Tucked away in the centre of Swansea lies Hangar 18. A small 300 capacity venue, it’s been the home of the Southwest Wales music scene for many years, and in its second run, the home of Station 18 Festival, a small but perfectly formed hard rock event run by the excellent Midnight Tornado promotions team. Seating via stools and barrels for tables located at the back of the room, a decent sized stage with photo pit, great sound, plenty of space for standing a full-length bar flanking one side of the room. It’s a perfect set up for three days of hard rocking music. First impressions are good. Organisation is smooth, efficient, impressive. The bill is stacked.
Ready a few minutes ahead of the d 6:00pm start, things kick off with the high energy of Adam & The Hellcats. A six-piece from Bristol. The band are the ideal outfit to open the event. Up tempo songs like opener “Vampire”, “Black Witch Bomb” and “Peace, Love & Rock n Roll” go down a storm. Frontman Adam Feasey is a blur, his rapid-fire vocals and fine lead guitar work the focal point. He’s soon a bath of sweat, just as things should be. Urging the growing crowd to in, he’s ably assisted by keytar wielding Steve Long, who seems to be trying to shed all his clothes, and vocalist Cirwen Farrant, whose splendid outfit and soaring vocals also capture the attention. After a quite triumphant finale, photos, Feasey’s brief meander through the crowd, and applause, the band have time for another song. “Where are the cider drinkers?” Adam asks. About three hands go up! “Oh well”, he sighs, as the band finish with the throwaway “It’s Cider Time”. Smiles all round. We are underway.
And then things run into the sidings a little. Locals Zac & The New Men are a bassist light. Bank holiday weekend traffic plus the usual Friday evening congestion is not a good combination. Their start time is pushed back to 7:00pm. James arrives with minutes to spare, only for technical gremlins to add extra minutes. They finally get into their stride and immediately have the room’s attention. I’ve seen these boys several times, and they have something a bit special about them. Whether it’s the combination of Hendrix, Plant and Morrison that frontman Zac exudes, or the sheer swagger that suddenly possesses the band once they cross that line, I don’t know, but they are captivating. “Say It” opens the set, before Zac says, “Anyone like Led Zeppelin?” I think there must be a hint of irony in his comment, for the demographic in the room would make it almost compulsory. The band play a feisty cover of “Immigrant Song”. It goes down a treat. New album Reinvent Me is due on 19th May. They drop in a couple from it. “Atom Bomb” and the title track both sound great. Dropping it down with “Deeper” slows the pace before a raucous finale sees Zac in the crowd on “Begging for More”. Watch their name. These could be huge.
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Sam Miller & the Sass Bandits are rapidly making a good name for themselves. The former Bigfoot man has carved out a solid band and with two EPs under the belt, has a strong catalogue to draw from. He’s not only a superb singer, but hell of a guitarist as well. He makes use of the stage, crossing side to side, pulling every rock star shape in the book. Sam is what I want in a rock star, although his choice in clothing is questioned by him at the end. “It’s too hot for a blazer” he deadpans. Sam is backed by a tight band who don’t miss a beat. Last time I saw him he had guitarist and backing vocalist Lucy Shevchuck in the line-up, but her absence didn’t detract from one of the most enjoyable sets of the day.
They may be hewn from the Gwent Valleys, but Greyfox Conspiracy bring a distinctly Southern Rock vibe to proceedings. Their short set is drenched with the blues rock of the deep south, with an undeniable nod to Skynyrd, Hatchet, The Outlaws etc. The list is endless. Their music is infectious, full of groove and in guitarist Zino, the band have a bit of a gem. There are a few fans already here, but for those who are new to them, they like what they hear. New song “Preacher Man” is probably the pick, with singer Rob Cooksley’s drawl working well. They may be gnarly veterans, but keeping the tempo high works well and it’s a deserved ovation as they leave the stage.
Walthamstow’s Dead Man’s Whiskey are another band gaining traction in the NWOCR circles. It’s not hard to see why. They have groove and songs, and that cheeky chappy wit that brings smiles to faces. “Hole Street” is as dirty as the subject matter. They throw in a sentimental track “Make you Proud” towards the end, dedicated to singer Nico Roger’s mother, which appeared to hit many right in the feels. It’s their rockier numbers that catch more attention though. With a new album coming out soon these guys will be on the radar again very soon.
An hour later than billed, it’s the band many have come to see. Collateral ooze confidence and seem in determined mood. Maybe it’s catching up on lost time, but they come out like a greyhound with “Sin in the City” and “Going in the Wind” Frontman Angelo Tristan is a blur of hair, but has the charisma needed to pull the slightly tired crowd through. It’s a triumphant 13 song set that rolls through with ease. Audience participation, big anthems, and everything in between. Collateral demonstrate why they’re the headliners with a consummate performance. They bring Day one to a close with “Merry Go Round” and “Lullaby” and earn a huge and deserved ovation.
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Station 18 Festival: facebook
Pics by Paul Hutchings
