Super Group

Published February 8, 2026 · Updated February 16, 2026

The Brook, Southampton

featuring: Brett Smith-Daniels, Chris Payn, Frank Ferrier, Russell Marsden & Stefan Bielik

For a debut gig to feature musicians of this calibre is pretty extraordinary — especially for Dorset. The driving force behind it, Brett Smith-Daniels has already built an impressive résumé, touring extensively with the Walter Trout Band and releasing a solo EP with the help of legendary drummer Matt Sorum, known for his work with Guns N’ Roses and The Cult.

It’s fascinating that the spark for the project came via Sorum suggesting another former Guns N’ Roses drummer, Frank Ferrier. Once he was on board, things clearly gathered momentum.

Super Group 1–2–3–4

Bringing in Dorset stalwart Chris Payn added strong local credibility, while securing Russell Marsden from Band of Skulls elevated it into genuine “supergroup” territory. Rounding it off with bassist Stefan Bielik sounds like the final piece of a very serious rhythm section. For an unnamed debut project, that’s an enormous statement of intent.

Opening with Shoot to Thrill by AC/DC was a bold move, but one that immediately showcased the combined firepower on stage. With three accomplished guitarists and a powerhouse rhythm section, the sound had to be immense — tight, confident and brimming with chemistry, despite this being their first outing.

Highlights like Chris Payn’s “Silhouette” (originally performed with Hightown Parade) added a local and personal touch, while “Sweet Sour” gave Russell Marsden the spotlight on vocals, reminding everyone of his distinctive edge and stage presence.

Closing the first set with War Pigs — a towering classic by Black Sabbath and a nod to Ozzy Osbourne sounds like a masterstroke. For Chris Payn to take on lead vocals and deliver an inspiring performance on such an iconic track would have cemented the band’s credibility right there and then.

After a 15-minute break, the quartet return to the stage to an even louder and more supportive crowd, energised by what they’ve already witnessed. Opening with Aerosmith’s classic “Sweet Emotion”, the audience clearly know the number and eagerly join in with the band from the first riff.

Super Group 6–7–8–9

Despite this being their first gig, they look completely at ease in each other’s company. There’s a clear sense of trust between them — each member confident the others will deliver. There are no oversized egos on stage, just a shared determination to give the audience a top-class performance, and they certainly exceed expectations. With the BBC in attendance filming for local news features, the band show no signs of nerves.

Brett — who bears a striking resemblance to Barney Walsh, son of Bradley Walsh — showcases his own original material with the impressive solo single “Is There A Meaning – Life On Earth.” Meanwhile, Chris enjoys a genuine “pinch-me” moment as he performs his song “Talk Is Cheap”, backed by this remarkable group of musicians.

As the show draws to a close, the crowd are treated to a run of crowd-pleasing Rock anthems: The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women,” AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell,” and for the encore, a rip-roaring version of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.”

All five musicians come to the front of the stage to take their bows, and the enthusiastic audience show their appreciation with rapturous applause. This could well be the beginning of something special. Let’s see how the next three gigs unfold — and watch this space…

Set List
Set One
Shoot To Thrill (AC/DC)
Draw The Line (Aerosmith)
Dirty White Boy (Foreigner)
Silhouette (Chris Payn Original)
Sweet Sour (Band Of Skulls)
Validation (Brett Smith-Daniels Original)
Fire Water Burn (Free)
War Pigs (Black Sabbath)

Set Two
Sweet Emotion (Aerosmith)
Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin)
Talk is Cheap (Chris Payn Original)
I Hate Myself for Loving You (Joan Jett)
East West
Is There A Meaning -Life On Earth (Brett Smith-Daniels Original)
Going Down
Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones)
Asleep at The Wheel (Band Of Skulls)
Highway to Hell (Ac/Dc)

Encore
Rock N’ Roll (Led Zeppelin)

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