GIGS GUIDE

[venue]: DJ's Nightclub, 1830 North Academy Boulevard
[city/province]: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA
[date/time]: 1984 September 17, Monday, 8:00 PM
[tour]: Vices
[support act]: Bastill
[attendance]:
[info]:

[line-up]:
[vocals]: George Criston
[guitar]: Larry Gillstrom
[guitar]: Ray Harvey
[bassguitar]: Victor Langen
[drums]: Brian Gillstrom

Also at DJ's, Epic Records recording artists Kick Axe tore up the stage Monday night, bringing their brand of Canadian rock 'n' roll south to an entustiastic response.

With vocalist George Criston leading the way, Kick Axe flew through its hour-and-a-half set with a vengeance, playing heavy metal about as true to the art form as possible.

Starting out with "Alive and Kickin'" and proceeding through set's end with a smoking version of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," the band blasted through their show with a steady volume matched only by the decible-for-decible screaming of the fans.

This was a situation that the band's members seemed to relish, playing up to those up front with enticing moves and rock-steady action. Supporting their new album "Vices," Kick Axe showcased the tunes from their debut effort, and gave us a taste of a few possible contenders for the next album.

They also stormed through Humble Pie's classic "Thirty Days in the Hole." With guitarists Raymond Arthur Harvey and Larry Gillstrom trading hot licks all set long, and drummer Vice Brian Gillstrom and bassist Victor Langen supplying a steady backbone to this most simplistic of musical megawattage, Kick Axe offered something for the eyes and ears at every turn.

And what of Bastille, the band that shared the bill with Kick Axe?


Photo John Vinson