Stray are possibly not the only band of a certain vintage to have played Hastings Pier in their 1970s heyday and then returned to play to an enthusiastic crowd at the Carlisle rock pub down the road some fifty years later. But after a very successful gig last Autumn (which, sadly I missed because I was at the White Rock down the road for Dave Hill and Slade), the irrepressible Del Bromham and his band are back to rally the troops for another Hastings gig.
Following an impressive solo performance from guitarist Dylan Gers (son of Iron Maiden legend, Janick), Stray took to the stage and launched into an exhilarating ‘Time Machine’ from the band’s 1970 debut album. Although I was still too young to see Stray in the 1970s (at Hastings Pier or anywhere else for that matter), I have seen various incarnations of the band on the live music circuit and at various festivals over the years, going back to the early ‘90s.
This current formation, however, is made particularly special with the inclusion of second guitarist/vocalist, Pete Dyer (who originally joined the band in the mid ‘70s), as well as the addition of keyboardist, Simon Rinaldo, whose studied take on that classic 1970s-era Hammond-driven sound brings a whole extra dimension to Stray.
The set-list is a good mix of material from the classic early to mid ‘70s albums alongside a generous sprinkling of songs from their acclaimed late-period renaissance albums (Valhalla from 2010 and About Time from 2023).
Stray may not be one of the biggest names from the world of heavy rock but they are certainly one of the most resilient and tonight they delivered an absolute masterclass of a performance with powerful riffs, great melodies and classic songs. Well over 50 years since they first formed and well over 30 years since I first caught sight of them, Stray are one of those bands who just seem to keep on getting better and better each time I see them.
Related posts:
Rock and Roll Survivor: interview with Del Bromham of Stray
Live Review – Giants of Rock, Minehead 26-29 January 2018
Live Review – The Great British Rock & Blues Festival – Skegness 19-22 January 2018
