The Guardians at Mojo. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L.S. Media. January 29th 2012.

It’s funny what two years can do to a band. The name may have changed and given a more definitive harder edge. The group may no longer be known as Hippies on the Hill and now go by the more heavy rock sounding Guardians but the sound and the attitude is most certainly some of the finest Liverpool has produced in the last few years.

The Guardians were part of the night that was memorable in one respect with fans being able to check out a couple of bands before their turn at this year’s Liverpool Threshold Festival, it was also sadly the last night of live music to be held at Mojo’s. The night was that special it required the great Janice Long to come along and introduce the bands. With the excellent Craig Henderson on guitar, Brad Done on vocals, Sean Mcmin-Davies on bass and the quality drumming of Mike Priest, the Guardians really couldn’t wrong go in front an audience that was in the mood to really say goodbye in style.

That though would detract from just how much the band has moved on in the last couple of years. Even a few years ago and as much younger men, the band was just that good. Exciting, formidable and ready to take on the world, and with all the right reasons to back up their stunning attitude!

Age matures, it gives wisdom and in the case of the Guardians, where once they reminded anyone who went to see them of the Clash, they have surpassed this and gone beyond all expectations that anybody, bar the most far-sighted and optimistic fan, could have hoped for. Where once they were a younger version of the Clash, now they are a band in their own right, a hope for Liverpool music amongst so many but quite rightly ploughing a long furrow that is only their making.

It may have been a short set but the seven songs that the band played were top notch, gut wrenching, loud and superb. The four excellent musicians opened up with Follow Your Heart and An Enemy of My Enemy (Is My Friend). These opening two songs were, quite frankly, genuinely superb and came across well to a disparate audience.

Other songs played by the Guardians on the night were Make It Out Alive, the phenomenal Caught in the Crossfire and Red Eyes. Each song delivered with the same attitude that first caught people’s attention but with more oomph and drive.

Catch the Guardians when you can, these lads are really, really good and deserve to be huge!

Ian D. Hall