Upstairs at the Academy, an electrical storm was brewing. The Crave, to be followed by Hot Leg were due to descend on the stage at any moment. The room was already filling up, creating an intimate setting for, as I would later discover, such a gig which would have happily suited a much-larger venue.
The Crave not as charismatic as I expected, but still, churned out ballsy and epic rock tracks like The Stray. None of this indie malarkey for Islington tonight! Classic yet modern, daring-and-dreadlocked vocalist Ryan Burnett was bursting with a stadium-sized energy led with a confidence of charging elephant.
Entering stage-right in a studded leather onesie as The Academy as anticipation was rising (or was it just sweat?), lead Justin Hawkins (previously of The Darkness) bounded to the microphone with glee as Hot Leg took to the spotlight. The band has an ever-dedicated following, perhaps off the back of Justins fame, who bantered with the crowd with ease, responding to the ongoing I love you Justins and the rest.
With a light show that would put New Years Eve in Sydney to shame, Hot Leg took us through an 80s power-chord peppered journey, complete with trademark falsetto , rawk barnets, and a good measure of guitar solos. Influences from Aerosmith, Queen and Thin Lizzy clearly came through. Chicken, which was followed by er, more shouts for a repeat of Chicken, which Hawkins seemed to almost consider.
Our album got to 81 in the charts! frontman Hawkins joked as he referred to Red Light Fever and the crowd cackled back.
A series of ballads was next, starting with the last album track Kissing In The Wind. Complete with chords and riffs that a lovelorn Bon Jovi would be keen to borrow, Hot Leg continued with powerful riffs as the faithful fans sang along.
This is The Erection Section, joked Hawkins. All the ballads gotten out of the way, he remarked, as he started strumming the next. This is the last one! Youll just have to hold on to each other to get through this! as Hot Leg slowed it even more, locking-down the rawk.
The frontman led what was an energetic and fun show, but from this guy what else would you expect?