Having been to the venue some two years ago I remembered it was a friendly place, be it a small one. The pub itself was bristling with punters, ale in hand when the band arrived.
The time seemed to be eaten up with laughter and chat and finally the time had arrived for Roadhog to do their stuff and perform within their small confines on the Cheshire Cheese stage. The place filled up considerably and the night was then well and truly underway.
It wasn’t long before Graham (vocals) was changing the lyrics to ‘Battleship Chains’. As if introducing it as “This is a track if you are in bondage!” wasn’t enough, and causing a stir to the enthusiastic crowd that now stood in front of them, Graham saw the surprised look on Neil’s (bass) face and burst out laughing at the beginning of the track, but quickly managed to gain his composure – however the people in the crowd were unable to – but it all adds to the fun of it!
This was Raymondo’s (drums) second gig since the demise of Roadhog’s previous drummer Ed Lane, and although not 100% as yet, he is a willing participant and really does put his all into the set.
Neil the band’s long term bassist of 5 years – who is also in another band called Krazy Knights (a superb Kiss Tribute band), decided to give his new bass a second outing. It was in the form of an axe which he propelled nicely towards Graham’s head during the set! (Make note no band member was harmed during the making of this gig!)
Kev the band’s legendary guitarist (who was previously with Trailer Trash along with Graham), effortlessly played some amazing riffs and did his now familiar walk around the pub and on his return Graham said “Did you get any wallets and IPad?” To which Kev smiled and held up his own wallet and said yeah! But as I know Kev would never do something as crass as that and it was clearly done for a laugh, as most of the crowd knew, but executed for laugh rather than shock content.
Graham announced the usual birthday mentions and this time it was Samantha and Jill who copped for the Happy Birthday sing a long and the usual banter from Graham, which always has people in stitches at the other person’s expense.
Graham then said “Now we are going to invite a young lady up on stage to sing with us!” and Katie stood up and confidently walked on stage and sung ‘Remind Me’ – a personal Nikelback favourite of mine.
Katie was composed, confident and professional. She told me afterwards that she had just gained her level 8 music exam with distinction and I could certainly see why. Note perfect and with excellent stage presence she was flagged either side by Neil and Kev who did the backing vocals and she launched into the track – her voice having a lilting tone that was clearly right for the track, although Katie prefers to sing with more of a Folk undertone.
I had never seen anyone so young just get up on stage like that, no nerves, no rehearsing, and deliver such an amazing song. It was superb to witness and rightly so she left the stage with applause ringing in her ears.
As Roadhog sing the classic tracks there was plenty for people to engage with and sing along to although sadly Raymondo still hasn’t learned ‘War Pigs’ which Roadhog are well known for doing and in their own style which is dare I say it, slightly heavier than the original. On speaking to Ray after the set he said “I would have given ‘War Pigs’ a go! It is clear that Ray is the man for the job as his enthusiasm knows no bounds and no doubt very shortly Roadhog will be adding back this track, into their well-oiled set very soon.
No matter where Roadhog play, these four guys make the night with their witty banter, and let’s not forget their precise and professional music ability they have all gained through-out years of experience.
By the end of the evening a lot of people were out of their seats and doing some crazy moves to Roadhog’s encores, although I doubt anyone but a handful of people, noticed Graham’s subtle changes to Thin Lizzy’s ‘Whisky in the Jar’! To “I bought my whisky with my giro!”
As the night came to a close everyone was still on a high, although it’s always sad to see a gig end when you are having so much fun and Roadhog know how to have more than their fair share of it, which is then passed on to the punters who have made journey’s out to see them play and always makes them return!
All photo’s by Pagan Hel.
