Thunder London Astoria 30th November 2008

First visit since 1987 FM/White Sister and I don't think the place has had a lick of paint since although it does close shortly.The loos could be smelt at least 40 yards away!!

First up were Get Vegas.A new band with a Free vibe although the singer had no on stage persona.His jumper looked like he had done the gardening in it.Good voice and geetar could develop but he told us twice what their myspace site was called.Stop begging man!!

Next Heaven's Basement formerly Hurricane Party and Roadstar.Now we've heard a lot about this lot.How can I put this?It felt like they had spent too long in front of the mirror posing.We had every rock n'roll pose from here to Wembley Stadium.Posing over substance.The bass player and 2nd geetarist reminded me of Spider in their actions.They sang, solo'd everyone could play the songs were ok but.....

Maybe 'cos Thunder were so fab it made HB not so I don't know.I first saw Thunder support Aerosmith back in 1989 and it was love at first sight.They may be older and greyer but if you want good time rock n'roll, fab singing, arm waving, clapping, jumping up and down to the Danny Bowes workout there are not many better places to go!!!!Their setlist was

Backstreet Symphony

• On The Radio
• Carol Ann
• Low Life In High Places
• The Devil Made Me Do It
• Empty City
• Dirty Dream
• Love Walked In
• Stormwater
• Can't Keep A Good Man Down
• Don't Wait For Me
• I Love You More Than Rockn'roll
• (encore) Gimme Some Lovin'
• (encore) Higher Ground
• (encore) Dirty Love

Since they reformed it is all in house.Cd's,tours etc and it is working .This is their largest UK tour since with all shows sold out. The three songs off the new cd fitted in great and we had 6 off the legendary Backstreet Symphony cd plus a superb Empty City(great solo form Luke Morley)plus a couple from the last cd all in all a fab set played with great sound although Danny Bowes microphone didn't work for the first 30 seconds or so.Harry James(drums)was back after his recent kidney stones operation and was a little subdued but not in his drumming!!

Star of the show was Danny Bowes.He just gets better.His voice was stunning he really is up with the greats and he doesn't stop moving all night and his rapport with the audience is funny and so sincere.The band had as good a time as we did which always makes a great night.

So 10/10 plus a great walk down Oxford Street showing us the Christmas lights.Debenhams and Selfridges windows are fab!! ME