Stone Gods live at the Islington Bar Academy
Come on admit it. You loved it when the Darkness released ‘I Believe In A Thing Called Love’ back in 2003 and were heartbroken when the band departed from the industry three years later. With their retro style of music, is there any wonder why the lads couldn’t keep out of the lime light for very long.
With Dan Hawkins on lead guitarist, ex-Darkness bassist Richie Edwards lending lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Ed Graham on drums and Toby MarFarlaine on bass, Stone Gods have now been born. With the bands debut album 'Silver Spoons & Broken Bones' waiting for its release, they headed out on tour and one stop was at the Islington Bar Academy.
I have never seen the venue so crowded, and so many individuals there for one act. Everyone was cheering and supporting the band through their set in many ways such as head bopping and air guitar. Unfortunately, the band seemed a little out suited on a small stage and the fans were not able to put as much energy into their support methods as they could. With the amount energy, enthusiasm and power that the Stone Gods put into their set, they are the sort of band that would be far more suited to a larger stage such as the Islington’s main stage, Astoria 2 or the Forum. Their energetic and powerful performance was a little too crammed on this stage.
The Darkness was known for the falsetto of their lead singer Justin Hawkins. With Richie Edwards on vocals, the band is more hardcore, with vocals a little less out there and a little more rugged. The bands elongated guitar riffs were steady and powerful and the guitar solo of ‘Knight of the Living Dead,’ the next single to be released, actually made the floor vibrate and the walls shudder. As well as the loud and electric side to the Stone Gods, the country touch ‘Magdalene Street’ put out was slower for a while with more warmth. Even with Ed Graham having to miss the gig due to health problems, a substitute was found and the gig went on like no substitute had been made.
With crowd participation, a lively act and enough energy to knock the world off its axis, it can only be the Stone Gods.