Kelain James, Lowdrive and FangSlinger

‘Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon’ by FangSlinger - album launch show

The Corporation Sheffield

Saturday, April 18

Kelain James

Kelain James’ weapon of choice is his acoustic guitar. Strumming it gently, singing with gravel in his voice and grit in his heart, the outlaw opening tonight’s show mixes absorbing story-telling with unplugged power.

Lowdrive

The Lowdrive boys haven’t played for a while apparently. Played what? Monopoly? Cos they’re absolute fire tonight. Full of noisy, rough, troublemaking rock and roll that doesn’t give a shit if you like it or not, this is the type of set that could well sting for days. With their psychedelic stoner tinge and punk rebellion spirit – and a little Norse rock thrown in too – Lowdrive indulge, intrigue and totally entertain.

FangSlinger

If you’re both drinking spirits and possessed by them, this is the band for you. FangSlinger throw open the doors to their Lost Souls Saloon – and everyone and their demons are welcome into their fucked up fairytale world, where the only lights shining are the wicked little glints in our eyes. These addictive purveyors of undead red neck rock n roll don’t just play this whole intriguing amalgam. They invented it. Tonight the boys and gal are sending their debut album ‘Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon’ into the land of the living to seek its fortune. The stage is set. The band are in full character. The atmosphere is exhilarating. Theatrical for the eye, explosive for the ear, the whole damn show goes beyond escapism. Because whenever FangSlinger are on stage this is reality. Theirs and ours. And the day to day boring bill-paying bollocks is there to keep the FangSlinger family engaged and entertained before they can gather together again. Rabid power rocker ‘Bloodsucker Blues’ opens the show, straight away sending the band’s dual vocals – crisp, sweet and embracing vs full force, savage and soaring rattling around the room. Battle call ‘Bare Your Teeth’ brings the drumming backbone right to front. Band anthem ‘Wanted Undead’ is feral FangSlinger and replaces the blood they’ve taken from fans’ veins with fire. Before easing into their bitter blues-soaked version of ‘Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma’ those seeing the band for the first time are asked to make themselves known. Don’t worry about those little puncture wounds in your neck FangSlinger virgins. They only hurt for a second and they heal over pretty quick so the band’s cold-hearted country curse is sealed in. Tonight’s show is indoctrination of the most delicious kind. Chunky ‘On Leather Wings’ shifts down into the realms of dark vampiric doom, and throwing in a cover of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Mr Brownstone’ further delights their faithful. FangSlinger aren’t launching ‘Welcome to the Lost Souls Saloon’ tonight. They’re sending it stratospheric.