Event Date: 11/07/08
Event Venue: Three Tuns Gateshead

" Here's a band for ya ! " SLIP OF THE TONGUE - Three Tuns, Friday 11th July 2008

After months of trying to see this band, real life finally managed to slot itself into place last night so I could catch this excellent gig.

Both vocalist Bill and guitarist Ainsley are former members of 'Damage Control', a band who's first ever gig was an absolutely unforgettable night at this venue some time ago. Remembering back to that, and on a night when the Three Tuns was reasonably well attended despite the weather, I wondered if 'Slip Of The Tongue' could fill me with the same sense of awe.

Billed as a 'Whitesnake' tribute but starting their set with a couple of Deep Purple tracks, the temperature inside an absolutely sweltering Three Tuns was turned up a notch as the band hit the stage running with a blend of 'Burn' and 'Stormbringer' - as good an opening combination as you could ever wish for - and immediately grabbed my attention.

Roaring through 'Sweet Talker' and on into a bluesy 'Love Ain't No Stranger', the slight sound problems of the opening few numbers were quickly left behind and by now Slip Of The Tongue were getting ready to 'Slide It In' - which they did with no lack of flair.

A seasoned vocalist with a deserving reputation, it's abundantly clear to anyone present that Bill is a first class front man - with a vocal talent I personally have yet to hear bettered on any Whitesnake cover. Despite sounding a little dry on a couple of occasions - no doubt due to the extreme humidity - he sang wonderfully, twirled mike stand expertly and struck all the right poses.

Slowing down for a couple of numbers gave a nice balance, before some sledgehammer drumming from the appropriately nicknamed 'Brick' drove home a simply outstanding version of 'Judgement Day' - for me the highlight of their first set. Ainsley and Paul ( better known locally as Hook ) command the stage and are top notch guitarists, showing no mercy to their Gibsons. Craig plays bass with all the relaxed assurity of a long summers day at the beach, while John's keyboards could easily stand up to scrutiny from a certain Mr.Lord.

Second set came loaded with favourites and saw the guys romp through 'Guilty Of Love' , 'Don't Break My Heart Again' , 'Fool For Your Loving' and a nice change of pace with 'Is This Love'. A ballsy rendition of 'Ready And Willing' and a simply effortlessly performed 'Here I Go Again' transported me right back to the City Hall circa 1980's and helped to make the second set a complete joy, with demand for an encore being duly answered by a razor sharp 'Still Of The Night'.

Being in regular contact with guitarist Doug Aldrige has no doubt rubbed off well on Ainsley, as in conversation with him, his enthusiasm for the music is simply infectious. I found the rest of the guys to be laid back and very approachable, getting the feeling that Hook was certainly game for a laugh.

Anyone who is active on the local music scene here in the North East knows just what a wealth of excellent talent we have in our region. 'Slip Of The Tongue' are no exception to this. In fact if tonight's show was anything to go by, they are a shining example of it. Overall, this band are tighter than Scrooge.

With a double header accompanying 'Maiden England' at the Journal Tyne Theatre on 12th September, and a slot on the main stage at this years 'Storming The Castle' event, 'Slip Of The Tongue' are ready and willing to put on a show that will delight any Whitesnake fan.

The Three Tuns remains the best place in the area to see a band live, tonight just reinforced that.

Absolutely unmissable !


http://www.myspace.com/slipofthetonguetheband

http://www.thethreetuns.com/

MOO! pmsbull