The Dead Daisies // The Treatment // The Bites // Live Review // The 1865 // Southampton

Sunday evening saw me heading back down south to The 1865 in Southampton, for a night of raucous rock n roll. Tonight was the latest stop on the ‘Light Em’ Up Tour’ for The Dead Daisies.

They are supported by the LA rockers The Bites, and the UK’s very own rock n roll demons The Treatment.

Doors were due at 7 pm, but due to an overrun on the sound check, it was nearer half past seven before the large and ever-growing queue, started making their way into the venue. It didn’t take long for the place to become extremely busy and packed, which was just as well, as the openers from LA, The Bites, would take to the stage at 7:45 pm, pretty much on the dot.

Last year saw the release of their debut album ‘Squeeze’, and as you’d expect, most of tonight’s 30-minute set would be taken up by songs from it. They kick off with the rip-roaring ‘Knockin’ On The Door’ closely followed by ‘Pretty Boys’ and ‘Dirty City’. Next up we are treated to a cover of Sabbath’s ‘War Pigs’ before we go back to the debut album with ‘Heather Leather’ and ‘Squeeze’. I believe the next track was a new number called ‘Fire In Hollywood’ before we finished with the song that started the ball rolling for the band with ‘Do Me A Favor’.

This was a wonderful and electrifying performance by a young band that I am sure will only get bigger and bigger with performances like this one tonight. Great start to the evening’s entertainment.

The Bites are Jordan Tyler (vocals), Jono Richer (guitar), Mark Hylander (drums), and Zack Currier (bass).

Setlist:- ‘Knockin’ On The Door’, ‘Pretty Boys’, ‘Dirty City’, ‘War Pigs’, ‘Heather Leather’, ‘Squeeze’, ‘Fir In Hollywood’, ‘Do Me A Favor’.

The Bites

Half eight saw the lights dim again and ACDC started sounding over the PA. This could only mean one thing, The Treatment was close to taking to the stage. Judging by the amount of band tees from these guys, I would be pretty certain that they were gonna get one huge warm welcome when they appear, and I wasn’t wrong. As the band take to the stage, most of the front row, in particular, erupt In unison.

Now, The Treatment has been around in one guise or another for quite a few years and has quite an extensive back catalogue to choose from, as well as a new album out now.

They kick off with ‘Let’s Wake Up This Town’, which is the first track from their latest release ‘Wake Up The Neighbourhood’. We are treated to four songs from the latest album, mixed with some absolute bangers from their other albums.

‘Let It Begin’ and ‘Eyes On You’, followed by ‘When Thunder And Lightning Strikes’, before one of my favourite tracks from this band, ‘Vampress’ is blasted out across this wonderful venue.

These guys are just so much fun to watch and shoot because they are constantly moving and interacting on stage. They have a loyal fan base that follows them everywhere, and you can see why on this performance alone. They are extremely good at what they do, and that brings you an exhilarating stage show with pure rock and roll fun and games.

They round off their set with ‘Man On A Highwire’, ‘Bite Back’, and ‘This Fire Still Burns’, before the finale with ‘Shake The Mountain’. This has been an exceptional evening of high-class raw rock ‘n roll, and we still have the amazing Dead Daisies to come.

The Treatment are Tom Rampton (vocals), Dhani Mansworth (drums), Tagore Grey (guitar, backing vocals), Tao Grey (guitar), and Rick Newman (bass).

Setlist:- ‘Let’s Wake Up This Town’, ‘Let It Begin’, ‘Eyes On You’, ‘When Thunder And Lightning Strikes’, ‘Vampress’, ‘Man On A Highwire’, ‘Bite Back’, ‘This Fire Still Burns’, ‘Shake The Mountain’.

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Now half-past nine saw the lights dip again, and you could feel the buzz exuding from this expectant crowd, who were ready for the imminent appearance of the band that most have come for tonight, The Dead Daisies.

They take to the stage with great applause from this highly charged crowd, and launch straight into the title track from the latest release and title of the tour ‘Light Em Up’. This is a full-throttle start with the whole crowd bouncing up and down. The pace stays strong with ‘Rise’, and ‘Dead And Gone’, before another from the new album ‘I Wanna Be Your Bitch’.

We are taken back to an earlier Dead Daisies phase with the next few tracks, including my absolute favourite ‘Lock ‘N’ Load’ which sees John Corabi pick up his acoustic, before joking “How does it start?”

‘I’m Gonna Ride’ is another from the new album, and is dedicated to all the bikers in the crowd, before the next track ‘Born To Fly’ is dedicated to David Lowy by John because of his love of flying. A few more from the back catalogue before we are in the covers territory with ‘Fortunate Son’ and ‘Midnight Moses’ are entwined with ‘Mexico’ and ‘Long Way To Go’, before the finale with ‘Helter Skelter’.

These guys are just awesome performers and their stagecraft is second to none. They have put the icing on the cake of one fabulous night of rock ‘n roll with all three bands on fire tonight. A brilliant night for all in attendance for sure…

The Dead Daisies are John Corabi (vocals), David Lowy (guitar), Doug Aldrich (guitar), Tommy Clufetos (drums), and Michael Devin (bass).

Setlist:- ‘Light Em Up’, ‘Rise’, ‘Dead And Gone’, ‘I Wanna Be Your Bitch’, ‘Unspoken’, ‘Bustle And Flow’, ‘Lock ‘N’ Load’, ‘I’m Gonna Ride’, ‘Born To Fly’, ‘Take A Long Line’, ‘I’m Ready’, ‘Fortunate Son’, ‘Mexico’, ‘Midnight Moses’, ‘Long Way To Go’, ‘Helter Skelter’.

Review & Photography: Will Carter