The Dead Daisies at Islington Assembly Halls Review and Photos by Dawn Osborne

Opener Dan Byrne, a man who has just signed a music publishing deal and is on the verge of a debut solo album, is a man on the up. He also happens to be a really genuine friendly guy. He only gets to play half a dozen songs tonight, three from his solo EP, but he makes a great impression with the time he has. He clearly has amazing pipes and is a gifted songwriter, making it easy to remember and appreciate songs like ‘Hard To Breathe’ even if you have only heard them once or twice before. He is appearing with a full electric band tonight and the big riffs and driving rhythms sound modern, as well as classic. He throws in new songs, also pretty memorable even on first listen: ‘Saviour’ and ‘Cherry & Leather’. With a favourite theme of his songs being the timeless subjects of relationships and attraction, he should never run out of inspiration for new material. He ended with ‘Death of Me’ the first song he wrote as a solo artist since his departure from Revival Black. He has a rabbit in a top hat tattoo and it will be interesting to see what more he can do in his debut release.

Scarlet Rebels tried their damnest to raise the energy as high as they could, so much so in fact that Chris Jones broke a string mid performance. There’s no doubt that they have highly infectious quality songs such as ‘Grace’ and ‘Let Me In’,  and chart success behind them, with a number one album last year that speaks for itself. They had limited time tonight, but it was perhaps surprising that there was no sign of any new material (unless they are keeping everything under their hats by order of a record company).  They have a strong offering and we look forward to something new soon. For now there’s no doubt they were highly popular. The place was packed out. The crowd clearly made a point to get there in time for the main support. I did feel, however, that the band are ready to introduce new songs into the set and no doubt they will not leave it too much longer to show us what else they can do.

The Dead Daisies are back and while the last time they came to the UK John Corabi was relatively new back in the saddle, there’s no doubt he has his feet well under the table now and the crowd are loving the return to his raspy delivery and rakish charm. He is also looking a lot fitter. Having shed quite a few pounds he is looking great and that’s gotta be good news with the relentless touring schedule The Daisies undoubtedly have. Musically they come out all guns blazing with the crowd favourite ‘Long Way To Go’ hitting the spot from the off.

Effects-wise someone was a little enthusiastic with the dry ice, particularly on stage right, where the lighting was also limited, to the extent that it was difficult to see guitarist Doug Aldrich at first. Consummate professional, totally realising the issue, he entered stage left with the rest of the band and came center stage so we could still get some shots.

Corabi is already cheekily putting out his tongue for his god Pan pose, with whom he shares the same wild untamed beard and love of revelry, making him the ideal frontman never short of anything to say. London crowds have the reputation of being hard to impress, but they are lapping it up and there is a festive atmosphere, and Corabi comments on the fact that this is a crowd up for a good time! In fact one crazy shouting fan gets the comment “no more coffee for this one!”.

There’s only one track from ‘Holy Ground’ and unsurprisingly Corabi does it his own way. The band were great with Glenn Hughes, but they weren’t really The Dead Daisies as the UK audience understood that concept. The band is back. Corabi commented that not one show in the UK tour was “just ok” they had all been off the charts.

Tommy Clufetos on drums seems to have made the band heavier bringing his experience from bands such as Black Sabbath and Ozzy. He manages to reach his arm up vertically in a rallying call to the crowd after almost every beat! He gets a full drum solo and he’s so tight and fit, no one goes to the toilet as he’s a mesmerising watch.

The band has a great laser light show accompanying everything which reaches right out into the auditorium beyond the stage and I move to the top of the balcony after the pit to get the full effect.

Time for a change of pace for the recent single ‘Love That’ll Never Be’ where Corabi’s raspy voice is shown off to best effect as he tackles it solo with acoustic guitar.

The total contrast following is a rousing version of ‘I Wanna Be Your Bitch’ with everyone back on stage. Corabi is in full camp mode hand on his newly svelte snake hips.

Talking of snakes Aldrich delivers a particularly blistering solo in ‘I Wanna Ride’.

After a cover of the Australian band The Angel’s ‘Take A Long Line’ there’s a medley of snippets of covers accompanying band intros e.g. ‘Highway To Hell’ for Australian Lowy, ‘Highway to Hell’, Black Sabbath for Tommy Clufetos, Michael Devin on bass (formerly of Whitesnake) gets ribbed for going out with one of John’s ex’s and for looking like Jesus Christ, and Doug gets called the man with the golden guitar and golden hair as he rips into ‘Whole Lotta Love’.

David Lowy, the boss and founder of the band introduces Corabi and turns the tables with the comment “you can’t turn him off, I’ve tried” as they finish with a snippet of ‘Living After Midnight’.

Were moving into the final part of the set from the band’s latest blues cover album ‘Looking for Trouble’ with a cover of Leadbelly’s ‘Black Betty’ (with a mouth organ as well as a guitar solo and loaded with cowbell), ‘Going Down’ and ‘Fortunate Son’, another song where Corabi takes an original and makes it better. Lowy got to do the solo and the crowd showed their approval by clapping along. It’s his turn to shine as he gets to sing a cover of George Thorogood’s ‘Get A Haircut’ (he must indeed with his wealthy background have to have been a strong character to nevertheless pursue his rock ‘n’ roll dreams).

Then Corabi directs the crowd to tell their bosses that they are having a “week off with pay” as an invite for them for original song ‘Mexico’, the final track of the set being a cover of Alex Harvey’s ‘Midnight Moses’ (featuring another epic solo from Doug) and the first goodnight.

They are back with ‘Resurrection’, surely an encore joke, with Corabi ramping up the crowd with the question whether they still have any petrol in the tank.. and they do. Las song is a super heavy version of ‘Helter Skelter’, a Beatles cover, but a clear reference to Corabi’s time in Motley Crue who also covered the song (and a snippet of Zep’s ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’). This version is even heavier with the weight of Devin and Clufetos behind it, and a great choice as everyone knows it, to finish on a high.

Everyone loves Glenn Hughes, but with Corabi The Dead Daisies are back. It’s a Rock ‘n’ Roll party with Corabi around and it’s no surprise that his greatest English mate is Spike of The Quireboys who also knows how to turn a morgue into a Crypt Kickin shindig where everyone loses their inner reserve. Corabi says goodbye with the caring comment ‘if you’re drinking get home safe’ (he has ended up face down in the car park with Spike around so they are no idle words). They share the same sense of impish fun, love of people and fierce irreverence. Corabi promised the band will be back. I for one hope that they mean it!

Dawn Osborne