Stone Broken, Anchor Lane, Those Damn Crows

It’s a long way to travel from Bridgend in South Wales to The Garage in Glasgow on a cold and slightly damp Saturday night to play a gig but that’s exactly what THOSE DAMN CROWS did and I think the band will feel that it was well worth their time.

As the opening act of a 3 band line up, it was a positive sign to see the venue was already pretty full when the band took to the stage shortly after the doors opened.

Opening their set with ‘DON’T GIVE A DAMN’, which is also the opening track from their album “MURDER AND THE MOTIVE’ it was evident that the band clearly did give a damn as they engaged with the crowd from the off.

The band cannot fail to grab you and were soon in their stride with vocals from SHANE GREENHALL soaring through the hall with a clarity not often heard for support bands. He paced the entire space afforded to him on stage, smiling his way through the set and, easily commanding the crowd as they joined in with him. The twin guitar sound of IAN THOMAS and DAVID WINCHURCH really makes the sound of this band and, though at opposite sides of the stage, they seem to instinctively know what each other is thinking and play together seamlessly.

Not to be outdone, bassist LLOYD WOOD is equally as engaging and powerful and this is self-evident during ‘SOMEONE SOMEDAY’ where he takes every opportunity to elevate himself on the small platform at the edge of the stage as the track segues into a storming version of the Who’s ‘PINBALL WIZARD’ before returning to the main track.

THOSE DAMN CROWS are exceptionally tight as a live act and have no problem in transferring their recorded material to the live environment. This could not have been clearer as they head towards the end of their short set. The penultimate track ‘BLINK OF AN EYE’ has many in the crowd singing along, its catchy chorus almost demands this of us.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the remaining member of the band who is also very noticeable on stage with his playing ability and presence. RONNIE HUXFORD on drums is an absolute powerhouse behind his kit and, from the huge smile on his face throughout the set, you can see just how much he is enjoying himself.

As their short set comes to its end with ‘ROCK N ROLL AINT DEAD’ it’s clear that the band would like to play more for the fans gathered tonight. Leaving the stage to rousing cheers and applause, the band seem genuinely amazed at the fantastic reception they have received.

This is a band who know how to play live and know how to please their fan base, many of who were clearly seen to be wearing the bands merchandise. I have little doubt that they are one to note for the future and will go on to far bigger and better things.

Glasgow band ANCHOR LANE are one of the hidden gems of the City and just keep on getting better and better every time they play live.

The band have recently played the Isle Of Wight Festival, Stone Free at London’s O2 Arena and Download as well as several other festivals including Scotlands own Winterstorm weekender.

Some would see the middle band of a three band line up as the meat in the sandwich but, as all three bands on tonights line up have some meaty credentials, there is absolutely no space for filler and it’s a big slot to fill.

ANCHOR LANE waste no time in establishing themselves with a crowd that are already on their side before they even take to the stage. Opening thir set with the unreleased track ‘FOUND OUT’, the band are clearly in command of their own destiny.

Vocalist and guitarist ‘CONOR GAFFNEY’ has a powerful voice and plays a mean guitar to go along with the voice. His playing ability fits in nicely with lead guitarist ‘LAWRENCE O’BRIEN’ who has a unique style of playing which the crowd are quickly lapping up as he fires off riff after riff and some blindingly good solos.

The band are in the process of recording their debut album, and quite rightly choose to feature new material as the bulk of their set. There are a couple of notable exceptions to the new material, the track ‘ANNIE’ from their EP ‘NEW BEGINNING’ being the first opportunity for a real Scottish sing-along before playing a very well received trio of new tracks in ‘CRUEL WORLD’, ‘DEAD RUN’ and ‘FLATLINE’.

These new tracks allow bassist MATTHEW QUIGLEY and drummer SCOTT HANLON to shine, and neither of them remain hidden from the spotlight with both of them clearly happy, smiling their way through the set and playing at the top of their game.

ANCHOR LANE really engage with their audience and this could not be clearer when the crowd take over in a band led impromptu version of the classic Queen track ‘We Will Rock You’.

Finishing their set proper with another sing-a-long in crowd favourite ‘FINISHED FOR TWELVE’ the band return with a short, but rousing version of ‘FLOWER OF SCOTLAND’ before leaving the stage to the stage to tumultuous applause.

Once again ANCHOR LANE prove themselves to be worthy of playing to a larger crowd, and with the soon to be released album, this is a Glasgow band who are rapidly heading in the right direction.

One of the great things about the current music scene is the new breed of classic rock bands coming through who are really proving themselves as worthy contenders to lead the next generation of huge rock bands.

Whilst tonights line up has delivered two such bands it falls to STONE BROKEN to complete the trio and surpass the expectations of a crowd who are clearly enjoying their evening.

Impressed as I was the first time I saw them at Winterstorm a few years ago their performance in 2018 at G2, the venue above the one we are in tonight, was a different class of gig for the band. For tonights gig we were presented with a band who since the release of their second album, have truly honed their stage craft and live performance during their recent successful tour of America.

Opening their set with the ‘STAY ALL NIGHT’ from their first album, the track allows all the band members to instantly shine. From drummer ROBYN HAYCOCK sitting astride her perfectly illuminated kit high above the other band members, guitarist CHRIS DAVIS and bassist KIERON CONROY making ample use of the raised platforms at the front of the stage to vocalist and guitarist RICH MOSS taking instant control of the crowd, we know we are in for something special.

Mixing the set with tracks from both the ‘ALL IN TIME’ and ‘AIN’T ALWAYS EASY’ albums the band swiftly move into ‘DOESN’T MATTER’ to the obvious delight of the crowd who, by this point are already in ecstasy.

A short and relevant speech by singer ‘MOSS’ about how the band have been on a journey from their earliest days and the memories of playing the G2 venue to previous year, to their trip to America in support of ‘FOZZY’ is followed by the track ‘HOME’ which serves as a reminder that the band see the UK as home for them.

Swiftly followed by the current single ‘THE ONLY THING I NEED’ the band are quick to acknowledge the support of their fans and this is reciprocated by the thunderous applause this track receives.

An excellent and well timed drum solo by ‘HAYCOCK’ displays her skill behind the kit and, as we move into the latter part of the set, the opening riffs of ‘WORTH FIGHTING FOR’ sends us higher and higher in the level of intensity of support for this band as they finish off the set prior to their encores.

Returning to the stage the band have the double whammy of ‘WAIT FOR YOU’ and the crowd favourite of “NOT YOUR ENEMY’ to finish the evening off. The band leave the stage to absolutely thunderous applause and the crowd head back out to the cold Glasgow night air happy in the knowledge that we have seen three top class bands and have certainly had great value for the price paid for the ticket.

STONE BROKEN are headed in the right direction and it will surely not be long before they are playing much larger venues in the United Kingdom and worldwide. I for one can’t wait to see them in these larger venues, and hopefully soon a stadium sized venue.

GR