MOTLEY CRUDE / HARSH - ALLOA 1ST AUGUST 2026
"Tonight it transforms into the sleeze of the Sunset Strip and all the LA 80’s swagger "
Review - Kevin McCallum
Photos - Mr Rockfiend
The Auld Gambling Hoose, Alloa
1st August 2026
The scene is set in an iconic new venue in Alloa, the Auld Gambling House. Its still a working Bingo Hall but tonight it transforms into the sleeze of the Sunset Strip and all the LA 80’s swagger and hair metal that made that generation of rockers iconic, minus of course the LA sun.
There has always been a huge rock contingent from the Alloa area, heading to all points to catch their rock and metal, but tonight its on their doorstep.
Opening up the night are French rockers Harsh. I’ve heard their music many times, but never watched them live until tonight. They can undoubtably hold a crowd, deliver their brand of music with confidence and share with us some great tracks , mostly from their latest album ‘Feels”, but interspersed with selections from their 2022 album ‘Out of Control’.
Favourites from me were from the ‘Feels’ album, ‘Forever Yesterday’, ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and ‘Offer you a Rome’ and of course their version of ‘Maniac’, all great tracks and well received by a crowd that was growing in number during their set. Be great to see them back.
Clearing the stage, then handing over to the headliners Motley Crude. Picture the scene, 4 guys dressed and looking/sounding exactly like the Crue, hit the ground running with ‘Live Wire’ , storm through a blistering 2 hour set finishing up with ‘Girls Girls Girls’ and ‘Kickstart my Heart’.
There’s not much chance to take in air during their set, its full on power, one classic leads to the other and it sounds great.
They have the global pedigree and reputation to have played CrueFest at the Whiskey in mid July and brought the full show to greet the Alloa punters. I counted about 18 tracks, from the openers and closers through ‘Don’t go away mad-just go away’, ‘Louder than Hell,’ ‘Take me to the top’, ‘Smokin in the boys room’, ’Home sweet home’ and ‘Dr Feelgood’. Every track is perfect, musicianship , delivered with swagger and style.
Full on energy coupled with consummate professionalism make this a night to remember. Its been a long time since a double bill of this quality has blew the place wide open, get the date in the diary next year, and for those you unable to attend the gig, get there next time around, you won’t be disappointed.
