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STORMIN' THE CASTLE REVIEW AKQ STOTTIN’ First of all, here’s how you pronounce the name. It’s “A-Kee-Stottin’”, named after a card game (Ace, King, Queen etc). The band are based around the Felling & Whickham area’s of Gateshead, and have been going for absolutely ages (at least 12 years that I know of). Their gigs are infrequent and seldom, but once seen, … never forgotten! Hence the reason why the organisers wanted to have this group on the bill, because they are a fantastic act, even if they are not all that well known across the local pub circuit. And as anticipated, they did not disappoint in the slightest, and delivered a cracking performance during their brief 50-minute slot. This 4-man outfit are a total powerhouse of musical energy, and have a very entertaining vibe about them too. The lead guitarist Terry is also the ‘Angus’ with local AC/DC tribute band Powerage, and their drummer Vic was also an original member of the group. Geordie on bass was originally the guitarist in this band, but went on to bass when they stripped down to a 4-piece many years back. And lastly you have Marty on lead vocals who is a massive character and a huge on-stage personality. The lads opened up ‘New Rose’ by the bliddyed, followed by the classic S.A.H.B. track of ‘Faith Healer’, and went on to wow this crowd with a barrage of rock tunes that took the energy levels up within the main tent. Amongst these songs were a trio of Rage Against the Machine tunes from their self-titled debut album. These included ‘Know Your Enemy’, ‘Killing in the Name’, and ‘Bullet in Your Head’, all of which seemed to catch the atmosphere just right. Marty looks incredible as a frontman, with his mad rasta-wig, big leather trench coat, and wearing tons of glittery bling on chains etc. He strode about the stage looking like a rock god, while Terry rocked his socks off with some monster-sounding guitar riffs, and lush FX-laden fret-board noodling. Geordie played some tasty slap bass-work on the R.A.T.M. stuff too, and Vic looked splendid dressed with his eastern-block furry hat, topped off by sporting his lass’s bra too (seriously he did). Surprise song from them happened to be John Lennon’s ‘Working Class Hero’, but obviously done with a strong rock twist to it. It worked, but I personally would’ve loved to have perhaps heard a few more up-tempo & shorter tracks in there as well. Quite a few ‘epic’ length songs were put in to this particular set, which may have meant less variety, but they still worked well with this kind of crowd. These included an authentic-paced rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Green Manalishi’, with an extended closing section featuring Marty on extra percussion. An up-dated rocked-up version of Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall’, but best of all was their marvellous take on ‘Black Sabbath’ by Black Sabbath. This had Marty in an Ozzy wig and long robe, with his infamous ever-expanding arms. Not only do they play the song great anyway, but the added theatrics take this tune into a whole different dimension. I always laugh out loud when they do the track in this style, and it never fails to make a crowd smile their faces off either. Under the big lights on this huge stage, Marty’s lengthy arms waved about brilliantly, and he even used them to occasionally hit the cymbals too. Once again time was against the bands that played this night, and it wasn’t long until their limited time slot was over. Yet I’m sure that AKQ Stottin’ made a lot of new friends on this evening, many of which will be looking out to see them play again in the future.

Review by MOO PMSBULL "..Not kidding you man, these guys are totally AWESOME ! Everyone I know who seen them thinks the same. They did a BLOODY AMAZING gig at the three tuns the other xmas when the singer ( Marty? ) had a hilaroius stage costume during their sabbath number with extending skeleton arms and joked about drugs being bad while smoking the BIGGEST spliff you have ever seen! I think he must have rolled a whole bloody newspaper to make that one! Honestly - anyone who hasnt seen these NEED to go. Any RATM fans get to see their 'Radgie' incarnation and you will NEVER forget it. When I saw them Marty absolutely transcended the small gig in the tuns and drew you into a sweaty, moshfilled, giant festival experience with his intense stage presence. The absolute epitemy of being 'in the zone' - the band was laying down the riffs with the impact of some great pagan rock God bestowing a plague of biblical proportions on a crowd of unbelievers - all of whom transformed to loyal worshipers by the gigs end, the awesome RATM track "Freedom", after which the by now HEAVING crowd went freaking APESHIT demanding about three encores, and nearly causing a riot before finally being slain by a storming rendition of 'Maggies Farm' and a version of 'Bullet In The Head' that would have made Zakk de la Rocka bown down in awe screaming "NOT WORTHY!!" I tell you man, I hope one day to see RATM for real - but that night at the tuns....just wish I had it on dvd. I would have worn the disc out by now. I know you may think I'm going a bit OTT here guys but beleive me - THEY'RE THAT BLOODY GOOD ! If this band plays anyhwhere near you , even if you gotta drive for hours , sell your momma , rent your sister out to sailors for the weekend or do unusual sexual favours dressed in weird costumes to raise the money..... you MUST GO SEE THEM ! Heavier than the bastard child of Metallica and Pantera and more intense than Phil Ansemo on a bad acid! Oh and by the way , gigs at the Three Tuns are FREE ! It's the BEST place in the area to see a band, NO CONTEST. So now my bretherin, if you are STILL an unbeleiver - then I cannot save you. Here ENDEST the sermon. Cheers.." "MOO!" pmsbull

NEW REVIEW BY PMSBULL

..THREE TUNS 10/10/09 Cry havoc, let slip the dogs of war, light the blue touchpaper - and unleash the beast that is AKQ Stottin... AKQ Stottin - what the hell more can I say about this band to convince you to go and see them? Well if the two AKQ 'virgins' in attendance from this forum were anything to go by, they did enough talking themself last night. Comments made to me were "They're awesome, totally blew me away!" (Hammerrockopus) and "Well that's me sold. I'm converted!" (srftoon). As was, the newbies picked a great night to see AKQ as they were absolutely on fire! Right from the opening 'Bulls On Parade' (RATM) AKQ Stottin were kicking ass and taking names. 'Working Class Hero' (Lennon) belted out with seemingly more power and passion then ever before and the return to RATM for 'Sleep Now In The Fire' and 'Know Your Enemy' had the already up for it audience bouncing, maybe a dozen moshers at the front slamming down on every beat. Seeing the crowd react with such energy obviously had an effect on Marty and feeding off it, he reached new heights of intensity to deliver an amazing version of 'Goofy's Concern' (Butthole Surfers) and as one the band lifted itself to heights others simply dream of with an incredible, powerladen reworking of 'Blowing In The Wind' (Dylan) to complete a double whammy of new tracks that left me breathless. After telling the audience a story about my chatting up a transvestite some years ago (note to self, NEVER, repeat NEVER tell 'tw@t features' or his sidekick 'beenie boy' anything even remotely embarrassing again unless you want to share it with the world!) Marty turned on the comedy for the full on theatrical version of Black Sabbath (same) complete with skeleton arms, the return of the crow from below and the at last working (yay!) wig trick. The expectantly huge sound of 'Green Manalishi' (Melvins) preceded a final return to RATM to close out what had been an unbelievably powerful performance thus far and a wonderfully atmospheric 'Ghost Of Tom Joad' - perhaps the most moving and deeply felt lyric Marty delivers all set - and it's at this stage you have to look past the gigantic stage presence of perhaps the regions greatest front man and just revel in the awe inspiring depth of soundscape and drama that Gerodie,Vic and Terry can produce. Music played like this cannot fail but move even the hardest of hearts. The angry calls to action of 'Bullet In The Head' and the outright venom of 'Killing In The Name Of' bring the already roaring crowd to new heights of noise and as the last notes of closer 'Freedom' screatch out I find it hard to believe AKQ will ever play better than they did tonight. Yes of course it wouldn't be an AKQ show unless there was the odd sound bug and the mic blew Marty off a couple of times but none of that mattered because what I saw tonight was one of the most dangerously intense bands ever to grace the Three Tuns stage give the performance of a lifetime. AKQ Stottin are the one band you must see before you die. Don't take my word for it - go see for yourself! MOO!pmsbull NEW REVIEW BY THE MIGHTY BULL (WE'LL GIVE YOU THAT 50QUID LATER MATE..) ;-)

AKQ STOTTIN' : LIVE AT THE THREE TUNS : Saturday 5th April 2008 "Oh my God, AKQ's back !" That's all I could say when I heard they were doing another gig here at the Three Tuns in Gateshead. This band just continues to put on a fantastic show - despite anything that their PA troubles could throw at them, and it was something of a relief to realise that it was their smoke machine going off and not their amp blowing up that created the plume of white mist which greeted their arrival on stage. After sounding a little 'booming' on the first couple of tracks due to a (quickly adjusted) slightly off mike, Marty was soon blasting his way through their set like a man possessed. Wearing that outrageous black and white dreadlock wig-hat and bouncing around the stage with all his usual enthusiasm, he truly is a front man to be reckoned with and gets a crowd going like nobody else can. Openers 'New Rose' and 'God Save The Queen' immediately had the near capacity crowd jumping and by the time they slammed through 'Know Your Enemy' I knew we were in for a night to remember - especially for the drumming. Vic hit the skins so hard tonight I thought he was trying to burst his kit. Sweating buckets at the back of the stage, his headgear slipped down over his eyes and he played the entire second half of 'Faith Healer' effectively blindfolded - and never missed a beat. Truly awesome performance the entire night from this very shy and retiring yet immensely talented and much under rated musician. Vic rocks ! Staying on the subject of drummers, Marty brought 2 timpani drums and 2 crash cymbals onto the front of the stage for their version of the Fleetwood Mac classic 'Green Manilishi' , which he introduced by saying they were going to do some Slipknot - or "Hope not !" as he called it - and then proceded to bash the living daylights out of them, backing up Vic and making for one of the heaviest performances I have ever heard. Black Sabbath was treated to the scary wig and skeleton outfit, much to the amusement of audience first timers and some heckling, resulting in Marty's usual brand of outrageous stage humour to put it down. Geordie's solid base lines and Terry's lead guitar were in full swing for another amazing version of RATM's 'Bullet In The Head' and when Marty came back on stage wearing his Newcastle United dressing gown and scarf, the resulting audience participation for 'Kids Are United' must have rivalled the aftermath of goal No.3 going in at St.James Park this afternoon. Slamming through 'Killing In The Name Of' and laying waste to 'Freedom' , AKQ rounded off yet another legendary night with an encore of Nirvana's 'Territorial Pissings' still leaving the crowd begging for more - which is a good thing as they simply do not play often enough. I said it the first time I reviewed this band - their sheer intensity draws you into a festival like experience - and that is where they really deserve to be. You dont watch or listen to AKQ - you FEEL them, and were this band to play one of those side tents at Glastonbury it would be a night to tell your Grandchildren about. ..... www.thethreetuns.com MOO ! pmsbull

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