Welcome to AmpedReviews.net
We have been around since 2006 and bring you the best of CD and Live reviews aswell as Interviews with bands, features and live photography! If you're interested in appearing on or writing for the website please get in contact
Frank Turner - Plymouth University Great Hall - Saturday October 24th 2009
Support: Fake Problems
After a complicated journey to the venue involving a mix up with taxis and stumbling around a completely redeveloped university campu, I finally make it inside and find a decent spot to witness the music soon to begin. The stage goes dark momentarily; the darkness is replaced by blinding lights set in the deep recesses of the stage. Think football stadium floodlights, and then imagine a whole group of them in a very small venue, harsh and uncomfortable to look at is the only way to describe it. Fake Problems stroll onto the bright stage and immediately launch into their upbeat energetic songs.
Their song ‘Diamond Rings’ is a deep down dirty affair, lead vocalist Chris Farren yelps the unforgettable lyric, “I don’t know what I want, and I doubt I ever will”, this bluesy number often verges into show tune territory but only in a classy way. The band display so much energy and commitment to their performance, the only negatives to their show would be that there didn’t seem to be much of a connection between band members and almost no banter with the crowd. It felt as if we were just witnessing a very polished practice time for the band complete with blinding lights.
‘Born and Raised’ shows the gutsy, punky, jangly depth which this band are capable of. It is a sure fire crowd pleaser even to the uninitiated, tonight it doesn’t fail to disappoint and the capacity crowd finally start to sway. Other stand out tracks from their set included, ‘Don’t worry baby, ‘ the epic stadium filler ‘There are times’ and finally the weirdly jaunty song ‘Dream Team.’ A band certainly in the ascendancy, check them out on a cold winter day to bring a bit of sunshine into your life.
After a lengthy break Frank Turner takes to the stage, he receives a hero’s welcome from the Plymouth crowd. He is joined onstage by a full band made up from time to time of members of Fake Problems, its hard to tell with the lights exactly who is on the stage at any one time.
After a brief chat to the crowd thanking them and informing them that the show is a sell out and that the last ticket was sold at midday. After this he launches straight into his trade mark folky rock groove. He plays his current single to the delight of the crowd, however he plays it at breakneck speed, it seems as though he could already be bored of it. Frank doesn’t wait for applause he just launches into the next song. Already, the blinding lights which seem to be more powerful than they were for the support band are annoying and distracting. Frank can barely be seen at times all the crowd can do is stand and stare at light listening to the genius that is Mr Turner.
Stand out tracks from his set include ‘Long Live The Queen,’ the track which emotionally binds the crowd together in remembering lost loves ones, ‘To Take You Home,’ and ‘Love Ire & Song’ a perfect lilting folk song. Putting the odd political rant aside, Frank Turner puts on a good show and unites the crowd; there were hundreds of smiling faces spilling out of the venue after the encore. Just one word of advice, ditch the lights and the full band and return to the one man show, the songs are powerful enough to not need gimmicks.
Interview with Poets of the Fall
We spoke to Poets of the Fall about their new record label and the Finnish music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Sean Flowerdew from Pama International
We spoke to Sean Flowerdew from Pama International about the last ten years of the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Mika Tauriainen from Entwine
We spoke to Mika Tauriainen from Entwine about the future of music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with The Winyls
We spoke to James and HC of the Winyls, the Finnish band that is said to combine exciting tunes, live mayhem, blood, sweat and tears into their music. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with Larry Love of Negative
We recently spoke to Larry Love of Finnish rock band Negative, about his inspirations, their musical style and comparisons to classic rock bands. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Interview with MiMi Soya
We recently spoke to Brighton based pop rock outfit, MiMi Soya about their brand new EP 'I Can't Stand Pop Bands,' their recent success and what is still yet to come from the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Behinds the scenes with My Darkest Days
We recently went behind the scenes with My Darkest Days on their July 2010 tour, opening for Sick Puppies alongside It's Alive and Janus.
Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies
We recently spoke to Mark Goodwin of Sick Puppies about Rock Prophecies, who he would like to share a stage with and what's new about their recent tour.
It's Alive
We recently spoke to It's Alive about their recent tour in support of Sick Puppies and shooting the video for their single 'Pieces.'
Tommi Thunder from Suicide Love Boat
We spoke to Tommi Thunder of Suicide Love Boat about the band’s scam tour to Germany, stolen guitars, cut fingers, lost brothers, playing drunk and many others. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Jonas Karsten from Vanity Beach
We talked to Jonas Karsten of Vanity Beach about their long-awaited second album ‘A Life of Vice’, a new line-up and producer and many other curious sidelights. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Dead Confederate
We spoke to Dead Confederate during the last day of SXSW about what they've been up to and their new album READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Burn The Fleet
We spoke to this Southampton based group about their local music scene and how they are breaking out from it. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Silent Disguise
We spoke to metal band Silent Disguise about their journey to where they are today and what is on the horizon. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Phillip Edwards from Boys With X-Ray Eyes
We spoke to drummer Phillip Edwards about the bands rise since their debut. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Gustav Wood from Young Guns
We talk to the young front man about the Kerrang! Relentless tour and what it feels like to be an unsigned band that is currently making huge waves in the rock music industry. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Lost Prophets
We talk to Lost Prophets about their new album 'The Betrayed' and their current tour of the UK READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Funeral For A Friend
We talked to Funeral For A Friend members Darran and Gavin about their new 'Greatest Hits' album and how Gavin felt about joining the band. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
Angel Ibarra from Aiden
Back in June we talked to Aiden guitarist Angel Ibarra about the new record and the recent troubles that the band have faced. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW
