As frontman with Scarborough’s finest, Little Angels, Toby Jepson scored a number 1 album and 10 Top 40 singles before the band folded with Jepson going onto form his own band Toby and the Whole Truth as well as a stints with Motörhead’s Fast Eddie Clarke in Fastway, Gun and Dio’s Disciples not to mention a side career as a jobbing actor, but now he’s back with Wayward Sons, with their third album Even Up The Score, hot of the press.
It’s easy to see why Wayward Sons are heralded as the saviours of classic Hard Rock as Jepson plays the consummate frontman while lead guitarist Sam Wood and veteran bassist, Nic Wastell, formerly of Leicester Rockers Chrome Molly, joined Jepson in keeping the energy levels in the red throughout the whole show and all the while drummer Phil Martini, kept everything on track. It was breathless work just watching them.
This would all count for nothing if they had no songs but here, they have them by the spade full from opener “Any Other Way” to closer “Until The End”, the set is crammed full of them spread fairly evenly from all three albums with a healthy eight songs from their latest album, which is a thoroughly refreshing change from many bands who seem to hide their new material away, as if they are embarrassed by new music. Not so, Wayward Sons.
The Punky “Sign Of The Times” was certainly apt for the strange times that the world has been going through and so too, the hugely melodic “Faith In Fools”, which could be an anthem for politicians worldwide.
Sam Wood’s muscular riffs and sparkling solos were the perfect foil for Jepson’s spirited vocals on the up-tempo “Joke’s On You” and “Land Of The Blind” and his constant smile marks the face of a man loving his craft.
Three albums in and Wayward Sons are certainly maturing into a fine band in their own right. Sure, they may have a history with their previous bands but the sum of those parts has created something rather special. Expect to hear a lot more from them over the coming years.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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