MAYHEM

That headline was a quote from DAVID BOWIE in Mojo Magazine about Billy RItchie, the keyboard player of MAYHEM, and could easily apply to the band itself. I reviewed them under a previous name, having been hugely impressed by the stunning harmonies and clever use of backing tracks, but I have to say, the new incarnation is even better, with Billy on Keyboards and Carol singing with even more assurance as when I first saw them a few years ago. DAVID BOWIE's comment is seen to be apt, the keyboards adding yet another dimension to what was already a very fine band/duo. Thanks to LEMONROCK, I went to The Arsenal Tavern to catch the band, out of curiosity, especially when I noted the addition of keyboards. What a nice venue, rather a shame that the crowd was relatively quiet for a Saturday night, but they did warm up in the end - more than that, there was whooping and hollering as Carol and Billy sang "Don't Stop me Now" by Queen and "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen, among many other fine renditions of popular and very danceable songs, including Carol's stirring version of "Feel like a Woman" and Billy's rousing "Light my Fire" with its stunning organ solo and vocal climax producing a roar from the crowd before the song even ended. I still sense that this band has yet more to offer, some of the material could be considered rather lightweight and perhaps too populist, for such a credible force as MAYHEM are. I look forward to seeing them again, perhaps even at this potentially excellent venue. Andrew Staines, 26 June 2025

Absolute Mayhem [The Horse & Chains, Bushey] on Saturday 30 September 2023 It's a rare thing to go into a local pub and hear a keyboard player who has been described as a musical "genius" by none other than David Bowie. This is no tall story either. The musician Billy Ritchie was the first player in rock music to give keyboards a prominent role -- and that was before Keith Emerson (ELP) and Rick Wakeman came on the scene. Billy told me that he remained good friends with the Thin White Duke until his death in 2016. Lanark-born Mr Ritchie now provides the skilful and fancy keyboards and records backing tracks for his latest incarnation Mayhem with talented female singer Carol Leslie. Carol is a really strong vocalist with a gutsy style. This dynamic duo started their first set at the cosy Sebright Arms with Elvis's late sixties' classic Suspicious Minds. The second song was a surprise -- Kirsty MacColl's comedy number There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears His Elvis. It was a perfect choice after the first song. Carol and Billy select their material wisely and give their audience something very different from the predictable Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl and I Saw Her Standing There, churned out by so many pub bands. So it was great to hear Georgio Moroder and Phil Oakey's electro smash Together In Electric Dreams, Matchbox's catchy rocker Rockabilly Rebel, Starship's uplifting We Built This City (on which Billy demonstrated his keyboard dexterity) and Solomon Burke's gospel-ish Cry To Me. And that was just the first half. Carol is happy to tackle songs usually associated with male vocalists and she started part two with a raucous version of Bryan Adams' rocker Summer Of 69. If you have never seen Mayhem, ask Billy to perform Light My Fire, the Doors rock classic from 1967. This was a sheer musical masterclass as he re-created both vocally and instrumentally this great song. Billy has a rich, tuneful voice and this was a stunning performance. Other highlights in the second half included Journey's rock anthem Don't Stop Believing, Carol's gritty interpretation if Shania Twain's Man I Feel Like A Woman and a fine performance of Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer A total of 24 songs and I cannot wait to see this duo again. My only concern is their name. I think many club and pubgoers might think Mayhem are a heavy metal band rather than an all-round, top class duo. COLIN FENN, DJ, Freelance Journalist Colin Fenn, DJ - Freelance Journalist, Thursday 5 October 2023