Great Western ran a perfect train service to Wales, and what a perfect day to leave a rainy London behind.
I was also happy my train forked off to the right, leaving behind the Glastonbury wellie brigade on the next platform. If I want to wallow around like a pig in the mud, I know a few nightclubs I could go to where the opponents are better undressed.
Rain was forecast for Swansea today but it turned out bright and sunny. It was then that I walked into the venue to meet a smiling Brittany Paige from Kobra And The Lotus and the whole world just got brighter!
The gig, The Garage aka Whitz Pool Hall is like walking back in time to the eighties rock club scene. Don't take offence, I could live here in Wales, just like several other English club scene 80s promoters, and now Krusher Joule as well.
Krissie, Triaxis: Pic by Derek Wiltshire
As I'm at the bar taking all this in, the support band Triaxis, take the stage and not only can the band play, they have two Amazon goddesses up front, CJ the guitarist and Krissie the vocalist.
The rest of the band are Glynn on lead guitar, Giles on drums and one of the hotest bass players I've seen for a while, Owen Wilson. Owen says he has only been playing bass for four years, but to watch him, you would think he invented it.
Triaxis were a pleasant surprise as I had not done my homework and did not know what to expect. My favorite tune from this lot is called 'Electric Eye'.
Whoa, fighting my way to the bar I knocked back a Pear Cider and then staked my spot for the next onslaught. And there she stood, the young lady with the gentleness and disposition of Ronnie Jame Dio, with a voice that would slay Bruce Dickinson or at least make him run for the hills.
Brittany Paige, singer and co-songwriter of Kobra And The Lotus. This smiling bit of sunshine just has to open her mouth and this powerful Metal voice of charisma just fills the room with euphoria with no effort. Truly a gift which she shares with us.
Then you have the Griffin as beatmaster with his rhythm partner Pete on bass holding down the fort, while guitar slayers pretty boy Tim on stage right, with co writer Chris Swenson taking the axe position stage left and playing interchanging piercing, lead, rhythm dual guitars around Brittany's Metallic vocals.
If you don't have a chance to see this band for yourself I suggest you go out and buy their album 'Out Of The Pit' as their new album 'Visionary' will probably not reach these shores until September.
