Collateral
Saturday 18th May 2019
The Borderline, London, United Kingdom
This was a significant performance for Collateral in the capital because only days before their set it was officially confirmed that due to the increasing London rents and the re-gentrification of Soho and the surrounding area with Crossrail et al the world-famous Borderline would be closing its doors for good at the end of August 2019. With this unfortunately being the case, it meant that Collateral would perform both their first and last gig at this iconic live music venue for a packed crowd on a warm Saturday night.
“We’re Collateral!” lead guitarist Todd Winger bellowed before going into their set opener ‘Big Shot’ alongside bandmates Jack Bentley-Smith on bass and Ben Atkinson on drums. Striding onstage to rapturous applause, lead vocalist Angelo Tristan looked like your classic rockstar in an all-black outfit complete with an open leather jacket covering his bare chest and a pair of dark sunglasses.
As I listened, I wondered if Collateral were influenced by Def Leppard’s ‘Hysteria’ at all as Winger’s stadium rock electric guitar tone rang out with such vigour. The single ‘Midnight Queen’ from their latest ‘Four Shots!’ EP allowed Tristan to play a black acoustic guitar which gave the track a country-rock vibe and allowed them to showcase their versatility as both writers and musicians. A foot-tapping highlight with a catchy chorus for good measure!
Moving swiftly on, ‘Going With The Wind’ featured a tight bass riff and meaty drum sound, their ballad ‘Just Waiting For You‘ was greeted by a sea of light from mobile phones and lighters and the country inspired ‘About This Boy’ is lyrically similar to the Bad Company classic ‘Shooting Star’. A well-received number which I think with it wide-appeal could be a contender for their next single.
Winger’s electric guitar solo whilst being technically flawless seemed oddly placed in a short compact set but the Metropolis rock audience did not seem to mind at all. Collateral then treated us to ‘Merry-Go Round’ a track from their forthcoming debut album scheduled for release in September 2019. The thumping bass drum and passionate vocal will result in this becoming a live favourite I’m sure.
Closing their set with latest single ‘Lullaby’, I appreciated the musicianship and well-structured songs but something seemed to be missing for me personally – perhaps their stadium attitude was not appropriate in such a short set and I can understand Collateral a bit better at a full headline set.
Glenn Sargeant
Feature Image And Photo Gallery Credit: Robert Sutton
Collateral’s new single ‘Lullaby’ is out now Roulette Media as a digital download.
Their debut album will be released in September 2019.
Download the single here: http://bit.ly/2LJgHkp
You can listen to the track on Spotify here: https://spoti.fi/2JHxBxk
For more information visit the band’s brand new website here: http://bit.ly/2VXKvOh
Collateral will tour the UK extensively in 2019 with the following shows:
Saturday 1st June 2019 – Camden Rocks Festival, Electric Ballroom, Camden, London, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2Ex0n25
Saturday 15th June 2019 – Ramblin’ Man Rumble, The Big Red, London, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2RFLb5Z
Friday 28th June 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Rock City, Nottingham, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/1Kk77gZ
Saturday 29th June 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Cart & Horses, Stratford, London, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2vYfwmw
Sunday 30th June 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Esquires, Bedford, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2RpArMk
Tuesday 2nd July 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Actress & Bishop, Birmingham, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2E8GwE9
Wednesday 3rd July 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Real Time, Chesterfield, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2PsfpHE
Thursday 4th July 2019 – (Supporting Bucket & Co), Half Moon, Putney, London, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/1OT8tfk
Saturday 3rd August 2019 – The Old Ale House, Cornwall, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2W2pQIO
Saturday 24th August 2019 – The Cavern, Raynes Park, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2Q3iWxs
Sunday 25th August 2019 – The Patriot, Newport, Wales, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2EpJpBf
Saturday 7th September 2019 – HRH Crows, O2 Academy, Sheffield, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2HnWpaJ
Thursday 12th September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), The Musician, Leicester, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/1Qoc086
Saturday 14th September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), EBGBS, Liverpool, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2VoBQ2Q
Thursday 19th September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), Trillian’s, Newcastle, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2JXi8qT
Friday 20th September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), The Asylum 2, Birmingham, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2HhZMkA
Saturday 21st September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), Rock City, Nottingham, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/1Kk77gZ
Sunday 22nd September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), Jimmy’s, Manchester, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2H1Z8ZE
Friday 27th September 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), The Joiners, Southampton, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2pAHgZt
Friday 4th October 2019 – (Album Tour with PISTON), Leo’s Red Lion, Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2E93B9I
Sunday 13th October 2019 – Communion of Rock Festival , Muni Arts Centre, Pontypridd, Wales, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2HitqpX
Saturday 19th October 2019 – The Station, Cannock, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2WKzGw6
Thursday 21st November 2019 – Robin 2, Bilston, United Kingdom http://bit.ly/2hHu98R