Enuff Z’Nuff – Bannermans – Edinburgh – 16th November 2022 – Gig Review

16th November 2022 0 By Jon Deaux

What a surprise, it’s pissing it down in Scotland. Not just a fine drizzle, but a torrential downpour. I didn’t care. I was going to watch Enuff Z’Nuff for the umpteenth time and the 1st time in 3 years.

I managed to catch up with frontman Chip before the set. Chip is a man whose friends would give him an award for longevity. It’s no surprise really as he’s lived through the decadence days of Enuff Z’Nuff, almost knocked himself out on stage on a lighting truss, refusing medical and he’s a bloody nice bloke (quite possibly the nicest guy I have ever met).

Chip loves everyone. There’s not a bad bone in this man’s body. He’s a prolific road dog. He tells me it’s more than a band, it’s a family of brothers. Chip takes absolutely nothing for granted and is truly stunned that Enuff Z’Nuff are still as popular as ever.

The 1st band of the night was Thirteen although there are only 4 members. Self-confessed players of nasty-arsed rock n roll, they have great punk rock energy and do a cracking version of the Supersuckers’ Pretty Fucked Up.

Midnight Devils were up next. Knowing absolutely nothing about the band I wasn’t prepared for what I witnessed. HOLY FUCKING SHIT. For 45 minutes they proceeded to tear the audience a new one.

Bassist and vocalist Sam Spade looked, played, and had more energy than Nikki Sixx in his prime. Drummer Jimmy Mess bashed the skins harder than Bobby Brown beat Whitney Houston after 2 crates of Red Bull. Lead guitarist and quite possibly Eddie Van Halens No.1 fan spanked the plank also as a man possessed. A superb virtuoso player. Not only were they bloody entertaining, but they also played ridiculously heavy glam punk. Their hard work was rewarded when the merch started flying off the stand with CDs being SOLD OUT. Great work fellas. Check them out. Their new album Never Beg For It is available now (HERE) and produced by Chip)

Of course we’re all here to see Enuff Z’Nuff and once again they fail to disappoint. Opening with The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour before heading into Kiss The Clown. It was easy to see why Chip loves the guys he’s playing with. They all feed off one another and have an absolute blast playing.

Guitarist and former Ultravox member Tony Fennell celebrated his birthday in Edinburgh too. Quite fitting as it was also the last night of the UK tour. Tony seems to have found his calling in Enuff Z’Nuff.

Although the set was only 13 tracks in length (including a full-on band jam which was simply mind-blowing) it was crowd-pleaser after crowd-pleaser. Fly High Michelle, New Thing, Baby Loves You and of course, In The Groove all got outings. But there were also sublime Beatles covers taken from their tribute album Hard Rock Nite (which is well worth a purchase by the way). The highlight for me was Eleanor Rigby. The band’s harmonies were a frisson-inducing moment. I’ve no idea what transpired during that track, but it was palpable.

I left the venue absolutely spent, happy, and very very broken. Enuff Z’Nuff is still a force to be reckoned with and Chips’ voice is as good as ever.

The front-of-house sound was by the inimitable Rob Halkett who made every band sound larger than life. Well played sir.

Set List
Magical Mystery Tour (The Beatles cover)
Kiss the Clown
Heaven or Hell
Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles cover)
The Love Train
Baby Loves You
Jam
In the Groove
Jet (Wings cover)
Live and Let Die (Wings Cover)
Fly High Michelle
New Thing
Encore:
Helter Skelter (The Beatles cover)