Scheduled opening act New Device are unable to
make it to tonight’s proceedings, so unless
you didn’t already know New Device aren’t
three hairy blokes from the Midlands. Sworn To
Oath are the band to step in, and they are the
self proclaimed ‘metal’ portion of
the evening. And by gosh are they metal? Sworn
To Oath take helm of their musical juggernaut
and bang out a thoroughly enjoyable half hour
of songs that one might expect to hear at the
gates of hell.
Just when you thought the ‘metal’
was over for the evening, out step five heavily
tattooed men known as Dear Superstar. Whilst Dear
Superstar are a squeaky-clean, polished version
of the previous act, they certainly know how to
cut the mustard with their metal-friendly counterparts.
They certainly have the look, tight sleeveless
t-shirts, bandanas hanging out of pockets and
messy hair, it’s all very Mötley Crüe,
but will their music live up to their image?
In short, yes it does. What follows is forty
minutes of pure head-banging, mic swinging rock
‘n’ roll. Lead singer Micky Satiar
bounds around the stage ensuring that all eyes
are kept firmly on him. They certainly have swagger,
enough pomp to keep the X Factor rolling for the
next ten years, but they can actually write a
decent song. From tonight’s performance
it is evident that Dear Superstar are actually
superstars in the making.
Heaven’s Basement have come a long way
since the days when they were Hurricane Party,
the poodle perms and eyeliner still remains, but
their musical abilities have certainly progressed
in leaps and bounds. Tonight they are playing
to a sizeable crowd at the Manchester Academy
3, yet from the sheer brilliance of some of their
songs, it is difficult to comprehend why they
aren’t playing much bigger venues. Then
you begin to wonder what kind of fans Heaven’s
Basement attracts. From looking round tonight
it certainly isn’t a Radio 2 audience, or
Radio 1. In fact, I think this is where the problem
lies, Heaven’s Basement are for those who
have fond memories of 80s hair metal, and it is
only during very brief periods of tonight’s
set where you catch glimpses of them transcending
into the here and now.
Regardless of this, Heaven’s Basement are
a fantastic live band. It is obvious that this
is what comes naturally to them. Songs such as
‘Such Is Life’ are eye-wateringly
beautiful and if there is any justice in the world
all of their hard work will pay off. However,
I do fear that this may never happen. Luckily,
there is the old saying that history repeats itself,
whether or not you’d want to experience
the 80s again is irrelevant, Heaven’s Basement
deserve it.
Sworn To Oath 4/5
Dear Superstar 4/5
Heavens Basement 5/5
Review By Ben Connell
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