Gig review: DAN REED NETWORK – Live Rooms, Chester, 17 November 2018

This archive interview from April 2009 catches Dan Reed at the start of his more recent musical journey when the idea of reforming Dan Reed Network seemed less likely… (20:46)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio celebrated its 10th anniversary this year and a constant in the playlists since 2008 has been Dan Reed. We’ve followed the revive-and-rise of Dan since at least 2009. Along with the likes of melodic rockers FM he’s demonstrated that good songs and perseverance win out. It helps also if you can reconvene pretty much the original band line-up.

With a new album to promote, the Network haven’t rested on their laurels either. Admittedly Origins revisits some classic tracks but, if Dan was slightly apologetic for playing two “new” songs tonight, he needn’t be.

2016′s excellent Fight Another Day – containing all new material – was represented by only three songs but ‘Divided’ and ‘Champion’ demonstrated they easily hold their own with the best of the band’s output over the years.

Following a surprise outing for ‘Doin’ The Love Thing’ (from Slam), for me, this gig really moved up the proverbial notch half way in and during the extended workout ‘Baby Now I’ which typically references some of the band’s influences – from Frankie Goes To Hollywood to Metallica.

From thereon in it was a sumptuous and groove-laden rollercoaster with ‘Get To You’ imploring even the most time-worn torso to flex vigorously and one of the best versions I’ve heard them play of the wonderful, ‘Tiger In A Dress’.

The great thing too about the band is a genuine personal rapport both on stage and with their audience and of course an engaging frontman; from the very start when Dan railed drummer Dan Pred for forgetting an audio adapter to their surprising a capella encore which saw the band demonstrate their vocal versatility (not least Melvin Brannon II’s resonant bass tones).

There was even an opportunity for keyboard player Rob Daiker (an important part of the more recent band revival) to take the spotlight on one of his own tunes following a rather excellent showcase for guitarist Brion James – ‘Save The World’ – which more closely matched the flow of the gig.

With plans for a 30th anniversary celebration of the landmark album ‘Slam’ in 2019 and time out for writing new material, there is no holding back Dan Reed Network.

Special guests tonight were Hollowstar and Mason Hill. Both bands have yet to release an album but early “singles” show promise. We’ll see Hollowstar again at Giants of Rock in January but Scottish hard rockers Mason Hill also impressed with their infectious riffage especially on the humongous ‘Hold On’ and ‘Now You See Me’.

Review and photos by David Randall

Setlist: 1. Rock You All Night Long 2. Divided 3. Forgot To Make Her Mine 4. Under My Skin 5. Doin’ the Love Thing 6. Baby Now I 7. Resurrect 8. Rainbow Child 9. Fade To Light 10. Right In Front Of Me 11. Get To You 12. Tiger In A Dress 13. Stronger Than Steel 14. Champion 15. Save The World 16. All For A Kiss 17. Ritual 18. Long Way To Go

Album review (Origins)
Album review and interview (Fight Another Day)

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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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 1 December 2024.

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)