Ditch The Demon- Chatham Kent 15/2/2026
Ditch The Demon
KImbofest, The Alexandra, Chatham . 15th February 2026.
What happens when you discover a band that just refuse to fall into any one category? Why, you enjoy their music, gorge on their discography, and go see them. Live as many times as humanly possible. This happens with Ditch The Demon, a firecracker of a band that gave absorbed Metal, psyche-Rock, Goth, Prog, Classic Rock and even Musicals/Music Hall to create their own unique sound. Formed by Vocalist Amanda ‘Mandie B‘ Brooks in just pre-covid days from the Hastings rock scene, Ditch The Demon forge their own unique path across the musical landscape. They certainly know how to Rock and Roll, and most definitely strolling the stroll tonight. (See what I did there?)
Appearing tonight in the line up of Winter Kimbofest, in aid of Alzheimers, The band takes the stage to rapturous applause. The band are well known in the South East of this green and pleasant land (soon to be Nationwide, without a doubt), and for good reason as they demonstrate in their hot performance tonight. The bands set consisted of all new tracks from their soon to be released second album ‘Hail The Fallen’ and the Ditch Classic ‘Fright Night’, to be found in their debut album.
Opening with ‘Meat Honey’, Featuring a rocking Psyche-Goth riff and horror movie keyboards from Keyboardist Terry Keen, the song has all the hallmarks of a classic Ditch The Demon song, with staccato unison instruments . A storming opening, promising untold delights to come, it leads to-
‘One Kiss’. A heavy bluesy almost funky track, and executed with aplomb in classic Ditch style. Some nifty guitar work from guitarist Karl Mee, and plenty of lead singer moves from Mandie. Two songs in and the band are already on fire here.
Next up is ‘Magic of the Moon’, a slinky, more ethereal Proggy number, extolling the delights of all things Lunar. The song sways and sashays along, highlighting perfect ensemble playing, and will leave you howling at the moon in delight and wanting more.
Now, there’s always been a debate about whether humour belongs in music, (©️ Frank Zappa), and Ditch the Demon make their offering to the conversation tonight with ‘Kissing Gate Surprise’. Written by Keys player Terry Keen. This bawdy, vaudevillian composition romps along, delighting in innuendo and rowdy British seaside wit. It’s perhaps the most Proggy song here, with more than a hint of Music hall theatre and audience engagement and is a true highlight of the set.
Now, it should be noted here that vocalists usually need to work the stage and the audience To provide a sense of engagement and belonging in the audience. Well dear readers, Mandie B did this here in spades. Not only throwing shapes in the stage area, but also making use of the full venue, engaging the audience with looks pointing and even dancing with one lucky audience member. use was also made of a support column near the bar, to exaggerate and compliment the enticing of the crowd to ever higher levels of enthusiasm. And this carried on through the last few songs, making for a very intimate and personal performance, a masterful act of Front- womanry.
A second tune from Terry is up next ‘The Devils Advocaat’, the writer again tapping into his Proggy and music hall influences, to create this swagger of a song. Steph Bennion, with her trusty none-more Rock/Prog Rickenbacker bass holds the rhythm together, and provides the bass-is (sorry for the pun) for the song to hang. Another fun foray into the esoteric.
The Ditch Classic from their debut album, Fright Night. A stomping, Storming song, that hits the heights musically, with a romping horror Goth demeanour, and vocally with the soaring stratospheric vocals of vocalist Mandie B. To dub her a mere ‘singer’ would not do justice to her range and power. Neil Warman on drums provides the cracking fast beat that motors this ditty along, and demonstrates his great proficiency in timing and power.
The final song is the new albums title track, and deservedly so. The band go into complete overdrive on this number, showing all the power and influences they posses, to create their own u definable sound to create this monster of a track. Mandie climbs stratospherically with a series of higher and more powerful vocal screams that Ann Wilson of Heart, and Ian Gillian (if you must need a male equivalent), would be hugely proud of ! A fantastic, fabulous, fearless finale! The audience crying as one shout for more, but the band’s time here is done according to the format of the day, and you can’t ignore the old adage, ‘always leave ‘em wanting more’, can you?
Ditch the Demon, in their first gig if the year. Stirred a blistering set tonight. Short as it was, due to the event being a multi artist mini-fest, it was delivered with machine gun aplomb, no chat, just song after wonderful song, to work the crowd into a frenzy. And they did. A polished, superbly professional performance. Do not miss this band! Festivals, be very aware of Ditch The Demon, they are going places, fast. Add a Demonic flare to your line-ups, audiences love ‘em!
Author Mike Burgess
