WORDS AND IMAGES MATTY BEZ
On the evening of May 9th, 2024, The Tivoli in Buckley became a sanctuary for rock purists as Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons graced the stage.
The Tivoli is a very special venue, very intimate, bringing you up close and personal with your music heroes and there are really not many of these venues left. The Tiv has been a venue since the 70’s and Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin have both played there. In the 90s many Britpop bands performed there, The Charlatans, Shed Seven, Inspiral Carpets even Oasis who provided a very memorable set in 1994, which was later shown in their 2016
Phil Campbell, the Welsh guitar legend known for his three-plus decades with Motörhead, established the Bastard Sons in 2016 following the passing of Motörhead’s iconic frontman, Lemmy. Alongside Phil are his three talented sons—Todd, Dane, and Tyla—along with vocalist Joel Peters, who embodies the essence of a true rock frontman, sporting sunglasses, a long beard, and flowing rock locks kept afloat by a strategically placed stage floor fan.
For many years, until Lemmy’s passing in 2015, my brother, my dad, and I—ardent Motorhead fans—made an annual pilgrimage to see the band perform up and down the country. Many great adventures started at the train station with a few beers in a bag and ended dripping in sweat in the middle of an ‘Overkill’ mosh pit. We created memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. So, when Lemmy died in 2015, we were left with a void, an open space on our rock and roll calendar. Who better to fill that void than former Motorhead guitarist Phil Campbell and his band, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons?
As the band seized the stage and proclaimed their mission to “raise hell,” the anticipation crackled in the air.
While the band’s original tracks like ‘Maniac’ and ‘Ramones’ were solid rock tunes, it was their renditions of classic Motorhead hits that truly ignited the crowd. From the iconic “Ace of Spades” to the thunderous finale of “Overkill,” each note paid homage to the timeless legacy of Motörhead. Additionally, their cover of the Sex Pistols‘ “God Save the Queen” was a highlight, showcasing their versatility and ability to breathe new life into punk classics.
However, not every moment hit the mark. Their rendition of David Bowie‘s “Heroes” fell a bit flat, failing to capture the essence of the original. Yet, amidst the highs and lows, Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons delivered a night of rock and roll energy that kept the audience on their feet.
While the band may not have filled the Motorhead-shaped void in our hearts, they certainly made their mark. Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons proved that the spirit of rock and roll is alive and thriving. As the final chords of “Overkill” reverberated through The Tivoli, it was clear that the legacy of Motorhead lives on through the Bastard Sons, ensuring that rock and roll will never die.
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
