Budgie live in Swansea
Milkwood Jam - 2nd February 2008
Very much a celebration in Wales last night as the Rugby Union team shook off 20 years of history to beat the English at Twickenham. Clearly there was no better way to celebrate for some than to also enjoy another Welsh history maker in the evening - rock legends Budgie. Known as the source of inspiration for many including Iron Maiden, Soundgarden and off course Metallica who, through their covers of Budgie classics have inspired a new generation to check out the originals.
Lead singer and bass player Burke Shelley remains the focal point and only original member in the band but drummer Steve Williams has been with them for God knows how long now and interestingly on guitar duties at the moment is none other than Dio-sidekick Craig Goldy, who clearly seemed to be having a fine time as Budgie entertained a packed house at Swansea’s new Milkwood Jam venue. Refreshing was the intent not just to rely on older material as two of the most impressive deliveries of the night came from the recent “You’re All Living In Cuckooland” album, in the shape of “Dead Men Don’t Talk” and “Justice“.Shelley makes for a hugely impressive frontman singing like his life depends on it and enthusiastically moving about the
stage armed with bass. He lead a cheer for the Rugby team and the band through some great material where surprises included “I Turned To Stone” from 1981’s “Nightflight” album and a requested and apparently unplanned “Parents“. Highlights though were a majestic version of “In For The Kill” and of course the encore of the mighty “Breadfan“, which was hugely greeted by the crowd.
Only 3 dates on this tour unfortunately with the band warming up for an Australian tour at the end of February. This was gig number 2 but if your near Sheffield on Thursday the 7th with £20 to spare I highly recommend going.
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Time for a bit of classic “Breadfan” I think….
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BL
February 3, 2008 at 1:12 pm
They have had all kinds of guitarist problems over the last year. I am guessing Craig Goldy is just a temporary fix, but who knows. I still listen to their early albums fairly often.
February 3, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Yes Mark… I think Goldy is “for now” but he seemed to enjoy it - the band appeared on form and there is now the Australian tour… plus Dio is presumably tied up with “Heaven And Hell” this year, so as you say, who knows???
February 3, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Craig Goldy in BUDGIE? Shameful.
What’s next, Cyndi Lauper joins TRUTH & JANEY?
They haven’t had a decent album since “Nightflight”. Let it die, for Chrissakes.
February 3, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Hi markm… I’m not sure why Goldy is “shameful” but I’m sure you’ve got your reasons…. and I’ll bow to your greater knowledge on the albums since “Nightflight” given that I only listened to “Cuckooland” a couple of times then shelved it and also that your not the first who’s made that comment recently. I don’t know enough of their stuff to make that judgement yet.
I have to say though that the couple of songs off the new album that I mentioned did fit in well last night. I was impressed enough to actually want to hear the albums than I don’t currently own and also there is clearly still a demand to see Budgie live, so personally I don’t think they should let it die yet.
February 3, 2008 at 9:16 pm
ha ha! It’s just funny…BUDGIE in the early days were more punk than any punk band! Steve and Burke kicked Ray Phillips out of the band in the early 1970s because he wanted the band to record more ‘commercial’ stuff like “I Ain’t No Mountain”. They thumbed their nose at Bain when he originally told them he had produced SABBATH. So what!
Now they’ve got the dude from GIUFFRIA and geriatric DIO keeping the band on life-support. Sigh…
February 4, 2008 at 3:45 am
Why are Jazz or Classical musicians revered as masters well into their 80’s or 90’s while Rock musicians must retire at 39!
Ozzy is a Rock legend.
Dio has a voice that is still one of the best regardless of age.
Pity the age-ist critic who wouldn’t have the audience to fill a Porta-Loo at a Rolling Stones concert.
Maybe someone could tell us what the packed audience thought after they actually witnessed a show and we might pay some attention.
I don’t give a rats arse what anyone that hasn’t seen a show thinks.
I’m going to see 5 Budgie concerts in Australia.
Bain who? Kicked Ray out of where?
Chill out man! You’re hooked on some dudes from the 60’s man!
This is the 90’s man so stop freaking us out and get with the times.
February 4, 2008 at 10:01 am
You who would have known that Wales would win, big surprise there. But I am happy for them. Anyhow would love to have seen the show, Budgie is a great band…
February 4, 2008 at 12:26 pm
sach -
I wasn’t aware this was the 90s, my friend. Thought we were in the 00s.
Not sure what Ozzy has to do with anything, either. It appears you can’t read varying opinions without tossing all of your toys out of the pram.
I’ll be in the porta-loo cranking up the “Squawk” album. G’day.
February 7, 2008 at 2:06 am
Good to see you’re living in the naughties and that my sarcastic remark about the 90’s and being behind the times didn’t go over your head.
It’s good to see Marshall, Paiste and Ampeg in Australia open their doors when Budgie, Burke, Craig or Steve are mentioned.
If your not too busy ‘cranking’ in the porta-loo maybe we will see you in Aussie so you can give us an opinion of an actual show rather than worry about mistakes that nobody can change 30 years on.
Bring your earplugs, we have 6 x Marshall cabs with 3 x 100w JCM’s & 6 x Ampeg 15″ cabinets with 3 x 300w of SVT classic valve amps for Burke to play.
We expect to break a few non-nuclear proliferation treaties and trigger a few earthquakes while Budgie are here.
Everyone on the planet is welcome to come along!
May 24, 2008 at 3:45 am
I went to a pirat 8 track shop in Newport beach i 1973 and the shop owner turned be on to budgie. I have seen them in Huntington Beach (Golden Bear), Hollywood (RCA Live concert) & the Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood and every time they rocked the place. The Whiskey had to delay the late show due to nobody wanting to leave the first show. Greatest none comercial rock group of all time !!!!!!