A band’s fiftieth anniversary ain’t no small feat. Certainly, when we caught up with Gypsy’s Kiss earlier this year to discuss their milestone, there was nothing but brooding excitement from the musicians who stand right at the tippy top of the Iron Maiden family tree. And where else to play their golden night of hard-rocking glory than the infamous Cart & Horses in Stratford?
Gypsy’s Kiss
Cart & Horses, Stratford – 27 April 2024
Words: Monty Sewell
Photography: Steve Ritchie
It was fifty years ago to the day when they played their first-ever paying show. Though frontman David Smith remains the only original member, the legacy of his and Steve Harris’ founding moments is front and centre on a sold-out night of nothing but smiling satisfaction. 
Though having been asked many times over the years to reform Gypsy’s Kiss, Smith had always said no until 2018 when an agreement for a one-off gig at Burrfest came to fruition. Now, four years later, the fans have their wishes cemented.
A new album, 74, in 2021, new singles released and a beckoning tour this year. With their latest release titled We’ve Come To Play, their declared intent can not be ignored. With that in mind, MetalTalk headed down to the Cart & Horses on a brisk Saturday night to immerse themselves in this newly invigorated voyage bound for Metal rock ’n’ roll revival. 
The venue was packed, and the signature Iron Maiden ale was flowing. Paull Sears—the original Gypsy’s Kiss drummer and, for a time, Iron Maiden manager—introduced the show. With a heartfelt message dedicated to a time gone by and the future to come, his words were met with a resounding cheer before the band took their places.
From the get-go, the air was warm with an appreciative nostalgia for a much-loved era and the sheer joy that comes with a live revival.
As Smith howled, “Welcome to 1974,” the guys swung into action with songs from their 74 album, Traveller and Take Me Down. The six-piece was on a total rampage of slick-lick leather, hair-wielding flair.
Joining Smith was Jonathan Morley (Guitars and vocals), Fraser Marr (Guitars), Ross Hunter (Keys and vocals), Robin Gatcum (Bass and vocals) and Stuart Emms (Drums). The broad stage was nearly not wide enough for the sound ringing out from their mesh of galloping beats and good enough to guzzle down riffs. 
Influence, Endless Pit, and chant-along anthem Settle The Score brought an eruption of fist-in-the-air attitude to their eager-eyed audience. Newly released songs Gone For Good and Better Than Me gripped us with their witty words and soothingly potent hard rock clamp.
Smith’s showmanship is the cherry on top of this musically astute set as he showers his crowd with quips about the songs’ influence tied into the band’s history. 
Bringing some fellow classics into the mix, Smith announces Gypsy’s Kiss’s ode to the greats before launching into UFO’s Doctor Doctor, Thin Lizzy’s Don’t Believe A Word and Judas Priest’s Breaking The Law. It is both fitting and the perfect mid-set Metal salute.
Though Smith interweaves his guitar playing with his vocals, both Morely and Marr combine their lead and rhythm ingenuity to create one battlefront of six-string repute. Hunter’s keys add that touch-up of true ’70s pizzaz whilst offering his backing vocals as another layer to this already stratified set. All whilst sporting a rather fabulous pair of black and white striped trousers. 
Their latest drop, We’ve Come To Play, settles Gypsy’s Kiss as more than just a band here to re-play what they did fifty years ago. With the lyric ‘with three guitars and no superstars’, singing as perhaps a reference to their past members and the developed branches of what came for some members of this particular rock family tree, the guys are nothing short of venue takeovers. The audience is enthralled, and the onstage gratitude in style is apparent. 
An eerie dive into a Jack The Ripper-inspired territory grips us with Jack For All Times before we are on the reluctant home run. Smoke And Mirrors and My Own Holy Grail from 74 sees the band singing and playing from atop the stage podiums. Smith himself strides up, flinging both arms out to the audience, who cheer a resounding appreciation.
As the audience wails out, ‘One more song!’, we notice someone dressed in a full vole outfit scurrying out from behind the stage curtain. For anyone who’s seen the Heat Crazed Vole music video (I would recommend it if not), you would know exactly what was coming.
The band plunges into the song that re-introduced them to the world, their furry-clad friend dancing through the audience, kicking up a storm of heads banging and drinks being chugged. It was an end to a show I will never forget. 
Filing out from the venue and back up to the bar, it was moments before Smith and the gang were up amongst the punters. Grins wider than the Cheshire cat, Gypsy’s Kiss began to share the night’s success with their fans.
Speaking to Smith, it came to light that after selling out the show, they had to turn down enough ticket requests to fill another night. There is no doubt fifty years after their debut show, Gypsy’s Kiss is quenching the thirst of those who have feverishly been waiting for more. 
The good news is the band will be embarking on a set of dates this year, starting with Cambridges Six Six Bar on the 16th May. Following this, there will be a tour with Paul Di’Anno in August, taking them around the country, from Leeds to Swindon.
Gypsy’s Kiss will also be back at the Cart & Horses later this year. Tickets are a must, but we strongly recommend getting them before they go.
