Live Review : FM + Grand Slam @ Academy Club, Manchester on April 2nd 2022

British AOR rock Gods FM are back in town in support of their new album; the recently released “Thirteen”, and with Grand Slam supporting, there promises to be somewhat of a classic and AOR rock party to look forward to, and with a wonderful blend of old and new material from both bands, it was certainly a case of value for money for a Saturday evening in Manchester.

Some people may be familiar with the name Grand Slam, where others may not be. In a nutshell, this was the band formed by the late, great Phil Lynott after the demise of Thin Lizzy in 1983. It gigged and gained momentum throughout 1984, but unfortunately called it a day around then. Lynott went onto record solo, and with Gary Moore, before his passing in 1986. The band was resurrected in 2016 by co-founding members, keyboardist Mark Stanway, and Lawrence Archer on guitar. They recorded old songs, added new ones, shuffled the pack a little, and voila- in 2019 they released “Hit the Ground” and began to turn heads in their direction once more. It’s no surprise really, the band are a class act. With Archer the only member left on board these days, he’s assembled a band that maybe second time around; they will get the accolade they thoroughly deserve.

From the opening track ‘Gone Are the Days’- a strong melodic song with its catchy Thin Lizzy Celtic style twin guitar riff, it’s a tune that could grace any radio playlist. Vocalist Mike Dyer cuts a mean looking gangsta figure centre stage, and his confident and strong vocal delivery breathes high energy and life throughout the set. Old song ‘Nineteen’ follows, and in similar fashion, it takes no prisoners with its catchy, dynamic and punchy riff. Title track ‘Hit the Ground’ is one of those songs with a message- ‘listen to words’ growls Dyer and its good, in fact it’s excellent, and like the whole of the album, is a magnificent slice of classic rock.

‘Dedication’ is a tune some may remember from 1991 as being a ‘new’ Thin Lizzy song, however it wasn’t, and its original Archer/Lynott collaboration is given a terrific update. FM’s Jem Davis is a busy man this evening; he’s guesting on keyboards and is clearly enjoying being the hired gun. Brandishing a flying V, Lawrence Archer displays the sort of Schenker-esq fluidity and effortless playing that he’s always been known for. With ex MSG man Rocky Newton admirably banging the bass and drummer Benjy Reid holding it all together, the band is tight, and it’s a blistering set as we’re hit with ‘Crime Rate’ and ‘Crazy’ in rapid succession before Mike Dyer plays an ace with the absolutely stonking blood, guts and thunder of ‘Military Man’. This is a band looking to reclaim their place in rock history, as the popular and epic ‘Sisters of Mercy’ ensures those in attendance are suitably blown away with the band’s sheer energy and power.

FM on the other hand, are one of those bands that have been around for what seems like forever and are certainly showing no signs of letting up quite yet. The guys are the 3rd night into their “Thirteen” European Tour and, like a racing greyhound released from the traps, they proceed to hit the ground running and blast through a set full of firm favourites, new songs and one or two surprises to boot.

Starting with last album title track 2020’s S’ynchronized’ it’s the perfect start- a punchy slice of class anthemia that FM are renown for is deftly delivered; automatically rendering the arms into punching the air, opening mouths to sing every line. The twin guitar assault of ‘Bad Luck’ starts the blend of the old and the new. The thing with an FM gig is you’re never left disappointed, there’s always a song to satisfy everyone and tonight’s no exception. A band that’s been followed and supported staunchly from their very beginnings, they have found a new popularity since the 2007 reunion, growing into a band that is at the top of their game. The basement venue is full, and rightly so for a band of their calibre. ‘Waiting on Love’ the first from the new album, an AOR classic in every sense sits nicely sandwiched between ‘Life Is a Highway’ and ‘Crosstown Train’; that pair of thunderous aces that are set staples for a very good reason.  The tempo comes down for the first single off “Thirteen”; ‘Long Road Home’, showing the true heart and soul of Steve Overland’s voice and another bonafide classic to add to the list.

The set has been reshuffled for the tour; and favourites like ‘Frozen Heart’, and ‘Killed by Love’ find their way in early as does the surprise of hearing the fans requested ‘Crack Alley’ from the little played “Takin’ it to The Streets” album of 30 years ago. It’s a good call; it’s a great tune and given a new lease of life, and will probably stay for a while. ‘Dangerous’, another great slice of early FM’s “Indiscreet” era follows, and we stay dressed in those pink suits and denim and leather for a rousing ‘That Girl’, ‘Tough it Out’ and ‘I Belong to the Night’. Nobody needs an excuse to sing, there’s lots of dad dancing, and why the hell not? The chaps are having fun up on the stage as much as the crowd, FM are on fire and it’s great to see that connection with the fans as strong as ever. Post hiatus instrumental ‘Metropolis’ leads into ‘Over You’, with that infectious twin guitar lead, the energy in the air says it all. The third offering from the new album ‘Turn This Car Around’, possessing the sort of hook and melody that screams ‘should be played on Radio 2’, brings a blistering end to another highly enjoyable FM gig.  The hauntingly atmospheric version of keys and vocals on ‘Story of my Life’ starts off the encore before ‘Other Side of Midnight’, and another great evening of vintage classic and AOR British rock perfection is brought to a close.