Welcome to the Hotel Pistolero
Gypsy Pistoleros (with BlitZ, Adam and the Hellcats) – Bannermans, Edinburgh
3rd May 2024
Gypsy Pistoleros (with BlitZ, Adam and the Hellcats) – Bannermans, Edinburgh
3rd May 2024
We've all had that feeling where we didn't realise how hungry we were until suddenly presented with the perfect meal.
Similarly, Flamenco glam-punk rock, as served by the Gypsy Pistoleros, might not be your first choice as that perfect meal (but then if music be the food of love…).
However, once it’s been set out in front of you – or in this case on the Bannermans stage in Edinburgh – you find yourself ready to consume, and looking for seconds.
Before that fulfilling main course, we also had a couple of starters…
Hailing from Bristol, Adam and the Hellcats are fronted by Adam Feasey, who says the band is "the culmination of a crazy autistic guy's life's work!".
That craziness comes through on stage in the form of a vibrant energy that feeds into the rest of the band in a very positive way; this is a collective that clearly enjoy what they do, one with a talent for ensuring the audience is focused on them for the entire set.
Alongside Adam Feasey’s vocal duties is second lead singer, Cirwen, who adds to the visual "hellcat" of their name (cute whiskers and cats ears adorned to great effect, but fortunately without the caterwauling – Cirwen has a powerful voice with an impressive high range).
Overall, one seriously fun band who musically preach 'Peace, Love and Rock and Roll.'
Can’t argue with that.
Similarly, Flamenco glam-punk rock, as served by the Gypsy Pistoleros, might not be your first choice as that perfect meal (but then if music be the food of love…).
However, once it’s been set out in front of you – or in this case on the Bannermans stage in Edinburgh – you find yourself ready to consume, and looking for seconds.
Before that fulfilling main course, we also had a couple of starters…
Hailing from Bristol, Adam and the Hellcats are fronted by Adam Feasey, who says the band is "the culmination of a crazy autistic guy's life's work!".
That craziness comes through on stage in the form of a vibrant energy that feeds into the rest of the band in a very positive way; this is a collective that clearly enjoy what they do, one with a talent for ensuring the audience is focused on them for the entire set.
Alongside Adam Feasey’s vocal duties is second lead singer, Cirwen, who adds to the visual "hellcat" of their name (cute whiskers and cats ears adorned to great effect, but fortunately without the caterwauling – Cirwen has a powerful voice with an impressive high range).
Overall, one seriously fun band who musically preach 'Peace, Love and Rock and Roll.'
Can’t argue with that.
Nottingham three-piece BlitZ are a very hard hitting, punchy rock band featuring great, gritty vocals from singer & bassist Stuart Corden and some thick riffing and fret melting skills from Kevin Simpson.
Drums on this tour were supplied by the Pistoleros Crag Shape, who was working a double-shift of heavy duty big beats (the band joking that he will probably only weigh about six stone by the end of the tour due to having to stand in for usual BlitZ drummer, Matt Davis).
Outside of their own heavy riffed 'n' rugged rock numbers such as 'One in a Million,' BlitZ introduced the crowd to their biggest influences via opening snippets of songs by said influencers, including Queen and Metallica, with each executed in fine style.
This was the first time your reviewer had caught BlitZ live and it certainly won’t be the last.
Drums on this tour were supplied by the Pistoleros Crag Shape, who was working a double-shift of heavy duty big beats (the band joking that he will probably only weigh about six stone by the end of the tour due to having to stand in for usual BlitZ drummer, Matt Davis).
Outside of their own heavy riffed 'n' rugged rock numbers such as 'One in a Million,' BlitZ introduced the crowd to their biggest influences via opening snippets of songs by said influencers, including Queen and Metallica, with each executed in fine style.
This was the first time your reviewer had caught BlitZ live and it certainly won’t be the last.
Gypsy Pistoleros are no strangers to performing with a wealth of experience behind them and a CV of sharing stages with the likes of L.A. Guns, Faster Pussycat, UFO, Motorhead, Twisted Sister, Poison and Skid Row, to name but a few.
More importantly, the Pistoleros are a band that put on a show, each and every time, no matter the size of venue.
Additionally, Gypsy Lee Pistolero is the epitome of what a rock front man should be, but then the stage presence of the entire band (guitarist Shane Pistolero Sparkz, bassist Kerry Pistolero White, the aforementioned Crag Pistolero Shape) is nothing short of electric, which pulls you in and doesn’t let go, to the degree that it’s hard to imagine anyone going to see them and not loving their showmanship and music.
(To return to the music being the food of love analogy, if flamenco glam-punk isn’t what you usually have served up, every chance it’s now part of your menu).
The band opened with fast paced, punk infused rock and roller 'Revolution' from latest and best to date studio album Duende a Go Go Loco!, which set the tone and the predominately high gear.
The set itself jumped back and forth between songs from Duende and older material, with each making an impact, ensuring a great set from start to finish.
Highlights? Well, all were highlights but special mention to the 'The Mescalito Vampires (Welcome to the Hotel De La Muerto)' which nods, in heavy flamenco rock fashion, to the Eagles more famous hotel, the 70s glam-beat of 'What’s It Like To Be a Girl' and their excellent, fully Pistolero’d covers of 'Living La Vida Loca' and set closer 'Come on Eileen.'
Such is the impact made by their cover of the Dexys Midnight Runners classic, a feature of Duende a Go Go Loco!, that some of the crowd were shouting for it right from the moment they hit the stage; all of which guaranteed most of the crowd would be singing it on their way home.
More importantly, the Pistoleros are a band that put on a show, each and every time, no matter the size of venue.
Additionally, Gypsy Lee Pistolero is the epitome of what a rock front man should be, but then the stage presence of the entire band (guitarist Shane Pistolero Sparkz, bassist Kerry Pistolero White, the aforementioned Crag Pistolero Shape) is nothing short of electric, which pulls you in and doesn’t let go, to the degree that it’s hard to imagine anyone going to see them and not loving their showmanship and music.
(To return to the music being the food of love analogy, if flamenco glam-punk isn’t what you usually have served up, every chance it’s now part of your menu).
The band opened with fast paced, punk infused rock and roller 'Revolution' from latest and best to date studio album Duende a Go Go Loco!, which set the tone and the predominately high gear.
The set itself jumped back and forth between songs from Duende and older material, with each making an impact, ensuring a great set from start to finish.
Highlights? Well, all were highlights but special mention to the 'The Mescalito Vampires (Welcome to the Hotel De La Muerto)' which nods, in heavy flamenco rock fashion, to the Eagles more famous hotel, the 70s glam-beat of 'What’s It Like To Be a Girl' and their excellent, fully Pistolero’d covers of 'Living La Vida Loca' and set closer 'Come on Eileen.'
Such is the impact made by their cover of the Dexys Midnight Runners classic, a feature of Duende a Go Go Loco!, that some of the crowd were shouting for it right from the moment they hit the stage; all of which guaranteed most of the crowd would be singing it on their way home.
This was a fantastic three band gig at Bannermans but there is no question it was the Pistoleros night; their music excelled and their showmanship shined.
Get your sugar skull face makeup on, grab a cool hat and go see the Pistoleros in flamenco glam-punk action.
John McIntyre
FabricationsHQ
All images by John McIntyre/ Shutter Time Photography
Get your sugar skull face makeup on, grab a cool hat and go see the Pistoleros in flamenco glam-punk action.
John McIntyre
FabricationsHQ
All images by John McIntyre/ Shutter Time Photography