Review Centre: Rock Bands

"This band were wonderful. I had them perform for my wedding a couple of weeks ago and had so many guests tell me how great they were. Highly recommend. "

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"Just a quick note to say these guys were fantastic! They played everything to keep the crowd upon its feet. All of my personal favourites were played including a couple great Stereophonics tracks. It was a fantastic night. I would recommend these guys every time. Ed Foster & Louise Taylor *****"

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"Rating 5/6 : Very Enjoyable Absolute Mayhem The Horse & Chains, Bushey on Saturday 30 September 2023 It's a rare thing to go into a local pub and hear a keyboard player who has been described as a musical "genius" by none other than David Bowie. This is no tall story either. The musician Billy Ritchie was the first player in rock music to give keyboards a prominent role -- and that was before Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman came on the scene. Billy told me that he remained good friends with the Thin White Duke until his death in 2016. Lanark-born Mr Ritchie now provides the skilful and fancy keyboards and records backing tracks for his latest incarnation Mayhem with talented female singer Carol Leslie. Carol is a really strong vocalist with a gutsy style. This dynamic duo started their first set at the cosy Sebright Arms with Elvis's late sixties' classic Suspicious Minds. The second song was a surprise -- Kirsty MacColl's comedy number There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears His Elvis. It was a perfect choice after the first song. Carol and Billy select their material wisely and give their audience something very different from the predictable Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl and I Saw Her Standing There, churned out by so many pub bands. So it was great to hear Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey's electro smash Together In Electric Dreams, Matchbox's catchy rocker Rockabilly Rebel, Starship's uplifting We Built This City (on which Billy demonstrated his keyboard dexterity) and Solomon Burke's gospel-ish Cry To Me. And that was just the first half. Carol is happy to tackle songs usually associated with male vocalists and she started part two with a raucous version of Bryan Adams' rocker Summer Of 69. If you have never seen Mayhem, ask Billy to perform Light My Fire, the Doors rock classic from 1967. This was a sheer musical masterclass as he re-created both vocally and instrumentally this great song. Billy has a rich, tuneful voice and this was a stunning performance. Other highlights in the second half included Journey's rock anthem Don't Stop Believing, Carol's gritty interpretation if Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman and a fine performance of Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer A total of 24 songs and I cannot wait to see this duo again. My only concern is their name. I think many club and pubgoers might think Mayhem are a heavy metal band rather than an all-round, top class duo. COLIN FENN, DJ, Freelance Journalist Colin Fenn, DJ - Freelance Journalist, Thursday 5 October 2023"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"SUPERB as always guys, genuine talent and your love of music shines through. Love attending your gigs. I did find us in these pics but we are looking so serious, we were having a great time - honest! Kind regards Yvonne & Ross"

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"¡Increíble! Esta banda de rock clásico convirtió la fiesta de cumpleaños de mi hermano en un espectáculo inolvidable. Su energía en el escenario era brutal, con versiones perfectas de Nirvana y Chili Peppers que encendieron a todos. Contratados por recomendacion de un colega, fueron súper profesionales y puntuales. ¡Volveremos a contar con ellos!"

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"I came across Alive and Kicking on the site, I liked the video and their song list, so I thought I'd book them for New Year's Eve 2019. I had a date spare for August, so I thought it would be good to get them to play a date before New Year. After a few emails back and forth to Jan, and speaking to Rich, we were all looking forward to them playing at Calmore Community Centre. They were very professional on arrival and setting up, and have to say they went down a storm. A fantastic variety of songs from most eras and all sounded great. I'm very glad we have them for New Year's Eve, and we all can't wait to see them again. "

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"I saw these guys at NYE then hired them for my birthday party! They got everyone singing and played some absolute covers classics! Would definitely recommend seeing them for their fab energy and talent!!"

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"Hi guys, I just wanted to contact you and thank you for the superb job Blinding Lights Band did at my wedding. They were absolutely fantastic! Everybody (and I mean, EVERYBODY) commented on what a great band you were, and how you kept the guests up and dancing. After reading your reviews on your website, they sounded almost too good to be true, but now I believe every single word! Some guests even labelled you 'the best band ever'. The band were great professionals and musicians, and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending or hiring you for my second wedding! Thank you again, you really did make the night! Kind regards, Clare"

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"Better than we could have ever hoped for! The Trends from start to finish were the ultimate professionals, everything was executed perfectly, from the organising & planning to the big night. I couldn't recommend anyone more!"

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"Had a great night listening to this guys. They have their own unique style and sound, and they nake you wanna dance. "

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"I always said that I would give my left hand if I´d have the voice of John Fogerty. Good Golly, we already have the voice of Fogerty right here in Helsinki! It belongs to Marc Aulén, the vocalist of a good ol´rock band by the name of Seven Mugs. And yes the way he sways and moves his arms would make Joe Cocker happy in his heavenly choir."

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"Made in Ireland" is the name of the festival, but it only features one real Irishman. Gavin Carpenter travels directly from Dublin to Neu-Ulm. Squeezed into his tour schedule between two gigs in Dublin's Temple Bar pub district. His motto in Neu-Ulm as well: "No Fillers, only Killers." With a best-of-Irish folk, from traditional hits like "Back Home in Derry" to hits by the Pogues, Carpenter goes from zero to 100. Remarkably, the Johnny Cash look-alike would also pass for a double of the "Man in Black" vocally with his covers. "

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"they did an AWESOME concert for my friend's birthday, and it was a BLAST!!! "

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"They were just the best band ever. Great musicians, great music, extremely easy upfront communication."

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"An unbelievable night of spectacular live music in benefit of Montage Support Services was presented to all in attendance on this brisk fall night at the Vaughan City Playhouse Theatre courtesy of multi-talented Instrumentalist Dom Mar KZ, who was backed up by the mind-blowing Shining Star Band. Having been a fan of Dom’s work for the past 32 years, saying that I was looking forward to seeing this show was an understatement. I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Having seen Dom evolve from being the hard rocking Bassist of Graffiti Knox who made his professional debut in 1991 at Toronto’s legendary (yet sadly defunct) Rock ‘N’ Roll Heaven (along with his now Brother-In-Law and one of the Shining Star Band’s Guitarists - Lu Cachie) to becoming one of the most extraordinary and respected Musicians in Canada today was guided by a pre-determined fate. And his fan base across the Globe continues to increase via exposure through International Radio and Online Publications. Besides his Brother-In-Law, Dom was also joined on stage by his son Joe Marchese (Keyboards), Nephews (who also happen to be Lu’s Sons!) Andrew DeVita (Drums) / Carmen Cachie (Guitar), Eugene V (Bass), Daniel Monte (Violin), Piero Nunziata (Guitar), and Enrico Galante (Saxophone). This assembly of exquisite talent was enhanced even further with the Meta Centre Performers, followed by Prado and Juno Award Winner Liberty Silver, who mesmerized the audience and shook this Writer to his core with their stunning presence and vocal prowess. Some of the many stellar (pun intended) tracks churned out included “Destiny” , “In Through The Fire” , “Need A Favour” , “My Lady”, and “War” . Combined with a mesmerizing visual background comprised of photographs and memories from significant periods in Dom’s life, the mentioned songs combined with others included in the Shining Star Band’s set were taken to a deeper level as the Audience came to know and forge an even stronger bond with the Artist via the undeniable magic of music. I genuinely hope that this will be the first of many more performances to come from Dom Mar KZ and The Shining Star Band as their chemistry and passion tore the Vaughan City Playhouse Theatre’s roof off. Mega thanks to Laura Tonelli of Let Signature Events for her hospitality and months of hard work in making this successful concert in aid of an excellent charitable cause a reality! "

Reply by Dom Mar KZ
It’s was my pleasure to be part of such a great event and organization. Thank you Montage for including me.. 🙏🙏🙏

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