Saxon twin-guitar attack reunited in Tokyo
Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn reunited on stage in Tokyo for an evening of classic Saxon music.
Graham Oliver’s Army with Paul Quinn at Space Odd, Daikanyama, Tokyo, Japan on 17th August 2024
Seeing the classic Saxon guitarists Graham Oliver and Paul Quinn reunited on stage for two shows in Tokyo last year was a chance to experience heavy metal history. Over two decades, these two English gentlemen wrote, recorded and performed some of heavy metal’s most classic songs. Their music built a foundation for much of the heavy metal genre.
Just over a year after that reunion, Graham and Paul did it again to the delight of the Japanese fans. Graham Oliver’s Army – consisting of Gav Coulson on guitar, lead vocalist Brian Shaughnessy, bassist Jamie Mallender and drummer Rod Fearnley – delivered the Saxon songs just like we remembered them from back in the day. Graham left Saxon in 1995 and Paul stepped off the Saxon tour bus last year. Thinking that last year’s two reunion gigs marked the end of this partnership, it was fabulous to experience this once more. And they are considering writing new music together (see our video interview with Paul and Graham here).
Nowadays Graham suffers from Parkinson’s disease which easily could have ended his career. But a combination of good medication, an excellent band and sheer will means Graham still performs and does so phenomenally well. The setlist for this special evening in Tokyo was as flawless as the performance. “Oh, I made a couple of mistakes,” Graham told me backstage after the gig. Sure, but that is part of being in a proper rock’n’roll band playing live. To many of the fans in the audience, this was a near-religious experience. Few of them had the chance to see Graham and Paul perform together in Saxon, but these three reunion gigs in Tokyo in 2023 and 2024 have been as close as we could ever get to the good old Saxon.
Following two opening acts, Japan’s Re-Arise and Mexico’s Split Heaven, Graham Oliver’s Army took to the stage. They opened with a knockout version of “Heavy Metal Thunder” and continued with “Rock’n’Roll Gypsy”. “Strong Arm of the Law” and “Denim and Leather” followed. Wow! Pure heavy metal bliss. The evening also featured many other favourites such as “Dallas 1 PM”, “The Eagle Has Landed”, “Stand Up and Be Counted”, “Crusader”, “Suzie Hold On” and “Princess of the Night”. The evening finished with an unbelievably strong set of songs: “747 (Strangers in the Night)”, “Motorcycle Man”, “Wheels of Steel”, “Power and the Glory” and “And the Bands Played On”. Seeing these two old friends performing together with big smiles across their faces was a treat. What a terrific night of Saxon music!
