Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal: O2 Academy 2, Newcastle

WALKING on stage playing Local Hero while dressed in a Newcastle United shirt personally signed by Alan Shearer was a sure-fire way of Bumblefoot ingratiating himself straightaway with the Geordie crowd.

Halfway through a Punk fuelled Abnormal however, disaster. Bumblefoot`s battery pack died a death. Like all true professionals little hiccups like that are a mere aside as his amiable stage banter and attempts to get the crowd to sing the tune kept the atmosphere light-hearted – a job made all the easier by his studded leather bikini clad dancers making an unscheduled, early appearance to help save the day.

After almost ten years as lead guitarist in Guns `n` Roses along with a host of session work, there is no denying Bumblefoot is a guitarist with an impeccable pedigree. Earlier in the day, he spent a couple of hours at Newcastle College giving a masterclass to wide-eyed guitar hopefuls. Then, for the first time at soundcheck he played through the whole of his set with his backing band for the night, local band Twister whose vociferous fan club was out in force with drummer Kyle coming in for particular attention.

With his new album, Little Brother Is Watching You, released a matter of days ago, it was the perfect chance to showcase the multifaceted side of his talent.

Chucked in for good measure was House of the Rising Sun (it was Newcastle after all), but his tenure with Guns `n Roses was restricted to Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door complete with some stunning vocals from backing singer Aurora.

Mick Burgess