Review by Pete Finn for MPM

It’s good to be back on our old stomping ground after zigzagging around the country, and great to get back home on the same day we set off for a gig.

This is the first of six UK dates for The Struts, billed as ‘The Homecoming Tour’. As their special guest on these dates, they have invited Cardinal Black to join them.

We make our way to the box office, pick up our passes and head inside, it’s going to be warm. Manny stops off at the merch stall and buys a T-shirt.

The Togs Social Club meet up in the usual corner, tonight’s attendees are Andrew and Rich (who is wearing a woolly beanie hat) they’re talking about recent and future gigs. The hall is about two-thirds full, there’s a good buzz of excitement amongst the crowd.

Coming from Wales, and originally forming in 2010 as The Tom Hollister Trio (TH3), with Tom Hollister (vocals), Chris Buck (guitar) and Adam Roberts (drums). They were destined for great things and Guns N’ Roses manager Alan Niven was offering his services.

The band moved out to Arizona, but unfortunately, for a number of different reasons, things didn’t work out and the band parted ways. They kept in contact with each other, and occasionally playing together, their desire for new music peaked in 2020 and with the addition of Sam Williams on bass, Cardinal Black was formed. With a new single, then a self-titled EP released in 2021, both to great success, Cardinal Black are back.

Cardinal Black make their way out onto the Rock City stage. Gregg Hollister is on keyboards and ‘depping’ for Sam Williams on bass is Will Davies. The flat cap wearing Tom starts their show, with his vocal to ‘Rise Up’, the bass drum beat from Roberts is like a punch to the chest. Chris Buck is supporting on backing vocals, the song builds momentum and Chris Buck adds a great solo.

‘Tell Me How It Feels’ is from the debut EP. The drums start the track, it’s bluesy, slow and moody, it also gives off a bit of a funk vibe. The guitar sounds of Chris Buck make the hairs stand up, he closes his eyes and leans back into his solo, his gold guitar sparkling under the stage lights.

The track concludes with a great cheer from the crowd. The stage lights glow red, it’s ‘Jump In’ from the EP, it’s soulful, the first half is all about Hollister and his voice, the sounds and control are phenomenal. Buck’s solo has real emotion, before the pair gently ease us towards the conclusion of the track.

It’s straight into ‘Where Do You Go?’, the quick drums and heavy bass are a big feature throughout, the track has a big rock out finish. The bluesy ‘Warm Love’ starts with Hollister narrating the lyrics accompanied by Roberts, as the track progresses, Davies and Buck join in, but with consideration to the calm atmosphere of the track. Buck’s solo is awesome as he strokes and bends the strings.

Hollister shows what an incredible voice he has. The Rock City crowd add the ‘Yeahs’ when requested. It finishes to a big cheer. The crowd are enjoying what they are hearing.

Next, it’s ‘I’m Ready’, Tom tells us it’s based on an old blues track. Hearing the start confirms his statement. There’s big bass wash, the lyrics are strong and emotional. “Let’s get it going” cries Hollister, the band pick up the tempo, as they do Tom is running on the spot, there’s another astonishing solo from Buck, before the track finishes with Tom shouting “Oh Yeah!”

The penultimate track is ‘Half Way’, the intro lyrics are being narrated by Tom. The band are tight, their musical ability is brilliant and in Chris Buck they have a real gem of a guitarist. The crowd in Rock City are soaking this up.

Tom Hollister thanks everyone for coming out to see them, before starting their final track of the set. It’s a Tom Hollister Trio track, ‘Tied Up In Blue’. With a backdrop of bass wash the lyrics at the start are being spoken. Chris Buck’s lead break is haunting, the pace gathers as Tom asks Buck to “Take it away”.

Chris Buck is right at the edge of the stage, again his eyes are closed and his back arched. It’s a great track to finish on. Tom Hollister thanks the crowd again, and the Rock City crowd thank Cardinal Black with a huge cheer and applause. Both the band and Rock City have enjoyed the performance, smiling and waving they leave the stage.

Setlist: Rise Up, Tell Me How It Feels, Jump In, Where Do You Go? Warm Love, I’m Ready, Half Way, Tied Up In Blue.

The crews get the stage changed over efficiently, the backdrop behind the glittery red drum kit is that of a Union Flag, it fills the wall, it’s huge. ‘Song 2’ by Blur is played over the PA and Rock City nail the ‘WooHoo’s’, they are ready for this.

Formed in Derby, in 2012, the band consists of lead vocalist Luke Spiller, guitarist Adam Slack, bassist Jed Elliott, and drummer Gethin Davies. The band chose the name the Struts based on an offhand comment made at a rehearsal. Spiller said in a 2015 interview, “I was just moving around, and somebody was like, ‘you strut around a lot.

From then on, we knew we had a great name. We couldn’t believe it hadn’t been taken.” The Struts have found themselves massively embraced by some of the greatest icons in rock-and-roll history. Along with opening for Foo Fighters, The Rolling Stones, The Who, and Guns N’ Roses, the UK-bred four-piece band was handpicked by Mötley Crüe to serve as the supporting act for their (then) last-ever performances.

Releasing their debut album ‘Everybody Wants’ in 2016 and their second album ‘YOUNG & DANGEROUS’ in 2018, they’ve toured incessantly since their formation, including worldwide headline shows and major festivals like Lollapalooza and Isle of Wight. When COVID-19 brought touring to a halt, The Struts created their third album ‘Strange Days’ over the course of a charmed and frenzied burst of creativity.

Within just ten days, the band laid down nine original tracks including input from Tom Morello, Phil Collen and Joe Elliott, alongside their masterful cover of the KISS track, ‘Do You Love Me?’

The lights go out, the sound of a siren fills the hall, one by one the band appear on stage, all wearing something with a hint of purple, like bridesmaids at a wedding. There’s a big heavy riff followed by a drum roll announcing the arrival of Luke Spiller wearing a purple satin shirt. He’s flamboyant, a medley of mannerisms and styles from Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Justin Hawkins, a mighty fine cocktail.

The band open with ‘Primadonna Like Me’ which is from ‘YOUNG & DANGEROUS’, we’re straight into the bouncing tracks, the Rock City crowd are off, with a flick of the wrist from Spiller they’re jumping. It has a bit of a Primal Scream ‘Rock’s Off’ beat. Slack’s lead break sees him arching his back and leaning back. Spiller calls out for some clapping and Rock City complies. That was a high tempo start, and the bar is set high.

Luke Spiller stands milking the applause and grinning, the stage lights turn red and he starts clicking his fingers, Rock City copies and we’re into ‘Body Talks’ still from ‘YOUNG & DANGEROUS’ it has Spiller speaking the words, it’s not until the chorus that band join in, we have a ‘Woo, Woo’ part that the crowd join in with.

‘Kiss This’ sees us go to the debut album ‘Everybody Wants’. This is a bit slower; the drum beat from Davies is heavy, it’s got a great circular hook from Adam Slack. The band are bouncing and clapping Spiller wants us to join in with the chant as he points his mic towards the crowd, Rock City is happy to oblige. The track finishes to a big cheer.

We have something from the recent album ‘Strange Days’ with ‘I Hate How Much I Want You’. The album track was recorded with Def Leppard’s Phil Collen and Joe Elliott. This has a heavier feel, a steady marching beat and anthemic chorus. Slacks strong riffs and punchy solo has an early Queen sound. The track comes to a big crescendo end with blinding strobe lights. This is fantastic stuff.

Spiller addresses the crowd, “Finally, The Struts are back in Nottingham, anyone not sweating, you’re not doing it right”. The lighting around the stage is flashing red and yellow, ‘Fire (Part 1)’ is taken from ‘YOUNG & DANGEROUS’, it’s high speed from the start. Elliott and Davies’ quick beats fire the track forward. The harmonies fill the hall with sound. Rock City is bouncing, Spiller is sat at his piano punching the air.

He remains at the piano and starts the introduction to ‘One Night Only’, it was released as a single in 2017. Elliott and Slack are leading the clapping, Adam moves to the stage edge and kneels down to reach the front row.

This is a full-on arm waving track. Fast and full of bounce. Think Slade, or 70’s Glam Rock. Great fun. Spiller is centre stage, “Who feels dirty? Who feels sexy? I wanna see you shake your asses.” The bluesy intro starts ‘Dirty Sexy Money’ from ‘Everybody Wants’, there’s tempo changes which are complimented with Spiller’s change of vocal styles. It’s a cleverly constructed track. Spiller is shadow boxing as Rock City sing the chorus. The band leap up together at the finish.

Spiller tells us, “You guys are fantastic, we’re going to slow things down with a love song.” ‘Low Key in Love’ is the most recent single, and the original was recorded with Michael Jacksons daughter Paris Jackson. It’s funky with a touch of disco thrown in. Luke Spiller is flicking his hair as he dances, I’m sure there’s more than a nod to Michael Jackson in his moves.

The rhythm section leave the stage. Spiller asks for all the lights to be turned off, then he wants everyone to switch on their phone lights, we’re treated to an acoustic version of ‘Mary Go Round’ from ‘Everybody Wants’, Rock City sings the chorus and the final verse, and give themselves a bit of a round of applause at the end.

Elliott and Davies return to the stage, ‘Put Your Money on Me’ is taken off ‘Everybody Wants’ Gethin Davies counts the song in. Another harmony filled track, this is a bit more of a pop song, however Adam Slack’s solo is pure rock ‘n’ roll. Rock City takes over the lead vocals, as Spiller calls for more bouncing. Then applauds the crowd for their efforts.

Spiller says the next bit is for the old school Struts fans. It’s an amazing medley including ‘Put Your Hands Up’, ‘These Times Are Changing’, ‘Bulletproof Baby’, ‘All Dressed Up (With Nowhere to Go)’, ‘Only Just a Call Away’ and ‘Where Did She Go’. We were waving, bouncing and singing along the whole way through. Awesome.

Things slow down for ‘Am I Talking to the Champagne (or Talking to You)?’ The final track on ‘Strange Days’, it’s funky, bluesy with a big drum beat, it’s steady and rhythmic, it has everything including some killer disco moves from Spiller during Adam Slacks solo. Up next, we have a cover, it’s Chris Isaak’s 1989 monster hit ‘Wicked Game’. Spiller is at the piano as he belts out the lyrics, we have a big solo from Slack. It’s heavy and passionate, squealing riffs combine with thumping drums and bass, it’s full of emotion. It’s a brilliant version, and Rock City approved.

‘Wild Child’ is another track from ‘Strange Days’ that features a guest, this time it’s Tom Morello. This has a heavy intro, a bit Black Sabbath. Spiller is belting out the notes as Jed Elliott has his bass vibrating your face.

The riffs have an appreciative nod to RATM. At the end the band hold their poses, like statues, and wait, and wait. Then we’re off again with ‘I Do It So Well’ from ‘YOUNG & DANGEROUS’, it is a bit different, the lyrics are rapped, spoken quickly, there’s a murmuring of an electronic style underneath.

Rock City is bouncing again, Spiller splits the room in two and we have a sing off, apparently Adam’s side were louder, but I’d disagree…us on Jed’s side were…Spiller calls for everyone to get down low on the floor, he counts us in and we all leap up and start jumping, Rock City certainly has some energy tonight. Then that’s it, the band thanks the crowd and leave the stage.

Rock City isn’t fooled the chanting starts, and Spiller returns and sits down at the piano. It’s the title track from the recent album ‘Strange Days’. Robbie Williams sings vocals on the album track. It’s a lot slower, that doesn’t stop the crowd joining in. With the band back together on stage we have the final track of the evening.

The claps bring the start of ‘Could Have Been Me’ from ‘Everybody Wants’, the words are spoken, there’s a punchy beat and riffs. It has a stadium anthem feel as the crowd punch the air in time. Rock City are given vocal duties. The band take their well due applause and cheers, flicking plectrums, throwing sticks and the setlists into the waiting hands, someone even got Spiller’s sweaty towel.

Tonight, we’ve seen two wonderful bands. The Struts have been first class entertainment, this has been a great show, in fact Manny reckons one of the best he’s seen this year, and I won’t argue with that. They have a few more shows left on the tour, grab yourself a ticket, you will not be disappointed.

Setlist: Primadonna Like Me, Body Talks, Kiss This, I Hate How Much I Want You, Fire, One Night Only, Dirty Sexy Money, Low Key in Love, Mary Go Round, Put Your Money on Me, Medley, Am I Talking to the Champagne (or Talking to You)? Wicked Game, Wild Child, I Do It So Well, Strange Days, Could Have Been Me.

Photography by Manny Manson for MPM

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