Ahh, Bannermans. One does like a gig here, and tonight is no exception as we are here to see the fabulous Babylon A.D. I remember buying the debut album when it came out back in the day, but this is the first time I’ve had the chance to see the band live.
We have a couple of support bands to get through first, starting with local lads Holyrude Vault. I feel like I’ve seen them so many times this year alone, but tonight the band are missing their regular bass player; the fabulous Christian Kimmett is currently on touring bass duties for Warrior Soul. Their singer, Joshua, takes over bass duties while singing and does a fine job as they tear through songs like “Round and Round,” which has a real swagger about it, and the pounding “Skin N Bones,” which really shows off Chris’s drumming at its best. The rocking “Dynamite” and “Take Me Back” end a fun-packed show, with the boys stretching themselves out as there is a bit more room without Christian on stage. The boys are always fun live, and if you like that early Sunset Strip vibe, give them a listen and go catch them live.
Another band I’ve seen numerous times now, Bad Actress, hits the stage and launches into the rocking “Poison Snake” from their Red Hot EP. This is a groove-laden killer song, and young Lui on vocals is the perfect frontman, along with his brother Chick on guitar—just a great opening track. The new single, “Feel the Pain,” is up next and is a slower-paced rocker with what I think is quite a nod towards The Darkness, especially in the chorus sections. Quality stuff. The boys fire through a few more, from “Rockin’ With You,” with its hints of early Guns N’ Roses, to the rockin’ ballad “Living in Paradise,” which was a favourite tonight. Sadly, they have to cut their set short for reasons I don’t know, but I think there may have been a bit of an overrun by the first band. The boys finish with another favourite of mine, “Dynamite Lover,” which has a groove not unlike Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69.” I think the boys have come a long way from when I first saw them live, and with Lui, they have a fair chance now. Go see the boys live if you like your classic, guitar-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll; you will not be disappointed.
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Now for the main event: California’s very own Babylon A.D., with original singer Derek Davis and guitarists Ron Freschi and John Mathews, joined by new boys Craig Pepe on bass and Dylan Soto on drums. The boys launch into “Back in Babylon,” and the swagger is still there along with the voice. Ron and John trade licks back and forth, with those bass lines laid down in style by Craig, and let’s not forget Dylan just killing it on drums—a killer start to the evening. We get a few more from the first album with the groove-laden “Hammer Swings Down,” the rockin’ “Bang Go the Bells,” which is just a pure Sunset Strip classic and one of my favourites tonight, and the killer, hook-laden “Maryanne” with its fantastic guitars and vocals.
We get a couple from the Nothing Sacred album with the ballad “So Savage the Heart,” followed by the rockin’ “Take the Dog off the Chain,” with some fantastic guitar work. The new albums are not forgotten as we visit 2024’s Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day with the tub-thumping, guitar-laden “Wrecking Machine”—I absolutely loved Derek’s vocals on this song. This was followed by “Super Beast,” a real foot-stomping instrumental track with some tasty twin guitar breaks. Just quality stuff. The upcoming new album, When The World Stops, gets an airing tonight as well with “Come on Let’s Roll” and the title track, “When the World Stops.” I’m loving the vocals on the new songs; this is a real groover of a track with fabulous guitar work, and Dylan is just killer on the drums.
I thoroughly enjoyed tonight, as did a packed-out Bannermans, with everyone singing along word for word with big smiles on their faces. This was a great first visit up here in Scotland. If the boys could make it a bit sooner next time, thanks! I thought the band were on fire and Derek was sounding great. Roll on the next time, boys.
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Photos by Gary Cooper Photography
