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The Sweet In Concert
The Sweet didn't start out intending to define a new genre of rock ‘n' roll, but they just couldn't help themselves. As they immersed themselves in London's post-psychedelic music scene, the four working-class lads of The Sweet — singer Brian Connolly, guitarist Andy Scott, bassist Steve Priest, and drummer Mick Tucker — grew discontent with the sugary pop of their early-1970s singles.
The next decade saw them unearthing new ideas in music and fashion, and the band caught hold, embracing and even competing with David Bowie's gender-bending persona with increasingly flamboyant musical flourishes. Their 1974 breakout album Desolation Boulevard found Connolly screeching as much as singing and Scott deploying funk-infused wah-wah guitar and spacey synth effects alongside Priest's undeniably funky bass lines.
Most famously, Scott's riffage combined with Connolly's cartoonish vocals on The Sweet's biggest hit, "Ballroom Blitz." That song, along with further glam-rock landmarks "Fox on the Run" and "The Six Teens," established The Sweet on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Suddenly the band was at the center of a revolution, and they had the songs to back it up.
After the release of 1978's Level Headed album, Connolly left the band to start a solo career. The rest of the band carried on without him, releasing three more albums before breaking up in 1981. Glam rock evolved into heavy metal, trading playfulness and fluid sexuality for raw aggression and machismo. But the songs remained.
These days, four decades after the band's heyday, the two living original members — Priest and Scott — tour with their own versions of The Sweet. Priest, the bassist, relocated to Los Angeles, gathered a lineup of younger musicians from that city's accomplished rock scene, and regularly tours the United States. Scott stuck around London and put together a new band there that often plays to adoring fans across Europe and Australia.
Sweet should have stop this tour before it began, loved them in the in the seventies but so sad to see and hear what they have become. I should have known better then to buy tickets . Not a fun night we left an hour into set could not take it any longer.
They started off with the heavier stuff (Action, Set Me Free, Sweet FA, The Six Teens), but then it devolved into the bubble gum stuff. Should have played Yesterday's Rain or Keep it in (or both!)
room to move, yeah. sounded good because it was outside. If a band you like is playing here ,dont miss it
I gotta get better seats next time, awesome show! April Wine was the loudest and the group I wanted to go see, Foghat did not disappoint me at one point I felt like I was on stage with them and my seats were way in the back! BOC surprised me they sounded as good as when they came out almost 40 years ago! I plan on going next year, earlier and with much better seats!
Me and my sweetie could only stay for the first two acts: "SWEET" and "APRIL WINE" both sounded great. We had too leave cause the weather started to get cold and windy and I am a 64 year old WIMP!
Sweet, with one original member -- the now creepy looking bassist Steve Priest (yes, I know he's over 70) -- opened,did a great job on their three hits and weren't a bad band overall. April Wine followed and mixed a number of hits into their set. But their sound was kind of sloppy and Myles Goodwin (founder and lead singer) didn't seem too fired up about it. Foghat was next and they were the highlight of the evening. The drummer was the only original member. Their sound was tight, they did a great job on every song they played, especially the hits. Blue Oyster Cult finished and was disappointing for a number of reasons. Buck Dharma is losing it. Eric Bloom was okay. If both of them had let their younger guitarist, Richie Castellano, play all of the lead parts, it would have improved the show greatly. And they weren't loud enough, which I nevet thought I would say at a BOC concert. But despite the low points, I wouldn't mind seeing all four bands again.
Unfortunately, the lead singer was preforming with the band for the very first time and did not know the songs well. He relied on a music stand with pages and pages of lyrics, which he had to refer to after singing almost every line, which was very distracting. He was a good singer, however, and came close to the original vocal sound of The Sweet. With more gigs under his belt this guy has potential (as long as he remembers to plug is in-ear monitors into his wireless pack.) The keyboards lacked some of the elaborate production sound of the original recordings. The sound mixing appeared to be a "set it and forget it" deal and I have to assume the FOH sound guy was local (not with the band) and hence he did not know the songs. They need to hire their own sound engineer. Five stars to the lead guitar player and Steve still has it.
It seems Sweet's lead singer was new and needed to read the lyrics to every song. He sang very well, but flipping the pages through out the show was somewhat distracting. Also, it was never announced that David Johansen was performing acoustically. other than that, I enjoyed the show and would recommend it to others.
David Johansen was great, as usual. The Sweet.......well.....frankly, they sucked.
Starting off I'd like to commend the lead singer for his unrelenting showmanship despite it being his first night. Great vocalist but a tad too much end of song screaming. The guitar player nearly nailed the rythm guitar but I like to hear the record at my shows, not his interpretation of the lead work. The keyboard was virtually silent including all the effects which was probably due to the poor engineering by the soundman. My wife being the youngest one there, I know us older fans would appreciate sonic quality much more than ear blistering distortion. I think Mick Tucker embodied the drummer; RIGHT ON! Now as for Mr. Priest, with whom I have a long deep respect and affinity, was definitely "not ready". I'd rather him sit on a high stool the entire night rather than him sitting on the drum riser after nearly every song. I love them but, they need more of a show. Where were the capes? How about some stories Steve? I've waited 25 years to see you in person. Also, how about visiting the Jersey Shore next time. Lastly, I for one would love an album show. All of Sweet's songs, yes even "Alexander Graham Bell" are truly magnificent.
I never got to see Sweet until now. I have been a fan since 1976. Unfortunately, the U.S. version of Sweet was pretty sour. The only original member is Steve Priest. the bassist. He looked terrible and for some reason, he was wearing blue eye shadow. I know Sweet was a glam band, but this was unnecessary. Also, the singer shown in all of their pictures and facebook links is not the singer anymore. It was a new guy who didn't know Sweet's lyrics. Any fan of Sweet can singer you every Sweet song in their sleep. Not this guy. It was a total let down. The upside was the opener, David Johansen (NY Dolls, The Harry Smiths, Hot Hot Hot, Scrooged). He played with only an acoustic guitarist (from The Harry Smiths). He was relaxed, told stories about the songs he did and looked like he was having a great time. If you get the chance, go see David Johansen. Skip Sweet.
David Johansen with his guitar buddy were amazing. Sweet blew the roof off the Pac. Their new singer was great as well as the rest of the band. They even stayed for signatures and photos. Great time and the set list did not disappoint. Highly recommended.
David Johansen's opening act was heartfelt and moving. The guitarist with David did a marvelous job of playing in sync and singing harmony. Sweet opened with 'Action', one of my favorites. The band was tight but the lead vocalist shared with us, his novitiae was that evening. I will gladly hear Sweet again live. The guitarist is amazing and very rocking, moving and playing with the band, carrying the tunes. The drummer and bass make a tight rhythm section and the organist knows his stuff. Would like to have had them play another four or five tunes. Really enjoyed the rock and roll!
THe band was incredibly tight musically, although somewhat less "active", and they played all their hits....an enjoyable show at a great venue - very "intimate"!
Sweet was probably the best show I've seen since The Rolling Stones. The venue was awesome...not a bad seat in the house. The band was incredible. It sounded just like the old records...without the scratches. You would never have known it wasn't all the original band members. After the show, the band came out to meet and greet the fans. They were sooooooo hospitable, with hugs and handshakes for everyone as they signed anything and everything we presented. I would highly recommend Sweet for fans of all ages.
i've seen sweet twice now and they always rock! at both shows ive seen, they play what u wanna hear and even some u may not recognize immediately still please and surprise me. the venue itself was also nice, first time i was there and i would def go back for another show. all in all we had an awesome night!!!!!
I was unsure of how this concert would be because of the age of the band and the lack of original members. I was surprised how grea they were. The lead singer hit the high notes and the band really jammed out. I love when a band sounds like their original recordings and Sweet did not disappoint. As always, Penn's Peak is a great place for a concert, small and personal and very clean.
We walked in just as an opening band entered the stage. It was a mismatch of characters and we immediately knew we were about to watch a train wreck. It was the deformed love-child of Brittany Spears, Lamb of God, and Greenday. The metal guitars, off key pop vocals along with a roaring backup screamer was enough to mesmerize me as would staring at a bloody accident on the 405. It was so terrible that I simply couldn't tear my eyes away. So really any band after that would be fantastic. Now, I am always skeptical when I see a band without all the original members. Being that Steve was the only one remaining, I delved into it expecting more of a coverband-like experience. I was pleasantly surprised. The new front man had a presence that you rarely see anymore in a live setting. He was so fun and engaging, not to mention he had an attractiveness about him that drew the audience in. Of course the songs lend themselves to a sort of light and humorous atmosphere, so a person would have to be pretty jaded not to be entertained. The guitar player was fantastic and its refreshing to see someone preform who is as engulfed in the song as I am. It is obvious when the entertainer is bored and that is what ultimately ruins a set. The keys were one of the most impressive aspects of the entire show. Clear that he was classically trained, he was a wizard with changing effects while soloing. The drums were trucking and true to the Sweet sound, creating the glue for the band. There were a few moments when the band would get the set mixed up and introduce one song but play another, but it was fun and organic because of it. It made me feel like I was watching friends jamming and I liked that they didn't take themselves so seriously. There was a second when Steve and the drums fell off, but I actually live for these moments when I see shows. As long as the players are clearly great musicians, these things make them more human. Now the thing about Sweet is it is one of those bands that you see and realize that you know all of their songs word for word even if you never had a CD. They were singing songs that I had heard millions of times and never knew they wrote it. They are sort of like T-Rex in this way. This goes to show how underrated this band is. Now's the time for them to attract a younger audience and I see the trend growing amongst my 20 year old peers. Next time, better venue in a more crowded place, more fitting opening bands, and I will take everyone I know.
I remember the group in the 70s. I'm an expat from London. Steve Priest is the only original member so I was glued to watching him! A bit of nostalgia! The new musicians were very good, mind you!! They did all their hits and it was fun to go back in time!! Have to say that the warm up bands were not appropos. Especially the 2nd band. Punkish doesn't gel with Sweet! Sorry! Couldn't wait for them to get off. And they weren't very good, I used to be in the industry. It helps to sing in tune, guys! Don't quit your day jobs!
