The Alarm - King Tuts 21st November 2008

The third night of The Guerilla Tactics Tour in Glasgow was yet another amazing show by The Alarm. Once again the set list was a mix of classic and new songs by the band. Highlights of the set were rocking versions of 'Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke', '68 Guns', 'My Town' and 'Cease and Desist' and of course many more.

The Alarm ABOVE AND BEYOND: Adventures on a Rock and Roll Rollercoaster!

King Tuts Wah Wah Hut, 14th November 2008

Opening week of the Guerilla Tactics Tour @ King Tuts we were blown away by just how tight the band have become and just how passionate Mike Peters continues to be about Rock and Roll and especially The Alarm. Last week Mike was on a mission to touch the lives of those who have
stood by him through thick and thin, sickness and health, and he succeeded.

This show was so much better! I know we probably say that every time we see The Alarm, but honest, it was absolutely stunning.

Davie Sharp kicked off the proceedings with a short set that included a wonderful version of  'One Step Closer to Home', which of course provoked the first sing-a-long of the night. He ended his set with a rousing rendition of 'With Little Help of My Friends'.

The Crowd at King Tuts was really up for what was to follow. Another sold out show and the place was jammed to the rafters and prior to Mike and the Boys hitting the stage there was already such a buzz of excitement. Last weeks show moulded all the eras of The Alarm together and served them on a silver plater to the hungry masses. This week was no different. The set list had changed (some songs were still there but new ones added).

From the opening chords of 'Coming Home' the place was bouncing. The voices of hundreds singing together as they launched into 'Rescue Me', 'Fightback' and the superb 'Deeside' was beautiful to behold. Almost without taking a breath it was 'Sold Me Down the River', 'Without a Fight' and 'Absolute Reality'. A breath finally taken, we soared the dizzy heights once again with 'The Drunk and Disorderly' which prior to the end of the song was beginning to sound like The Who before Mike brought it all back down with "I am powerless..."

First set ended there was ten minutes to get a break and before you know it right there in the heart of the mosh pit stands Mike Peters, Guitar in hand, ready to do battle again. Interesting song choice for his little acoustic set included one I hadn't heard in along time, 'Rose Beyond the Wall' and that was followed up with 'The Deceiver', 'The Stand' and one of Mike's finest modern anthems in 'Love, Hope and Strength'. The sense of community during this mini set is amazing, the singing would put to shame many a football terrace, but instead of the hostility of the terrace there is love and respect in the mosh pit!

Man, if it had all ended there we would have gone home happy souls, but there was loads more to come and a few surprises along the way.

'Where Were You Hiding' kicked it all off again and the band were into overdrive. Anyone who does not recognize the talent of James, Craig and Stevie really does need their head seeing to! These guys respond to every move Mike makes and hardly a word needs to be uttered between them as they are so musically in sync. It is those three guys who along with Mike have given us some of the finest Alarm music since the 80's. If you don't like that, go and deal with it!

'Regeneration' followed 'Hiding'(another song I hadn't heard in a long time) before launching into an all scale assault from 'Under Attack' to 'Guerilla Tactics' ('Three Sevens Clash', 'I Never Left','Alarm Calling' and 'My Town'). We were reminded of 'fallen friends' as Mike launched into a beautiful rendition of 'In A Big Country' and then powered into The Anthem - Spirit of 76! I must admit I was quite chuffed because a while back I sent a mail and request 'Walk Forever By My Side' for this very night because it was my anniversary and my wife Kerstin was by my side at the gig, and so drifting off into 'Walk Forever' before spring boarding back into 'Spirit' was a sweet moment to savour.

Mike always ends the show on a roller coaster of high energy Rock and Roll and he doesn't disappoint tonight. '45 RPM' becomes a great medley with shouts of 'Hey Ho Let's Go' and into 'Cease and Desist' and right back again to '45 RPM'. So off they troop to chants of 'Going Out In A Blaze of Glory', but we know they'll be back.

For the encore it's a steady diet of Old School Alarm. 'Knife Edge', '68 Guns' and of course 'Blaze of Glory' which had a nice little twist to it as the band (along with Dave Sharp) burst into 'My Generation' before bringing it back down to 'Blaze' and leaving us gasping for air and longing for next week to come around quick so we can once again feast on the great delights of The Alarm.

I have no idea if they are gonna top this show next week, but if I were a betting man I'd be laying down a wad that says they will go above and beyond!

The Alarm - Cardiff 13th Nov. 2008

THE ALARM PLAY A STORMING HOMETOWN SHOW!

Pictures and videos by Simon 'Welsh and Proud' Bevan
The Set List

Last night The Alarm played at The Point in Cardiff as they began the second week of the Guerilla Tactics Tour in the UK. Here's a few videos from the show.
Superchannel


Knife Edge


The Stand


Spirit of 76


Marching On (with Dave Sharp)

The Alarm - King Tuts videos

Here's a couple of videos from The Alarm show on the 7th Nov. 2008

One Step Closer to Home


The Alarm Calling

Roddy Frame @ Oran Mor 10th Nov. 2008

Roddy was on great form at the Oran Mor as he performed tracks from his own solo projects to some classic Aztec Camera songs.

Down the Dip & Birth of the True
Roddy Frame - Live at The Oran Mor 1 of 2


Reason For Living
Roddy Frame - Live at The Oran Mor 2 of 2

The Alarm - King Tuts 7th November 2008

GOING OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY!

The Alarm take Glasgow by storm.

Friday 7th November 2008 will go down in the annals of Rock and Roll as one of the finest displays of musical magic ever. The Alarm were in town on the second night of their adventerous Guerilla Tactics Tour that is taking place in four cities (Cardiff, Glasgow, Manchester and London), over four nights for the next three weeks.

Mike Peters is still a man so passionate about music and he has gathered about himself a real quality band who for the past four or five years have been The Alarm. Unlike many bands from a bygone era The Alarm have continually been releasing new material and seeking to raise the profile like choosing to release the album by performing in Times Square earlier this summer and having a digital store right there on the street.

Guerilla Tactics is the third album release since the rebirth of the band (In the Poppy Fields and Under Attack being the other two. It should be pointed out that they have actually released more than that but these titles have been available with far reaching distribution). Very little has changed about The Alarm. Their songs are still of anthemic quality, their shows are a cross between the football terraces and a revival meeting. They have a spirit of 1977 Punk Rock yet a sound that appeals to far more people than the punks.

The sold out crowd at King Tuts in Glasgow were treated to a set list that embraced both The Alarm of the 1980's and the new Alarm of the present. Beginning with 'Marching On' , 'Where Were You Hiding' and 'The Stand' they then moved on to the present with storming versions of 'Alarm Calling', 'Superchannel' and the exceptional 'Situation Under Control' that speaks of Mike's battle with cancer. Without skipping a beat they are back on old ground with 'Rain in the Summertime' and fan favourite 'Blaze of Glory'. That ended the first set.

Fifteen minutes later a cheer in the crowd goes up. Mike is right there in the middle of it, guitar in hand and a close and communal sing-a-long breaks out as Mike plays 'Walk Forever By My Side', 'Unsafe Building' and 'Breathe'. What has been noticeable about the show thus far is that Mike Peters wants to align himself with the fans. He doesn't want distance. At various points in the evening he is diving in, shaking hands, giving high fives, he's a man who wants to touch lives because their lives have touched his. It's beautiful to watch a man so consumed with passion that he wants others to feel it also.
The second set begins with the rousing sounds of 'Three Sevens Clash' and Mike and the band move so effortlessly from new to old as 'Absolute Relality' follows. 'My Town' from the brilliant 'Under Attack' is then followed by 'Fightback' from their latest release. It only quietens down for a moment with the impressive 'The Drunk and Disorderly' before launching into an all out rock and roll assault: 'Cease and Desist', 'Without A Fight', 'Rescue Me'. '45 RPM', and ending the set with 'Spirit of 76' and 'Sheena Is A Punk Rocker'.

The place is bouncing. Condensation is dripping off the ceiling and the crowd are still up for more and so that's what they get. 'Into the 21st Century' leads off a really sweet encore set and that blends into a short verse and chorus of 'One Step Closer' before launching into one of their most widely known songs in '68 Guns'. The final song in the set is 'Love, Hope Strength', but wait a minute, they're not done yet! A nod to their hero Joe Strummer crowns the night, 'White Riot'!

Glasgow is always a special place for The Alarm and once again this evening's show demonstrated why. There was not a soul in at King Tuts who did not give their all in the pursuit of the ultimate rock and roll show. They did so because the band gave their all.

We went out in a Blaze of Glory tonight and we got a week to rest before we do it all over again!

Update

Yeah I know, it was July when I was last here but hey, it's my blog! Joking aside, it's been a busy time. Gigs, taking photos for bands and recovering from a broken foot!

This month is a busy one for gigs. Tonight I'm out to see The Alarm @ King Tuts and will see them again at the same venue on the 14th and 21st of this month. Also squeezing in Roddy Frame on Monday 10th @ Oran Mor, Glasgow, and Anberlin on the 25th @ King Tuts.

Already got two shows booked for 2009. Last weekend in January it's time for The Gathering again. A whole weekend of music by The Alarm. Then in February it's the return (finally!) of P.O.D. They haven't been here in Scotland since 1992 when they played the Barrowlands whilst promoting the very brilliant 'Satellite' album. This time around they are playing at The Garage (15th Feb. 2009). Very excited about that show.

Emmylou Harris @ Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 9th Sept. 2008

Two nights after seeing Underoath at The Garage it was a very different concert that I went to at the Royal Concert Hall. Emmylou Harris was in town to promote her brand new CD 'All I Intended To Be'. A fantastic show that included tracks from her very impressive back catalogue as well as tracks from the new album. Here's a few photos from the night. I had really great seats (fifth row) and had a great time with my mate Eddie.

Underoath & Oh, Sleeper 7th September 2008

On Sunday 7th September 2008 Underoath rolled into Glasgow on their short UK tour. Supported by Oh, Sleeper the sellout crowd enjoyed a great night of hardcore Christian Metal. Here's a few pictures from the night.

Some of the pictures might show up as quite small here so click view image to see the full image.

Underoath @ The Garage



























Oh, Sleeper @ The Garage