Piston launch debut album in hometown Cannock gig
Cannock rockers Piston released their debut, self-titled album on Friday, launching it with a hometown show at The Station and then doing a signing event for fans at HMV Wolverhampton the next day. To mark the release, local historian, journalist and writer Richard Pursehouse gives a more intimate look at these events through the eyes of somebody who has watched them grow from their early beginnings...
Four of Piston's members are from around Cannock Chase and have perfected and fine-tuned their songs the old way – in the rehearsal studio and on stage, grafting to build a fan base that is both discerning and loyal.
They all have day jobs; Jack Edwards does guitar tuition and Piston promotion work; Brad Newlands is owner of The Jolly Roger barber shop in Stafford; Luke Allatt is a retail manager and Stuart Egan, a specialist welder, found themselves without a vocalist a couple of years back. Instead of calling it a day, they auditioned Essex-based vocalist, and full-time tiler, Rob Angelico - or did he, as he claim, audition the band?
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The solid, pounding bass playing of Egan combines with Newlands on drums to create the powerhouse foundations for the twin axe attack of Edwards and Allatt, piling on layers of howling, wailing guitars on some songs, and transforming to bluesy acoustic subtlety on others. Edwards joined the band while still at school and the sparring between him and Allatt energises the band on stage, both amicably attempting to outplay the other.
Since the age of 12, Newlands has been inspired by Canadian band Rush’s drummer Neil Peart. He was dragged to a Rush convention aged 13 by myself and some fellow Rush fans, much to the consternation of his parents. I went to the same school as his mother Sheena, who is understudy on drums for her son should he ever miss a gig. He has added in more than a pinch of Motley Crue’s Tommy Lee braggadocio to his drumming, and on-stage he actively coaxes “PISTON, PISTON” chants from the audience with a hand-cupped ear and “I can’t hear you!” challenge.
Some live favourites were released a few years ago on a five-track EP which included a cover of Clearance Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary - the Tina Turner version. However, adding Angelico on vocals has led to draconian measures – only one of the EP’s songs has survived for the final album selection. After that drastic, cathartic cull, what had already been recorded was scrapped, and Piston started again. They wanted the album to be the best they could offer, and as they have self-funding every stage, they truly have a vested interest in the project - “you only have one chance to make a first impression", they say.
At night the band has practiced, written lyrics and tweaked songs, as well as played locally. The Station, Redrum in Stafford, The Giffard Arms in Wolverhampton, and O2 Academy in Birmingham have all featured them as headliners. Piston have also supported the likes of Quireboys at the Robin 2 in Bilston, The Brew at Wolverhampton’s Slade Rooms, Sebastian Bach and The Temperance Movement.
The band was added to the Ramblin’ Man Festival's Rising Stars stage in July this year – based purely on a poll result of listeners to Planet Rock radio. The station has been very supportive of the band, recognising that need to be nurtured and encouraged as they are the future. Planet Rock magazine gave the new album 4/5 stars too – no mean feat.
The album launch on Friday was a very intense, sweaty homecoming gig. The band had a great time on stage, the relief palpable that they were there to unleash their album. The understandable tension as they came on stage disappeared by the end of the first song played, the album opener Dynamite. The smiles on their faces said it all - “Guys, we finally did it! Now, let’s play some rock and roll.”
The band ripped through most of the album, and allowed Newlands to indulge in a mini O Baterista drum solo in honour of the 67th birthday of his hero Peart. Halfway through they played AC/DC's Gone Shootin', and the serendipitous song off the album, the final track Into The Night, went down a storm. Afterwards, Angelico admitted the song had been very hastily penned in under 30 minutes, as they realised they needed an extra track for the album.
Their latest single Blow It Away - released the same day as the album - had a great response, as did the previous two singles Rainmaker and One More Day.
Of course the finale, a cover of Creedance Clearwater Revival’s Proud Mary, got the audience screaming the chorus back at the band and everyone staggered out of the place very, very happy.
The next day, and at the less than rock 'n' roll hour of noon, somehow they all managed to drag themselves to a publicity acoustic set and album signing at the Wolverhampton HMV store. Post-album launch matchsticks were placed under red-raw partying eyelids aplenty, followed by a trek to the next gig in Liverpool that night.
Piston now go on the road, hitting a largely unsuspecting public as co-headliners with Collateral, and then in October as part of the triumvirate Roadstars Tour. Check them out - because real music does not go out of style in three months.
