Adam KeysSuper groups often get a bad name. They’re often accused of being a fad. A quick money maker for aging stars. Many have come and gone; few have stood the test of time. The Dead Daisies however, are anything but the stereotypical super group. Instead the vintage five piece personify the work ethic of rock and roll, the comradery of a band and the passion of real rockers.
With three albums, constant touring and widespread critical acclaim since their formation in 2013, the Daisies continue to go from strength to strength, keeping the spirit of rock and roll alive and well. And, last week in Newcastle they showed just that. At a time when real rockers are few and far between, the Daisies showed their class throughout a diverse set which featured an eclectic blend of originals and covers.
Opening their set with The Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s Midnight Moses, The Dead Daisies burst into life, with John Corabi’s big, grizzly vocals filling the room. The power of the former Motley Crue frontman’s vocal was matched by the dynamic display of his troops, with Doug Aldrich and Marco Mendoza bringing their full bare chested, leather waist-coated 80s appeal to the stage.
Throughout the first half of their electric set, this high energy was matched by the new guy – the ever popular Deen Castronovo. The seasoned former Journey drummer set the tempo from the back from start to finish, with his performance receiving continuous chants of ‘Deen-ooo, Deen-ooo’ from the crowd.
This appreciation was further heightened when the band took to their stools for the acoustic mid-section of their set. Corabi was given a quick breather as ‘Deeno’ delivered a blistering rendition of Maggie May. Alongside this crowd-pleasing cover, the band delivered a beautifully intimate version of Set Me Free, which Corabi dedicated to his wife.
As they returned to their accustomed electric set up, the band launched straight into Burn It Down, and burn it down they did! With big soaring licks, hard hitting drums and roaring vocals, the Daisies showed what hard rock is all about. This track was followed by a series of originals and covers including a nod to their 60s icons, as they delivered The Rolling Stones Bitch, The Beatles Helter Skelterand Deep Purple’s Highway Star.
In-between these iconic tracks, the Dead Daisies treated the fans to the tracks they really wanted to hear – Leave Me Alone, Long Way To Goand Mexico. These tracks once again highlighted the song writing capabilities of the veteran rockers, and with their current work ethic, this outpouring is only going to continue.
