Deadfire, Retro / Doomsday Outlaw, Satans Hollow. 25th February 2022

Something a bit different for tonight’s gig…s. We’re in 90s rock territory. Hefty grunge riffs with some impressive vocals tearing over the top. I’m a plus one for this, which is why they stand out a little to many of the gigs I review. Keep your horizons broad though. If we’ve learnt anything over the last few years, it’s living in a bubble isn’t healthy. Or was it the other way around? Whatever, my point is, if you like no nonsense, bang your head around like you’ve got a spare rrraawwkk! Then Deadfire have you covered. I’m not gonna declare these Scottish lads my new favourite band, but they’re bloody good fun. Who doesn’t love a barefoot bassist and a singer who could charge the national grid. Frontman, Charlie is a fucking riot. Getting the crowd to do squats and shaming those lazy bastards sat down. It helps that he’s given his mic a long enough lead to reach all over Retro. No one’s safe, he can even get to the bar to grab a mid-set drink. Impressive. They finish with new single Anxiety Society, full of more sex and swagger than you’d maybe expect. This is what music is all about. Getting out. Playing loud. Letting go. From here we leg it up the road to Satans Hollow to catch the tail end of Doomsday Outlaw. This is a much more Southern Americana tinged sound, but they’re loud, tight and look pretty cool on Satans in-the-round stage. This is a lovely space to watch a band. It’s criminal that it’s not packed out (although the venue don’t help closing the bloody bars early, I assume to clear everyone before the club opens). We only witness 4 songs so a review isn’t really fair, but they’re good, with a pretty massive sound, Maybe you’d expect that from 6 of them on stage, but seriously if you like a bit of ballistic blues rock, give em a go and for fucks sake get a ticket next time and fill this place. I hate quiet venues.