Written By: NICK ASHTON
Photos By: NICK ASHTON
Dementia is a bastard.
Actually, dementia is worse than that; but my lovely editor would have apoplexy if I used the correct expletives to describe this insidious condition. Strictly speaking, dementia is not a disease; it is in fact an overarching term used to describe a group of conditions that cause brain cells to stop working properly. You will likely be familiar with Alzheimer’s Disease, which is the most common cause of dementia, and you may have heard of vascular dementia which occurs when some of the many small blood vessels that supply the brain are damaged. However there are several other, less well known causes that can affect young and old alike. Overall, estimates suggest that there are approximately 944,000 people living with dementia in the UK right now and it is the leading cause of death in this country (https://dementiastatistics.org/about-dementia/). Sadly, there is no cure for dementia. Its progress can be slowed and managed; but it is relentless.
Why am I telling you this? Well, over half of the people reading this review will likely know someone who has been diagnosed with dementia. Some of you may have previously cared for or are currently caring for someone with dementia and will know how it robs not just the sufferer of their identity but also steals them away from their loved ones. Speaking from first hand experience, I know what it is like to witness someone slowly fading away until they become a shell of the person that you once knew and loved.
As I said, dementia is a bastard. Which is why events like Dementia Aware Fest are so important. They raise awareness and, importantly, they raise funds to support families living with dementia through the provision of specialist nursing services. If you would like to help and you are able, please visit Dementia UK (https://www.dementiauk.org/donate/) where you can make a donation.
So with the background to this festival experience out of the way, on to the bands and the music that drew everyone together on a cold January afternoon in Cannock. The day started with a bang in the form of Bang Bang Firecracker; a classic 3 piece inspired by the Mean Man himself, Chris Holmes, with whom guitarist/vocalist Kieron Berry toured back in 2017. They deal in no nonsense, straightforward rock and roll. The fact that they throw in a cover of Motörhead’s No Class should tell you all that you need to know about their bludgeoning, riff driven approach. Even some technical issues at the start of their set don’t deter the band from racing through Immortalized, The Power of 72 and Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Change in quick succession. They can slow the pace effectively too, as exemplified by G.F.Y. which is full of brooding menace. If your tastes embrace traditional heavy metal delivered with passion and bags of energy, then Bang Bang Firecracker are definitely worth checking out. Sadly the next band on the lineup, White Skies, had to pull out on the morning of the festival due to a family emergency. The news came too late to find a replacement, so instead everyone else gained some extra set time and could spread their wings a little further.
Today was the first time that Hereford’s finest, KinStrife, had played The Station; but based on the reception they received it won’t be the last. They specialise in feel good, riff-driven rock and roll, which is just what the doctor ordered to raise the spirits on a winter’s afternoon. Mike Hoskins’ distinctive vocals and charisma are what first attract attention; but he is more than ably abetted by Alan Kaye on guitar, Dave Richards (bass) and Simon Richards (drums). The set is built mainly around their 2021 debut album Fools and Monsters, and opens with Intervention which sets the tone for the good times that follow. It is impossible to keep still and to banish the grin that spreads across your face as the band’s infectious earworms find their way into your brain and refuse to leave. Most recent single, Sticks and Stones, shows that their writing has progressed while still remaining close to the winning formula that they found on the debut album. Alan gets to stretch out more on a guitar solo than he has perhaps done in the past, but the riff remains central to the heart of the song. Get Away brings a swagger with its groovy riffs before the pace drops for Fear, an introspective piece about dealing with your inner demons. The mood quickly lightens with the riffy Rise and Fall to be followed by Unconditional, another mid-paced brooding piece brought to life by Mike’s powerful vocals. This leads into Any Given Day which is particularly relevant to the theme of the day. Mike shares that he used to work in dementia care and that the song is about the ups and downs experienced by both sufferers and their families struggling to deal with this horrible condition. Finally, the set draws to a rifftastic close with Ground Hammer and the upbeat, driving Make Me and all too soon they are gone.
Adam and The Hellcats are a force to be reckoned with, both sonically and visually, thanks to Adam Feasey (vocals/guitar) and Cirwen Farrant (vocals) who share vocal duties. Sometimes harmonising, and other times trading lines, you never quite know what to expect as they rattle through set openers She’s A Vampire, Queen and Country and Black Witch Bomb. The latter, taken from most recent album Catalyst, sees an impassioned performance from Cirwen who throws everything that she’s got at the vocals. At times wailing and almost screaming, she suddenly switches to a moment of calm before building the intensity once more. Currently working on their 3rd album, we were treated to a couple of new songs, including F**k You Brain and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof which went down well with the crowd and bodes well for the forthcoming release. By now things were hotting up and Steve Long, having shed a layer or two, was really rocking out on his retro 80’s style keytar on Demons. With its call and response chorus, this is the perfect sing along moment in the set designed to get even the most reluctant punters shouting along. Maintaining momentum, the band rattle through Traitor before then slowing down for Go Easy which is dedicated to Adam’s friend who died from liver disease just 6 months ago. Reminiscent of The Pogues at times, this is a lament and a celebration of a life cut down too soon. Finally, the set ends with What The Cat Dragged In and Peace, Love and Rock n Roll (or Sausage Rolls according to the setlist) leaving everyone on a sweaty high.
Circus 66 were recently nominated in the Best Hard Rock Act category by Radio Wigwam and it is easy to see why. Opening their set tonight with Replace The Pain, Jekyll Or Hyde and A Little Piece of Magic the energy and passion that vocalist Annabelle Zaychenko brings to the mix is apparent from the very start. She is the very definition of a powerhouse singer, with the ability to cut through the wall of sound created by the riff machine that is guitarist Matt Pearce. Circus 66 deal in driving hard rock and their pace doesn’t drop for the whole set. Currently working on a new album the band tease us with a preview in the form of Save The Damn World. If this is representative of the album, it is evident that we can expect more of the same driving riffs and fearsome vocals that have served the band well so far. Taking a breather between songs, Annabelle apologises for being out of condition; but based on the energy that she exudes you’d never know it! Rattling through Little Texas Princess and Take A Shot, The Station’s fixtures and fittings are in serious danger from the sonic assault. Closing the set with a rabble-rousing Monster, the band leave the stage to well-deserved applause from the appreciative crowd.
We are now approaching that stage of the evening when the bar is doing brisk business, everyone is enjoying themselves and the bands step it up a notch. Enter A’Priori, a 3 piece from Blackpool who know exactly what is required. Dealing in blues-based hard rock, Tony Lang (vocals), Mousey Lang (drums) and Mark Wilson (keyboards) have a loyal and growing following who appreciate their well crafted and hook-laden songs. Kicking off with Watch The World Burn and Shotgun Blues from their second album House of Cards, they soon have the crowd in the palm of their hands. Tony provides the visual focus for the band, sporting an impressive mane that provokes hair envy in those older and less hirsute members of the audience. Behind him, and barely visible thanks to an increasingly enthusiastic smoke machine, Mousey’s days in the gym pay off as he pounds those drums relentlessly. Which just leaves Mark on keyboards, providing both the bottom end in lieu of a bassist as well as all manner of fills to broaden the overall sound. Black Church, from the debut album of the same name, Better Man and Halo further illustrate their unique take on bluesy, snake-hipped rock n roll. Making Love To The Devil calls for some audience participation which is offered willingly, if not necessarily in tune. But hey, this is a rock show and we embrace the moment even if we’re not all vocal divas. Coming into the home stretch now, Tony looks for a volunteer to shake a tambourine along to Nah Nah Nah Nahand offers the task to a younger member of the audience at the barrier. This all proves to be a bit overwhelming and Tony is somewhat taken aback that he has made a girl cry! However, no harm is done and before too long we reach the riffy, hooky monster that is set closer Wasted Years. The band’s third album, Voodoo Love, is due for release on 6 September and promises to be well worth checking out
Black Lakes are surely headliners in waiting. Following the release of their debut album For All We’ve Left Behind, a modern metal masterpiece, in 2022 the band have gone from strength to strength. They have built up a loyal following on the back of rousing live performances that exemplify the cathartic nature of crushing riffs juxtaposed with melodic refrains. Tonight’s set begins with guitarist James Rowlands throwing some Vogue-era Madonna shapes before the band launch into the maelstrom that is Avarice. From then onwards we are treated to a totally immersive sensory experience capturing the power and beauty of Black Lakes in full flow. Verity in Flames starts with a gentle vocal refrain from Will Preston, underpinned by a simple but effective drum pattern laid down by Dafydd Fuller before the crushing main riff kicks in and we crest into the chorus. Focusing primarily on the debut album, the set moves on remorselessly from Fragments to Break the Silence, The Divide and Landslide. Will prowls the stage throughout like a caged big cat; a bundle of nervous energy wating to explode, while on either side James and Scott Bradshaw lay down the riffs as the tempo ebbs and flows. There is a teaser of things to come on album two in the form of White Cliffs, which posits that the country has more important problems to worry about than small boats, and One Step Closer. If the other songs are on the album are as strong as these two, then the band will have another roaring success on their hands. Finally, we reach the end of the set and a blistering rendition of Dissident. This song captures the essence of Black Lakes: melody counterbalanced by brutal riffs, moments of calm and soaring vocals, beauty and bleakness.
2023 was a rollercoaster ride for tonight’s headliners, The Hot One Two. Despite having released their debut EP Come What May and signing a management deal in 2022 they started the year flying under the radar for many people, apart from those with a keen eye and ear for new talent. Yet they ended up with an impressive array of festival slots under their belt and an eagerly anticipated debut album, Superbia, released to a growing and enthusiastic fan base. 2024 promises to be even bigger for this exciting band. Speaking to drummer Joe Chivers before their set, he reveals that the band were a bit surprised to find themselves topping the bill tonight. But as soon as they hit that stage and kicked into the opening salvo of Playing With Fire, Bleed On Me and God Forsaken Blues it was apparent that they are rightful headliners. Guitarists Nick Manners and Kev Baker do not stand still for a second, gurning furiously and getting everyone involved from the first notes at the start of the set to the last riff of the night. Vocalist Simon West has rock star looks and knows how to work a crowd, while the rhythm section in the form of Joe on drums and bassist Nick Blackburn keep things tight and groovy at the back. The set, taken primarily from the debut album which is based thematically on the seven deadly sins, does not dip for a moment. The energy throughout is phenomenal; the tunes are hooky, the riffs are earworms and the crowd loves every second. After a long day enjoying yourself, that is no mean feat once you’ve reached a certain age, I can tell you! And the songs keep coming thick and fast: Demon Daze, The Fray, Rolling Stone, Feeling Good fly past in a blur. Looking back at my notebook as I write this review the only thing that I jotted down at the time was the band’s name; I was enjoying myself way too much to stop and take anything more down. Looking around at the rest of the crowd, the feeling was mutual as there were broad smiles all round. Before too long, the set winds up with Is It Hot and Tie Me Down, both perfect examples of what makes The Hot One Two such a fun and exciting live experience. If they are due to play a venue near to you this year, I strongly recommend that you go along and find out what all the fuss is about.
I have to mention two more people before I draw my review to a conclusion, as without either of them the day would not have been the success it was. The first of those is compere Pete K Mally who introduced all of the bands and kept everyone entertained during change overs. Pete is ubiquitous on the grass roots rock circuit. He brings a wicked sense of humour and boundless enthusiasm to the task of ushering bands on and off stage. When he says that he is a fan of the band who are about to play, you know that he means it and if he wasn’t working he’d be in the crowd with the rest of us. It might look easy standing up there playing the fool but trust me it’s not.
Finally, after 11 years organising Dementia Aware Fest the mastermind behind today’s fantastic event, Dave Evans, is calling it a day. He has worked tirelessly and has done a terrific job not only in putting together amazing lineups of emerging rock talent over the years, but perhaps more importantly raising many thousands of pounds for dementia support. Hopefully someone else will be willing to take over the task of organising Dementia Aware Fest at The Station in years to come. Even if that doesn’t come to fruition, there are other events held under the Dementia Aware Fest banner taking place around the UK. If there is one near you, I urge you to go along and support both the bands and the charity in the essential work that they undertake.
