A venue steeped in the musical history of the UK and one little changed over the years. A venue that has a soul. Even empty you can feel a buzz, so with a few people in the room and the music pumping the atmosphere should be a good one.
Gig Review - Shag Nasty + UK Vomit + Born to Destruct + Criminal Brainstorm @ Dublin Castle, Camden 31.01.10
Posted on: Thu , Feb 04 07:39 AM
A venue steeped in the musical history of the UK and one little changed over the years. A venue that has a soul. Even empty you can feel a buzz, so with a few people in the room and the music pumping the atmosphere should be a good one.
The Destruction Crew arrived around 5:30pm to find very few people in the ‘back’ room, RIFF, PHIL and STRAKA from SHAG NASTY and couple of their mates, apparently there was a football match being shown on SKY involving Manchester United and that other premier league team from north east London that don’t play at White Hart Lane!
With the game finished UK VOMIT arrived and seemed like a bunch of truly mental nutters that know how to have a good time!
Arriving a little later than expected the sound guy got straight down to business and got the stage set up and ready for SHAG NASTY to sound check. Followed by UK VOMIT, BORN TO DESTRUCT and finally CRIMINAL BRAINSTORM.
All the bands sounded good and what was encouraging to hear was the sound man suggesting to bands that they want to take a note of the amp settings in case they are changed before they get to play! So may be we were in for a good night sound wise!
It was time to grab a quick bite and get back to the venue.
I missed the early part of CRIMINAL BRAINSTORM set but if it was on a par with what I did here then it was sure to have been GOOD! A bunch of guys from that mecca for great music Sheerness. Formed in the early eighties they played several gigs, recorded some stuff and disbanded in the later 80’s. Some of the band got involved with PORTRAIT OF INSANITY but the untimely death of one of the members (Steve Clarke) was the catalyst for Criminal Brainstorm to reform in 2008, and hit the road again.
It is always great to hear and see band from back then still be able to cut it today showing the youngsters who have what it takes, that they have never lost it!
Good old fashioned, straight up and down, no nonsense punk rock are what this lot are about. First band on they may have been but they got a great reception from a small crowd, but what an atmosphere. It’s strange how some venues don’t need more than a bit of good music and few people in to create an ambiance that you can almost touch. Sean (Vocals), Noz (Bass), Big F (Guitar) and Daz (Drums) may be a bunch of SAGA LOUTS but they proved tonight they can still turn out a decent punk tune or two my favourite of which was Captain Scarlet (a boyhood hero and I have a picture of me somewhere running round the back garden as a 5 year old kid in my Captain Scarlet Uniform!) A great set and rightly the band got asked to play us one more!
Having set the bar it was time for BORN TO DESTRUCT to take to the stage and after last weekends gig in Birmingham with its poor sound, tonight was really a treat.
Crisp clean vocals, a great balance between guitar, bass and drums, a fantastic performance, and an appreciative and exuberant crowd you really can’t ask much more than that.
KAT DESTRUCT (VOX) gave a very confident and assured performance full of sass and attitude and up there with her very best and I would say as good as Sheffield back in NOV 09 which is the bench mark (being quite simply not only KAT’s best performance but one of the best vocal performances I have seen/heard).
WOODSTOCK PUNKROCK(GUITAR), DR STU (BASS) and RICHIE RICH (DRUMS) not only turned in an excellent performance but they had immense fun as well and this has to be up there with the best BTD performances.
All the songs were well received, SICK SCUM & APATHY, BEER, 24 HOURS, LEECH really came over well, and the rest of the set stood up for itself too but these for me just shone that little brighter.
Again asked to play one more, and so the band treated us to WE BRING THE NOISE, a great audience participation song, and on this occasion the participation included ‘kidnapping’ KAT from the front of the stage and proceeding to be “danced” round the room being held up by CHUNDER from UK VOMIT then a few others joined in, KAT managed to ‘escape’ when nearly being dropped and retreated back on to the stage, where she remained for the rest of the song!
Then it was the turn of UK VOMIT to entertain us. A brash, crass, dirty, rude, bunch of lads that play loud, fast and hard! With titles and lyrics that would offend the less enlightened it would be easy to write this lot off as just another typical loud punk band that swear a lot. They are so much more than that. Technically a very proficient group of musicians, bass and drums are tight and solid, the dual guitars work well with and off each other and the vocals are delivered with power and edge and compliment the music going on underneath perfectly.
A great great live band. Boundless energy, this lot do all night what the oldies take all night to do!
They had a ‘few’ fans in the crowd to watch them play and this ramped the atmosphere up a notch or three.
CHUNDER (GUITAR/main VOX),SPEW (GUITAR/VOX), PUKE (BASS) and UPCHUCK (DRUMS), play hard and party hard doing it. Loved the banter between the band, and with the audience. They deprived their adoring fans of their favourite song until they encored and unleashed TROLLEY. BRILLIANT
Finally, the main event, SHAG NASTY. Another band from back in the day probably as famous for how they got started as they are for the music. RIFF (GUITAR) is the only original member in the current line up which is a 3 piece completed by PHIL STAR (DRUMS) and STRAKA STAR (BASS & VOX). These guys are a lot nearer their bus passes than their first pair of long trousers BUT have the still got it. You bet your sweet little ass they have and got it in spades. OK there were a few covers, but what the hell, and the odd uncertainty about when to come in on the lyrics, to how to end the song, the missed notes here and there, even the almost mandatory technical hitch which left STRAKA without a bass amp couldn’t and didn’t detract from the quality of the performance in any way. From the opening bars of POWER to the closing notes of PUNK ANTHEM 77 (for which and unless my eyes deceived me a previous member joined them on stage) we were treated to some vintage punk.
The scenes at the end of the night when the UK VOMIT boys got everyone that had played up on the stage to have their photo taken en masse with the SHAG NASTY crew and resulted in a reprised version of PUNK ANTHEM ’77 that just carried on and on, almost as if no one wanted to be the one to bring it to a close. But all good things come to an end and this was a brilliant night for punk.
This was a perfect example of what is right about the scene, mutual respect between the bands, the crowd and the bands, everyone doing it for the love of it, and having a jolly good time in to the bargain.
CRIMINAL BRAINSTORM, UK VOMIT and SHAG NASTY are all top of my list to see again and soon – (BORN TO DESTRUCT are a permanent fixture on that list).
Thanks;
To the venue, what an awesome place to play music. And much respect to the sound guy who did an amazing job for the bands To the bands who were the reason the we the punters were there To those that came to watch as we are the reason the bands come out to play!
Respectfully Submitted By
A Man Called Moose
Gig Review - Mispelt 2.0 @ The Bridgehouse 2, Canning Town 09.01.10
Posted on: Wed , Jan 27 07:48 AM
The last time I saw this punk quartet was at The Appleby, Burton-On-Trent, when the headlined the Friday Night of Breast Fest Weekend 2009, and on that occasion put in such a stella performance that it earned them a nod from me for the best live performance of 2009.
So, having built them up, would they live up to the billing? Of course they did!
Having the unenviable honour of being first band up on a six band bill that is being headlined by the UK SUBS, MISPELT 2.0 took to the stage and played as if they had a crowd of hundreds watching them. A lot of this stems from the fact they only know one way to play and thats fast, furious and with fun! A the few punters in the Bridge House early doors had a real treat and gave the band a very warm and richly deserved reception. (PITY MORE WEREN'T THERE - although Mr Harper was in residence so if the good and great can do it!)
GEN (VOX) is never still and probably spends more time off the stage and in the crowd whipping them in to frenzy. The dual vocal between Gen and DUNK (BASS & VOX) works brilliantly and the interplay is clever. Behind the kit KEV (DRUMS) lays the foundations which knits perfectly with the bass lines and STEVE'S guitar work is no mere icing its the ribbon, little sliver balls and the cherry on top of the cake.
Tonights Plait D' Jour SAY GOODBYE - great way to open a show! FRIENDS LIKE YOU - who indeed needs enemies. "You got nuthin to say and you're saying it too loud" we all know somebody like this especially the sort that "you threw your toys right out of the pram, first out the dorr when the shit hits the fan!" Always a favourite and no different this evening. PETROL BOMB - An anthem for an angry generation. A warning to the establishment to give us a fair deal or face the consequences. NATIONAL INSECURITY - love this song and tonight it was made even more special as it was dedicated to myself and Woodstock Punkrock (GUITAR - BORN TO DESTRUCT) my tag team review partner and best mate! PARASITE SOME THING FOR THE WEEKEND DEAD MAN WALKING ALIEN SPECIAL BREW AND METHADONE All the above being great songs delivered full tilt and enough to get those in the pit moving and shaking FOXTROT OSCAR - My favourite MTPZ song. Fast paced. Great vocal exchanges. It hits you like a runaway train. TRISHA - a modern day fable about day time tv! JUNK FOOD GENERATION - the bands signature song and one that encapsulates what this band is about. Another favourite!
A great performance from a great band and if only there were great a deal more people there to watch them. A band that plays for the love it, they have fun and they want you to have, and 1st on, last on, somewhere in the middle, they don't care, they just want to perform.
Having made probably the longest journey down to the Bridge House in their old faithful van RED DWARF to be on first they were still their when Woodstock and I were leaving!
The first of many Mispelt 2.0 gigs I hope to see this year!
So if this lot are coming to a venue near you go and see them, I promise you you'll enjoy it! I hear tale that the band are soon to be recording material for a full length CD, and shall be pre ordering my copy NOW!
Respectfully Submitted by
A Man Called Moose
Gig Review - 3 Black Dwarves + Glue Ear + C.R.U.X. + Stealing the Process + Mardi Gras Bombers + St Tantrums + Rebel Conspiracy + Born To Destruct + Cosmic Fingers + Skiprats + Total Bloody Chaos + Senton Bombs + Flat Back Four + Distrakted + Sounds Of Sw
Posted on: Sun , Dec 27 08:40 AM
As is the way of these events, especially when timing is everything and the meticulous planning that went in to it to ensure smooth operation, it doesn't help when you turn up to a pub that I believe wasn't open for them and the sound guy wasn't on the premises - this was surmised from a half heard conversation so please correct me if I am wrong.
However the event got undery about 15 minutes late so by the time Woodstock PunkRock (GUITAR - Born To Destruct) and I reached the venue we'd nly missed the first copule of songs by the first band which was;
01 - 3 Black Dwarves - 4 piece band that play loud proud and shouty. Considering any gig starting at 10am is anethema to most muso's so well done to these guys for being first on!
They had a small but eager crowd to play to and although the sound wasn't too bad it wasn't too good either. However they have the honour of closing this event as well so it will be interesting to compare the morning version especially after 12 or so hours of hanging around and partaking of liquid refreshment.
02 - Glue Ear - This trio picked up where 3 Black Dwarfs left off. Full throttle mayhem.
A little bit way little bit woo, little bit Oi and a dash of ska. Pity the guitarists fingers weren't a bit more awake as often they were behind where they needed to be. But carry on regardless is what he and the band did.
Can't help thinking if this was an event involving animals some one from the fluffy bunny brigade would bleat on about cruelty, Punk rock live at 11am is not natural! :) I enjoyed their set and pleased to see they had entered in to the spirit of the occasion by donning festive apparell!
03 - C.R.U.X - Missing a Guitarist/Vocalist the band played as a trio with the bass player taking up main vocal duty helped out by the other guitarist. Bringing their grungy more pop punk sound to the party which sounded OK to me!
Overall, and bearing in mind i have never seen or heard the band before so have nothing to compare it against, i felt they did a pretty fair job all in all. What the reason for being one man down was I don't know, but these things can happen and it was unfortunate that with some many bands coming to play it wasn't to easy to reschedule everyone.
Fighting in Some Ones House – scheduled to play and to be 4th band up they made a no show so what ensued was the first on a few changes to the running order Next band on the list please step forward,
04 - Stealing The Process - A young 4 piece that hover on the edge of indy grungy punky rock. One thing I will say about the band in you cannot fault their enthusiasm. Keen is mustard. A broken string on the first chord of the first song is never a great way to start or to 'settle', and once more a guitarist that only had one guitar with him -(I never understand why - I know there is the cost but it doesn't have to be an expensive one - However this is punk and one of the guitarists from the Mardi Gras Bombers stepped forward and proferred his Gibson SG!!) Enthusiasm is one thing but it is no substitute for tightness.
At times the drumming seemed at odds to the song yet in other places it worked well. On the whole nothing that practise and gigging wont put right and after all they have only been together in this line up since October. They by no means had a bad gig its all part of learning the trade. Keep it up lads.
05 - Mardi Gras Bombers - A(nother) band from Blackburn (not bad for a one horse town! - that's according to Middle Finger Salute who also hail this town)
Missing their bass player for this gig. the two guitarists more than made up for that with some good solid chunky sounds.
For a band that has only been gigging for a year they obviously have done a lot in that 12 months as they play with a tightness that comes from experience and at would be true to say that these chaps have lived a bit!.
They play with an energy and power from the first note to the last and are a band that are one I want to see again! Given the nod by MC Fungal, the band were asked to play and we were treated to another couple of tunes.
The only slight thing for me was on a couple of occasions the drums seemed slightly out of time, now whether that's because there was no bass knitting the rhythm section together or the monitor for the drummer isn't too brill, who knows but it didn't take the gloss of what was a rather classy performance. I can see why the aforementioned Fungal rates this lot! Wholesome heavy, metal, punky manna! My band of the day so far!
06 - St Tantrums - Old skool punk with glam rock trimmings. Lead singer, St Sebastine " the OTT man-dyke from the planet Tantrum - Doth the writhing, screaching and gyrating ensue!" so sayeth their MySpace page.
The rest of the band are you more typical members of a punk band! Underneath all the SHOW, MAKE UP and POSTURING is a performance it's not all dressing to cover up lack of ability. Most definitely an impact band. Being honest, glad I saw them, perfect for an event like this that showcases the breadth of diversity in this dear genre. Certainly made those in The Thatched House sit up and take notice.
07 - Rebel Conspiracy - Unfortunately their set coincided with checking in to the hotel as the rest of Born To Destruct had arrived and needed get sorted. I was hoping to get back to catch some of the set but due to an awkward customer who was in front of us at the Premier Inn Check In and hope of a quick turn round was quashed.
08 BORN TO DESTRUCT - Restarted the party after the break and although the announcement of the BAR-B-Q being ready was made at the start of the set it didn't result in everyone rushing for food! Good To See. As was the performance!
After their gig last Saturday where the sound was sh!te how nice to be in a venue with a sound engineer that knows his craft!
Running thru a set containing the oldest song on the roster thru to one of the very newest even if it is a reworking of a song on the first album. (and no not Sudden Death although the same is true of this song!) A performance definitely coming the miles for and one that showed the frozen north what the softy southerners are capable of delivering. Sick Scum and Apathy was brilliant real hairs on the back of the neck stuff.
I know Fungal has a soft spot for this lot and he has always followed their progress with interest. He has been encouraging and critical but constructive. He has felt that Kat was a bit shy and timid and neeed to assert herself more, if what he saw tonight wasn't completely what he had in mind, it can't be too far away. The only singer of any band to get off the stage and out in to the crowd. A certainly one of her best performances.
One of the bands best performances and even though I am biased I genuinely feel it has to be up for reckoning as one of the bands of the day.
10 - Skiprats - Managed to catch the last 2 and a bit songs and was impressed. A mix of full on punk and reggae resulting in some good catchy tunes. Would have liked to have seen the whole set. Certainly a band I will be looking out for next year.
11 - The Razor Cuts - for the record The Razor Cuts were the 11th band to play.
12 - Total Bloody Chaos - An old skool raucous 5 piece band from the north west with a fair few miles on the clock. Nothing fancy, nothing frilly just straight up and down punk. A band that brought a few of their mates along and a good time was had by all. Another band seen for the first time and have to say I liked what I heard!
13 - The Senton Bombs I saw these guys for the first time when they played at a Viva La Local event in Cambridge earlier in the year and I was mightily impressed by the trio as they were then and tonight as a four piece? They were better than Cambridge. The Vocalist is pure Class, Mr Mohawk plays as if the salvation of his soul depends on it, Damien has sold his to el diabalo and the new Johnny on the block, the mighty mustachiod one, can melt a fretboard with the best of them.
A great band, a great performance and a great bunch of lads. Now in possession of a copy of SWEET CHIN MUSIC I feel another review coming on. Another of my bands of the day
14 - Flat Back Four Turned out to be the Flat Back One! With other band members with prior engagements, Ste Lingard, rather than cancel,got up on stage plugged in a guitar and did a solo set that included a song about his dog along with pretty decent renditions of PSALM 23, IF I DIE TONIGHT and THE THATTO HEATH SONG to name a few, which if not the same as these when unleashed with a full band behind them, but still good in their own right.
15 - The Distrakted - A full on metal mayhem band. Loved the music but the vocal is a little too much on the screamo side for these tired old ears. Still great to see a variety of bands and at a fiver this has got to be the best value lucky dip I've yet partaken! The band got a great reception from The Thatched House faithful and really got the moshing started. A case of not to my taste rather than not any good!
It may have been snowing outside but things are definitely were really warming up inside!
16 - Sounds of Swarmi - A youthful 4 piece from the north! They don't like Lundaan (London)! Apparently this was their penultimate gig of their current tour being number 13 out of 14! They also have a 7” 6 Track EP which you can buy for £4 and you get the first CD for free!
When they were playing they weren't bad but the banter fell flat and they would have been better off just playing. Another band on the more metallic side of the genre. Some serious power chords and riffing going on which worked well within the bands musical style but something didn't quite gel for me. Never Mind. They came, they played and they sold at least one EP!
17 - Two Sick Monkeys - Two very sick primates indeed. Drum and Bass like you've never seen or heard it before. Both sing, one plays drums and one plays bass like it was a guitar. The result – infectious heavy metal and you can easily forget this is only a 2 piece. Heard a lot about them and now I have heard them I see what the fuss is about. Original and one the bands I would like to see again.
18 - Most Likely To Fail - Fail is the one thing this lot are not likely to do. A very tight unit musically. The two guitars work well together and there is good harmonisation with the backing vocals and a very solid rhythm section keeps everyone honest and whilst the vocalist prowls in melancholic fashion. Only the second time I have seen these guys, the first being at the SAS freebie held in Accrington earlier in the year. I liked them then, and they were better tonight.
And Finally - 3 Black Dwarfs (2nd Set of the day) - Playing to a handful or two of hardy souls who stayed to the death. A good job one or two of the bands hung around as it could have been a very thin gathering!
Certainly not as tight as this mornings session and also they had a bit of trouble with mikes, and a bit of feed back which I think had something to do with the bass overdrive pedal. I also felt the overall attitude of the band was a little off second time round. This could simply be down to tiredness and a very long day, but they didn't acquit themselves to the best of the abilities based on their morning performance.
C'est La Vie! Which ironically was the title of one of the songs (and the one in the set I liked least).
And so 14 very interesting, and as it was to turn out, eventful hours drew to a close.
18 different bands, came and played. The numbers attending may have been a little disappointing and certainly those there from start to finish were few indeed but even so normally an event that would be remembered as a great craic. Unfortunately as well as seeing the POSITIVE SIDE of PUNK we got to see its DARK SIDE up close and personal.
Unnecessary. Unwarranted. Unforgiveable! Contemptuous! Behaviour towards Fungal which is going to have a major impact on the punk scene in general and in the north particulalry.
So in summing up A GREAT DAY if you were there for the right reasons. 18 different bands, 19 sets, and a wide range of styles. Something for everyone.
My band of the day? - this is where I sit on the fence and say I can't pick one single band but BORN TO DESTRUCT, THE MARDI GRAS BOMBERS, and THE SENTON BOMBS were definitely my favourites on the day.
THANK YOU TO
All the bands for coming and playing
Everyone that came along to support, especially those that were there all day
The Venue
The Sound Guy who did an honest decent job for each band
QC Sherry, Jack Daniels, Fosters, Gaymers, Hobgoblin and Coca Cola
Finally to Fungal Punk for whom this event turmed out to be a defining one.
A man who has beat his head against the wall of Apathy and Hypocrisy for many a long year to keep the Punk Flag flying proud an true. He has promoted and reviewed 100's of gigs, reviewed over 300 CD's all for the love of the music. Many bands owe their starts to Fungal taking a punt on them and putting them on one on his gigs. He has the ability to criticise in a constructive way and there are bands that are all the better for his suggestions and advice.
On behalf of everyone. Dave, THANK YOU you are a legend.
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