FM Islington O2 Academy - 1st December 2010

Way back in July we saw FM here on the hottest day of the year  - 95 degrees -  today it wasn't even minus one!


The gig had sold out but with the extreme weather around, the venue was probably just over half full which was a shame.
First up were Twickenham based Four Wheel Drive who drink from the same cup as AC/DC and Airbourne with a bit of The Stones thrown in .Playing a 7 song set in support of the recently released debut cd "High Roller" they hit hard.  With quite a few of their friends in there is no let up on the heavy riffing of Ben Austwick and Paddy Achtelik with bassist and vocalist Jamie Lailey the master of ceremonies. I'm sure a couple of their songs have been released before by AC/DC or Airbourne though. One to watch out for.

Next up Airrace who we saw here supporting Winger a few months back.
They have been busy recording their new cd which is due out next year on Frontiers.
We had a mix of the "Shaft Of Light" cd (Caught In The Game, Open Your Eyes, Not Really Me, Promise To Call, First One Over The Line and Brief Encounter) and 3 songs from the new cd (Call Me Anytime, You'd Better Believe It and Enough Of Your Loving) with the new songs all fitting in well.
Keith Murrell on vox was in great form and Laurie Mansworth on geetar hitting the spot the 40 minute set went past in a flash. Roll on the new cd next year.

As I've said in these pages, my love for FM is well known. 2010 has seen the release of the stunning "Metropolis" cd, radio play on Radio 2, a Download Festival appearance and a host of gigs rapturously received.
Tonite saw Steve Overland on vox with a heavy cold but you would have never known. He was as stunning as ever and the rest of the band were on top form too.
The setlist was :
Wildside
Face To Face
That Girl 
Don't Stop
Only The Strong
Blood And Gasoline
Hollow
Metropolis/Over You
Hard Day In Hell
Burning My Heart Down
Bad Luck 
Heard It On The Grapevine
Encores of 
Frozen Heart
Other Side Of Midnight
Stop Draggin My Heart Around (cover of Tom Petty's song with Leigh Matty of Romeo's Daughter on vox)
American Girls

During "Hollow" Steve forgot the words but seeing me singing along he got back into the swing of things quickly....more of that later.

I could go on forever really. The setlist was a great mix of old and new and Jim Kirkpatrick on geetar has really rejuvenated the band. With a crystal clear sound and the FM choir in good voice, a great nite was had by all.

We were lucky enough to win a meet and greet afterwards with the band.
So we were taken down to the dressing room area and met the band who were all fantastic. All very relaxed and happy to chat about the night, the weather, Hard Rock Hell, black FM cd covers, a new Shadowman cd already recorded being mixed now and the new cd they are recording themselves which will be out next year.

Steve Overland came out and said to me "It's my autocue during Hollow.Thanks mate I forgot the words and I wrote the song!!"

Cd covers signed by all and photos taken with all made a perfect end to the night.
We were offered a drink by the band but said no due to the blizzard taking place outside and made our slow way home. Lets hope 2011 sees their star continue to ascend and with some titbits we heard from their management, I'm sure it will!!

With thanks to Steve, Pete, Merv, Jim and Jem for all being such top blokes.


....and if I'm now Steve Overland's Autocue well I'm happy with that.  ME (and Shazz)








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