The Age Of Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons: Live @ Sheffield Academy

by | Dec 4, 2017

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

It is not often that rock legends make a stop in Sheffield, but this Monday in November a guitarist, his three sons, and singer Neil Starr rolled into town to raise the roof of the O2 Academy, supporting Aussie-rockers Airbourne. It was therefore no surprise that the venue was packed even on a school night.

The Wild! (Gunnar Mallon)

However, before Phil Campbell and his Bastard Sons went on stage, hillbilly rock’n’rollers from Canada, The Wild! made sure that everyone knew that jeans vests are back! In a patch-covered sea of jeans on jeans, the four heavy hardrockers took to the Academy’s stage like fish to water and raised the temperature in no time.

The Wild! (Gunnar Mallon)

With a heavy brand of rock’n’roll, The Wild! quickly got heads banging and they were the perfect band to lead off the show. For my taste, there was a little too much showmanship relative to the length of the set and I would have liked to hear more music, which was of the highest order and which would hold its own without much of the theatrics.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Being sound lads and music lovers, all four made their way into the crowd after their set to mingle with their newly won fans and to enjoy Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons as well as Airbourne.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Launching straight into Big Mouth, it was clear that Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons had all of the gritty energy that we came to love Motörhead for and added a unique punked-up edge to the sound. If you didn’t know who Phil Campbell was, his distinctive sound would have allowed you to quickly place him in rock history.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

It was great to see that the evening was not a tribute act to Motörhead, but that the band played a well-balanced mix of original material and Motörhead classics in what could only be described as a good-mood party rock’n’roll set. However, the show was not an onslaught of thumping hardrock, but a good melange of steady and anthemic rock’n’roll, heavy punkrock, and the odd slower blues, such as the original Dark Days.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Playing the show two days after the sad passing of AC/DC’s Malcolm Young, an emotional Campbell dedicated their Hawkwind cover Silver Machine to Young, and Motörhead’s Lemmy and Phil Taylor. The set ended on the iconic rock-anthem Ace of Spades, which was introduced by the customary crowd’s raised middle fingers directed at bassist Tyla Campbell.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Throughout the set, Phil Campbell didn’t draw all of the attention and gave plenty of space for his sons to establish themselves as great musician and shine in their own right, which they thoroughly did. Phil Campbell And The Bastard Sons are a fantastic band to see live and will be back on tour throughout northern Europe in Spring of 2018, following the release of their first full-length studio album The Age of Absurdity on January 26th 2018, under Nuclear Blast.

Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons (Gunnar Mallon)

Photography and review by Gunnar Mallon of Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons at O2 Academy, Sheffield on 20 November, 2017


https://rockshotmagazine.com/205252/black-star-riders-bound-for-glory-academy-sheffield/

The Nocturnal Affair (Press)

The Nocturnal Affair Bring Their Brooding Brand Of Dark Rock Back To The UK And Into Europe For The First Time

Las Vegas dark rockers The Nocturnal Affair are set to make their long-awaited return to the UK — and for the first...
Cian Ducrot (Press)

Cian Ducrot Shares Uplifting New Single ‘Your Eyes’ & Gears Up For UK Tour Ahead Of Sophomore Album ‘Little Dreaming’

Rising Irish pop sensation Cian Ducrot continues his impressive 2025 with the release of his radiant new single Your Eyes, the latest preview from his hotly anticipated sophomore album Little Dreaming, which lands on 1st August via Polydor Records.

Chet Faker (@CaptureCharles)

Chet Faker Shares Stirring New Single ‘Far Side Of The Moon’ & Announces Second London Show

Australian music icon Chet Faker returns with a heart-rending new single, Far Side Of The Moon, his first release since 2023’s Something Like This, and it marks a striking new chapter for one of alt-pop’s most celebrated voices. The track arrives with a cinematic new video and the announcement of a second headline London show at HERE At Outernet on 24th October, following a rapid sell-out of the first date.

Chance Peña (John Choi)

Chance Peña Marks Columbia Records Debut With Haunting New Single ‘Tongue Tied’

Rising Texas-born singer, songwriter, and producer Chance Peña continues his stellar 2025 streak with the release of his evocative new single Tongue Tied, marking his official debut for Columbia Records. Known for blending folk acoustics, indie rock textures, and intimate lyricism, Peña delivers a soulful, stripped-back anthem that resonates with anyone who’s experienced the slow unraveling of a relationship.

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing