23/11/2019 The Hip Priests @ The Black Heart

Out at a gig in a typical 'rock 'n roll toilet' for the second night running - actually this place has some of the worst toilets of any London music venue. However, The Black Heart seems to have become the most likely venue in London to find 'The most prolific band you've never heard of' AKA The Hip Priests when they make a raid down south from their native Nottingham.

To be honest I can't remember much about this gig over two years after it actually happened - apart from that it was very crowded and very LOUD.

Also, that The Hip Priests still sound like a mixture of The Stooges, Motörhead, and MC5. All of which obviously makes them really great.

And that they played 'Zero Fucks Given' and 'Shit Island' - a song which seems to be ever more apt for our times.

22/11/2019 The Spangles @ The Hope & Anchor

I've been trying to catch this lot for a while, but they don't often get down to London from Leeds and when they do it usually seems to clash with something else. There are only three people in the band, but they are all known on the scene from other outfits. When bassist Danny McCormack rejoined The Wildhearts the Main Grains were effectively over, but now part of that band has resurfaced with guitarist Ben Marsden and drummer Ginna forming The Spangles. I'm getting quite used to seeing Ben playing at this venue now as I've also seen him playing here a couple of times with the Warner E. Hodges Band - more about that in other posts on here...

Joining on vocals is Ginna's ex-Phluid bandmate Polly Phluid, who can also be seen singing with The Idol Dead. I didn't know he could play bass as well as sing but he's actually rather good at it.

The Spangles sound rather like you might expect them to if you were familiar with the members other current and past bands - it's punky rock 'n' roll and it's fun. They are all musicians who have 'paid their dues' over the years, and if you put the three of them together you get a pretty good band. I will definitely be looking out for them in the future.

16/11/2019 Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons @ The Dublin Castle

Back to one of London's best music venues to see Basingstoke's best band. Well probably anyway - I haven't actually seen every band in Basingstoke. Or any of them to be honest apart from this one, but I'd be very surprised if any of them are as good as Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons.

This band are a unique mixture of influences - from a singer mixing up Tank Girl with Catwoman, to a rockabilly guitarist who also likes Motörhead, and a drummer who puts disco beats into rock & roll songs. But put them all together and it works. Really well.

Oddly, they don't have a bass player - although they did the first few times I saw them. I don't know exactly what happened, but they have decided since that they can do without a bass player. They certainly seem to be managing OK without one.

Although there are some more modern influences this band are very firmly influenced by the classic rock & roll and rockabilly of the 1950's, albeit with a punk and very in your face attitude.

If you want to be highly entertained by some vintage sounding rock 'n' roll I can highly recommend catching Pussycat and The Dirty Johnsons if they head your way. And buy their albums - I picked up their latest one 'Ain't No Pussy' at the merch stall and wasn't disappointed.

30/10/2019 Michael Monroe Band & Electric Eel Shock @ Islington Academy

I didn't think I'd ever get to see tonight's opening act again as I thought they'd packed it in a few years ago - it's Japanese mentalist metallers Electric Eel Shock.

I am pleased to say these guys are still crazy! Their huge love of 1980's heavy metal seems a bit tongue-in-cheek - or is it? A bit like Anvil or The Darkness you are not sure if you should take them seriously or not but you can't help but be drawn in by their sheer enthusiasm and obvious love of what they are doing.

I saw this band a few times back in the day and they were always amazing! They are still enormous fun.

They look like they aren't taking it seriously, but they are actually very good musicians. Like Judas Priest or The Darkness they know what they are doing is ridiculous - but it is ridiculous fun. Sometimes it's good just to be entertained, and lets face it - a lot of heavy metal is rather silly isn't it? But it's fun - and who doesn't like fun? OK - some people don't, but that's their problem. Electric Eel shock are a celebration of all that's ridiculous and all that's fun in heavy metal. Deal with it. Or go to the bar and be miserable and moan to your mates about how some people don't take heavy metal seriously enough. The thing is, this band do take heavy metal seriously - but that doesn't mean you can't have fun while you are doing it!

However seriously (or not) you choose to take Electric Eel Shock they are enormously entertaining as long as you want to come along for the ride. I very much enjoyed seeing them again and was thoroughly entertained.

Now in the best Monty Python style "And now for something completely different".

It's only Dogs D'Amour innit? Well actually it's 'Tyla's Dogs D'Amour' - probably for legal reasons. It's actually Tyla and whoever he can rope in to play a set of classic Dogs songs. But through various lineup changes over the years and completely changing every member of the band more than once it's all those great songs that keep people coming back to see them. Tyla is maybe the last great rock 'n' roll poet and the sleazy debauched tales he tells in his songs draw you into his dark rock 'n' roll world. This is a band with a loyal following who will sing along to every song - and they really do have some great songs.

And so onto the headliners. Ex-Hanoi Rocks singer Michael Monroe has been doing this a long time now, and he's got pretty good at it. In fact he was pretty good at it back in the early 1980s with Hanoi Rocks, and then with his own solo career after Hanoi folded - and reformed years later. He's still sticking to the same formula now - but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Michael has a really great band, including his former Hanoi bandmate Sami Yaffa on bass, latter day New York Dolls guitarist Steve Conte, and Black Halos/Amen guitarist Rich Jones.

The setlist contains some Hanoi Rocks classics as well as a load of stuff from Michael's other bands like Demolition 23 as well as his solo stuff. Naturally his current band's latest album 'One Man Gang' is featured as well. This guy is still one of the best frontmen out there and puts a huge amount of energy into the show - including jumping off the stage and taking it out to the people singing while standing on the bar. See how far he is from the stage!

A top night of rock action from some 'blast from the past' acts who can still cut it today.

25/10/2019 The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing @ The Macbeth

Yes, the Scottish pub - it's a while since I've been and the place hasn't got any better. Quite the opposite in fact. Well I say 'pub', but what sort of pub sells no other beer other than Red Stripe. In tins. To call the place a dive would be an insult to divers. The place is maybe half full - unlike most shows by this band which normally sell out. However, they did also play at the Black Heart recently so... Unfortunately I couldn't get to that gig so here I am in Hipsterland. In spite of the trendy location beards are in short supply - apart from centre stage where Andy the singer manages to look far cooler than any hipster. Which isn't difficult to be honest

This gig see's this band playing in their spiritual East End heartland - appropriate as the have a song about ghosts - and how they don't actually exist.

Steampunk is alive and well - well at least it is in Hoxton tonight. The music is good and the songs are fun - even if most of the subject matter is pretty grim. And that's without even going into what the band's name actually means - something with a strong but grisly historical East End connection....

Musically, the band cross between extremely heavy death metal riffing and those lovable mockneys Chas & Dave - enhanced tonight by the band actually playing a Chas & Dave cover 'That's What I like'.

I think there is more comedy and banter in the set tonight than usual, but the band do have a professional comedian as their guitarist and a lot of the between songs banter is very funny! This is a highly entertaining band.

The band's original material is funny and inventive, but we also get another cover tonight - The Kinks 'Victoria' (also covered by The Fall) which is a terrific sing-a-long.

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing are a very English band, but like Chas & Dave and The Kinks they are also a very London band - with a strong sense of history (especially the Victorian era) - both good and bad.

I spend some beer money on a CD from the band's merch stall instead of at the bar on overpriced tinned lager. As the beer selection at this place is so utterly shite I decide to go without and slake my thirst at another pub on my way back to the station instead....

24/10/2019 Saint Agnes @ Dingwalls

It doesn't happen very often, but sometimes a band comes along who manage to build a strong underground following with virtually NO radio play or media attention - ignored by even the 'rock' press. One such band is Saint Agnes. No advertising budget or media hype, but all their London shows sell out in advance. This one was no exception. The modern day Dingwalls is much larger than in used to be the 1970's and '80's, but tonight it is full. The atmosphere is electric before the band take to the stage - a Saint Agnes gig is more than just a show - it's an event.

In the gloom a shadowy figure with a large round head appears on the stage in silence. The tension builds - there is menace in the air. The figure's 'head' is pulled off to reveal the head of the band's bass player - and then it all kicks off! There is a distinct air of darkness in the room, but this is no Goth band. Not exactly anyway - this feels like something far more creepy and dangerous. The band explode into life - or is it death? This is rock 'n' roll at it's most dark and primal - satanic even. But not in a Black Sabbath way. Yes, the music is heavy, but it's not heavy metal. There is a strong blues feel, but darker and heavier than Led Zeppelin at their bluesiest, although there is a definite Led Zep vibe. There is also a very dramatic and theatrical feel, but without being as obvious and 'showbiz' as Alice Cooper - there is something darker and more sinister afoot here.

They say the Devil has all the best tunes, and tonight the evidence is clear for all to see. Songs like 'The Witching Hour', 'Move Like A Ghost', and 'Diablo, Take Me Home' give you a pretty good idea where they are coming from.

Singer, and sometimes guitarist and keyboard player Kitty Arabella Austin is no shrinking violet femme  - more femme fatale. She'll take no shit, but she'll dish it out - and you really wouldn't want to be on her shit-list. Not for nothing do the band call their fans 'The Death Or Glory Gang', as well as using that as a song title. Much of the band's recent debut album 'Welcome To Silvertown' gets an airing, along with some newer stuff - this band don't believe in standing still. As well as being heavy the sound is also dirty - in fact downright filthy - you'll probably want to jump straight in the shower as soon as you get home.

If you get a chance to see Saint Agnes - take it. You will remember that night for a long time...

12/10/2019 Mikabomb + Lucy & The Rats @ The Finsbury

The Finsbury is a good venue - if you like waiting a long time at the bar to buy highly overpriced but very mediocre ale. Ale issues aside it is actually a good music venue though, and in a good location almost next door to Manor House tube station. I'm here on this occasion for Mikabomb, but first I see Lucy and the Rats.

I seem to have stumbled across this band a few times in support slots over the past couple of years or so. The lineup seems to change a bit and a couple 'the Rats' look familiar - think they are the guitarists from Johnny Throttle - a terrific rock 'n' roll band I have also seen at this venue. Lucy and the Rats are more of a punk or alt-rock band than pure rock 'n' roll, but they turn in a spirited performance.

Mikabomb shows are very rare these days - I think the last time I saw them was at The Garage around 2006, and I don't think they've played in London since then.

It's great to see the band back again, although the lineup has changed a lot since the band formed in 1999. One thing that hasn't changed is that Mikabomb are still great fun!

Mika Handa is the founder, driving force and sole original member of the band, having moved to London from Japan with the intention of starting a band.

Guitarist Mel Roxy is a more recent addition to the band and used to play bass with Girls On Top.

Mikabomb are still an entertaining live act with some catchy pop/punk songs and two albums under their belt.

Hopefully they won't leave it as long before their next gig...

4/10/2019 Bermondsey Joyriders, The Outbursts, Johnny Seven + The Filth @ The Dublin Castle

Punk night at one of Camden's best venues. Amazingly, I manage to get to the legendary Dublin Castle in time to see The Outbursts.

This lot are always good fun. Excellent musicians with some decent songs and a large dollop of humour thrown in - always entertaining!

The next two bands are new to me. First were The Filth - a Teeside punk band from 1978.

This lot are tight, tuneful, and punchy - definitely worth seeing.

Next is Johnny Seven - also from 1978, but from Middlesborough. A bit more aggressive and in your face but very good at what they do.

It's a while since I've seen the headliners the Bermondsey Joyriders. There seem to have been some changes since I saw them and frontman Gary Lammin is now the only original member.

Gary Pearce (also to be found playing guitar in The Vulz) has recently taken over bass duties, but the two guys at the front of the stage still look as well dressed as ever - the gangster theme of Flamboyant Thugs also being the title of their latest album. It's not just the image that's striking - the music grabs you by the wide lapels and gives you a good shaking too! Like the other bands on tonight's bill this is very much punk rock attitude, but given a different twist. The often strict punk rock rulebook is thrown away by this mob - you can't dress sharp if you are punks? Think again. You can't play slide guitar if you are in a punk band? Oh yes you can. The songs are good too, but the band seem to moving away from the earlier rough and ready roots of their first album and you aren't likely to hear old favourites like 'The Cafe Racer' or 'Who R Ya' these days. The second album 'Noise And Revolution' is better represented with songs like 'Rock Star', 'Proper English', and 'Rock N Roll Demon'. Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the songs on their latest album yet, but I hope that will change soon...

29/9/2019 Girls Wanna Rock @ The Amersham Arms

 A day of female fronted bands. Some people are now starting to get upset at bands being described as 'female fronted' or 'All girl' bands. The way I see it more people are likely to be interested in seeing bands thus described than are put off from attending - and more punters through the door to see these bands can only be a good thing - right? Girls can rock just as hard as boys and anybody who says otherwise is full of shit. As Lemmy once said to another musician who criticised a girl band: "Fuck off you cunt - they're better than you!". I think Lemmy would have approved of today's bill at the Amersham Arms. If you don't like girls playing rock music then you can fuck off too.

Unfortunately it takes ages to get to New Cross from the extreme northern edge of London so I didn't get there in time to see opening act the grunge duo Miss Kill. Fortunately I did catch the Roz Bruce Infusion.

A new name to me, but I did enjoy this melodic and well crafted hard rock - certainly a name to look out for in the future. Next up was something very different - Yur Mum.

Very in yur face with a ferocious bass sound and grungy vocals - this is about as raw as it gets. Loud and dripping in snotty punk attitude. There is another big shift of sound and style next with Finding Kate.

This is altogether more polished and refined music with roots in rock, but also a commercial pop sheen. Kate seems to have an interesting story to tell and a definite hint of star quality - I think we may well be hearing more from her...

Another big change of sound next with Beth Blade and The Beautiful Disasters.

This lot have been going for a good few years - pounding the circuit with their unapologetic throwback to the glory days of 1970's and 80's classic hard rock.

They ain't messing around! The songwriting is polished enough to make the songs sound like rock classics, but ones that you haven't actually heard before. This is a band who have spent enough years practising their craft to get bloody good at it, and tonight they are taking no prisoners.

This is definitely the heaviest and most professional act of the day so far. Top marks for stage presence, attitude, sound, and the whole band looking like they mean it - no one just making up the numbers in this band.

Beth Blade and The Beautiful Disasters are definitely a band I'd go and see again - although I've been aware of them for a while I'm surprised I've never seen them before.

Next up is Indya. This is an artist I have seen at least a couple of times before and she has confused me each time.

It's like she can't make up her mind whether she wants to be 'pop' or 'rock', but I can't fault her for the sheer energy she puts into her performance - it's verging on desperation. Best bit of the set? The fantastic all out metal guitar solo from the guy in the middle of the picture!

It's good to see the always great JoanOvArc back at the Amersham Arms. However, the band's lineup has changed slightly since last time they were here.

Samantha Walker has departed since becoming a mum and the very capable Keira Kenworthy has left Syteria to take over JoA bass duties, while Laura Ozholl now takes care of lead vocals as well as her previous role on rhythm guitar.

The sound of the band hasn't changed much, but it says a lot about how good Sam Walker is that it takes two people to replace her!

However, I am glad to report the latest lineup of JoanOvArc still really ROCKS!

Sam's sister Shelley still tears it up big time on lead guitar, and Ellie Daymond is a real powerhouse on the drums taking the place of the recently departed and much missed Debbie Wildish.

JoanOvArc remain very much a force to be reckoned with with a strong catalogue of original songs including long established live favourites like 'Live Rock n Roll', 'Seeds Of Summer', 'White Trash', and of course 'Girls Wanna Rock' as well as quality newer offerings from their 'Ride Of Your Life' album and their newer self titled album - not to mention the odd killer hard rock cover - I challenge any band to play a better more dynamic and energetic version of 'Free Bird'. Seriously.

There is new material from the latest lineup of JoanOvArc in the pipeline so it will be interesting to see if the new version of the band takes things in a different direction.

The most recent album from JoanOvArc seemed to be a bit of 'clearing the decks' as Sam left the band - with several songs from the band's earliest days that hadn't been heard live for many years being resurrected. It was interesting to hear polished and highly produced new recordings of some of these old songs which had previously been released by the band themselves on CD, but not on proper 'official' albums. Personally, I think the earlier recordings of the songs were actually better and more energetic than the new versions which have a bit too much commercial sheen for my liking. This makes them seem tamer and more bland than the songs deserve. But what do I know? JoanOvArc have always been a terrific live band, but that has never come close to being captured in the studio. What they need is a producer like Mike Clink to come along who really 'gets' the band and can let them be themselves like he did on that first Guns 'N' Roses album. It will be interesting to see where this band go next...