Author Archives: david.wilson

Gig review: SAXON – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 9 November 2025

Posted on November 11, 2025 by david.wilson

Mention Saxon to anyone and they will probably reply with ‘Ah, Wheels Of Steel!’. This song and album have become fixtures in any self-respecting rock fans collection and one of the defining albums from the NWOBHM period. The album has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9th November 2025, Accept, Balls To The Wall, Biff Byford, Brian Tatlet, Doug Scarrett, gig, live, metal, Nibbs Carter, Nigel Glockler, rock, Saxon, U.D.O, Udo Dirkschnieder, Wheels Of Steel | Leave a comment

Gig review: GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV – 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin, 20th October 2025

Posted on November 4, 2025 by david.wilson

I have my son to thank for turning me on to Gregory Alan Isakov’s music. As an artist, he hadn’t been on my radar, and four years ago I don’t think he was on many other radars in the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20th October 2025, 3Olympia Theatre, Amsterdam, Appaloosa Bones, Big Black Car, Boulder, Colorado, Dublin, gig, GREGORY ALAN ISAKOV, live, Starling Farm | Leave a comment

Gig review: FRANCIS ROSSI – Alhambra Theatre, Dunfermline, 15 October 2025

Posted on October 18, 2025 by david.wilson

The title of ‘rock legend’ is a hard earned badge of honour bestowed on the few that have dedicated their lives to the cause and have left their indelible mark on rock music. Francis Rossi is most deserving of this … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 15th October 2025, Alhambra Theatre, Andy Brook, Caroline, Down Down, Dunfermline, Francis Rossi, gig, GOMOR, live, rock legend, Status Quo, Whatever You Want | Leave a comment

Album review: MICHAEL SCHENKER GROUP – Don’t Sell Your Soul

Posted on September 30, 2025 by david.wilson

earMUSIC [Release date 03.10.25] The announcement for this album came as a bit of a surprise to many. Michael had been out touring his UFO live set around the globe, so where he found the time to fit in the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Barend Courbois, Bodo Schopf, classic rock, EarMusic, Erik Gronwall, Michael Schenker, Michael Schenker Group, Michael Voss, review, Robin McAuley, rock, Steve Mann, UFO | Leave a comment

Gig review: ROBIN MCAULEY – Classic Grand, Glasgow, 16 August 2025

Posted on August 19, 2025 by david.wilson

On Friday 13th May 1983 I went along to the Playhouse in Edinburgh as a fresh faced teen to see the mighty Iron Maiden for the first time. Maiden were superb and the gig was one to remember, but the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 16 August 2025, Classic Grand, Edinburgh Playhouse, gig, Glasgow, Grand Prix, Iron Maiden, Keith Atack, live, Lyin' Rampant, Michael Schenker, review, Robin McAuley, rock, Samurai, Stewartie Adams, Up and Cumin' | Leave a comment

Gig review: WASP – 02 Academy, Glasgow, 25 July 2025

Posted on July 29, 2025 by david.wilson

Some bands just seem to get things right from the very start. This may be down to them producing a set worth of songs that they then hone over many years playing pubs and clubs and building up a following … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 25 July 2025, Album One, Blackie Lawless, Blind In Texas, Chris Holmes, Doug Blair, gig, Glasgow, L.O.V.E Machine, live, metal, Mike Duda, O2 Academy, On Your Knees, rock, Tailgunner, WASP, Wild Child | Leave a comment

Album review: ALICE COOPER – The Revenge Of Alice Cooper

Posted on July 15, 2025 by david.wilson

EarMUSIC [release date 25.07.25] In much the same vein as Jake and Elwood Blues, Alice has decided to get the band back together, not sure he is on a mission from God though on this occasion! This album has brought … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 25th July 2025, album, Alice Cooper, Billion Dollar Babies, blues, Bob Ezrin, CD, Dennis Dunnaway, EarMusic, Glen Buxton, Michael Bruce, Neal Smith, review, rock, Schools Out, The Blues Brothers, The Revenge Of Alice Cooper | Leave a comment

Album review: FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH – 20 Years Of Five Finger Death Punch – Best Of Volume 1

Posted on July 14, 2025 by david.wilson

Better Noise Records [Release date 18.07.25] Over the past 20 years Five Finger Death Punch have become a band that can headline arenas and festivals worldwide, but world domination hasn’t come without it’s share of trials and tribulations. No matter … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 20 Years Of Five Finger Death Punch, album, Bad Company, Battle Born, Best of volume 1, Better Noise Records, CD, Five Finger Death Punch, Gone Away, In This Moment, Ivan Moody, Jason Hook, Maria Binks, metal, rock, Under and Over It, Zoltan Bathory | Leave a comment

Gig review: IRON MAIDEN – Hydro, Glasgow 30th June 2025

Posted on July 2, 2025 by david.wilson

As landmarks go, reaching 50 years in any business is an achievement, but to reach that in the fickle world of the music business is a bloody miracle. Iron Maiden have weathered the storm over the years by sheer hard … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30th June 2025, Aces High, Adrian Smith, Bruce Dickinson, Dave Murray, Eddie, Fear Of The Dark, gig, Glasgow, Hydro, Iron Maiden, Janick Gers, KILLERS, live, metal, rock, Run To The Hills, Steve Harris, The Number Of The Beast, The Raven Age | Leave a comment

Gig review: MICHAEL SCHENKER – The Garage, Glasgow, 13 May 2025

Posted on May 19, 2025 by david.wilson

Herr Schenker is at a point in his career where anniversaries are coming along as regularly as Glasgow buses. Having been in the business this long, the milestones keep on coming and his year it is Michael’s time in UFO … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Erik Gronwall, gig, Glasgow 13th May 2025, live, Michael Schenker, My Years With UFO, Pete Way, Phil Mogg, rock, Steve Mann, The Garage, UFO, Wytch Hazel | Leave a comment

Gig review: FISH – O2 Academy, Glasgow, 9 March 2025

Posted on March 11, 2025 by david.wilson

‘So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts…’ Fish and his music have been a constant in my life for the past 42 years. I first saw him onstage back on the 31st December 1983 … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 9th March 2025, Edinburgh Playhouse, Fish, Fugazi, gig, Glasgow, live, Liz Antwi, Lucky, Marillion, Market Square Heroes, Mickey Simmonds, O2 Academy, prog, Road To The Isles Tour, Robin Boult, rock | Leave a comment

Gig review: MIKE + THE MECHANICS – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 3 March 2025

Posted on March 5, 2025 by david.wilson

It’s amazing how the (living) years roll by. Mike + The Mechanics are now celebrating 40 years as an entity and show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Mike Rutherford, now shorn of the Genesis day job, has … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3rd March 2025, Andrew Roachford, Cuddly Toy. Genesis, gig, Glasgow, I Can't Dance, Invisible Touch, Land Of Confusion, live, Living Years, Looking Back - The Living Years, Mike & the Mechanics, Mike Rutherford, Nic Collins, Over My Shoulder, Royal Concert Hall, Tim Howar, Word Of Mouth | Leave a comment

Gig review: GUN – Barrowlands, Glasgow, 14 December 2024

Posted on December 17, 2024 by david.wilson

Over the years many bands have embarked on a pre-Christmas tour around the nation. Status Quo and Motorhead are two that spring to mind, and going further back in time, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s Xmas shows in the Glasgow … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14th December 2024, Barrowlands, blues, Christmas, Collateral, Dante Gizzi, Donald C MacLeod, gig, Glasgow, Glasgow Apollo, Gun, Hombre, Jools Gizzi, Kira Mac, live, Paul McManus, rock, Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Word Up | Leave a comment

Gig review: MASSIVE WAGONS – SWG3, Glasgow, 27 November 2024

Posted on December 1, 2024 by david.wilson

Wednesday nights are not renowned as party nights, but with Massive Wagons back in town a healthy crowd gathered in SWG3 to rock along with the band that always get the party started. With a full on night of thrash … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 27th November 2024, Adam Thistlethwaite, Andy's Mans Club, Bangin' On Your Stereo, Barry Mills, blues, Cam Cole, Earth to Grace, Florence Black, gig, Glasgow, live, Massive Wagons, One Man Band, review, rock, SWG3 | Leave a comment

Album review: DEVIN TOWNSEND – PowerNerd

Posted on October 29, 2024 by david.wilson

InsideOut Music [Release date 25.10.24] PowerNerd is the latest musical instalment from the over-active mind of Devin Townsend. With Devin you are never 100% sure what you are going to get, however, you know it won’t be boring! Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged 25th Oct 2024, album, Canada, CD, coffee, country, Devin Townsend, Insideout Music, metal, PowerNerd, Rammstein, rock, Ruby Quaker, Strapping Young Lad, Vinyl | Leave a comment

Gig review: ALICE COOPER – Hydro, Glasgow, 14 October 2024

Posted on October 28, 2024 by david.wilson

Come October the mind starts to stray to thoughts of Halloween, of ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night! What better to soundtrack those dark thoughts than a night with the king of scare himself, Alice … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 14th October 2024, Alice Cooper, Billy Gillespie, gig, Glasgow, Glen Sobel, Hydro, indie, live, Nita Strauss, No More Mr Nice Guy, Poison, Primal Scream, rock, Ryan Roxie, Schools Out, Tommy Henriksen, Too Close For Comfort, Vincent Price, Welcome To My Nightmare | Leave a comment

Gig review: APOCALYPTICA – SWG3, Glasgow, 3 October 2024

Posted on October 11, 2024 by david.wilson

Many years ago I attended a guitar masterclass with the legendary singer/songwriter Gordon Giltrap. It was just one man with an acoustic guitar, but the sound and sheer ferocity of riffage he managed to extract from his poor, tortured acoustic … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 3rd Oct 2024, Apocalyptica, cello, Eicca Toppinen, gig, Glasgow, James Hetfield, live, Master Of Puppets, Metallica, One, Perttu Kivilaakso, Plays Metallica Vol 2, Rob Trujillo, Sad But True, SWG 3 | Leave a comment

Interview: BLOOD FEAST (CJ Scioscia)

Posted on September 9, 2024 by david.wilson

When I decided to approach Hells Headbangers in order to arrange an interview with the New Jersey based Thrash Metal legends Blood Feast, little did I know that in guitarist CJ Scioscia I would end up finding a musical kindred … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, INTERVIEWS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Interviews | Tagged Blood Feast, Blue Oyster Cult, Chopping Block Blues, CJ Scioscia, Flotsam and Jetsom, Infinite Evolution, interview, metal, Nothingface, Ross the Boss, The Dictators, Thrash, Voi Vod | Leave a comment

Gig review: STONEDEAD FESTIVAL – Newark Showground – 23,24 August 2024

Posted on September 3, 2024 by david.wilson

Since the first Stonedead (or Stonedeaf as it was back then) the festival has gone from strength to strength driven by word of mouth and a very active Facebook group. Each year has sold out that bit sooner than the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th August, Biff Byford, blues, Bonafide, Chris Sumby, Doro, Ecilipse, festival, KK Downing, KK's Priest, Krusher, Lemmy, live, metal, Motorhead, Newark Showground, Paul Di'Anno, rock, Saxon, Scarlet Rebels, Spike, Stonedead, Tailgunner, The Bites, The Hot One Two, The Quireboys, Warlock | Leave a comment

Gig review: CALL OF THE WILD FESTIVAL – Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln – 24th to 26th May 2024

Posted on June 12, 2024 by david.wilson

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Upon arrival at the showground I was taken to get checked in and get my press pass. After a short wait I was greeted by “Tosh” who was one of the friendliest guys I’ve ever met and he introduced me … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged Bad Touch, Beth Blade, Call Of The Wild, Danny Vaughn, festival, goth, Haxan, Lincolnshire Showground, live, metal, Quireboys, rock, She Burns Red, South Of Salem, The Hot Damn, Tyketto | Leave a comment

Gig review: STATUS QUO – Kelvingrove Bandstand, Glasgow – 30th May 2024

Posted on June 6, 2024 by david.wilson

The last gig I attended at the Kelvingrove Bandstand must have been 40 years ago when Radio Clyde put on a free mini festival of local rock talent, ably hosted by the ‘Beard Of Doom’, Mr Tom Russell. Around the … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 30th May 2024, Andy Bown, blues, Down Down, Francis Rossi, gig, Glasgow, Jimi Hendrix, John 'Rhino' Edwards, Kelvingrove Bandstand, Laurence Jones, Leon Cave, live, Rick Parfitt, Ritchie Malone, rock, Rocking All Over The World, Status Quo, Whatever You Want | Leave a comment

Gig review: YES – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow, 24 May 2024

Posted on May 26, 2024 by david.wilson

Tonight’s show was another date in the current ‘Classic Tales Of Yes’ tour, a celebration of 50 plus years of Yessong with an emphasis on the band’s ‘Tales From Topographic Oceans’ opus which turn 50 in 2023. You could argue … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 24th May 2024, Billy Sherwood, Geoff Downes, gig, Glasgow, Jay Schallen, Jon Anderson, Jon Davison, live, progressive, Rick Wakeman, rock, Roundabout, Royal Concert Hall, Steve Howe, Tales of Topological Oceans, Yes | Leave a comment

Gig review: THE BLACKOUT – SWG 3, Glasgow – 20th February 2024

Posted on March 10, 2024 by david.wilson

Almost exactly 9 years ago I dragged myself along to The Garage in Glasgow to say farewell to The Blackout as they became another victim of the corporate music machine. That night was all the more bittersweet as it served … Continue reading →

Posted in ALL POSTS, GIG REVIEWS | Tagged 20th February 2024, Gavin Butler, gig, Glasgow, Higher and Higher, I'm a Riot? You're A Fucking Riot!, Jim Davies, live, metal, punk, Radiohead, rock, Sean Smith, SWG 3, The Best In Town, The Blackout, Thom York | Leave a comment

Album review: MYRATH – Karma

Posted on March 10, 2024 by david.wilson

earMUSIC [Release date 08.03.24] I was a fairly late convert to the Myrath cause, only really becoming aware of the band with the release of their ‘Live At Carthage’ album in 2020. Delving into their back catalogue I found an … Continue reading →

Posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS | Tagged album, Arabic, EarMusic, Hellfest, Heroes, Karma, Live At Carthage, Malik Ben Arbia, metal, Middle East, Myrath, prog, review, rock, Zolher Zagati | Leave a comment

Gig review: GEDDY LEE – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – 14th December 2023

Posted on December 17, 2023 by david.wilson

Tonight, we had something a bit different, Geddy Lee in conversation to promote his autobiography, ‘My Effin’ Life’, which has just been released. With Rush in hiatus following the sad passing of Neil Peart, for fans of the band this … Continue reading →