28/04/2025
QUARTZ "SIX" ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY WITH SPECIAL GUESTS IRON VOID - THE BILLESLEY ROCK CLUB, SUNDAY 27TH APRIL 2025, PART TWO.
I really don't know where to start for this second part of the Quartz album release party. Fifty-one years and still going strong, as tonightat the Billesley Rock Club certainly proved. Having first seen the band back in 1977/8, courtesy of my involvement with another legendary Brum outfit, CRYER, for whom my brother Mick was keyboard player back then and who I believe also played dep keys for tonight's headliners on a few occasions. Legendary times doesn't come close to describing just how vibrant and rich the scene was back then in and around Birmingham, as those of a, ahem, certain age will testify! Three of the original line up, Malcolm Cope, Mick Hopkins and Derek Arnold remain with Geoff Bate the latest and second time around vocalist to front the band. Enough of the potted history though, tonight was gonna be an emotional trip down memory lane as well as celebrating yet another new album release, "SIX", a twelve track offering, which includes two penned by the late Geoff Nicholls and is well worth checking out! Tonight we heard just a couple off the album, but many Quartz classics and evergreens in a stonkin' fourteen song set, which was rounded off with a touching tribute to former keys man Geoff Nicholls in the shape of Heaven and Hell, a Ronnie James Dio Black Sabbath era song, which Geoff, a session keyboardist for BS at the time, is reputed to have been responsible for the song's bassline. What a great way for an amazing show to end! To the Iron Void guys we extend massive thanks for setting the evening up perfectly, but to Quartz the band, a thank you just doesn't seem adequate, but a thank you, and a massive one at that, will have to do. To the guy behind the scenes, Tim Perry, all I can say is, top job sir! The whole team at the BRC, Nancy, Bear, Darren, myself and Lisa Billingham, were proud and privileged to have been part of a very special show, which meant a lot to so many. To those who turned out to support the bands and the venue, you were magic! Now treat yourselves and go and buy the album!!
All images ©Rob Billingham Photography/Billibee Creative Studio. No unauthorised use, copying or modifying allowed without permission of the copyright owner.
