AIRBOURNE + ASOMVEL @ CONCORDE 2, BRIGHTON, 3RD MARCH 2025
It’s been a couple of years since I last saw Airbourne, so I thought it was high time I caught up with them again. Support comes from Asomvel, who photographer Cris tells me, “look and sound like Motorhead”, so I must confess that to a large extent, I’m sold before I’ve heard them play a solitary note!
Asomvel: Unapologetic Rock ‘n’ Roll Chaos
When Asomvel take the stage in their black leather biker jackets, it’s a bit like being taken back in time 45 years as they look like any number of NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) bands from the early 1980s. Their Motorhead influence is blatant: vocalist and bassist Ralph Winter even wears a bullet belt! More than that, vocally Ralph sounds a hell of a lot like Lemmy. It’s like he’s been gargling on razor blades and gravel since childhood.
Like Motorhead, Asomvel are primarily a rock ‘n’ roll band, a fact underlined by the second song, Born To Rock ‘n’ Roll. Beware The Full Moon sounds more metallic, but I feel that any description of Asomvel as a metal band might not be received kindly by them. Despite the similarities to Motorhead, there’s still enough originality in their songs for them to sound like themselves rather than anybody else. Apparently ,the band are unsigned. I’m utterly astounded by this. How can this be??? Their material is excellent and they’re a cracking live band. I can only assume that most A&R people are deaf.
Into The Fire shares a title with a Deep Purple song, but it’s not that one. Here, drummer Ryan Thackwray makes the most of his twin bass drums, and lead guitarist Stel Robinson unleashes a mind-melting guitar solo. Light ‘Em Up has been written specifically for this tour and is dedicated to Airbourne. Asomvel will support Airbourne on their European tour until the end of this month. They have a headlining UK tour in September, playing Camden Underworld on the 13th.
Airbourne: A Masterclass in Rock ‘n’ Roll Mayhem
Airbourne don’t so much take the stage as burst onto it. In a way, they start as they mean to go on, as an Airbourne show is all about energy. In the same way that Asomvel are influenced by Motorhead, Airbourne are a prime-time AC/DC for the 21st Century. In vocalist and guitarist Joel O’Keeffe they have an astonishing amalgam of Bon Scott and Angus Young, having the vocal and guitar chops of the two of them. AC/DC clearly provide a template for this band. Indeed, second song Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast initially sounds to me like an AC/DC cover. That said, the bulk of their songs do have their own musical personalities.
They have a workmanlike approach to performance. Nothing fazes them. During Chewin’ The Fat from the No Guts No Glory album, the lead comes out of Joel’s guitar. While still singing, he hands his guitar to a roadie, who then hands it back later in the song, and the problem is apparently solved. During Girls In Black, Joel is in the crowd, sitting on a roadie’s shoulders, singing and playing, just like Angus Young. He then bashes himself in the head with a beer can until beer is spraying everywhere. Now, that is something that I’ve never seen Angus Young do!!!
The Concorde is one of the smaller venues Airbourne plays on the UK leg of their tour. In many ways it’s the perfect venue for them, being redolent of the venues on the Australian pub circuit, where Airbourne cut their teeth. Very much in keeping with that, at the beginning of Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women from the Runnin’ Wild album, Joel toasts us with a bottle of wine.
Mention must be made of drummer Ryan O’Keeffe, whose playing throughout has been exemplary, even if I make the perhaps inevitable comparison with Phil Rudd. The last song of the main set, Stand Up For Rock ‘n’ Roll, is dedicated to Lemmy, with Joel setting up a bar emblazoned with the legend “Lemmy’s Bar” onstage. They come back for encores. Of course, they do! Live It Up starts up with sirens and aircraft sounds, which perhaps sound like harbingers of doom. There’s no need to worry, though – it’s just the introduction to more great rock ‘n’ roll!!
Joel chucks a beer to a guy sitting on someone’s shoulders. He catches it whilst barely spilling a drop! That, my friends, is entertainment!! For the final song, Runnin’ Wild, Joel duck walks. Some things never grow old or go out of style. Duck walking is one of them.
A Night of Rock, Not Reinvention
Whilst this has been a great gig, it has raised some questions about originality. Both of tonight’s bands have been influenced by bands from days of yore and are not afraid to parade those influences. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Some years ago, at the time of his Temple Of Rock – Live album, Michael Schenker voiced the opinion that we shouldn’t expect any new music. That’s not something that I agree with personally. Tonight’s bands display their influences with pride, whilst playing us original music. I’m sure they could be more adventurous and even experimental if they wished. However, they don’t want to do that, and it’s certainly not what the audience wants. Ultimately, tonight has been more about entertainment than art. Long may it continue to be so. Turn it up!!
WORDS: MARK KELLY PHOTOS: CRIS WATKINS
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