Despite being thirteen years on the go, some hard rock purists still cannot accept the unconventionality of The Dead Daisies. But at this stage, I think it is time to put the whole revolving door of personnel thing to bed. We all know the set-up, and by and large it has always worked. But what is undeniable is that the band’s CEO, David Lowy, has always put together great line-ups who absolutely kill it live. And this latest bunch on Live At Stonedead are no different.
The Dead Daisies – Live At Stonedead
Release Date: Out Now
Words: Brian Boyle
The Stonedead Festival may not yet be up to the stature of the iconic Monsters Of Rock, but it is heading in the right direction. Where the gathering at Castle Donington for the now-named Download has increased to a glutinous three-day event, Stonedead has brought tradition back with a one-day, all you can rock, head-banging buffet.
In August of this year, The Dead Daisies strutted up to Newark Showground in Nottinghamshire and rattled out a high-octane set deemed good enough for release.
And by the pair of kahunas on opener Long Way To Go, it appears a good decision.
“We were pumped to wrap up a great UK Tour at the Stonedead Festival in Newark,” Doug Aldrich said. “It turned out to be such a great show, we decided to release it for you guys. The audience was fired up, and it was an awesome night of rock! Hope you enjoy this and see ya again as soon as possible.”
The Dead Daisies have always looked better as a five-piece with a microphone-wielding frontman, and as fantastic and engaging as the Glenn Hughes era of the band was, sometimes his performances of John Corabi-led material came across as more obligation than dedication.
So much so that meaty versions of Rise Up and Dead And Gone sound more at home, back in the throat of the former Mötley Crüe man.
And not to go in heavy on Hughes, who would vocally wipe the floor with anyone, but Corabi sounds like he has taken in the Hughes tune Bustle And Flow and subsequently adopted it.
Latest album Light It Up is still pretty much a babe in arms, and the frantic performance of the title track gives off a vibe of excitement in showing off the new arrival. This probably would have worked better as an opener, but these are experienced campaigners, so there are no gaskets being blown too early.
Such is the strength of the latest album, a three on the spin of I Wanna Be Your Bitch, I’m Gonna Ride and Take A Long Line still keep the Daisies fire burning.
This band have always been a ball of energy, and their latest rhythm section of former Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin and returning drummer Tommy Clufetos are like a constant pounding uppercut.
But what warms the cockles the most is hearing guitarist Doug Aldrich absolutely blowing the doors after returning from cancer treatment.
Nearly a decade with the band now, which, if you take David Lowy out of the equation, most likely will not be beaten. Live regulars like Fortunate Son and Midnight Moses are just a joy to the ears with Aldrich at full pelt.
Those songs may be legally married to other artists, but over the past number of years, there have been many better than this band at sweeping a classic off its feet.
Their hefty rendition of The Beatles’ Helter Skelter has never failed to hit the mark, and this adrenaline-fuelled version triumphs in its raggedness and end-of-show euphoria.
Predicting the future of The Dead Daisies is a pointless exercise. You never know what is around the corner. Ritchie Blackmore could be lined up as a third guitarist for all we know.
But it would be nice if this mark could stick together for the foreseeable.
