Blind Melon, Heaven's Basement

Here's a gig that many in the UK thought would never happen again, like RATM or Queen (and Paul Rogers). Blind Melon are back, and if there are any sceptics out there, I will try to silence them here.

A quick mention about the support act first though as always. Heaven's Basement, a brash classic rock band from Wales. They have all the moves, sounds and big hair of the rock period, and also the cockiness. In fact they are a bit too cocky for me, straight after the first song the singer Richie Hevanz seems frustrated that people are not more involved in worshipping them, and demands more cheering. Give us a minute mate, you've only just stepped on stage. Despite that they are a good band for keeping the spirit of AC/DC going, but reducing their attitude a bit and might make them some more fans.



Anyone could have had that support shot and it wouldn't have mattered. Everyone's here for a rebirth of Blind Melon, and that's what we get. As the sound of the start of the 'Soup' album fill the air, the atmosphere is intense and people can not wait. Then it begins, no messing, with '4x4' and 'I Wonder', showing us that a good setlist is going to happen, and it will not just be a show of new songs.

New vocalist Travis Warren was born to be in the band. Ever since the sad and premature death of original singer Shannon Hoon in 1995, Blind Melon were thought to have had to call it a day; who could replace the charismatic and frankly unique singer? Step up Warren, originally of Rain Fur Rent, who has the vocal traits of Hoon and can carry on his legacy. Some may write it off as a tribute act, but when four of the five original members are here, and they have obviously thought long and hard about what people would think for bringing it back, Warren is no Hoon clone.



Yeah he sounds exactly like him; close you eyes and it is hard to tell the difference; but that's after years of being influenced by this band and although Hoon's vocals are somewhat unique who's to say a thousand people don't sound like him when they sing. Warren is an excellent new addition to the band, and a worthy songwriter too (just listen to 'Wishing Well' and other new tracks from 'For My Friends' to find that out). In fact, if it wasn't for Warren finding the band they would not be playing tonight...

For a Blind Melon nut like myself the setlist is amazing, containing great nuggets from across the board. Those with only the first album (though I suspect many here have more), are catered for with many of the songs from there, like 'Soak The Skin' and 'Change'. The hit they are remembered for, 'No Rain', starts as the 'Ripped Away version' on the Nico album before returning to the classic arrangement, sending the crowd mental. Both the band and the crowd are loving the show; it's like the absence of the last thirteen years has been built up in so many people and has exploded in the Astoria like a huge firework. There are even crowd surfers and a moshpit, though Blind Melon's mix of song genres do not include anything that heavy



Highlights for me are 'Mouthful Of Cavities' with Warren helping on guitar (though no Jena Kraus, I was singing along with the backing vocals!). The new tracks fit in seamlessly amongst the older songs, and the crowd make the band feel at home by singing the words to these new songs back at them. There's no time for an encore, and the show overruns a little with the band squeezing in 'The Pusher' after curfew. The 400 mile round trip to see this show was worth it as it was such a memorable show. I for one can not wait for the band to return to the UK, and they just may, next Spring I hear...

4x4
I Wonder
Soup
For My Friends
Toes Across The Floor
Sleepyhouse
Soak The Skin
Drive
Wishing Well
Change
Mouthful Of Cavities
Time
Hypnotize
Skinned
Paper Scratcher
No Rain
Galaxie
The Pusher

FUTURE GIGS

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