Saturday at the Village Inn.
Revue by Monica
Saturday Night at the Village inn, Woolton saw the best performance yet by Strider.
The nearness to St. Patrick's Day influenced the kick off song of “Whiskey in the Jar” (the hefty Thin Lizzy version) and then a succession of Blue Oyster Cult, Lynrd Skynrd, Deep Purple, Eagles, you name it from the seventies and it was there.
In the past they have used the first half as a more varied warm up to the later rock standards, not this time, it was rock masterpieces all the way, played impeccably.
It is easy to focus on the lead and vocals, but credit must go to the group as a whole. Foxes' bass and Ants' drumming would stand up against any that I have heard. Fox also took the occasional vocal lead and supported Mark on the rest of the tracks.
A couple standing next t us seemed to have wandered in to the pub by chance and in conversation had asked if the band were any good. After the third song they were speechless and Converted to the Church of Strider.
The second half got right back into rock and culminated in a perfect “Smoke on the Water”.
As ever, the rule of the bird was applied, and the group were unable to leave until “Freebird” brought the house down.
This really is as good as it gets, never mind paying extortionate prices to travel to Manchester or London to see post retirement rockers rehash their 70's hits, just keep an eye on the Strider gig guide and get down to the next one near you.
Welcome to the Hotel California. The times I've sang that line and never with more conviction than I did at the Hotel California. It was a late one but wow, what a gig. It reminded me of the old rock clubs like the Moonstone back in the seventies,matt black walls and everything. We had a fantastic night there and can't wait to go back, when we do, it's a Strider gig you should not miss out on.
