The Screaming Angels…
The Angels have reformed… again… this time sans original frontman Doc Neeson.
Instead, they welcome The Screaming Jets lead singer Dave Gleeson.
With a new EP out and an album on the way for 2012, The Angels (aka Brewster/Gleeson/Brewster/Bailey) have been touring Australia and receiving mixed feedback with Gleeson on the mic.
I grabbed my chance to see them live last Friday night in Brisbane and wasn’t disappointed.
Support band “Black Mustang” lead the way, playing a variety of original tracks. Their bassist was a delight to watch, displaying great guitar faces and obviously enjoying what he does best.
Thumbs up to Black Mustang and one to catch again.
I had no expectations for The “Screaming” Angels (which I have dubbed them) other than to hear some familiar The Angels tunes live. I was hopeful with Gleeson at the helm, having seen him play with The Screaming Jets and knowing what a great character he is on stage.
For his part, Gleeson did well. It must be difficult to try and fill the shoes of a popular lead singer and get the fans ‘stamp of approval.’ It must have been the same for AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson when he stepped into the late Bon Scott’s Doc Martens.
It was great to see Gleeson performing his own style and not attempting to impersonate Neeson in any way. If he had, I doubt that it would have worked.
Throwing in crowd pleasers such as “Face The Day”, “Comin’ Down”, “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again”, “Shadowboxer”, “Mr Damage”, “Be With You” and “Marseille” tonight’s set list also included some less played songs with “Nothin’ to Win”, “Ivory Stairs”, “No Sleep In Hell” and “Save Me.”
A nice connection to John and Rick Brewster’s side project “The Brewster Brothers” was a slightly revved up version of “Wounded Healer” and The Angels new single “Waiting For The Sun” was also thrown into the mix.
A slight disappointment for this punter was the encore closer with The Animals “Gotta Get Out Of This Place”, simply as this fan would rather hear one of The Angels many original tunes than another cover.
The crowd around me, however, hollered in approval ending the night with a high energy burst.
