Glasgow, Scotland - Media Reviews
Joe Elliott's Down N Outz, Vega, at Glasgow Garage, 16th December 2014 By Steven Reid
The celebration of Mott The Hoople and its related offshoots, that is Joe Elliott's Down N Outz, is basically a Rock n' Roll party on the move. The recipe has been simple; record two albums of criminally forgotten songs, have great fun while doing so and bring that joy to stages around the UK. Then, share with like minded souls the vibe and sounds which inspired Def Leppard frontman Elliott and his backing band, which is sprinkled with a liberal helping of The Quireboys, to play music in the first place. Does it work? Well it sure as hell served up some serious "Good Times" tonight in Glasgow!
By the time Joe and his boys and girl appeared through the curtain at the side of the room, the Garage was only about half full but a storming version of Elton John's "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" kicked things off in fine style, six part vocal harmonies already in full swing and Elliott adding piano to his excellent, if slightly raspy, vocals. "One More Chance To Run" and the shimmering "Rock And Roll Queen" introduced a three guitar attack, Elliott donning a glittering six-string to join the Quireboys twin-axes of Guy Griffin and Paul Guerin in firing out riff after killer riff. "Drivin' Sister", complete with car engine and horn noises, created a killer groove that was only topped by the simply stunning "Overnight Angels".
Although he started well, Elliott was clearly struggling with what he described as a "bronchial infection", frequent drinks (from "diamond encrusted" bottles, no less) and coughs - and even one session of nose blowing! - punctuating songs, yet he only really found the piano, vocal intro to the non-album track "Sea Diver" a stretch too far. To his credit it was one of the few slips in what must have been a tall order for the clearly not 100% front-man. However proclaiming that it was the weirder Mott stuff that really got him going, Elliott put his vocal problems aside - Joe did name this band's jaunt round the UK and Ireland "the boogie-woogie flu and rock n' roll pneumonia tour" - for a scintillating blast of "Shouting And Pointing", which proved to be a highlight of the whole set. Share Ross (better known as Share Pedersen of Vixen) offered not only dextrous bass work, but also superb backing vocals, something Griffin and Guerin weren't exactly shabby at either. At the end of the song the house lights revealed the crowd to those on stage and Elliott suddenly spotted Sensational Alex Harvey Band drummer, Ted McKenna, among the throng, regaling the audience with the story of the night in Sheffield when a 15 year old future Def Leppard frontman had his hand cut by one of McKenna's fallen cymbals - and promptly fainted! Having been taken backstage that night, Elliott was allowed to meet his heroes, resulting in a decade's long friendship with not only McKenna, but SAHB bassist Chris Glen who also made his attendance at the show known by hollering at Elliott from his spot at the bar.
Having traded fantastic, tasteful solos all night Guerin and Griffin romped into "Crash Street Kids", keyboard player (and the third of The Quireboys on the stage) Keith Weir showing how he'd held the whole shebang tightly together all night. "Violence" closed the set, Sinead Madden (the band's production manager!) on violin offering a completely different aspect, Guerin holding perfect harmony with each violin outburst as drummer Phil Martini (ex of The Quireboys) laid down the rhythmic law. Appearing for the encore clutching a Union-flag adorned guitar, Elliott claimed - post Scottish independence vote - that he'd been handed it by accident, before pondering if he could really play the song "England Rocks" in Scotland; instead opting for the one-time only "Glasgow Rocks", which ensured the loudest sing along of the night. All of which left the aptly named "Good Times" to bring a night crammed with good times, great memories, stunning performances and simply fantastic songs to a triumphant close. Down n' Out? Not a bit of it; more like hitting the heights. Roll on album number three and more nights like this…get well soon Joe and hurry back!
By Sea Of Tranquility 2014.
JOE ELLIOTT'S DOWN 'N' OUTZ The Garage, Glasgow By Johnny Main
Joe Elliott has never shied away from his love for Mott The Hoople, indeed Def Leppard themselves have covered 'The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll' track on their 2005 covers album, 'Yeah!'.
Down 'N' Outz were formed by Elliott in 2009 and would initially serve as the opening act to Mott's final live date of the year at London's Hammersmith Apollo. Since then the band have opened up for Paul Rodgers on his 2011 UK arena tour as well as recording a couple of albums.
Their latest album, 'The Further Adventures Of...', has recently been released and this eight date UK/Irish tour was a rare chance for the fans to see the band up close and personal on what promised to be a fun filled journey.
With the band comprising of guitarists Paul Guerin and Guy Griffin from The Quireboys alongside bass player Share Ross from Vixen, this was never going to be an easy ride for the band when it came to recording and touring. As Elliott himself said, "(the album) was recorded in eight weeks but we've had to sit on it for two years" due to the different band members commitments but they are happy to finally be out on tour to promote it. Obviously their patience has paid off as the throng down the front shouted and cheered rendering Elliott temporarily speechless mid-set.
The set was obviously a personal journey for him and it allowed him the freedom to play keyboards and guitar as well as being the consummate frontman. Nursing something of a cold, Elliott's vocals could sometimes be on the croaky side, but all this is easily forgiven when you see his passion for the material. Trying to bring a greater awareness of Mott The Hoople and Ian Hunter's work is what this tour and album are all about. Elliot doesn't need to do this, but he wants to – and that's the difference.
Dubbed the "2014 Boogie Woogie Thrill and Pneumonia Tour" by Elliott, the band rock their way though tracks from Mott The Hoople and its offshoot British Lions. The set opener was the Elton John track 'Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding' had Elliott sat at the keyboard while guitarist Paul Guerin produced a great solo. As Elliott's voice finally kicked in, his vocals were so low in the mix that it was really difficult to make out what he was actually singing and it took the soundman quite some time to sort the issue out.
After a slightly bumpy start, it's up to Elliott to bring the party to life as he straps on his shiny Les Paul guitar and launches into 'One More Chance to Run'. 'Rock And Roll Queen' brought cheers from the crowd of forty somethings - especially a group of hard core Elliott/Def Leppard fans who happily screamed their way through the first half of the show.
There was no let up for drummer Phil Martini as he punched out the beat to 'Drivin' Sister' which had Guerin playing a measured solo midway through as Ross produced some truly rib rattling bass notes. There was a breather for the band and audience during 'Whizzkid' before guitarist Guy Griffin took centre stage for 'Storm'.
The addition of some jangly piano from keyboard player Keith Weir was a welcome addition as he fought to try and clear the immense amount of dry ice pouring from the machine located just above his head.
A shout out to Chris Glen and Ted McKenna (bass player and drummer for The Sensational Alex Harvey Band respectively) provided some amusement for Elliott before 'Overnight Angels' which slowed the pace once again and it was left to Weir, Ross and Martin to keep up the rhythm whilst all three guitarists took a back seat. It's a good number though, as a group towards the back of the hall sing along loudly with their pints of lager hoisted in the air.
The dry ice machine operator must have been on overtime as it continues to spew out smoke over Weirs head during 'One Of The Boys' as Elliott gave Griffin and Guerin the opening of this song all on their own. Elliott explained that the next song, 'Sea Diver', didn't even make it onto the final album, but the band have recently released a video for it and the track sees him returning to the keyboard for the sensitive rendition of the song.
'Who Do You Love' had the intro laid out solidly by Martin and Ross and the audience were in full voice as Elliott returns to centre stage. 'Cash Street Kidds' was another song that Elliott performed with glee and a few down the front of the audience shared his enjoyment and the song is preformed with gusto by the rest of the band before they fired straight into 'Violence' as Elliot triumphantly punched the air. At this point the band were joined by violinist Sinead Madden who played off Guerins guitar riffs as they laughed their way through the rest of the song.
Very aware of the early curfew at the venue, the band briefly disappeared off stage before they returned to loud applause. As Elliott explained, they just had a straw poll whether or not to play the next song or not and the general consensus was a yes although he advises that "for one night only, it will be 'Glasgow Rocks', okay?" which gets a roar of approval from the audience.
It's a great end to a great night, but then with the calibre of musicians assembled on stage, would you expect anything different?
By Metal Talk 2014.
Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz Live in Glasgow By David
If everything had gone to the original plan, Joe Elliott’s Down ’n’ Outs wouldn’t be here today. Originally formed back in 2009, the band were only ever supposed to open for Mott the Hoople on the last night of their tour at the Hammersmith Apollo. However, they obviously enjoyed themselves, because 2 studio albums and many live dates later, the band are powering on with their celebration of all things Mott.
Joe’s band is drawn pretty much from the Quireboys, with Paul Guerin on lead guitar, Guy Griffin on rhythm guitar, Keith Weir on keys and Phil Martini on drums. This tour has seen Share Ross from Vixen in place of Ronnie Garrity (ex Raw Glory) on bass.
Although the evening would be spent revisiting Mott the Hoople and Ian Hunter classics, the first song was a bit of a surprise. Elton John’s Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding) got things off to a flier, and was a reminder that Joe Elliott is more than just a singer. It’s well known that when he originally joined Def Leppard he was a guitarist, but the band had enough of those so he went up front instead. What is perhaps less well known is that he’s none to shabby on the piano as well, and was superb here. From a selfish point of view though, he was stuck behind a keyboard for one of my three songs in the photopit! Not to worry though, because he took centre stage thereafter. The majority of the rest of the 16 song set were taken from the bands two studio albums, My ReGeneration and The Further Adventures Of…
It’d be easy to dismiss the Down ’n’ Outs as a vanity project of an already hugely successful artist, but that would be very unfair. For someone like myself who’s first ever rock album was Hysteria, it was tremendously interesting to hear the songs which influenced Joe Elliott. And quite apart from anything else, when these guys play the likes of Rock and Roll Queen, Overnight Angels and Shouting and Pointing, it was impossible not to be impressed at just how good 70’s Glam Rock can still be. It obviously helps when you can call on guys as talented as Paul Guerin, who was absolutely immense all night. Likewise Share Ross on bass dno14who (I hope) sticks around after the current tour is over. Lets be honest, there’s no real pressure on these guys to sell records to make a living anymore. They can play what they like to play and go out on stage and enjoy playing in front of adoring fans. No, there weren’t any Def Leppard songs and no, there wasn’t any Quireboys songs. But for the many people who did attend, there was plenty of fantastic 70’s rock ’n’ roll, played fantastically.
One slightly surreal part of the evening was finding that at one point I was stood behind Ted McKenna, the drummer from The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Apparently he and Joe Elliott have been friends for years, since an incident with a broken cymbal at a gig when Joe was younger… Anyhow! It was really cool to have someone from another legendary rock band of the 70’s, hanging out in the audience listening to Mott the Hoople songs.
There’s talk of a third Down ’n’ Outz album at some point, which is rumoured to feature original material. This should be worth waiting for, although given that all the band members have ‘day jobs’ we might be waiting a while. I for one can’t wait!
By Cack Blabbath 2014.
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