By David O’Neill
My second gig of the week – indeed, in as many nights – in Tramsheds was always a potential cracker. Hand of Dimes fronted by the incredible Neville MacDonald and FM on their 40th anniversary ‘Old Habits Die Hard’ tour fronted by another incredible voice, that of Steve Overland. It was always going to have huge potential, did it meet up with expectations? Read on to find out.
Kicking things off with ‘Looking At You’ was a good start for Nev and the boys. After the rapturous applause from the very partisan crowd, Nev said that he had been awestruck when they were on the same bill as FM in Kooga, adding “f.,k me here we are again! Still awestruck”.
Anyhow, I have reviewed Hand of Dimes many times previously, and new we were in for another cracking 45 minute set, which they duly delivered with golden voice MacDonald at the helm more than adequately supported by the rest of the band through ‘Moonlight Mile’, ‘Bad Reputation’ and one of my favourites, ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. Neil Garland on keyboard doubles as a fabulous harmonica player on ‘Guilty’.
Mark Maybry on bass is very animated, and together with David Stephenson on drums can really hold things together in the rhythm section. The subtle laid back style and tones of lead guitarist Colin Edwards decry his technical and instrumental ability, which is more than ably supported by Nev on rhythm guitar. Ending up with ‘Sail On’ as usual was a fabulous warm up for FM. I actually spoke to one of the security guys who hadn’t seen HoD before and was blown away by Mr MacDonald as a front man.
After their usual introductory tape, the band of Pete Jupp, Jim Kirkpatrick, Steve Overland, Jem Davies and Merv Goldsworthy arrived to rapturous ovation. Opening up with ‘Diggin’ Up The Dirt’ left the crowd in no doubt that the 40 years haven’t changed anything (apart from the young pup Kirkpatrick who may have reached 40 by now!).
‘Tough It Out’ rapidly followed and Steve hasn’t lost any of his vocal range, he still gets to all the high notes and sustain that he has always had. The backing vocals of Merv and Jim are also on point adding to the whole AOR feel that the band are well known for, especially on the opening of ‘Killed By Love’. The audience were loving all the old stuff. Without missing hardly a beat and looking like they were all loving it as much as the audience were they soon carried on with ‘Someday (You’ll Come Running)’, ‘I Don’t Need Another Heartache’ and ‘Every Time I Think Of You’.
With the new album ‘Old Habits Die Hard‘ came the opportunity to play ‘Out Of The Blue‘. This is a typical FM AOR track and it’s a cracker live. This was the style of the night and so it continued. After 40 years Steve Overland can sing better than I could sing 40 years ago, so unfortunately I try not to these days but there were many in the audience who joined in throughout the evening.
With a two minute break at 10.30 after ‘Hot Wired’, the band were “encouraged” back on for another three song encore. Forty years, and they still manage to do a two hour set… that is how you get longevity in the music industry. The 40th anniversary tour started in March and continues throughout the ÜK and Europe until November 2024. That’s one hell of an anniversary!
Well done FM, and here’s to another 40 years: I hope I’m there to see it!
- The tour continues at Belfast’s Limelight 2 on Thursday (30 May), Oran Mor in Glasgow on Friday (31 May) and the Lemon Tree in Aberdeen on Saturday (1 June).
- All photos © BandTogs/Über Rock.
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