Live Wires: The Bites’ Energetic Extravaganza at Rock City

17 December 2023 rocknews

Last night, I had the pleasure of witnessing The Bites, all the way from California, grace the stage at Rock City as part of their inaugural world tour. Nottingham played a pivotal role in their burgeoning success, being home to Earache Records, the local record company that has an excellent track record of discovering and propelling new talent to the zenith of the music industry. With such credentials, when Earache Records invites you to a show, you grab your camera and make your way.

Once again, Earache Records has hit the jackpot with The Bites. Hailing from the land that gave us Motley Crue, Guns N’ Roses, and countless other iconic acts, this band unapologetically embraces the essence of 80s hair metal. Clad in proudly worn Guns N’ Roses, Ozzy, and Sonic Youth T-shirts, they wear their influences on their sleeves for all to see.

Despite being relatively new on the scene, these guys exhibit an uncanny mastery of their craft. Every move they make is pure classic rock gold. Their boundless energy is infectious, and it’s evident that they relish every moment on stage—a sentiment shared by the enraptured audience. Despite performing on a modest stage, their delivery made it feel like the main stage at Download Festival.

The crowd was a mix of die-hard fans who knew every lyric, joyously singing along, and others who, although unfamiliar with the words, couldn’t help but sport a smile.

Midway through their set, they unleashed a blistering cover of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” a move that resonated well with the audience. They even threw in a bit of Hendrix for good measure.

Penultimate in their lineup was the single “Do Me a Favour,” during which Jordan took the opportunity to introduce the band, and Mark treated the crowd to a sensational drum solo.

They concluded the night with “Pretty Boys,” leaving the audience yearning for an encore. The Bites delivered an incredible live performance, rivaling any band I’ve ever seen—and I’ve seen quite a few. If you have the opportunity to catch The Bites live, don’t hesitate. They’re set to return for Stone Dead in 2024, and I, for one, will be there, eagerly awaiting another dose of their electrifying performance.