Sensational Alex Harvey Band

This Scottish band were regarded as possibly the finest live band in Britain at the height of their success in the mid 70's, and they opened for Cheap Trick and Def Leppard at two shows in the UK (Sheffield and London) in June 2006. But the link with Cheap Trick went back much further than that, as Alex Harvey joined CT on stage on 5 Nov 1980 at CT's Hammersmith Odeon show, helping to perform "Shakin' All Over".

Sadly Alex passed away in 1982, but his band have continued to perform, off and on since then. The current line up see's the remaining four original members (Zal Cleminson, Ted McKenna, Hugh McKenna and Chris Glen) joined by fellow Scottish vocalist Max Maxwell, and this three year old lineup are busy re-making a name for themselves. Max is another "in your face" singer with stage presence but is not trying to be Alex, whilst Zal has morphed from the playful Pierrot made-up, harlequin outfit wearing figure in the 70's to a harder edged and more sinister character, sort of a demented goblin on crack... but he still plays killer guitar! And Hugh, Ted and Chris are all excellent musicians, together making this band a very solid lineup.

SAHB held their first Fan Convention in the West Midlands on 23/24 Sept 2006 (titled "The Bilston Tea Party"), and after seeing them at the Def Leppard/CT shows in June, particularly the one in London, I was keen to see them again. The two day event at the "Robin 2" venue was a fun event, with various sets, not only by SAHB but also groups that included SAHB members. There were also very funny Q&A sessions, an auction, and screening of some wonderful vintage video. The setlists were:-

Sat 23rd Sept

SAHB Acoustic (billed on the schedule as as "The Original Antelopes Of Desire")
Next, Shake That Thing, Sirocco, (A brief line or two of "My old Man's a Dustman), Goodnight Irene, Gamblin' Bar Blues, Buff Bar Blues

Mitzie & the Brotherhood (singer Susan Taylor, with Zal, Chris and Ted)
When I Wake Up, Portishead, Take a Pill, Sweet Bitter Taste, Days and Nights

SAHB electric, evening set (billed on the schedule as "Duke L & The Reversers")
Dogs of War, Big Boy, Sultans Choice, Water Beastie, $25 for a Massage, Outer Boogie, Amos Moses, Jungle Jenny (Yes! Zal speaks Australian!), Swampsnake // (encore) Buff Bar Blues, Delilah

Sun 24th Sept

Ted's Drum "clinic"
The band played riffs/parts from Midnight Moses, Vambo, Man in a Jar, plus a bit of Lez Zepp

SAHB - Covers set
Love Story, Schools Out, Runaway, (interlude music, Hugh & Ted - Ain't Misbehavin', Girl From Ipanema), Dancing Cheek to Cheek, Framed, Amos Moses, Delilah

Gwyn Ashton (with Ted & Chris)
Sorry, don't know the setlist but all from the "Prohibition" CD including the title song, great set and fantastic guitarist.

SAHB evening set
Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, Isobel Goudie, Compliments to the Chef, Dogs of War, Gang Bang,
Boston Tea Party, Last of the Teenage Idols, Action Strasse, Vambo

I took a load of pictures... most bad or indifferent, but here are the best of them from the two days. Enjoy... and don't forget... Vambo Still Rool!

P.S. The last picture is just a bit of fun :-D  A friend suggested that since Zal was out of make-up, I should use some software to add it to me instead!

           

UK Tour - December 2007

Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria - 1st Dec 2007

The opening night of the pre-Christmas tour saw what some termed as a "warm-up" show at the Canteen Arts & Media Centre in Barrow-in Furness (my 8th SAHB show since June last year when SAHB opened for Def Leppard & Cheap Trick). Despite the moderate crowd, I didn't detect any rustiness in the band, and they performed a fine set, comprising:- Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, Dance To Your Daddy, Dolphins, Hail Vibrania, Framed, Isobel Goudie, Give My Compliments to the Chef, Who Murdered Sex, Tomahawk Kid, Action Strasse; (encore) Vambo, Hole in Her Stocking

Holmfirth, Yorkshire - 4th Dec 2007

The fourth night of the tour saw the band perform in front of a good sized and enthusiastic crowd at the Picturedrome in Holmfirth. The crowd energy, plus the previous nights shows helped the band play a notch above their show at Barrow (if that was possible, the performane at Barrow had been great), and this was possibly the best SAHB show I've seen. Fantastic stuff! The setlist was:-  Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, Dance To Your Daddy, Dolphins, Hail Vibrania, Framed, Isobel Goudie, Give My Compliments to the Chef, Tomahawk Kid, St Anthony, Action Strasse; (encore) Vambo, Delilah

Sheffield - 7th Dec 2007

Another terrific show in front of a pretty full Boardwalk in Sheffield, proving once again that you can't beat great live music. Again the band delivered a terrific performance, despite Zal again having some technical problems, as at a few other shows during this tour. My photo's aren't great from this show but I thought I'd share the "best" of them, and I hope you like Max's boot that caught my fingers on the on-stage monitor at least once! The setlist was:-  Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, Dance To Your Daddy, Dolphins, Hail Vibrania, Framed, Isobel Goudie, Give My Compliments to the Chef, Tomahawk Kid, St Anthony, Action Strasse; (encore) Vambo, Delilah

Glasgow - 14th Dec 2007

A triumphant end-of-tour show in front of their hometown fans at the ABC in Glasgow. A sell-out 1250 crowd saw the band play a wonderful 110 minute show that was literally perfect, no one put a foot wrong the whole night. The sound was great, and the highlight was definitely the show closer, "Anthem", which saw the band joined onstage by two pipers, a drummer and a young woman with a terrific voice for the haunting female vocal. The setlist was:- Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, Dance To Your Daddy, Dolphins, Hail Vibrania, Framed, Isobel Goudie, Give My Compliments to the Chef, Tomahawk Kid, St Anthony, Action Strasse; (encore) Vambo, Make Love To You, Hole In Her Stocking, Anthem

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