16/9/2023 Black Spiders + The Hot Damn + Haxan + Muddibrooke @ The New Cross Inn

 It seems an expensive ticket for a pub gig, but it was worth it.

I couldn't get all the way to South London in time to see Flashhouse so the first band I saw was Lavire.

They played well enough and sounded OK although the singer was a bit screamy. She was a lively and passionate performer but none of the band's songs grabbed me.

The next act took things up a level or two. Having heard their song Devil on the radio a lot and really liked it I was looking forward to checking out Muddibrooke. They didn't disappoint.

As I would have expected from a band that have received much airplay on national radio Muddibrooke turned in a polished and highly professional performance. Sometimes you see a band and think they are far too good to be playing pub venues like this - nothing against the New Cross Inn which is actually a pretty good pub venue.

Their rock/grunge influenced songs songs were good, and very well played. They also sounded great! Although I wasn't familiar with most of their material they very much left me wanting more. Definitely a band that is going straight on my list of bands I want to see again.

Next were The Howling Tides. Competently performed pretty standard classic rock. In fact the most striking thing about them was their frontman's uncanny resemblance to Planet Rock Radio's Paul Anthony.

The band feature well played 1980's style rock, but I can't actually remember any of their songs. If you like that type of music they are certainly worth checking out though.

Things stay heavy for the next band - like their Welsh countrymen Budgie these girls can kick some serious arse in the heaviness stakes.

Haxan are quite a powerhouse  - in fact one of their previous drummers went on to join JoanOvArc for a while - and you've got to be pretty damn good to get that gig!

Haxan take no prisoners and give a hard rocking and full-on performance - if you like bands like Girlschool and Rock Goddess then you really need to check this lot out!

And girls continue to rock the house as The Hot Damn hit the stage! Less of a heavy metal band than the previous act, but no less rocking! This band may not have a 'rock' image, but the do very much have a rock pedigree as singer/guitarist Gill used to front Scottish outfit The Amorettes and drummer Josie was in Australian band Tequila Mockingbyrd. I was sad with the demise of both bands and had enjoyed seeing them live. Some members from each band united together to fulfill some existing gig commitments playing each others songs, and this ended up turning into a new band with new songs - this is the result!

 

I've been really looking forward to finally getting a chance to see this band  - and they certainly didn't disappoint! The Hot Damn! have written a bunch of excellent and catchy new songs. They sound quite poppy and commercial, but with a punky attitude. They are also great fun when you see them play live!

The band have a debut album on the way which I am really looking forward to, and I can't wait to see them play live again as well!

Things take a darker heavier turn next with the well named Empyre. If you like Prog rock with a distinctly heavy sound and maybe are a Queensryche fan then these guys could be right up your Strasse. Quite technical and polished there is plenty to digest here.

And on to the headliners. Black Spiders frontman Pete Spiby used to be in a punky band called Groop Dogdrill many years ago. They were great! Me and my mate Charlie were fans and used to go and see them. So we decided it would be a cool idea to each wear different Groop Dogdrill T-shirts to this gig. Guess what? No one even noticed! 🙄🤣

Black Spiders have been going quite a few years now. I've seen them at some large gigs like the Electric Ballroom and the (much missed) High Voltage Festival. They seemed to have split up for a while, but now have a new invigorated lineup.

Earlier on this bill The Howling Tides had a Planet Rock Radio DJ lookalike in their ranks. Black Spiders go one better and have an actual Planet Rock DJ in the band! Lunchtime presenter Wyatt Wendels has been playing drums in Black Spiders for several years now - he's quite a powerhouse behind the kit.

This band is very different to Pete's old band - the Doncaster destroyers Groop Dogdrill who dripped with an aggressive punk vibe. His current outfit are much more in the 'classic rock' vein.

Black Spiders have a few albums under their belt now, both from their early days and right up to now as the current lineup are still recording new albums.

The band have a decent back catalogue to call on these days so there is no shortage of material to fill a longish set.

'KISS Tried To Kill Me' is always a crowd pleaser!

It was a good and varied afternoon/evening's entertainment of quality ROCK music and certainly worth the money!