Another of my rock ‘n’ roll weekends which included two cracking gigs in Scarborough. The first was former Little Angels singer Toby Jepson who was pursuing a solo career. Little Angels were still well-loved in their home town and it was a welcome return for the vocalist. And on top of that there was an EP to review. I do have a soft spot for tribute bands because you get just as good a show and it is pretty close to the real thing – and AC/DC was the first proper gig I saw at Newcastle City Hall way back in 1982. All three articles were used on the same page in the Scarborough Evening News…

REVIEW: Toby Jepson at Vivaz Thursday, April 5, 2007.

I CAN remember the Little Angels when they were at the height of their fame so I was interested to hear how the former singer sounded these days.

Support for the night was from Scarborough band Olivine with their own brand of grunge influenced rock.

There were definite nods towards Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains and they even included a digeridoo player at one point. Well worth checking out.

It was appropriate Toby Jepson was playing at Vivaz because it was there his former band signed their record contract.

You could tell he felt at home on the Scarborough stage with solid backing from his current band – David Boyce on bass, Dean Howard on guitar and Andres Luengo on drums.

I was surprised when I heard they had been drafted in at the last minute because they sounded tighter than a snare drum.

It was a chance to showcase the latest five-track EP – Guitar, Bass and Drums – the first of three releases this year.

The new material sounds good, quite reminiscent of the Little Angels, and nestles comfortably alongside the older songs.

An enthusiastic crowd lapped up the entire performance and went wild when the Toby announced Young Gods.

All in all a cracking performance and it was good to see the band chatting with the fans after the show.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Artist: Toby Jepson. CD: Guitar, Bass and Drums EP.

FIRST release from a set of three planned for this year this is a good indication of the former Little Angel’s 2007 sound.

Motivated is the first of the five tracks and it really finds its groove and stomps along at a fair rate.

Overloaded is a definite fist-in-the air shout-along anthem and

Somebody Else has a definite introspective feel about it.

The final two tracks, Happy Ever After and Shine It On round proceedings off quite nicely.

If the next two releases are as good as this I will definitely be tracking down further copies.

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.

Just like the real thing

REVIEW: Whole Lotta DC at Vivaz Saturday, April 7, 2007.

I AM convinced everyone loves AC/DC judging by the crowd at Vivaz at the weekend, it was a curious mix, everyone from older rockers to students.

Support was from local band The Forefathers and they made a sterling effort to rouse an initially apathetic crowd.

It was only the promise of sexual favours from the drummer that shoe-horned a hardy few onto the dancefloor.

Clearly everyone was there to see Whole Lotta DC – one of the better AC/DC tribute bands on the circuit.

They launched into Riff Raff and from then on the audience were in the palm of their hand.

Singer Billy Loveridge is a convincing Brian Johnson and guitarist Richard Crump has the Angus Young act off to a tee.

He duckwalks all over the stage and jolts as though he is plugged directly into his own supply of high voltage.

The duo is backed by Steve Wilson on guitar, Matt King on bass and Ade Sheehy on drums.

They rattled through AC/DC’s back catalogue and standout tracks included: Back in Black, Hell’s Bells, Whole Lotta Rosie, Highway To Hell and TNT.

The highlight was when Billy Loveridge carried Richard Crump – better known as Spook – on his shoulders into the audience and around the venue.

Proprietor Paul Murray then challenged Spook to a duel with guitars and used a cut-out instrument while stood on the bar. Pure rock ‘n’ roll.

I can see why tribute bands are so popular big bands do not embark on extensive tours and opt for a handful of stadium gigs.

Why not pay six quid and see someone who looks and sounds like the real thing?

From the Scarborough Evening News on Wednesday, April 11, 2007.