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BLACK SABBATH - T-Mobile Arena, Prague. Wednesday 29th June 2005.

I was in Prague on Wednesday for Black Sabbath, and it was absolutely marvellous!

The last time I saw Black Sabbath was back in 1999, at what was going to be their 'last ever gig'. That was in Birmingham, England, but that gig was spoilt by the crowd throwing the seat covers around like frisbees. Thankfully the band didn't call it a day, and are now touring again. But with only the Download Festival in the UK it was off to Prague to catch the greatest band there's ever been.

This concert in Prague was billed on the local posters as Ozzy Osbourne AND Black Sabbath. But that was not the true case. This was BLACK SABBATH...THE BLACK SABBATH as they sounded and are remembered from over thirty years ago!

Bill Ward pulsating on drums, Geezer Butler driving the band along on bass, and the one and only Tony Iommi playing as good as ever on guitar. Ozzy Osbourne was not 'Blizzard Ozzy' or 'Prince of Darkness Ozzy'. This was Ozzy back to his finest, and looking in the fittest shape, acting like he did back in the 70's, leaping around the stage, and getting the fantastic crowd singing along. The atmosphere in the T-Mobile Arena was electric from the moment the intro tape started. An intro tape of clips of classic Sabbath riffs brought the band on stage and the opening song 'N.I.B'. The rest of the setlist remains the same as it seems to have been throughout the tour.

'After Forever', 'War Pigs'. Ozzy then introduce the band, who had Adam (Son of Rick) Wakeman on keyboards. 'Dirty Women' followed by 'Fairies Wear Boots'. The atmosphere was very hot and sweaty, and for those people who were on the main floor of the arena it must of been suffocating, but for some slight relief with Ozzy drowning a good few of them in some welcome buckets of cold water! The opening riffs of 'Symptom of the Universe', and a burst of 'Sweet Leaf' kicked off 'Electric Funeral'. 'Iron Man' got the crowd involved singing along. Then came 'Into The Void'. The lighters were lit for 'Black Sabbath'. Out came Ozzy with harmonica for 'The Wizard'. With snippets of 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' and 'Sleeping Village', the last song of the main set was, of course, 'Paranoid', with the encore of 'Children Of The Grave'. A tape of 'Changes' played as the house lights went on and the 90 minutes of brilliance was over. It was my second visit to the T-Mobile arena for a concert, and again the sound was spot on. BLACK SABBATH were back to their best and the Czech crowd also played their part in making my trip from Newcastle, England, a night to remember.

Davy P.

 
WHITENOISE RIGHT ON!
A new band that’s been getting a lot of good publicity are WHITENOISE, and the first chance I’ve had of seeing them in action, was at The Office on Friday, and did they not disappoint! A good size crowd saw the band blaze through a great selection of classic 70’s and 80’s rock. Songs by UFO, Montrose ‘Bad Motor Scooter’, Thin Lizzy, MSG ‘Armed & Ready’ and Black Sabbath ‘Symptom…’, ‘Heaven & Hell’ to name a few of the bands covered, and WHITENOISE, generally kept away from those ‘cheesy’ songs that are usually served up week in, week out! Plenty of good humour with the audience (and Geordie of Black Rose!- Ben Young of the Lizzy tribute was dragged up to sing on ‘Suicide’) from front man Dave Lunn, kept the atmosphere lively, and there was even time for a band ‘look-a-like’ competition!
For a band that have only a handful of gigs under their belt, WHITENOISE were a refreshing change (with respect to all the other bands out there who weekly do the biz!) and are well worth catching if they’re playing near you. Hopefully this lot can become as popular (dare I say!) as Black Rose! Have a listen to a song from The Office gig here>>>
 
PHIL LYNOTT REMEMBERED IN STYLE...
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A good turnout at The Office, South Shields on Friday, witnessed another superb show by Black Rose,  who were joined on stage by a few guests and ex-band members at their tribute gig to Phil Lynott, to mark the legendary Thin Lizzy footman's 20th Anniversary of his death. Have a look at the lads in action from the gig here>>>
 
 

MAIDEN ENGLAND played another high energy, fast paced tribute to Iron Maiden, with a packed out Trilllians crowd going crazy and loving every moment of it, during the festive period!
 

SHINE ON DAZZLE
Tribute band SHINE ON dazzled the crowd at their superb show at The Office, over the Christmas holiday.
A cold wintry night soon warmed up when the band started to play some Floyd classics, including some songs from ‘The Wall’ album.
Assisted by ‘The Diamonds’ a trio of female backing singers, who did a fine rendition of ‘Great Gig In The Sky’, the band were on stunning

form as they went on and played the whole of ‘Dark Side Of The Moon’. The crowd, showing their admiration, with great applause.

And not only was the large upstairs room ringing out with some magical music, but it was also awash with a lights and laser show to give the sell-out crowd the full Pink Floyd experience!
   
'Rock Aid' Huge Success!

'Rock Aid North East', held in support of the Tsunami Appeal was a massive success, with ten thousand pounds being raised through ticket sales, donations and raffles.

Ten of the regions biggest 'names' on the rock circuit gave their time free of charge and put on two great nights of rock music, to sell-out crowds at The Office, South Shields.

Those who took part were The F**K-Ups, Minnikin, FM, The Force, Back In Black, Maiden England, Russ Tippins, Sticky Fingers, Skinflint (replacing Rodzilla), Black Rose & Misschief (on Wednesday) and each and every band gave tremendous performances in their allotted time of around 20 minutes each. No egos on show, no one trying to out do each other. Just some of the best musicians in the North East getting together in support of a great dissaster.

Congratulations to ALL who took part, and well done to Warren & Colin for putting it all together.
   
TREMENDOUS TURNOUT FOR BON TRIBUTE.
Yeah...I should have got there earlier, but the punters were queing around the corner at Trillians on Saturday, so I, and many others missed out. Here's what Mick Conroy of POWERAGE had to say about the Bon Scott tribute night..."Hi from Powerage. We would like thru your forum to take the opportunity to thank everyone who came to Bon's 25th bash at Trillians on Saturday 19th Feb., and also to apologise to anyone queueing up in the freezing cold who may not have managed  to get in. The venue was packed to total capacity and we even managed an immaculately observed one minute silence in mid-set to honour our hero Bon!!!! Our best gig ever at Trillians, totally sold out the whole batch of commemorative t-shirts too.......Massive thanks to everyone who attended." Mick C
A Crackin' Start To Easter!
Warming up the audience, the NATURAL BORN KILLERS played an impressive debut gig supporting Back In Black, at The Office in South Shields. Continuing where Warren and Ken of Blast left off, NBK blasted through a 45 minute set of rarely covered rock anthems, with amongst highlights being Priests 'Grinder', Motorheads 'Killed By Death' and VH's 'Somebody Get Me A Doctor'. They return to the venue in May where you can hear the full set of metal mayhem!...
NBK debut at The Office... Back In Black excel at The Office...
...and, so with the audience truely warmed up, up step AC/DC maestros BACK IN BLACK to turn up the temperature and make the atmosphere at the venue even hotter!
The Good Friday crowd were treated to maybe the best gig this tribute band have played to date. Through 'Thunderstruck', the excellent 'Shot Down In Flames' and 'Touch Too Much' the band were in relaxed but committed mode, and put on the 'full' show enhanced by a great lighting rig, for those lucky enough to have turned up. With the focus maybe being on the 'main two' frontmen, the other band members equally played their part in making it a night to remember.
'Back In Black'...'For Those About To Rock...'
...WE SALUTE YOU!
   
U2 tribute band NEU2 made their official debut at a well attended 'Duke of Cumberland' on Saturday night. A few understandable nerves about, and a couple of small errors, but the overall reaction from the audience was a big thumbs up!
 
We Salute You...
Tribute band BACK IN BLACK played a rare gig at The Pemberton Arms, Seaham on Friday night, and basically blew the place apart with another tremendous show in tribute to their AC/DC heroes. A first time visit to 'The Pem' for me and it was 'chocka' with an expectant crowd. From the opener 'Thunderstruck' to the 21 gun salute of  'For Those About To Rock' the venue was jumping as the band pulled off every AC/DC classic brilliantly, with a great sound mix (supplied by Derek and the lads of Minnikin!) in the rather smallish pub. All the band seem to be loving it as they gave their all. From back line of Shaun, Dave and Graeme (I've never seen drummer Graeme so aggressive!) who supported the main two band members Lorne  and Daz, the main focus of the band, you really couldn't get any closer to the real thing with both the lads capturing the characteristics and poses of Angus Young and Brian Johnson superbly, full of confidence that, going by the crowds reactions, they were putting on a bloody good show. Not knowing that this gig was on until the last minute thanks to mate Dom, I would have kicked  myself for missing this night, and as BACK IN BLACK don't play as much as they once did, I encourage everyone who loves AC/DC to get to see them as soon as possible! A great gig!!!