Sin City vocalist Gary John Jenkins and guitarist Ash JD Baker
SIN City, The Bon Scott Years AC/DC tribute, will make its Shire Hall, Howden debut on September 29 in the second show of Howden Live’s autumn season
After nearly a decade, Ash JD Baker, former Angus Young in the AC/DC tribute show Live/Wire, makes his long-awaited return to the Australian guitarist’s trademark school uniform. Joining him will be former band mate Gary John Jenkins, reprising his role of original AC/DC vocalist Bon Scott, as they re-create the sound and stage presence of the late-1970s’ AC/DC.
Alongside them will be bassist Dave Parker, who has held down the thundering low end in AC/DC tributes for the past decade. Citing both Mark Evans (AC/DC 1975-1977) and Cliff Williams (AC/DC 1977-2016) as major influences, he mirrors their tone, musical approach and attack.
Rhythm guitarist Matthew Nixon will recall the signature tone and playing style of the young Malcolm Young. Drummer Al Cormell will capture the swing and groove of Phil Rudd to build a huge wall of sound as Sin City journeys through Bon Scott’s years from High Voltage to Highway To Hell.
Tickets are on sale at howden-live.com, on 01430 432510 and from the Dove House Hospice shop (01430 431660) in hard copy form only.
Existing tickets from the “unexpected postponement due to bad weather” show remain valid for the new date.
“Unfortunately, due to various band members being snowed in, tonight’s show with The Martin Stephenson Trio has had to be postponed, not cancelled – we don’t give up easily – to a date tba,” read an announcement by Howden Live’s Mark Rodger on the snow-bound night.
The artwork for Martin Stephenson & John Perry’s new album, New Wave Connection
True to Mark’s word, self-deprecating, humorous Durham-born singer, songwriter and storyteller Stephenson, 61, will perform with fellow members of The Daintees, Gary and Anth Dunn, on Friday at 7.30pm, when Molly Curtis will be making a long overdue return in support.
“This show has a cast-iron guarantee of being a truly memorable night out and is well worth investing in, even if you’re not familiar with Martin Stephenson’s music. You don’t get on [The Old Grey] Whistle Test for nothing,” says Mark.
Now part of the Thoroughbred Music stable, Stephenson is joined on his latest album, New Wave Connection, by long-term pal John Perry, co-founder of fashionable London punks The Only Ones with Peter Perrett.
Together they have recorded versions of Rock & Roll Jamboree, New Wave Dave, Wholly Humble Heart, Big Sky New Light, Mother’s Son, Salutation Road, Taker On The Globe, Me And Matthew, Frattern Star and Running Water.
Martin Stephenson: The back story
Martin Stephenson: Billy Connolly’s “kind of musician”
INSPIRED by The Cure and the Brighton scene, Martin began his career as a busker aged 15. He then spent three years plying his trade as the guitar player in various bands in his native North East.
But he wanted more. He wanted to tell stories of his own and he was quickly developing ways of doing just that.
He developed his songwriting technique by firstly learning a few licks from a Spanish guitar book, then repeating the process with jazz, blues, country, skiffle and reggae.
Eventually, this glorious collision of styles would become the trademark in a career stretching to almost 40 years.
When Martin formed his band The Daintees, they became a busking sensation and were signed by Kitchenware at around the same time as fellow North Easterners Prefab Sprout and Hurrah!. The albums Boat To Bolivia (1986), Gladsome, Humour & Blue (1988), Salutation Road (1990) and The Boy’s Heart (1992) ensued, each covering a multitude of genres, tempos and moods.
Disenchanted at the way the industry was moving, and following the band’s break-up shortly after The Boy’s Heart’s release, Martin distanced himself from the mainstream music industry, relocating to the Scottish Highlands to recharge and re-evaluate.
There followed a number of years where Martin supported himself through extensive live work and a multitude of self-financed solo albums.
2000 saw the re-formation of The Daintees, and to this day Martin splits his time between solo and small collaborative projects with band albums and annual celebratory Daintees UK tours.
Did you know?
MARTIN Stephenson originated the term “alt. country” when describing the song Running Water on his 1986 debut album with The Daintees, Boat To Bolivia.
Did you know too?
MARTIN Stephenson performed his song Rain on Billy Connolly’s documentary The Big Yin. Connolly called him “my kind of musician”.
The poster for Martin Stephenson’s rearranged Howden Live concert
