Michael Schenker & Friends - Blackpool Riffs Gig Review

When I first heard that Michael Schenker (billed as Michael Schenker & Friends) would be playing Riffs, Blackpool I was mildly astonished. No disrespect to the management at Riffs but it really is a tiny venue, but also one of my favourites for that reason, I might add. Surely Schenker wouldn’t contemplate playing such a small place? Yet after the thirty-mile drive down the Lancashire coast to join the Blackpool contingent all was made clear: this tour was about ‘building bridges’; repairing the damage Michael has done to his loyal fanbase by pulling out of umpteen tours. So that’s alright then…

Incredibly this was my fourth or fifth attempt to see the axe victim in recent years. And I say that with all sincerity and not for effect as in all but one, where we were stranded in grid lock on the M6, he blobbed out. Therefore you can imagine the relief when, upon arriving at Riffs, there was a bloody big left-hand drive Merc parked outside. However even then it wasn’t until entering the venue and seeing a guitar rack full of black & white Flying V’s (these days made by Dean) that I was convinced it was all gonna happen.

In a night full of surprises there was also no support band. This meant a late start to the action on stage and you could sense the audience thinking ‘he’s not done another runner has he?’ as the hardcore faithful waited patiently for the blond guitar god to appear. It was at this point a gap opened near the front and I thought sod it, I’m never going to get this close again to a bone fide guitar legend (and love him or hate him Michael certainly is that) so I went for it. As I did I caught a glimpse of him through the gap in the door of the tiny dressing room and to my utter amazement felt quite excited by the prospect of the show. Yes, me. The hardened bloody cynic. A man who long ago ceased to be impressed by star status after a particularly unpleasant encounter with a so-called legendary British vocalist (no it wasn’t Ozzy – whom I love) many years back.

Then, all too soon, the house lights dimmed and out strolled the man himself to huge applause. I was stood a couple of meters away from him directly in front and, if it wasn’t for a bloody big floor monitor, could have helped him pluck out the opening chords to the gig - if I was any good of course! It was quite surreal and I never realised that Michael Schenker was such a tall bloke (six-foot plus). Though that was quickly forgotten as I eyed up his wardrobe, which has a look borrowed from cheapo Sci-fi series ‘Blakes Seven’…only cheaper! However we were all there to see the guy play guitar. Well to be honest for some of us just seeing him at all was a miracle and all those old gags about Lord Lucan and Shergar could easily apply to this fella. But then surprises number three and four as he started playing classic UFO numbers like ‘Let It Roll’ complimented by, shock horror, a very decent singer. Someone who actually sounded like a young Phil Mogg. My god I was in heaven. The band were also top notch and gave an energetic, polished display without ever steeling the Teutonic wonder’s thunder.

I was impressed. Very impressed as Micky S turned back the years with a virtuoso performance relying on ‘Strangers In The Night’ era UFO and Gary Barden inspired MSG. Could it be that after years of silliness in the wilderness someone is actually thinking with a bit of common sense in the MSG camp? Ok it’s all a bit too early for that but with this line-up, playing sensibly sized gigs, I honestly believe Michael could eventually win back some respect for his career. But it will take time. I’m worried that with a new album and tour from the classic Gary Barden line-up imminent the pressure will be back on him. Rome wasn’t built in a day (other such clichés exist, but I like the idea of Rome and an a Empire, so there). Schenker is an introvert who needs to be nurtured in the comfort zone and just left to play guitar. To enjoy himself again…which he clearly did on this night, as did the audience.

Stuff like MSG’s ‘Are You Ready To Rock’, ‘Into The Arena’ and ‘On & On’ were far more enjoyable than they had any right to be. ‘Too Hot Too Handle’, ‘Only You Can Rock Me’, a wonderful version of ‘Armed and Ready’ were classic, Classic Rock. An amazing solo in ‘Attack of the Mad Axeman’ and encores ‘Doctor, Doctor’ and ‘Rock Bottom’ left me in no doubt that it’s criminal how Schenker’s career has simply fallen away. The latter song made me laff when Schenker paused briefly before the lengthy solo to twiddle an effects peddle on the floor. As he did so the first three rows peered over in reverential silence to see what he was doing!

I’m not saying Schenker is back exactly but this was one of the best gigs I’ve been to in a while (yep, I can hardly believe that myself). There was genuine excitement and Michael’s playing towards the end was up there with his classic ’74-‘81 period. All witnessed from a couple of meters away. The old MSG material has weathered well but I would implore him not to ditch the ‘Friends’ line-up completely (especially vocalist Phil Mogg junior) as I genuinely think they are right for him.

PS He even signed photos and sh*t at the end! It really was that surreal.