By the time Girlschool come on it's officially Saturday morning, so as that makes it my birthday I have another drink. My friend John "Swimming Trunks" Kardasz is making fun of Vixen being soccer moms so I tell him that Girlschool must be well old and manky by now, which makes him hiss and spit like a schoolgirl because he loves them and wants to have all of their babies. It's odd that I've never encountered the band over the years, and as such have no basis for my jibes. All joking goes out of the window, however, when they hit the stage with the power of, appropriately, an iron fist. Not only do Girlschool manage to musically set the place on fire at one in the morning, they also look bloody good whilst doing it. 'New girl' Jackie Chambers especially impresses in a leather thing that has my loins tingling, sexist old bastard that I am. Watching them, I can see why they've been tied in with Motorhead for all these years. The music is fast, very metal and catchy, although to be honest I prefer Girlschool because they put that bit more melody into it. Kim McAuliffe is a great frontwoman, with a good voice and a nice self depreciating sense of humour. They storm through "Race With The Devil" (the only song I actually know) "Blue Murder", "Hit & Run" and "Never Say Never" amongst others, delivering an hour of solid entertainment. It all gets a bit surreal when they are joined onstage by our old friends the scantily clad girl dancers, along with the fire jugglers and spark throwers (probably not the bands idea, this) but they soldier on regardless. Much as I liked Vixen, Girlschool get my vote for band of the night.

Unfortunately, a bad cold and some good beer has taken it's toll by now, and instead of seeing Crucified Barbara and Tokyo Dragons (who apparently were brilliant), we decide to turn in and get a good nights sleep instead. Aside from the volume, it's been a very promising first day, and the general opinion is that Hard Rock Hell is a very good thing indeed, regardless of what Billy Bear might think.

http://www.rockunited.com/hrh2007.htm