Here we are again, back at Bannermans for a night of rock ’n’ roll—three bands with various sounds but all very much in the rock ’n’ roll style. We start off with local boys Holyrude Vault, a hard-working bunch of lads who I’ve seen numerous times, and they always deliver that classic LA Sunset Strip rock vibe. They kick off with “Round and Round”—a real swagger of a song with some fantastic guitar work. The boys’ set continues the LA swagger with the GnR-style “Lies” and the pounding “Skin N Bones,” featuring tasty guitar work and killer drums from Chris.
The boys cruise through a few more rockers before slowing things down with their ballad “Saved Me,” which has a lovely guitar intro, and then the “Dynamite” gets lit—a thundering rock song with a tasty Slash-style solo toward the end. They end their enjoyable set with the rocking “Take Me Back.” Holyrude Vault are a great live band—if you like your classic LA-infused style of rock music, catch the boys live if they’re in your neck of the woods.
Up next are touring Sisters Doll, who have been on the go since 2010 and released their debut album Welcome to the Dollhouse in 2012. The band are all brothers from Australia, and I don’t know why I’ve never heard of them until now. The guitar kicks in as opener “Black Mirror” shows me exactly what I’ve been missing—a real swagger of a rock song with fantastic vocals from Brennan and tremendous guitar work from Austin. There must be something in the water down under to keep producing great rock ’n’ Roll bands like this. Great start.
The boys have a new album out, Scars, and we’re treated to four songs from it tonight. The first, “Baby Doll,” is a real pounding rocker with a fabulous chorus. “Prisoner” powers in with real firepower from Bryce on drums, and the vocals give this a real Bon Jovi feel from when Jovi were at their peak. Austin lets loose on guitar as the drums pound, leading us into “United”—what a trio from the new album. The boys are all over the place in true rock style, striking all the poses and never staying still for a minute. Quality stuff.
This is real rock ’n’ roll—stadium rock in a small club—and the crowd are really going with the band tonight. The drums kick in, and the guitar launches into a swaggering riff as the boys “Strutt” their stuff from 2017’s All Dolled Up. I’m hooked—my head’s going, and my feet are tapping. This is a killer song with a red-light swagger to die for. The last one from Scars is “You Can’t Bring Me Down,” another bouncer in the vein of Guns N’ Roses and Faster Pussycat. We head back to the debut album with “Dollhouse,” which has a laid-back Poison feel to it. Sadly, we’re at their last song already, and it’s “Good Day to Be Alive,” which leans into the Bon Jovi vibes again.
This was a real lesson in true Rock ’n’ Roll from a bunch of brothers obviously enjoying what they do—and it showed. They bounced around the stage, full of energy. This was a jaw-dropping performance, and I, for one, will be looking out for them next time. Catch this band if you can—a great time is guaranteed.
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Up next is the main event and a band I’ve been trying to catch for a long time—Kickin’ Valentina—but other gigs have always gotten in the way… until now. The setlist tonight includes seven tracks from their excellent current album Star Spangled Fist Fight, but the boys start off by heading back to The Revenge of Rock to open with “Freakshow.” As it kicks in, you know this is going to be good—DK heads to the front and stays there all night, getting the crowd going. This is dirty rock ’n’ roll with a real old-school AC/DC groove. Quality start.
The swagger of “Dirty Rhythm” kicks in as DK really gets his groove on. Heber lets loose on guitar, Chris is bouncing on bass, and Jimmy is pounding those drums. The chorus has the crowd singing along—absolutely killer song. “Turns Me On” from Imaginary Creatures has a real Rose Tattoo swagger and a bouncing, dirty groove. It’s hard to take photos when your body just wants to move with the beat. Big smiles all around as DK bounces to the rhythm, as does the packed crowd—just tremendous stuff, with a killer solo from Heber.
We head into a four-barrelled assault from Star Spangled Fist Fight, kicking off with “Man on a Mission”—a real bouncy groover—before diving into “Amsterdam,” a pounding, fast-paced rocker that you just can’t stay still for. Your body won’t let you. “Turn Me Loose” brings back the old-school vibe with more Rose Tattoo influence and a killer crowd sing-along chorus. The guitar kicks in again for “Takin a Ride”—another bouncing rocker. Just quality stuff tonight, and what a singer DK is—jumping in and out of the crowd, right in your face, literally. Just fantastic.
The drums and bass kick it up another notch as the band roll into “Sweat,” before getting some “Revenge of Rock” going—a real pounder of a track. The band “Fireback” now, and we’re cruising in top gear as we get into “The Gotaways,” which has a more modern classic rock vibe. Then we meet “Somebody New,” a classic-sounding song with an early-’80s vibe, before going full swagger again with “Ride or Die”—think The Almighty vibes here. Tasty stuff.
The band end a truly fantastic set of rock ’n’ roll with “Get Ready” from 2015’s Super Atomic, with its pounding sing-along chorus. Just a fantastic end to a phenomenal night of pure rock ’n’ roll music from all three bands. If you weren’t here—why not? This was one of those nights that reminds you exactly why you’re a rock music fan. Get out there and live music—it needs you now more than ever. Get those advance tickets to help the venues and promoters keep the scene alive—or you risk missing out on nights like tonight. And that would be criminal. Long live rock ’n’ roll.
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Photos by Gary Cooper
