17/6/2022 The Hip Priests & Dead Hombres @ The Hope & Anchor

Since lockdown ended I seem to be finding myself back at one venue more than any other - and here I am back again. Things seem to be getting a bit 'Groundhog Day' as I keep seeing the same bands here as well. And there is an added sense of deja vu with the first band of the evening. Only a few months ago I was looking forward to seeing Dead Hombres at this venue with their new singer, but she had to drop out at the last minute due to a car crash or something. Tonight I am once again looking forward to seeing Dead Hombres at this venue with their new singer - only to find out she has now left the band after only one or two gigs - due to mutual agreement as things apparently 'weren't working out', although all parties are still friends and parted on good terms.

So now we once again have Nigel 'reluctantly' returning to vocal duties - maybe for good?

The sound of the band seems to have changed slightly as well, with less of an authentic 1950's and a slightlier more punky distorted guitar sound instead. Don't worry - this is still a rock & roll band though!

Next we got Trash Culture. Punky, not shit musicians or anything, but I couldn't get into them.

At all.

Like the opening band tonight's headliners The Hip Priests are also very much a rock & roll band, but a much nastier proposition - quite deliberately so.

Dirty - filthy actually. Full of snotty attitude, and very pissed off with the state of our septic isle - or 'Shit Island' as they prefer to call it.

You wouldn't like to meet these guys down a dark alley - they would probably run you down with a motorcycle, steal all your cash and drugs, and leave you for dead. Or maybe just deaf. And that's just if they were in a good mood that night.

Punk attitude combined with the sound of the MC5 and Stooges mixed with Motörhead. If you don't like those bands and your music loud and fast then you'd better stay well away from these guys.

Just the fact that one of their songs is called 'Zero Fucks Given' speaks volumes. They don't come down from their native Nottingham that often, but when they do their shows are always well attended by their loyal followers. Join them if you dare...