UNFORGIVEN SMITHFIELD DERBY
SUNDAY is never the best of days to view bands, especially around tea-time, so dragging myself down to Derby’s Smithfield was done with a certain amount of effort. Yet bizarrely, this weekly gathering attracts many people, sometimes around 100 and has done so for many years now which Unforgiven, a foursome from the midlands area, relished in.
Opening with Velvet Revolver’s Slither, Hush and Are You Gonna Go My Way the already packed venue showed much support and cheers as front man and lead vocalist Kieran led his troops through the tunes. And what troops he has, with guitarist and backing vocalist Dale really playing better than some big named guitarists I could mention, and along with his colleagues, Paul on bass and backing vocals, sticksman Rich all working and gelling together nicely. This is especially worth mentioning as I was told that the band hadn’t rehearsed, actually spoken, or even seen each other in weeks, hence song gaps in part one.
Photography By: Roy Goodall
Intermission over and the anti had risen some what as nuts had been tightened as clusters of songs were all played tightly together. Highlights for me were Stereophonics Bartender and the thief, a real belter of a song which Unforgiven took no prisoners with. We did get more Queen, Green Day, Reef, the ever popular Johnny B. Good which the Smithfield crowd lapped up with several hitting the tiny dancing area. Always a feel good moment for any aspiring band, as smiling they powered on to the ending tunes.
We all loved Unforgiven. Yes, a few more contempory tunes would have been nice as many groups do play similar sets. This also keeps band and audience on their toes, which is never a bad thing, but overall the playing from all band members couldn’t be faulted and was more than tasty. As was my half-time pork pie, which I’m hoping my chums have forgiven me for purchasing.
