Hardcore Superstar are a sleaze rock band that hail from Gothenburg, Sweden. After forming in 1997 they have nine albums under their belt and with only one band member change since their international breakthrough they’re a regular on the UK gig circuit. This time around they’re over here as part of the Hard Rock Hell AOR festival ‘On the Road’ tour (accompanying The Quireboys, Bonafide and Skam) after, due to unforeseen circumstances, the American glam veterans Faster Pussycat had to drop out. As much as I would have liked to see Faster Pussycat, Hardcore Superstar have always been an obsession of mine and this change prompted me to buy my ticket.
This one-night touring festival was held in the O2 Ritz in Manchester which is a Grade-II listed original dancing hall that is well-known for its old curved, bouncy floor. As a quirky venue I think it’s one of the best in Manchester because the design of the place really gives it character, it’s got a spacious balcony area and sports three bars. Unusually, the ballroom had several sets of bar tables situated around the floor and a couple of leather sofas which gave a relaxed vibe to the room. All of the seats were occupied but it didn’t ruin the atmosphere for us folk who were stood up and eagerly awaiting the band to start.
On time the band emerged together from the side of the stage and got right into the party tune of ‘My Good Reputation’, and then going straight into ‘Guestlist’. The band broke briefly from the music at this point for vocalist Jocke Berg to remind us that it’s been just over a decade since the release of their self-titled album and so they treated us to one of my favourite songs of theirs, ‘Cry Your Eyes Out’, which, as far as I’m aware, has never been played live in the UK! To pick up the pace even more Jocke and the boys stomped through ‘Bag on your Head’ and ‘Last Call for Alcohol’ with the drummer, Adde Andreasson, handing a drink, of what looked like Jägermeister, to a guy on the front row. Throughout ‘Kick on the Upperclass’ and ‘Wild Boys’ guitarist Vic Zino made effective use of the stage space given to him and ever smiling bassist Martin Sandvik looked like he was happy enough just being there! Going back to the theme of alcohol the Gothenburg boys stormed ‘Moonshine’ with Jocke really showing off his vocal capabilities. You know it’s close to the end of the show when they play the song “about a weekday”, ‘We Don’t Celebrate Sundays’, with them then finishing off with ‘Above The Law’.
As a final parting shot Jocke did a Bruce Dickinson and hollered “scream for me Manchester!” with the added insult of “that sounded like London… You don’t want to sound like London!” and ended the night on “we are Hardcore Superstar and of course we love Manchester!”
Undoubtedly Hardcore Superstar have been for years and still are very much one of THE most entertaining live bands out there at the moment. No gimmicks and no stage show – just four skilled musicians with the added bonus of a vocalist who can really hold his own and doesn’t stop bouncing around the stage save to talk to the audience. They’re the perfect party band so next time they play in your area go and see them and join in with the fun.
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