The Dead Daisies / The Treatment / The Amorettes - Rock City, Nottingham (UK) - 13 April 2018

Having seen The Dead Daisies only twice previously, and both of those times at the Download Festival, I was looking forward to seeing them do a whole set as headliners. Previously, when they played in their own right, I had something on the same night which was rather annoying as I was impressed the first time at Download, and even more so the second time (last year) as they had been joined by ex-Whitesnake guitarist Doug Aldrich.




Due to distance, traffic and the early start to proceedings, The Amorettes were just finishing when we got there. Early starts are a problem if you have a job and have to go home, shower, eat and/or change before coming out again, followed by an almost forty mile journey before reaching the venue. As a result, I only really got to see them for their last number, but I have to say they sounded okay and the crowd, which usually isn't so large for an opening band but was tonight, appeared more than happy.

For those that are interested, however, I did get to see the set-list as it was still taped to the floor when we went down to photograph the next band.




This meant that the first band we saw was The Treatment, who were on for about thirty minutes. Now the last and only time I saw them was, I believe, on the third stage at Download in 2014, and to be honest I wasn't bowled over on that occasion.



Come forward almost four years and it was a completely different story. They produced a thoroughly energetic and enjoyable set which, once again, was well appreciated by the crowd.




It was then on to The Dead Daisies who, for my money, are one of the best bands out there at the moment. As I said before, the addition of former Whitesnake guitarist Aldrich has added extra firepower to an already dynamic sound, plus you have to remember just who the other people in this band have been with previously – Steve Vai, Ozzy Osbourne, Journey, Mötley Crüe, Dio, Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy to name a few – so it's not surprising that they are good at what they do. Tonight was no exception as they steamed through a set that kept the sold-out crowd more than happy.




After the intro of Rose Tattoo's 'Rock 'N' Roll Outlaw', they kicked off with a new song 'Resurrected', which saw Aldrich toting his EDS 1275 double-neck while striking some Classic Rock guitarist poses. Every time I have seen them, they work hard at what they do and that includes their newest member, Deen Castronovo on drums. He wasn't with them when I saw them at Download last year, but he has slotted in very well and you could not see the joins. It must have cost them a few quid in plectrums as all the guitarists, but particularly bassist Marco Mendoza, threw them out all night.




John Corabi did a bit of rolling around onstage and, after a bit of finger tipping with the crowd at front, decided to come off the stage and join them at the barrier. I particularly liked the band intro section where, when a member was mentioned, they all burst into stuff that I assume they had a connection to. Some of them I worked out, but they are also not above doing covers as they played songs by The Rolling Stones, The Alex Harvey Band and The Beatles. It was also obvious that they are proud of their new album as, by the end of the evening, they had performed all but five of the songs on it, and why not?

If you want to see a band that plays hard with a seventies ethos while being right up to date, then you really should go out and see these guys at the first opportunity you get. Check the internet as they are doing quite a few smaller festivals later this year.


The Amorettes set-list:- 'Born To Break', 'Stealing Thunder', 'Let The Neighbours Call The Cops', 'White Russian Roulette', 'Bull By The Horns', 'Everything I Learned, I Learned From Rock 'N' Roll'.

The Treatment set-list:- 'Set Let It Begin', 'Let's Get Dirty', 'On the Money', 'The Devil', 'I Bleed Rock & Roll', 'Running With The Dogs', 'Get The Party On', 'Shake The Mountain'.

The Dead Daisies Set list:- 'Resurrected', 'Rise Up', 'Make Some Noise', 'Song And A Prayer', 'Dead And Gone', 'Mexico', 'What Goes Around', 'Last Time I Saw The Sun', 'Can't Take It With You', 'All the Same' (incorporating drum solo), 'Bitch' (Rolling Stones cover), 'With You And I', 'Band introduction incorporating 'The Boys Are Back in Town' (Thin Lizzy), 'Highway to Hell' (AC/DC), 'Smoke On The Water' (Deep Purple), 'Rock And Roll All Nite' (Kiss), 'Heaven And Hell' (Black Sabbath), 'Long Way To Go', 'Mainline', 'Midnight Moses' (Sensational Alex Harvey Band cover). Encore: 'Judgement Day', 'Helter Skelter' (Beatles cover).

Review and photos Andy Brailsford