Ahh Bannermans again, this time for ex-W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes. First up, we have local boys Holyrude Vault. I reviewed these lads just over a week ago when they opened for Gilby Clarke here at Bannermans, and the setlist tonight is pretty much identical but just as enjoyable. As I mentioned previously, Holyrude Vault is a band well worth looking out for if you enjoy classic rock with big guitar sounds and powerful vocals. The boys’ debut EP, Long Time Coming!, is out on the 22nd of November—be sure to check it and the band out.
The Mean Man is back in Scotland—the one and only Chris Holmes. With Chris on guitar and vocals, the band features Oliver Tindall from The Wicked Jackals, Lex Gifford on bass, and Stephen Jackson from Heartbreak Remedy on drums. Tonight’s setlist includes a selection of W.A.S.P. tracks from Chris’s time in the band, alongside several songs from his solo catalogue. Vocals are shared between Chris and Oliver, providing a dynamic mix of styles as the band kicks off with “On Your Knees” from W.A.S.P.’s debut album—a powerful, intense opener.
The band delivers more gems from the same album, including the fantastic “L.O.V.E. Machine,” the slower but equally intense “Sleeping (In The Fire),” and, of course, the crowd-pleaser, “Animal (F**k Like a Beast).” Chris and the band are in top form tonight.
If you like what we do, consider ing us on Patreon for as little as £1 per month!
Chris’s solo work also takes centre stage, with heavy-hitting tracks like “Get With It,” which features some killer drumming from Stephen. “Let It Roar” channels the classic W.A.S.P. vibe with a touch of Anvil, while the slower “Born Work Die,” complete with a singalong chorus, becomes a crowd favourite. The stomping “The Devil Made Me Do It” is another standout, always managing to bring a smile to my face.
The band then returns to W.A.S.P. classics with the runaway hit “Blind in Texas” and the iconic “Wild Child,” both performed to perfection. The set also includes a couple of well-received covers, such as Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” “I Don’t Need No Doctor” provides an intense, foot-stomping conclusion to the W.A.S.P. portion of the set.
The night ends on a high with Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World,” a clear favourite with both Chris and the crowd. As a bonus, the lads from Holyrude Vault in for an encore, treating us to a packed-stage version of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell.” It’s a fun, raucous singalong that wraps up a fabulous evening of honest rock ‘n’ roll.
Chris Holmes continues to prove he’s still eager to hit the stage and entertain, and long may that continue. Get out there and the Mean Man—you won’t be disappointed!
Don’t fancy Patreon? Buy us a one-off beverage!
Photos by Gary Cooper
