Heaven’s Basement
Academy 3, Birmingham
Concert review by Ian Harvey

Are Heaven’s Basement Britain’s unluckiest band? You’ve got to wonder after the heavy rockers called their latest jaunt the Unbreakable Tour, only for guitarist Jonny Rocker to dislocate and fracture a finger playing football, sidelining him completely.

And this after the band was forced to change its name not once but twice and to change singers twice in the past year too.

See our gig photo gallery to the right

So Heaven’s Basement took to the stage at a red hot Academy 3 as a four piece rather than a five piece, with guitarist Sid Glover looking more than happy to shoulder full six-string responsibilities.

Once tipped for great things, and with an appearance at the Sonisphere Festival on Saturday you’ve got to wonder whether this is the last-chance saloon for Heaven’s Basement.

All eyes were on new singer James Sinclair. Skinny and curly topped, he cut quite a different figure to his predecessor Richie Hevanz but apparently possesses a fine pair of pipes, although his vocals were often too far down in the mix as the band went into overdrive.

Still, Misunderstood, Can’t Let Go and Tear Your Heart Out impressed hugely and had a largely female audience singing along, while Jonny Rocker made a brief appearance to sing Paranoia.

Surely it’s time for luck to turn Heaven’s Basement’s way.