.... Review & Photography by Darren Smith
For this reviewer, September ended up pretty much where it had started, at a gig! Seeing the month’s live entertainment out, meant a journey up from the South coast into London to catch a tour, which certainly for me had caught my eye and one I was disappointed to have only caught one night of. I think it is fair to say that Collateral and Piston or Piston and Collateral, like a good TV detective agency they have probably argued over who goes first, have both captured the eye and ear of the gig going and music buying rock fan this year.
Their co-headlining tour has taken them up and down the UK throughout September with gigs as far south as Southampton and as far north as Newcastle (Collateral only), with many dotted about in between. There are exciting times ahead for both bands and a well structured tour itinerary has meant that the last night as such of the tour, sees them both roll into good old London town so that the natives of our capital city can get a glimpse of these two energetic, entertaining and highly talented bands up close and personal.
This gig was supposed to take place at The Big Red but got moved to Night Club Kolis after the former sadly closed it’s doors for the last time recently. A subsequent earlier start time to fit in with the new venue meant that Sons of Liberty unfortunately took to the stage to a very small crowd. This didn’t stop them pulling out a rip roaring set on the night and the venue filled as their set went on.
That then meant it was down to Collateral to bring the nights proceedings to a close and boy did they do that in style. They rocked Night Club Kolis with the verve and vigor of a band who are clearly destined for much bigger and better things. Collateral bring more than enough to the party to make you realize that this is a band, who although pull on so many influences from a time where cowboy boots, tassled jackets and long flowing locks were all the rage have no desire to be seen as a band stuck in a time warp. Their music is fresh, it’s inspired, it’s uplifting and it has feeling and soul to it.
You cannot help but get drawn in by the glint in front man and band leader Angelo Tristan’s eye. He never stops smiling and there is a genuine warmth that exudes from his every spoken word and sung lyric that seduces you and draws you in to his youthful charm.
Just over 35 years ago a young, fresh faced singer from New Jersey launched himself and his band on the world. They left their mark, with songs that defined a genre and a generation. Collateral have the songs, the music, the look and the attitude to do the same.
That man was Jon Bon Jovi and in Angelo Tristan the UK may just have found the natural successor to that man’s throne. The band are not just a one man show though, far from it. In Todd Winger, they have a guitarist extraordinaire.
The man has fingers that move so quick up and down the fretboard, it is a wonder that his Jackson guitar doesn’t catch fire. He is not a shredder though, he plays with warmth and tenderness throughout but given the chance during some electrifying solo spots he shows that he can mix it with the best with some hypnotizing guitar work.
Then there is the rhythm section of Jack Bentley-Smith on bass and Ben Atkinson on drums, they are so tight tonight it is almost like they have a sixth sense going on between them. They play with power, precision and just get into a groove that catapults these wonderful songs up to the next level.
Tonight, they treat their crowd to a 10 song set that includes three songs from their 2018
4- Shots EP and seven songs from their yet to be released debut album. This is a well honed set and is extremely polished. These boys are not leaving anything to chance and are going to take their shot with both hands.
Opener Big Shot is a big, bombastic, energetic rocking sing a long opener that hits you like a right hook from a heavyweight boxer. Going With The Wind and Dreaming follow, the crowd lap it up and quite rightly so.
They are witnessing something special tonight in this intimate little venue. This is a big stage band with some big stage songs. Merry Go Round and Just Waiting For You are up next before About This Boy, a moving biographic story about the bands erstwhile frontman.
Time flies when you are having fun and tonight it really did. As a rock fan that remembers those halcyon days that the band are so clearly influenced by it is hard to not stand there thinking of youthful happy times that the music inspires.
In It For Love is a brand new track that I have not heard before and what a track it is. The time change half way through is just sublime and I can see this becoming a crowd favourite going forward.
The set is played out with three familiar rocking tracks that inspire crowd participation and get it. Promiseland, first single Midnight Queen and then the Planet Rock play listed Lullaby bring the night to a close and as far as I can see, leave every person in the venue with a smile on their face, after all that is what music is supposed to do isn’t it.
From what I can make out, this co-headlining tour for Piston and Collateral has been a success. They have played to good crowds up and down the country and if they both go on to achieve the success they deserve, it may just be one of those “were you there when” tours that we talk about now from bands who we saw as they started out and are still going strong today.
They are two bands that are heading upwards and heading their rapidly. I for one am really looking forward to watching their careers progress as both bands deserve to be playing in much bigger venues, on much bigger stages. Their music should be heard and sung along to by crowds in arenas and maybe stadiums and if the world is a fair and just place it will be.
I made my way home eventually after some much needed liquid refreshment knowing that what I had just witnessed was special. Don’t take my word for it, all three bands are playing gigs and festivals throughout the UK for the remainder of the year, so do yourself a favour and go and see them. You will not be disappointed.
Review & Photography by Darren Smith
Darren Smith: Sons of Liberty- Collateral feature photo
Photography: Piston – Collateral in review by Andras Paul
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