The Electric Gypsy (Gig Review)

Phil Lewis

The Diamond

Sutton-in-Ashfield

21.01.15

Another year another gig and Phil Lewis has given me one more reason… to write a review. It’s a cold snowy Wednesday evening in January and I’m heading to the Diamond club in Sutton, I’m thinking only the diehard rock fans are gonna be their tonight and I’m not wrong. If you’re like some people I know who are ignorantly unaware who Phil Lewis is let me give you an abbreviated recap of his impressive CV.

In the late 1970’s Phil formed the band Girl with Phil Collen, they released two albums on Jet Records before disbanding, Collen joined Def Leppard (a band he’s still in to this day) Lewis however ended up in Bernie Tormé’s new band Tormé via the short lived New Torpedoes. However it was around 1987 that Lewis made a career defining move to Los Angeles to join Tracii Guns’ band L.A. Guns and the rest as they say is history.

L.A. Guns have had many ups and downs over the years as well as line-up changes however Phil Lewis still fronts the band and their last studio album, Hollywood Forever was released in 2012.

Tonight at the Diamond Phil is ‘flying’ solo and I’m intrigued to find out what material will be in his set.

Before all that it’s time for the boys from Barcelona, Stop Stop have been wowing UK audiences for the last few years with their brand of fun, glam and high octane rock n’ roll. The colourful three piece are made up of Jacob (photo left)(bass/lead vocals) Vega (lead guitar) and Danny Stix (drums) and they seem to have adopted the UK as their second home, they’ve even written a song called ‘Lost in the UK’. Playing a mix of original songs and covers Stop Stop have built up quite a loyal following due to their constant touring and their sheer enthusiasm both on and off stage, the boys never pack down their equipment and just go home, they hang out and party all night long. Underneath the vivacious bravado there’s three talented musicians just waiting for the big time to come grab them and I’ve just heard they’ve been booked to play the Rocklahoma Fest in May, I hope the USA are ready for Stop Stop.

Next on stage tonight at the Diamond are a band called Nitehawks from Italy, I’ve never heard of this band before and sadly although the lead singer is an amazing vocalist, sounding like a young Bruce Dickenson, I found their songs a tad banal. Also the great crowd reaction to Stop Stop seemed to dwindle somewhat during the Nitehawk set. Polite applause abounded however when their time on stage was over and it proved to be not the last time we were to see the Nitehawk lead guitarist, bass player and drummer as they were to return as Phil Lewis’ band.

Opening up with three songs from L.A. Guns titular first album, Hollywood Tease, No Mercy and Sex Action, Lewis along with his makeshift backing band immediately has the audience eating out of his hand. I swear if you closed your eyes you’d think you were listening to the album such is the consistency of Phil’s voice and his elfin appearance belies the fact he’s in his late fifties  

I’m pleased that he takes time to play the Girl song ‘My Number’ which is preceded by a Girl story about Ozzy and some powdered aspirins. In fact the first time I saw Phil Lewis on stage was when Girl supported Kiss in 1980 on the ‘Unmasked’ tour, the venue, Stafford Bingley Hall.

Tonight does have a nostalgic feel about it much of the set is made up of material from the first two L.A. Guns albums, classics like Rip and Tear, Electric Gypsy and The Ballad of Jane.

Remarkably Phil tells us he only met his backing band on stage the night before in Grimsby, I’m not sure I believe that as they play a seemingly faultless show together. My favourite L.A. Guns album, Hollywood Vampires is represented in the set with the brilliant songs Crystal Eyes and Kiss My Love Goodbye while the last song of the night comes far too soon, a cover of The Heavy Metal Kids’ She’s No Angel it’s inclusion for reasons best known to Mr. Lewis himself.

A great show from one of the most underrated vocalists and front men in rock today, a huge thanks to the Diamond for putting this show on and hopefully Phil Lewis will return cocked and loaded with his full band L.A. Guns before too long… GD Manofmetal.

Videos from the Diamond Club by GD: