Album review: THE LAST VEGAS – Sweet Salvation

The Last Vegas - Sweet Salvation

Frostbyte Media [Release date 02.06.14]

Originally formed in 2003, Chicago, The Last Vegas really took off when joined by current vocalist Chad Cherry in 2008. The band beat 8,000 others to a prize which included opening for Motley Crue, a management deal and a record deal with the bands Eleven Seven Music, their 2009 album “Whatever Gets You Off” was also produced by the Crue’s Nikki Sixx.

Blending influences such as Guns n Roses, Motley Crue and Cheap Trick, The Last Vegas have just released their latest album “Sweet Salvation”. Not as polished as its two predecessors (“Whatever Gets You Off” and 2012’s “Bad Decisions”) and darker at times, the album is catchy, sleazy, packed with hooks galore and contains some little guitar runs that GnR would be proud of.

The album opens with “Touch The Sky” which has a Doors like intro that gives way to a sound reminiscent of Aerosmith. “Come With Me” kind of reminds me of Jane’s Addiction at their best whilst “Invincible Summer” has a poppier feel to it and “Miss You” almost veers into Rival Sons territory at times. “Lucky 13” has all the essential elements of late ‘80’s sleaze rock, the vocals here are not dissimilar to Love/Hate, and is my favourite track on the album.

“Face In The Crowd”, “Sweet Salvation” and “You and Me (You Never Know)” round out the highlights and with every song on “Sweet Salvation” coming in at under 4 and a half minutes in length the album’s only downside is that it only contains 9 tracks – I could have done with a few more.

With Motley Crue retiring shortly, their replacement may be right in front of our eyes. Viva Last Vegas. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

The Last Vegas, Camden Underworld, 18 May 2014

Tonight’s proceedings opened with Heartbreak Remedy, this young British band are definitely one to keep an eye on.

Despite a turnout of less than 100 people The Last Vegas put on one hell of a live show tonight and I would say that it was possibly one of the best I have seen for a few years.

The set mixed tracks from new album “Sweet Salvation” with more established numbers “High Class Trash”, “Whatever Gets You Off” and “I’m Bad”. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen the band and it’s no secret that they are one of my favourite discoveries over the last few years.

Despite the low turnout the band play a full 15 song set and stay after to sign merch and make new friends, and this they certainly did. The Last Vegas really are a band that you need to see if you can and they return to the UK in October to tour with Skid Row.

Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Next session: Sunday 1 December

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 20 October 2024.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 22 October 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 28 October 2024

THE RASMUS Rest In Pieces (Better Noise Music)
THE PLAGUE What Else Can I Do (FiXT)
STAR CIRCUS Turn The Tide (indie)
DEFENCES Breathe It In (Long Branch Records)

Featured Albums w/c 28 October 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)