Hardcore Superstar - Give London a taster of their new album!

Hardcore Superstar **** are giants in Rock back in their homeland of Sweden, and since recruiting Vic Zino they have gone more into the Metal / Rock genre than the old Hanoi Rock sound that Thomas Silver brought to the band. Now they are back in London and at the Garage, one of the regular haunts playing to a packed crowd. The years have been really kind to Hardcore Superstar and they have a real loyal fan base, that has stayed with the band for their entirety of their carrier.

Hardcore Superstar's ability to change their sounds has also resulted in them picking up new and younger fans in recent years as they break into their first number the crowd are going crazy. Yes! the Garage is the perfect venue for this great European band, who are friendly as ever. They open with their giant hit single 'We don't celebrate Sundays' which hits in with it's killer beat, like a Rock metronome attached with a time bomb ready to explode.

Singer Joakim Berg vocals are still as strong as ever and his Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones) esq. lips scream out all the lyrics we are longing to hear. The problem I have had with Hardcore Superstar in recent years is no fault to them, it's just a preference. I grew up with the sleaze of Hanoi Rocks and Backyard Babies and the Metal sound of songs of recent years just doesn't turn my head like the older ones do. Saying this the new tracks still sound killer in the bands set tonight and I am really looking forward to hearing what more of them sound.

'The Cemetary' has a great bouncy track and almost demands 'Off with their Heads' to the crowd, who are really not disappointing the band. Songs like 'My good Reputation' sound as good as they ever have, and have me and everyone else singing our lungs out, while new numbers like 'Touch the Sky' really don't seem out of place and are already making their mark. This one almost having a 70's Rock vibe... I don't know where that comes from? but I like it. 'Growing Old' makes way for the 'Wild Boys' to come out and Rock the place.

This song still hits you like it always did and it's always a joy to hear it live. They take things down a few paces with the haunting 'Fly', where Joakim (Aka Jocke) really shows off what he can do vocally. They bring things back up quickly with 'Last call for Alcohol' which is almost becoming an anthem for the band, and you can see them calling for the shots to be brought on and a few lovely ladies too.

'Party Till' I'm Gone' ends the main set, with it's distinctive underline Rock rhythm, but you would not know that they have gone off because they almost immediately hit into their three track encore. Which includes the badass 'Don't mean Sh*t', ever enlightening 'Moonshine' and the bouncing 'Above the Law' which see's drummer Magnus' drum kit being taken away from him during. This is really funny and makes a great end to their set.

 

If you like Hanoi Rocks, Backyard Babies, Black veil Brides or even Reckless Love, you simply can't ignore Hardcore Superstar they are great Rock band on CD and live. They also reinvent themselves all the time which makes them really interesting to watch or listen to. For me this was not one of their best gigs, but that is only because of the really high standards they have set themselves before. But this was a brilliant night out that I am so glad I didn't miss.