Simon RushworthThe Dead Daisies wrap up their latest UK headline tour in London tonight. Simon Rushworth argues the supergroup has rediscovered its mojo with John Corabi back at the helm.
The Dead Daisies are reborn
Glenn Hughes — the Voice of Rock — is a redoubtable frontman with one of the warmest blues rock voices on the planet. In fact, at a time when so many of his peers can’t quite hot those high notes, the sharp as a tack former Deep Purple favourite remains right at the top of his game. But he was never the right fit for the sleaze soaked, Sunset Strip-styled Dead Daisies. And doesn’t this latest tour prove it. With the debauched and devilish John Corabi back behind the mic — the grizzled former Crüe man spitting feathers from behind the bushiest of beards — the US/Aussie collective are on fire. Dead And Gone? More like alive and fucking kicking.
New shoots reap rewards
There’s a reason Light ‘Em Up pipped allcomers to bag Rushonrock’s Record Of The Week last month. It’s a balls-to-the-wall blockbuster of a hard rock album that harks back to the Daisies at their most dangerous. The title track, I Wanna Be Your Bitch and I’m Gonna Ride all make their presence felt within the current setlist and all three tunes showcase Corabi at his coolest. There’s an endearing authenticity at the veteran frontman’s heart and — as this collective of hired hands realising founder David Lowy’s rock and roll dream power on — that legitimacy counts. Light Em Up might not be the best Daisies record yet but it’s damn near close.
Still digging Doug
The big names come and go where this band’s concerned but as long as deadly Doug Aldrich remains a permanent fixture we’ll forever be drawn to Lowy’s revolving door line-up. Ageless, peerless, call him what you like. But as the pool of genuine guitar gods gradually diminishes, Aldrich flies the flag for style, technical prowess and intuitive flair. And he does it all with a beaming wide smile on his chiselled face. Owning Lock N Load and ripping through the new material like a man possessed, Whitesnake alumnus Aldrich is worth the admission money alone.
Bites best The Treatment
Lowy knows a thing or two about crafting the perfect night of rock and roll excess and bringing the next generation along for the ride is an essential part of putting together the ultimate live package. Pity The Treatment for having to follow The Bites. The best new live band of 2024 continues to push the boundaries and ooze potential — frontman Jordan Tyler is a hip-shaking force of nature fusing Hollywood glam with garage rock muscle. Do yourself a favour and catch this killer quartet now. Following The Bites right now is like receiving the ultimate hospital ball but credit to The Treatment for giving it a good old go. Frontman Tom Rampton’s the driving force and his superstar swagger is consistently eye catching but six albums in and the Cambridge crew still require the songwriting substance to match their on-stage style.
Images by Adam Kennedy