BLACK STAR RIDERS | LIVE REVIEW
Tramshed, Cardiff, Thurs 2 Mar
A godawful rainy Cardiff night has not stopped a gathering of loyal rock fans converging on The Tramshed to check out Black Star Riders: a band who, whilst loyal to the legend of Thin Lizzy, are now making their own tracks in the rock world. Supporting them on this tour are Scottish might-have-beens Gun, best remembered for their cover of Cameo’s Word Up – which is inevitably rolled out two songs into their set. Another early 90s minor hit of theirs I vaguely remember was Steal Your Fire, also received warmly by the crowd. A short set is wrapped up with another cover, this time the Beastie Boys’ (You Gotta ) Fight For Your right (To Party). The crowd seem happy enough, but they want some Black Star Riders action.
Ricky Warwick and co kick off a storming set with the title track from their latest album Heavy Fire – a great set opener if ever I heard one. In an effort to give fans a true taste of what they are about, BSR then follow up with a track from each of their two previous albums, all lapped up by the adoring crowd. The Lizzy-esque Soldierstown is rolled out to remind the crowd where the roots of this band lie – as if it were needed – before they satisfy those here to see some Lizzy tracks by rampaging through The Boys Are Back In Town.
Let’s make it clear: Phil Lynott cannot be replaced, but if he could, Ricky Warwick would be the ideal guy. Close your eyes and you’d swear that Phil was onstage. A pummelling Who Rides The Tiger follows, led by powerhouse drummer Jimmy Degrasso. The Dropkick Murphys vibe of The Kingdom Of The Lost gets the crowd moving again, before the one-two ending of Bound For Glory and Finest Hour prompts a mass singalong.
The fact that they only played one Thin Lizzy track leaves a few fans grumbling on the way out, but these are very much in the minority. Black Star Riders show they’re getting more and more comfortable in their own skin and don’t need to rely on past glories to put on a top-notch rock show.
words CHRIS ANDREWS photos NATHAN ROACH