Just thunderous!

3:49pm Thursday 6th December 2007

British rockers Thunder have lots of devoted fans and after a night in their company it is easy to see why.

The band formed in 1989 from the remnants of Terraplane and the five piece have had their share of ups and downs, including a two year split in 2000.

Throughout, the band have traded on hectic touring schedules and a reputation as a solid live show performed by top notch musicians.

The reputation is well deserved, frontman Danny Bowes is regarded as one of the finest vocalists in the rock business and, unlike Samson, hair loss has not diminished his powers.

At Wolverhampton Civic Hall, on Tuesday November 27, Danny didn't miss note during a show which did exactly what it said on the tin.

No frills or gimmicks, no over-the-top costumes or pretentious waffling, there was only rock.

The show began with plenty of songs from their 2006 album Robert Johnson's Tombstone', bluesy tune The Devil Made Me Do It' stood out as one to finally get the crowd fully onside.

The show lacked the necessary urgency to be described as awesome but as one fan said: "People come to watch them play, it's about the songs and how they perform them, I have seen Thunder 13 times and they are always great."

The adulation grew as the band launched into hits like Back Street Symphony' while Danny paraded around the stage encouraging a packed Civic Hall to get involved.

Thunder know their business and for their fans it's a labour of love.

Martyn Smith

EDITOR'S CHOICE