HILLTOWN FM AT DUNDEE ROCKS 2

YUPPIES BAR, SUNDAY 28TH MAY 2006


Day two of the The "Dundee Rocks 2" May Bank Holiday weekend continued on the Sunday with various bands and events across the City Centre. The main focus of attention for Sunday was Yuppies Bar. Originally to be top of the bill was Whole Lotta Led a Led Zepplin tribute band. Due to circumstance, which had nothing to do with the promoter, Whole Lotta Led cancelled the gig due to the band splitting up, so after a few phone calls, a replacement headlining act was found with only 2 days to go, which was a fantastic feat by the promoter himself. The replacement band were Maiden Scotland.

First on stage came Dundee band Crawler, with a fantastic and flawless set of rock classics. They opened their set with Thin Lizzy's "Rosalie", followed by Alice Cooper's "Schools Out". The biggest reaction to the band's set came with a fantastic medley of Queen's classics "Hammer to Fall" & "Tie Your Mother Down". Other memorable tracks for myself during the set was AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" which received a rapturous reception from the gathered crowd. Finally their set was finished off with the track Thin Lizzy made famous way back in the 70's "Whiskey In the Jar" which had the crowd singing along. All in all, a great set from this band and highly recommended if you get a chance to go see them when you're out about at the weekend.



DE JA VU. DUNDEE BLUES BONANZA 2008 (By Howlin' Ralph)

I am already in De Ja Vu watching traditional bluesmen King Bz, a thought crosses my mind when I look around and see that it’s not that busy. This is the first time this place has been used as a Bonanza venue and it looks like it has been a bad idea. Crawler are next band on at 4 and it’s after 3 now with the band showing no sign of coming off. 3:35 the band finish and exit stage. I look around again and see the crowd has already doubled in the last half hour. A cheer goes up as the first sight of the next band can be seen backstage. A very quick changeover of gear is made and the place is now getting very busy. Crawler are going to be slightly late but are sound checking as fast as can be done. Crawler will be on in 5 minutes and the place is now jumping, it’s full to capacity of 900 and the doors have been closed with 200 still outside. The lights are low but the band are now on stage waiting on Steve, he is struggling to get to the stage through the crowd. “Gone yirsel big man” and “c’mon the Crawler” are a few of the chants heard. The big man hits the stage to a huge roar of approval, winks at the band and Dean bursts into the classic intro of Sweet child o’ mine! The place erupts, the rest of the band kick in, Steve opens his arms to welcome the home town crowd to the gig, and very welcome they are too! The band are relentless, with minimum time between the songs we are being treated to rock classics played musically to the highest level, and if there is a better singer in Dundee than “Big Stevie” they must be hibernating! An hour has gone in a flash, the place is bulging at the seams, the dancefloor is packed, The crowd are loving it! The band are loving it! Crawler and the Crawler Crew are making this a gig to remember. Two hours plus gone with no break the first dip in the evening comes when Steve announces that the gig is nearing the end! With mock booing from the crowd the haunting echoed intro to “She sells sanctuary” swirls around the hall, a thunderous snare snap from Graeme brings in Bruce and Ronnie, Steve grabs the microphone and unleashes hell! I have met these guys and they are quite a placid bunch, but to hear the noise that they make on stage can sometimes be quite intimidating. The band finish with a heavy version of "Rockin' in the free world" This is dedicated to the crowd,The song ends, the roar goes up, the band disappear backstage, there is no way Crawler are going to be allowed to go without just one more song, and the crowd are not shy to tell them just what song they are going to play for them either! The chant of “ Angus, Angus” “Deano, Deano” is deafening, I join in the chant and the hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I realise the last time I chanted the same tune but different words (“easy, easy”) was over 30 years ago in the very same place on the very same day while watching another of my heroes “Flash Gordon” when this place was still a cinema.(spooky) The band play a rousing version of “Whole lotta Rosie” and Steve convinces us he really has met the lady in question , The song ends, the place goes crazy, the gig is over, the band disappear ,this time for good. All I can add is that was the best Crawler gig I have ever seen !

DEXTERS DUNDEE

Review by Dead Earnest


Dexters, Dundee 13-07-07 Last act of the evening and last act of the series went to local stage favourites Crawler, a tribute band who've been around for years but still manage to sound like they really put their heart and soul into what they are playing. So it was that we got a near 90 minute set that covered a crowd-pleasing set of classic rock covers from the likes of Queen, Alex Harvey, Black Sabbath, Metallica, AC/DC, Alice Cooper and many more, all lapped up by an audience ready for something familiar, having already been bowled over by three acts, known and unknown.

FORFAR ROCKS WEEKEND

Review by Dead Earnest


The Plough, Forfar 29-12-07 Crawler, on the other hand, were their ever dependable selves, doing just what it would say on their tin (if they had one), and that is Classic Rock covers played and sung with conviction and meaning. Not being allied to any particular band they don't have to worry about visual, although the commanding sight of the lead singer still holds sway. Through Lynyrd Skynyrd, Metallica, Black Sabbath, The Cult and much much more, myself and the lovely Sarah had a right old time on the dancefloor - another audience delighted - while the singer's vocal remained powerful throughout, not attempting to stylise according to band, but delivering faithful versions with force and that passion I mentioned earlier, same for the band's instrumental work. Tribute bands - either specific or general - have their place, but they have to be good to be noticed - and this lot are good.