Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Artist: Dead Daisies, The
Label: SPV Records
Release: 2017
Length: 77:25
Rating: 4/5
The Dead Daises are a hard rock supergroup that can lay claim to just about everything. In the barely five years since they got together, they’ve put out three studio albums, and now they’re coming at us with their first proper live document, which they’ve named »Live And Louder«. Who are the names behind the quintet? Marco Mendoza, John Corabi, Douglas Aldrich, Brian Tichy. No introduction needed, right? The fifth member and boss of the band is rhythm guitarist David Lowy, who drummed the band together five years ago.
This is a quintet woven from a brotherhood of outstanding musicians who can play pretty much anything you tell them to, and the high reputation and renown they’ve built up over long years in the music business says as much. Anyone would want them in their band, if only they could »buy« them. Well, David Lowy can. That’s why all of this is possible. So the »amphetamine tablets« aren’t running out. Which means Lowy’s wallet is nowhere near dry. The band is constantly touring the world. »Live And Louder« was recorded on last year’s autumn tour of Europe, and The Dead Daisies are in fact already on a new European tour this year with an identical setlist to the one captured on this live document.
The crew is outstanding, the playing masterful. Simply put, the mileage and experience of this quintet’s companions are exceptional. No games here. »Live and Louder« takes us straight back to where real rock’n’roll was born. In all its raw, primal glory. And there it hits with everything it’s got, full-blooded. Corabi keeps the mood excellent the whole way through, weaving humorous comments into the set, while the material is played with all the might and force there is, and it’s not hard to picture the club stages and smaller halls bursting at the seams, sweat pouring down the walls in torrents. Adrenaline rush at every turn. The quintet’s working chemistry is flawless, and of course the polished songwriting craft behind The Dead Daises’ music does its part too. Catchy guitar phrases grab you instantly, the musical value is constantly seductive and begs for big singalongs, with the atmospheric crescendo naturally guaranteed in the choruses. The cherry on top is the covers of well-known acts (The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Beatles, The Who, Grand Funk Railroad), which The Dead Daisies have masterfully repackaged and bent to their own vision of scuffed-up hard rock grime, where even a hooligan haze of punk rock energy doesn’t escape.
The CD comes with a DVD featuring a documentary film that will entertain you no end. The Dead Daisies are, from head to toe, top-notch entertainers. Showmanship is in their left pinky and they honestly can’t wait for the stage spotlight to hit them. They’re positive the whole way through and have a perfect sense of humor. They’re the eternal kids of rock’n’roll. »Live and Louder« is an excellent live document, and its biggest appeal is precisely this energetic raucousness, which any act can only unleash by reaching into the very heart of rock’n’roll’s core essence. And a band of The Dead Daisies’ caliber is still damn well aware of that.
The Dead Daisies – Make Some Noise (“Live And Louder”):
Lineup
John Corabi – vocals, acoustic guitar
David Lowy – guitar
Doug Aldrich – guitar
Marco Mendoza – bass guitar, backing vocals
Brian Tichy – drums
Track list
- Long Way to Go
- Mexico
- Make Some Noise
- Song and a Prayer
- Fortunate Son
- We All Fall Down
- Lock ‘ N’ Load
- Something I Said
- Last Time I Saw the Sun
- Join Together
- With You And I
- Band Intros
- Mainline
- Helter Skelter
- American Band
- Midnight Moses
