Devilskin is coming
Sunday was indeed a red-letter day on the Devilskin calendar as fans of the internationally acclaimed Waikato based Kiwi icons flocked to The Base at Te Rapa to catch an exclusive live acoustic performance by the band.
Hot on the heels of the release of their latest EP Surfacing the anticipation surrounding the gig had been rapidly increasing since it was first announced.
Fans started arriving over an hour before the scheduled start time of 1pm and it was evident just how revered and respected this down to earth band is because as soon as the members arrived, the family vibe that surrounds Devilskin unfolded and they were instantly surrounded by eagerly awaiting ‘family members’ and an enthusiastic round of hugs, handshakes and high-fives followed.
And those early birds were subject to a special treat as they got to witness the Devilskin soundcheck.
Their performance outside JB HiFi had to be seen to be believed as fans filled every available inch of floorspace and the balcony upstairs was chokka as fans vied for the best viewing position.
The gig might have been acoustic but the vibe was electric.
With Jennie belting out vocals and Nail, Paul and Nic accompanying on three acoustic guitars, songs such as Start A Revolution, Cherophobia, Animal and Unborn flowed effortlessly and culminated in
a rapturously received rendition of their Heart cover Barracuda.
But as usual it was inside at the signing that Devilskin shone.
Nothing was a problem as long-time fans brought their children in to get albums signed and photos taken. Everyone made to feel special and no one was rushed.
Among them three teens from a recently formed thrash metal band Bad Taste.
When Nail found out that they were kindred band folk he immediately offered guitarist Finn a Devilskin guitar pick and straight after Nic asked for details of Bad Taste’s Youtube channel and signed up as a subscriber on the spot.
Always happy to offer inspiration and encouragement to those coming up through the ranks is what makes Devilskin one of the most respected bands in Kiwi music today. A glowing example of
that old saying – ‘the only time you should look down on someone is when you’re giving them a hand up!”
The looks on the faces in the photo says it all.
So 14 years since forming (how’s that for longevity?), 10 years since the release of their debut album We Rise, four years since their critically acclaimed fourth album Red was released and hot on the heels of current EP release Surfacing, Devilskin are heading out on a nationwide tour.
We’re giving you the chance to win a double pass to their Hamilton show at The Factory.
Along with the tracks listed above the Devilskin repertoire contains such popular hits and fan favourites as The Whale Song, Holy Diver, Little Pills, Never See The Light, Fade, Mountains, Pray, Grave, Believe In Me, Endo, All Fall Down, Corrode, Everybody’s High But Me, Let Me Breathe and Insects.
Also joining Devilskin for these killers evening of powerhouse rock will be a recently reformed Tadpole whose well known numbers include
Offering, Too Hard, Backdoor, For Me, Blind, Alright and Yesterday and will, for the first time, feature the wideranging and fearless vocals of dynamic indie-pop-punk singer Emma Dilemma.
Rounding out the line-up will be the irrepressibly raucous energy of progressive Auckland rock duo SKinny Hobos.
See you soon at a Devilskin family reunion live gig!