Beat Generator in Dundee, a regular venue for the original UK punk bands that are still touring forty years on from their inception. Having formed in 1975, Slaughter and the Dogs were one of the very first bands to sign a major record deal. Original members Wayne Barrett and Mick Rossi have brought their rock ’n’ roll infused punk to the East Coast of Scotland tonight and they’re still “Cranked Up Really High”as they have ever been, only now, it’s purely the music that’s the buzz these days. The rest of the band are made up of Dan Grazianoon bass and Mark Reback on drums.
The 2019 tour sees the band play at most of the prestigious punk venues up and down the UK. It’s testament that they still draw strong crowds whenever they play and although they might not have been a household name like the Sex Pistols or The Clash, within the punk circles, they are certainly up there with most punk rock patrons. The music trancends the punk genre much like the New York Dollsand the Glam scene did. Mick Rossiand Mark Reback will also tour with Walter Lure (ex-Heartbreakers) later this year and play the famous “L.A.M.F” album. The circle is almost complete as the 70’s infused rock ’n’ roll keeps on rolling.
Its another packed night in Dundee’s Beat Generator. The early show doesn’t put off the gig goers, as this mid-week gig sees weekend regulars out in force and some well travelled faces in the crowd that have made the effort to come see their favourite rockers.
Mick Rossi takes the stage and the signature sound of his Gibson Les Paul Custom is the first sound we hear as he strums the iconic guitar to warm up the crowd. After the opening numbers “Twist and Turn”and “The Bitch”, we get treated to hearing the first album, almost in it’s entirety. “Boston Babies” from the seminal album “Do It Dog Style” sees the crowd bouncing along with Wayne Barrett as Mick Rossi is already in full flow throwing his signature guitar shapes above his head and spinning round on the tight stage.
Slaughter and the Dogs – Boston-Babies (Live in Dundee)
The band make the most of the space as they run through the highlights of the album. We also get an inspired version of the New York Dolls“Who Are The Mystery Girls” much to the delight of the responsive crowd, before it’s back to basics with “We Don’t Care”and “You’re A Bore”. The early singles and “B” sides get some well deserved attention as the audience shout out their favourites. The usual banter flies between songs as Waynedoes his best to keep them on their toes by enticing them to leave the bar and crash the barrier instead. There’s a faithful version of the Velvet Undergrounds“I’m Waiting For The Man”. The band featured this on their first album so it comes as no surprise they play it tonight. The early tunes keep coming and lead up to the set ending crowd favourite “Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone”. We hear Dan’s bass start pumping as Mark and Mick come crashing in. There might not be any boot boys in the crowd but it doesn’t stop them doing their best to raise hell.
The band take their leave but not for long. Mick Rossi plays the unmistakable chords of the T.Rexhit “Get It On”. The song features on their last studio album “Vicious”. Next up, a spirited version of the early song “Johnny T”, then it’s the one they’ve all been waiting for next as “Cranked Up Really High” has the crowd in full voice at the breakdown of the chorus. “Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah… nah, nah, nah”. It’ll be a hard come down from the high of this iconic song for the crowd but they won’t be cold turkey for long.
Slaughter and the Dogs – Cranked Up Really High Live in Dundee
After a brief break, Wayne takes the stage along with Mickand they play an emotional guitar ballad dedicated to Wayne’sailing mother who’s been unwell. It’s not long before the crowd, after a respectful cheer to Wayne’smother, start shouting out the hits the band haven’t played yet. As we get the entire back catalogue shouted out, it’s one their latest tracks, “Stranded” from the 2016 album “Vicious” that is the penultimate song of the night. After much shouting and screaming, there’s another powerful redition of “Boot Boys” before the band finally take their leave. There’s a lot of love for the band tonight, whether it’s nostalgia or the subliminal thought of them being some relation to mans best friend, either way, they’ve gone down a storm. It’s off to Newcastle and Manchester for the next two nights as the band keep rocking and rolling on.
