Live Review

Forever Never – Ivory Blacks, Glasgow

• 17th Oct 2010

I’ve seen many strange things at gigs over the years. But headbanging to a Go West song is something I would never have expected to see. More of that later.

Forever Never brought their “I Can’t Believe it’s Not Metal” tour to Glasgow last night, promoting the EP of the same name. It was an early start for this all ages show and there were three support bands before the headliners.

First up were Fall and Perish who came onto the stage shortly after 7pm. There was little subtlety or craft in their thrash metal sound, which was all deep growling vocals shouted over twin guitars. They may have played six songs, or it might only have been two. It was difficult to tell.

Semper Fi were next, and the local boys were the best of the supporting cast by a distance. Their rock sound incorporated a much more expansive and varied repertoire that the others, and in singer Paul Burns have a fine focus to their work. The closing cover of Ain’t No Sunshine was heavier than the usual versions and much the better for it.

Sworn To Oath are the main support act on this tour but they did nothing for me. More shouted lyrics and heavy guitar riffs were added to an almost clichéd image – think large hairy men in t-shirts snarling and grunting. It has been done many times before and much more convincingly too.

Forever Never changed the atmosphere in the small club from the moment they started their fine set. Bringing a frenetic pace and an electric performance they demonstrated a level of sheer professionalism that should take the Essex boys far.

Vocalist Renny Carroll is a proper rock frontman. He has the moves and the attitude, the charisma and the voice to lead his band. Interacting with the crowd at every opportunity, and almost ending up in the audience several times, Carroll plays the role as if born to it.

And he was ably backed by the guitars of Jack Mackrill and George Lenox, while Kevin Yates on bass kept the beat together. A special mention too for drummer Sam Curtis, who belied his diminutive stature with a huge performance, heavy on the bass drum and pounding the skins with the fury of a man possessed.

The EP being promoted is one made up of cover versions and these were mixed in with a couple of older songs from the band’s two albums. Shaggy’s Boombastic was a lot of fun, while the band’s current single, “You’re The Voice” had a much harder edge than the John Farnham original.

And then there was We Close Our Eyes. This version of 80s band Go West’s single didn’t really work as a rocker for me, but it was a spirited attempt to make something out of a dull song and the headbangers at the front seemed to enjoy it.

The set closer, Empty Promises from the self-titled second album, was a real highlight, bringing the set to a tremendous conclusion. The crowd really got into the sing along section and there were several false endings before it reached a thunderous finale.

Forever Never have taken an unusual route in releasing an EP of covers, but it works well for them. A longer set would perhaps have seen more of their own material played but their performance was one of quality and style. I’ll be looking out for them next time they tour, that’s for sure.