The Angels

Minus Doc Neeson, the original Angels have reconvened and are steadily touring this country's highways and byways. Their best line-up always included Buzz Bidstrup and Chris Bailey in the engine room. Buzz handled the kit, while Bailey filled things out with rolling bass parts. The Brewster Brother bookends handled stage left and right and delivered twin attack guitars.

Others came and went, but these boys had a certain magic between them. Doc was the quintessential frontman but now he's off with Red Phoenix. In his absence, the boy's have reclaimed the songs they've written and they're doing a sterling job playing them live.

John Brewster's Dylan-esque lilt highlights the poetry in the lyrics. Behind him, the band settles on a groove with just the right amount of bite. Highlights from the set include 'No Exit', 'Mr. Damage', 'Take A Long Line', 'Who Rings The Bell' and the opening gambit of 'After The Rain' and 'Fashion And Fame'.

It's a helluva set list, delivered like a prizefighter that never lost his rhythm.

Mitchell Peters - Time Off Magazine - Queensland Australia December 2005 - Time Off Magazine Qld

"The Angels where the standout performers of the day"

The day featured Rose Tattoo, Screaming Jets, The Party Boys and more - Pia Faletti - Express Magazine

“Then The Angels strolled out on stage to a tsunami of applause and kicked the whole thing into a completely different gear. Any doubts about how they would go without Doc were erased in seconds as they launched into a powerhouse set that was as tight as a drum but still had all the exuberance and manic energy of the Angels of old. The crowd ate up every moment of it as the Angels reminded us all that they were not simply fans of Bon Scott, but that they were, and still very much are, made of exactly the same stuff”. after The Angels performance at The Bon Scott Concert – February 2007 - Gavin Miller 96FM Perth

"I was uncertain how there could be an Angels band without Doc Neeson until I saw it for myself. The Original Angels Band have renewed my faith in historic Aussie rock. The bands polished and rousing performance has only improved with time. I found it impossible to stand still and was bouncing up and down to the rhythm of these timeless hits. The Original Angels Band a true Australian treasure." after "Rock The Bay Australia Day 2006" at Selina's Coogee Bay.

- Rob Duckworth Triple M Sydney

"The Angels helped change the face of Australian Music. A powerful, theatrical, incredibly determined band. Here tonight we have the Brewster Brothers, we have Chris Bailey and we also have Buzz Bidstrip on drums. We have the Original Angels Band." MC for at Concert Enmore Theatre 2005
- Glenn A Baker

Being from generation Y, I wasn't sure what to expect from a rock band that earned their stripes in the late 70's early 80's so being true to my generation I googled The Angels before heading to The Andergrove Tavern on Tuesday night to see them play. The original band members John Brewster, Chris Bailey, Graham 'Buzz' Bidstrup and Rick Brewster where all there on the night and it was plain to see why after decades they can still draw a crowd.

It says a lot when you can entice roughly 500 people to spend their Tuesday night out and about but that's what The Angels did. Their performance was very polished, very professional but also very relaxed and the crowd lapped up every minute. The Crowd was going off, actually I'd never seen the 'Grove in such a state of frenzy before: dancing and singing along to every song and the place went nuts when they played some favourites from their first four albums 'Face To Face, No Exit, Darkroom and the debut self titles album. The Angels are a band that everyone would have heard of sometime in their lives with countless bands putting their own spins on Angels classics such as 'Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again'. The crowd actually jumped up another notch when they belted out that one.

The mix had planned to put my review somewhere toward the back of the paper however after such an awesome performance I could not in good conscience allow that to happen.

The bands harmonies and the electrifying chemistry produced by this outfit were excellent. Unlike other rock acts that have been worn down and whose vocals have faded from years of screaming (Jimmy Barnes you'll always have a special place in my heart) these guys keep getting better with age.

As a concert goer I'm a fella that's pretty easy to please but as a reviewer I'm also pretty hard to impress: and these guys impressed. Good on The 'Grove for bringing these excellent musicians back to Mackay.

Assuming these guys keep going to the day they die, they'll probably be back in Mackay in the future so do everyone a favour and see them live, It's a great show. Australian rock close to perfect. 9/10 - April 2007
- Brad Mathews Daily Mercury Qld