Live Review : Chris Holmes (Mean Man) + Kaine @ The Tivoli, Buckley on June 17th 2023

Openers Kaine play basic metal. They're very Iron Maiden, the music is fast and furious and the band seem very angry about something. I'm trying to work out what they're singing about and it’s hard to decipher. It might be Bastille, it might be something made of steel. Either way they seem a bit pissed off about it! There’s a song called ‘Slave To The Grind’ but it's not that one, it's a double paced headbanger with a slow guitar bridge. Widdly instrumentals abound and there’s a huge amount of echo on the singer's voice. They do a slower one, apparently it's not a ballad it's just in a minor key and a bit more riffy. It’s not bad, but there’s nothing outstanding going on either. They finish with a song that’s about God, the lyrics say “I am God master of mankind, I am God keeper of your soul”. Nah mate, you’re not the Messiah you’re just a very naughty boy. 

Chris Holmes is something of a legend. Even those of a certain age who are not familiar with his musical history (he was a founding member and lead guitarist of W.A.S.P.) are probably familiar with his appearance in the 1988 film “The Decline Of Western Civilisation Part II: The Metal Years” He was interviewed fully clothed in a swimming pool, clearly off his face and swigging vodka.  I'm not sure if that's the thing that you really want to be remembered for to be fair, but here we are. Chris is now over 25 years sober, a cancer survivor, and still touring all over the world with his own inimitable style of guitar playing and enthusiastic if off-key singing. Tonight he has a new backing band – stalwart drummer Steve Jackson is still pounding away on the drums at the back but he’s joined by flighty-fingered Frenchman Florian Lagouette on guitar and backing vocals, and a bassist of unknown provenance who also shares lead vocals and is rumoured to be Canadian. Ooh lala! Said bass player has a cracking voice and kicks proceedings off with ‘On Your Knees’. Chris sings the second song himself as it’s his trademark tune ‘Mean Man’ He’s not that great a singer, but what he lacks in talent he makes up for with charisma, and his guitar-playing is still absolutely spot-on. His life may be very different now but the legacy of his music hasn't changed. We get some of his more recent solo stuff and the lyrics are surprisingly thoughtful and political. The crowd isn't massive but they're hugely appreciating it. We then go back to the 80’s for some more W.A.S.P. in the form of ‘Love Machine’ The bass player sings it so it sounds pretty good. In contrast to reports I have read about the actual W.A.S.P. shows that have been happening recently there's no backing tracks or vocal effects here, just solid rock and solo after solo after solo. Chris is bringing the old songs back to life with fire and passion. ‘Blind in Texas’ makes an appearance and yet again for a song that’s over 35 years old and that I’ve listened to countless times it still sounds fresh. There’s a bit of a guitar dual going on with now and the music continues to speak for itself. The old stuff is warmly received, and Chris’s solo stuff is loud, proud and sassy. It's all about substance over style with this guy - Chris has surrounded himself with solid musicians who get his ethos and share his passion.

When he plays ‘Wild Child’ and ‘Animal’ back to back I think this must be the big finish and we’re at the end of the set but no. After basking in all the nostalgia we finish with a handful of singalong covers. Steppenwolf’s ‘Born To Be Wild’ segues seamlessly into Creedence’s ‘Fortunate Son’ and the room is absolutely bouncing now. Chris still isn't done though, he romps through Neil Young’s ‘Rocking in the free world’ and we're certainly getting our money's worth tonight. Finally, the set ends on a bit of an odd note, two random people are pulled from the crowd to sing and play guitar on AC/DC’s ‘Highway To Hell’. It’s rousing and fun, and the crowd love that they get to join in, but I can’t help thinking that after a set so polished, so passionate, making the final song a rather iffy karaoke affair is a bizarre choice. Still, it does the trick and the night ends on a high. It's all rock and roll and we like it. 

Check the “In The Flesh” page for more photos!
Chris Holmes, Kaine