This is a double headliner show at the Vic in Swindon, a pub with a very welcome air conditioner on this hot summer night. North Carolina Southern Rock stalwarts Preacher Stone hit the stage with their opener ‘It Ain’t as Easy as it Looks’ and the crowd immediately show their appreciation. The sound is well mixed, the acoustics are good in this small venue and we’re all having a good time.
Guitarists Nick Nyugen and Ben Robinson share the solo in ‘Hard Life PhD’ to appreciative whistles from the audience. Rhythm section Jim Bolt on bass and Wyatt on drums form a rock-solid base to their sound. Charismatic vocalist Ronnie Riddle leads a clap along and keeps the vibe going as they rip through the riff-based set.
‘Old fashioned, Ass Whoopin’ Sum Bitch’ segues into a bass solo, then Wyatt shows off his expertise on the drums in a cracking, super-energetic trip around his kit. The song ‘Not Today’ which propelled the band to fame when featured on ‘Sons of Anarchy’ shows off Ben Robinson’s superb slide guitar.
The mostly mature audience is well-balanced for this show, it’s clear that they are here for both bands and are big fans of the genre. Ronnie Riddle banters with the crowd, ‘Jim’s dog Dixie features in the video!’ as he introduces ‘Rain or Shine’, then the slow, heavy and rich blues of ‘Save my Soul’ leaves the audience spellbound.
More slide-based riffing takes us into ‘Horse to Water’ which segues into ‘Remedy’. The set comes to a sudden end with ‘Day Late’. The band takes a bow and, with a laconic ‘until next time!’ we are left wanting more.
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After a swift changeover, the second half of this double headliner, Bristol’s Sons of Liberty (UK) are on stage, opening with ‘Time to Fly’ from their new album, ‘The Detail is in the Devil’, followed by ‘Light the Fuse’ with some Chuck Berry style duckwalking. There is an immediate difference in their stage presence when compared to Preacher Stone, there is a definite British edge to the band despite their adherence to the Southern Rock genre, and there is more humour and dancing around. This is the closest they get to their hometown on this tour, and it shows in the plentiful banter from vocalist Russ Grimmett wearing his signature white framed shades.
‘Fred! Give me a Riff!’ triggers ‘Beef Jerky Boogie’ led by guitarist Fred Hale and Russ gets us all jumping as he whirls on stage. ‘Rich Man, Poor Man, Beggar Man, Thief’ has Fred, guitarist Andy Muse and bass player Mark Thomas treating us to some ZZ Top style on-stage choreography, the band are working hard on entertaining the crowd and drummer Steve Byrne provides a rock-solid foundation to their sound.
As they play ‘Up Shit Creek’ there is more humour about the juxtaposition of their genre and their hometown, this band do not take themselves too seriously and yet their musicianship is excellent. We are treated to a very tasteful use of Hendrix-style wah-wah pedal in ‘Damaged Reputation’ followed by the slow, heavy blues of ‘Turn this Tide’ with a long, sustained scream from Russ Grimmett at the end triggering applause from the crowd.
The mood gets more serious as Russ equips himself with an acoustic guitar and explains that the next song resulted from his thoughts about the Russia/Ukraine war. ‘Hawk Men Come’ is a slow, magnificent lament that deservedly gets an ovation from the audience.
The next song, ‘What’s a Man Supposed to do?’ lightens up the mood with a call and response ‘Come on, come on’ and Russ wades into the audience on his knees for ‘Libertine’ provoking much laughter as he addresses members of the crowd one by one. Once back on stage, Russ gives us a short lecture on looking after our own mental health as he begins ‘Walk with You’.
The encore, ‘Ruby Starr’ chugs away with three-way riffing building from one guitar to two, then bass. Too soon, the show is over, Russ shouts his thanks, and we get a bow from the band. It’s been a great night for fans of the Southern Rock genre, with both bands giving us an excellent show.
Review: Dave Smith Price
Photography: Emma Painter
