With their new track ‘So Alive’ currently the No. 1 most added at hot AC radio in the US, on the Radio 2 playlist in the UK and their new album ‘Boxes’ released last week, Goo Goo Dolls are back with a vengeance.

 Goo Goo Dolls — consisting of singer John Rzeznik and bassist Robby Takac — have already announced a summer headlining tour of amphitheatres and arenas in North America, and are now happy to announce their first UK tour since 2013. The tour kicks off in Norwich on October 8th and finishes up at London Eventim Apollo on October 14th. Tickets go on sale at 10:00am on Friday 13th May priced £27.50 (except for London which is £29.50) plus booking fees at gigsandtours.com & ticketmaster.co.uk. Doors are 19:00 except Norwich which is 18:30. VIP ticket packages are available at googoodolls.com/tour.  

OCTOBER 2016        
                
Sat 8th                 Norwich, UEA                    
Sun 9th                 Leeds, O2 Academy           
Mon 10th              Glasgow, O2 Academy     
Wed 12th              Manchester, Albert Hall
Thurs 13th             Birmingham, O2 Institute   
Fri 14th                  London, Eventim Apollo  Hammersmith
 
https://www.facebook.com/googoodolls

By Ali Nichol-Way

Support came from Nic Wood and Second Place Hero.

Recently D.E.A.D has been making waves in the underground Alternative scene. After near-constant touring as a support act since Christmas and having a recent festival appearance at Camden Rocks, they have made a name for themselves with their energetic, punk-infused live shows. Naturally everyone was intrigued to see what they would bring to their own headline show.

Opening to a sparse crowd of roughly thirty, Nic Wood stepped up to the plate with a cry of “Hello Think Tank”. Armed with only an acoustic guitar, the feeling of ashamedly expecting an acoustic set made up of three-chord songs that sounded the same was there. Surprisingly Nic could shred on an acoustic guitar. Whilst amazingly talented at playing, (he never dropping a note) he seemed to have a Jekyll and Hyde effect with his singing going from a laid back, classic acoustic style vocals in to raging screams that could fill the venue without the need of a microphone.

There may well be some philosophical depths as to why he does this but it gained only disinterested and various jumps from the crowd who quickly turned back round to see talk to others. Going through the songs, you couldn’t doubt his passion in his performance. However it seemed that the acoustic tone did not fit well at a show headlined by a band known to jump into crowds. Nic retired off stage to a polite applause from the milling audience.

Next up were Newcastle’s own Second Place Hero. There was initial excitement for the Pop Punk quartet and their catchy hooks soon gained some excitement from the audience, but this soon died down as they turned into pretty much a boring act. You would think vocalist Graeme Costello had left the oven on at home due to his disinterested performance. His lack of eye contact and bored walking on stage screamed that this was a show they didn’t want to do. However their songs were quite tight, showcasing tracks off their E.P “Year of the Underdog” with some skill. The most interaction that was had with the crowd was when they got them to clap along to their '1000 miles' cover and hit 'our time is up'. They then proceeded to leave the stage as fast as possible, leaving nothing but an awkward atmosphere. 

When headliners D.E.A.D said “all aboard the Tourtanic” they weren’t joking. Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go oOn” filled the venue as the band piled on stage. Within in minutes the lead singer Alex Mountford had the whole crowd doing jazz hands, successfully showing the supports up. As they went into the bouncy tune “Phantom” the audience were literally bouncing up and down which they continued to do for the whole show.

As they went from 'Verona' into 'Alaska', you could see them develop into a tighter and more powerful sound. This was also evident in their live show as you could see the difference in their live act, seeming more focused even from when they were here supporting Ashestoangels on Wintour. They also showed a strong connection with the audience, with all of the members making eye contact, thanking the crowd for coming out tonight, even laughing when some dedicated fans pulled out lighters and phones during 'Alaska'.

However they still have some way to go after they messed up a bit on 'Cowboy', but that is probably a part of the classic D.E.A.D experience of "all out, uncaring rock". Fan anthem “Beautiful Broken Bones” closed the set and ended with Mountford in with the crowd and then them screaming for one more song. Pretty much, if you want a great live show with lots of jumping and sweat, then D.E.A.D are definitely a band to check out.

Nic Wood [6] + Second Place Hero [6] + D.E.A.D. (8)

https://www.facebook.com/NicWoodMusic
https://www.facebook.com/SecondPlaceHero?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/StayClassyStayDead

^ One Final Stitch had both guitarists warring over whose axe is better looking

Location: Southend, Essex
Venue:  Chinnerys
Bands: One Final Stitch (England)
Date: Friday 12th April 2013

For any band starting out on the gig circuit, it is somewhat a daunting experience, how will the show go? How many will turn up? Will supporting bands drop out? So many questions and yet one answer always appears apparent, simply put, the deliverance of a kick ass show.

Enter One Final Stitch, a charismatic and fresh quartet from the depths of the streets of Ockendon, of whom have more talent up their sleeves than your average pub covers band, but that does not take much to say, however from what this band showed last night, it was evidently clear that they know what path they want to take and at all costs will get strive to get there. Sure the songs varied from soft rock to full out face-melting ballsy rock, but that's the teen spirit eh? What was a major strike in last nights performance was the solidarity of professionalism coursing through each bandmasters playing style and stage presence, what with Beth truthfully trying to avoid the cliche usage of 'lets quieten things down' to Josh emphatically maneuvering the drum sticks through his hands as if they were icicles, sliding through his hand to land every beat in perfect time to the savage riffs and angelic vocals of which were bestowed upon the onlooking crowd. In one sentence, One Final Stitch are a tight unit - in composure, effectiveness on stage and in musicianship coordination, the latter being of vital importance as it becomes evident when bands don't consistently glance at their other members to get an idea on what note is coming next. No, One Final Stitch are sure to make waves in the coming year, sure it is early days, but it doesn't take the magic of artists like Susan Boyle to come out of the woodwork and achieve wonders does it? So why should this band be any different? Praise all around, they proved their mettle, showed they can break the ice in their live persona's and most importantly demonstrated a winning formula that will inevitably guide them to a successful future, simply and utterly breathtaking.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Final-Stitch/420261308005900

[8.5] RHYS STEVENSON

< There was some war going on between two musicians of The Dirty Youth

Location: Camden, London
Venue: Electric Ballroom
Bands: The Dirty Youth (Wales), The Rasmus (Finland)
Date: Friday 14th December 2012


Wales has already been a known producer of some of the finest rock and metal acts to grace the music venue circuit, the likes of Lostprophets, Skindred and Bullet For My Valentine are more than likely to have played a Camden venue at some point, now it was the turn of female-fronted rockers The Dirty Youth. Stepping out into the breach and performing prior to the Finnish legend rockers The Rasmus, it was down to the  quintet to set the tone for this evenings rock music extravaganza, they did it in sensational fashion. Danni set the room alight clad in leather and her hot pink hair stood out from the stage so much fans at the back of the room did not need to second glance or use binoculars to recognize who she was. Performing some of their best songs, the five-piece did the job in setting the tone for the evening, it was inevitable that the vast majority of fans in this gig were here to see The Rasmus, but on the other hand The Dirty Youth will have won a whole new load of fans. Blasting out their twisted style of Hard Rock  and soft rock together, produced a sound that would have made the likes of AC/DC and The Beatles very impressed, sure it was a little bit of a strange sound but that is what makes The Dirty Youth themselves and as they flicked from song to song fans could tell the band were enjoying themselves, however as time was ticking and the clocks were turning, the set was nearly over but not before Danni shouted out 'Who is looking forward to The Rasmus?', might as well be honest she was definitely looking forward to seeing their set! And so it was time, as the Welsh rockers left the stage with a feeling of achievement, the interlude gave fans a chance to get psyched up for the grand masters of Finnish rock who were waiting in the wings to ascend to the stage.

[8.5]

Lauri had only just noticed that Mr. Sauli Niinistö, the Finnish president was in the crowd >

The Finnish rock legends signalled their stage arrival in dramatic fashion as the stage lights dimmed down into darkness, what came next was a real shock to the attending fans, the band went straight into playing new material off of their latest self-released album, throughout the night what was heard was selected songs from modern to past times, running past through classics such as 'In The Shadows', 'First Day of My Life', 'Ghost of Love', 'Shot', 'Sail Away' and 'Someone Else' amongst other well and truly known songs, the band of which was marking 18 years of existance did not disapooint anyone and although they performed to their utmost best, it was a saddening experience for some as one fan had said that they had grown up listening to The Rasmus right from their early days releasing demos and that she and her boyfriend had flown all the way from Rovaniemi in Finland to see this momentous occasion, despite also them visiting the relatives; it added a rather personnel connection to the whole concert and it would seem the band felt it as every-time the crowd reacted beyond expectations Lauri was ecstatic in remarking how lively the crowd was and that he loves London (and London loves him and The Rasmus!). Using elaborate projections on the band whilst playing, the music resonated through the spacious area of the Electric Ballroom and probably seeped through into the underground network as the Finnish rock band came out of the shadows to deliver what would may be their best performance in London for years. After all the concert was now in their ball park, fans were jumping up and down as if they were on springs, some even waving frantically Finnish flags; which may as well be a goodwill gesture from the UK to Finland, but even more so it felt as if it was held in Helsinki because the atmosphere was cold but also loaded with emotional rock ballads and powerful songs that course through every fan watching their band perform a show that can only be described as sensational. Sadly all good things must come to and end and well The Rasmus did not just turn it down, they did it with an almighty bang, playing some acoustic songs in the process and Eero Heinonen (bassist) donning some rather exuberant glasses which had the Finnish flags on them (whilst also slapping on his bassist something he had bought in Camden Market, a heart that as soon as noise was detected had the same effect as soundbars going up and down) and Lauri Ylönen's infamous black crow feathers in his hair bouncing away (many fans actually mentioned how much they've missed that image), but as like most bands The Rasmus had proven why they are Finnish rock legends as this show proved it, furthermore it is evident fans will see more of them in years to come, they are not done, not by a long shot.

[10]

Finally after what was perhaps the most memorable night in the living memories of the dedicated fans of The Rasmus, GMA spoke to a crowd of fans outside the venue to gather their thoughts on the entire concert, there was appraise all round. The interview can be heard and downloaded below.

Interviewees were: Alex Poulson, Cassi Gillett, James Petts and Becca Grose.
Listen to it as the fans give really personal answers and how The Rasmus has impacted on their lives.

Live footage from the concert, specifically the song 'In The Shadows', The Rasmus' most notable song was recorded, all rights reserved to GMA.

https://www.facebook.com/thedirtyyouth?ref=ts&fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/therasmusofficial?fref=ts