I was informed that I might possibly get a photo pass for Marilyn Manson at the Manchester Apollo on December 4th. As I had no reply by Sunday, I decided to check if there may be other gigs in the area. To my surprise, Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown whom I'd seen back in June this year at the Live Rooms were at The Ruby Lounge on the very same night.

I still managed to arrive slightly late on the night and may have missed the first 2 songs of Blackwater Conspiracy, a band I must admit I had never heard of. I don't think they were even listed as support. Blackwater Conspiracy draw their influences (similarly to the Black Crowes) from the Stones or Humble Pie, that brand of classic rock n' roll with a hint of southern Yanketee yank vibe. What is more remarkable is that these guys are from Northern Ireland and manage with their short set to take you to warmer weathers. Let's put it this way, when I went to the bar I settled for a Bud instead of a Guinness. With a slight tone reminiscing of the late Bon Scott, and coincidently a couple of years ago, rumours were rife about Phil Conalane possibly being AC/DC's next singer. Phil Conalane's vocals were superb on the night reaching effortlessly high notes like on "Hanging Tree". The whole experience was rather a mellow one, Brian Mallon's solos were just simply superb and soulful, caressing his Les Paul ike only Slash does. A band definitely worth checking out.

As I mentioned I did witness Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown performance in Chester at The Live Rooms earlier this year. It must have been back in June, just before or after his UK festivals appearances. He had left an impression on me, that guy could rock, no doubt about it. What can be said about Tyler Bryant and his gang which hasn't been said before. The guys had been touring with none other than AC/DC and Guns N' Roses to name but a few.
Tyler started guitar at an early age and soon became noticeable as a Blues prodigy, even a film about him has been released "Rock Prophecies", sadly not on this side of the pond. I have been desperately trying to find a copy, but it would seem only 5 copies have been made at this present time.
On the night, Tyler had it all, a soulful delivery that can only come from Nashville where he learnt the ropes, a stage presence that send the ladies heartbeat  racing or maybe it is just his skinny jeans, a guitar technique making every man dream about what could have been if we had practiced more or maybe that's just me.
These days, Tyler is more focused on simple and straight forward rock n' roll, here and there some blues licks creep up. The set is comprised of tunes from their 3 albums with the latest self titled one being the main focus. Although I have enjoyed all the upbeat rocking ones, I have found myself adoring the quieter ‘Downtown Tonight’ and the denuded ‘The Wayside’.
For the encore, Tyler treat us with the covers of the late Tom Petty's ‘You wreck Me’ and Elvis ‘That's All Right, Mama’ before ending with the gem ‘Ramblin' Bones’.
God ya gotta luv' that dobro, man!

Words and photography by Johann Wierzbicki