Santa Cruz & Voodoo Six – Sound Control, Manchester – 13th March 2014

Louise Swift 18 March 2014 Event Reviews

@louelladeville_ @planetmosh review of @santacruzband and @voodoosix @soundcontrolmcr

Thursday thirteenth, not Friday, but still the thirteenth. Unlucky for some but not unlucky for the Rockers of Manchester as we got to see two quality bands playing at Sound Control, Santa Cruz and Voodoo Six. Today’s show was on the ground floor and it’s not a bad little venue apart from a few big red pesky pillars which get in the way when you’re trying to take photographs.

First to hit the stage to the introduction Body Count by Body Count came four young, good looking Finnish Rockers called Santa Cruz. I saw them only four months ago, when they supported Kobra & the Lotus at Alter Ego in Manchester so I was looking forward to a good show and I wasn’t disappointed. Standing with their backs to the crowd, Archie raised his right arm in the air, as if in salute, then turned round and with a cry of Manchester launched into Relentless Renegades a fast and energetic opener, reminiscent of early Motley Crue with a few Olli Herman Kosunen, from Reckless Love, type screams and jumps thrown in for good measure.

‘Manchester! How are you doing? Ready to get the party started?’ was the introduction to the next song Let’s Get the Party Started although, one song in, the party was well underway! Archie came off stage a few times to play some riffs to audience members which was a nice touch. The audience usually likes to get involved. Nothing Compares to You had Johnny and Archie with guitars pointing upwards. This song reminds me a little of Knocking on Heaven’s Door, Guns n’ Roses style not Bob Dylan style! When Archie asked ‘Manchester are you having a good time?’ there were plenty of Yeahs and whoops to indicate that we were. We are the Ones to Fall the latest video (see below) came next and this one reminds me of Reckless Love, the song reminds me of Night on Fire but the video of, So Happy I Could Die blood -v- paint, although I’m not reviewing the video!

Let Me Lay My Love on You was dedicated to all the ladies. Again I was reminded of Motley Crue and also of Guns n’ Roses although this time Paradise City with a few arms spins and jumps for added entertainment. Alas we were coming to the end of Santa Cruz’s set. Archie introduced the band ‘We are Santa Cruz from Finland. On guitar – Johnny. On bass – Middy. On drums – Crazy Motherfucker Taz’ and it was left to Johnny to introduce the frontman. All that was needed was a shout of ‘Archie’ who asked us ‘Do you wanna hear one more?’ You bet we did and the last song came in the form of Aiming High with lots of hair flying and Archie making it down to play up close and personal for the final time. My second Santa Cruz gig over, hopefully not the last with flavours of Motley Crue, Guns n’ Roses and Reckless Love these young Finns know how to put on a good show.

Set List: –

Relentless Renegades
Let’s Get the Party Started
Young and Restless
Nothing Compares to You
We are the ones to fall
Let Me Lay My Love in You
Aiming High

Band Members: –

Arttu ‘Archie’ Kuosmanen: Vocals, Guitar
Joonas ‘Johnny’ Parkkonen: Guitar, Backing Vocals
Mitja ‘Middy’ Toivonen: Bass, Backing Vocals
Tapani ‘Taz’ Fagertstrom: Drums, Backing Vocals

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santacruzband

Read our pre-gig interview with Archie here: http://planetmosh.com/arttu-archie-kuosmanen-santa-cruz-interview-13th-march-2014/

We are the Ones to Fall on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1ocGnbx7pc#t=14

A quick change of backdrop from Santa Cruz to Voodoo Six took place then, to the theme tune of The Great Escape, Voodoo Six hit the stage and hit it they did with Falling Knives a catchy opener – although don’t try catching a falling knife at home! From the outset Chris Jones on guitar and Tony Newton on bass entertained us with some ‘Monsters of Rock/Gargoyle faces! Next came All that Glitters and No Friend of Mine, a mellower song. With a mix of fast and slow Voodoo Six put me in mind of Chrome Division and Avenged Sevenfold. Luke said he was sure he’d seen his Auntie Rosie in the audience and dedicated Take Aim to said Auntie who, I think was the lady quietly sitting eating a very smelly kebab so, was not really in a position to enjoy a well aimed dedication! Although I did notice her up dancing afterwards.

From the album Fluke came the song Take the Blame with a bit of a Jimmy Hendrix meets Seaweed style riffage. ‘We’re going to slow it down a little bit’ said Luke. I recognised guitarist Matt Pearce, he’s recently been on tour with The Quireboys playing with Mark Curran, on their acoustic tour and the song Your Way started off quietly, almost acoustic before speeding up to powerful riffs and the chorus ‘You can’t keep pushing me down’ we were then asked if we fancied a bit of a sing along then told ‘We’re going to get you motherfuckers to sing along at some point’ Something for You being the chosen sing along song. Luke pointed out a centre line divide to see which side could sing the loudest. I don’t know which side won but it was all light hearted and we got a ‘Thank you. That’s better’

Next came the new single with a video released only three days ago Lead Me On which started of with gentle slower quitars before gaining in volume and a bit of Van Halen riffage. I was then distracted by a bit of drama at the bar with someone being given water before being escorted out. Luke then asked ‘Are you still with us out there?’ We weren’t because we were minus the person who had just been helped out! However everyone else looked to be none the worse for wear and enjoying the show anyway. Waiting in Line from the new album ‘Songs to Invade Countries To’ came before the last two songs both from the album Fluke, Long Way from Home with a bit of machine gun fast drumming and finally Like the Others Did ended a Rocking evening to lots of applause. Two different styles of rock music, Santa Cruz like a younger Guns n’ Roses or Motley Crue and Voodoo Six more classic rock in style, like Chrome Division or Avenged Sevenfold but they went well together and both seemed to appeal to the audience both young and old! If you like the bands mentioned a bit of glam and a bit of heavy metal then catch the end of the current tour if you can!