots and impressive showings such as heard and seen at the Glasgow Hard Rock Cafe, Burnt Out Wreck may be on their way to the wider recognition and next step up the rock and roll ladder their efforts deserve – hard as that might be for the naysayers to Swallow.
Ross Muir
FabricationsHQ
Photo Credits: Mark Rutherford (Wayne Doyle and Gary Moat images)
Graham "Gebs" Gebbie (Gary Moat & Alex Carmichael)