Narc. Magazine Online
Reliably informed
Mark Grainger previews the double headliner show at the O2 Academy, Newcastle on 28th January
It may be a cold and wet January, but The Wildhearts are heading back to their home turf to melt some faces at the end of the month. And they’ve brought back up; Sweden’s mighty Backyard Babies.
Hitting the o2 Academy for the first night of a UK tour, the two legendary bands are sharing the headline spot. As if that wasn’t enough, they’ll also be joined by CKY, the Pennsylvanian skate-rockers who came to prominence for their contribution and ties to the Jackass TV show. Expect riffs.
The wheels may be in perpetual danger of falling off where The Wildhearts are concerned, but Ginger and co are kicking off the new decade in rude health. Last year saw The Wildhearts emerge from a sporadic touring schedule to release the critically acclaimed Renaissance Men, their first album in ten years and a reunification of the definitive line up of Ginger, CJ, Ritch Battersby and Danny McCormack. As if that wasn’t enough, they wasted no time in releasing a six track EP (Diagnosis), and toured the UK twice to really make their presence felt. As the title track from the album goes, they’re back in your face again. It’s where they belong.
It seems strange that Backyard Babies haven’t toured with The Wildhearts before, but its an oversight that is finally being rectified. The two hard-living bands seem like spiritual cousins, marching on with the same sense of youthful swagger despite the fact they’ve both recently celebrated thirtieth anniversaries.
The Babies have the edge when it comes to sleaze and slink, but, coupled with the ‘Hearts’ defiant attitude and euphoric choruses, this should be a tour to remember.
