30/10/2022 Spizzenergi, The Witchdoktors, & Healthy Junkies @ The Dublin Castle

 Another good bill at the Dublin Castle. First up are Camden regulars Healthy Junkies.

I have seen this outfit countless times now. There have been various lineups of the band over the years, but always featuring the core of Nina on vocals and Phil on guitar. They are always well worth seeing with their mixture of catchy punk/glam/grunge tunes played with passion and verve.

Next are the Witchdoktors. This is that rare beast these days - something I call a proper rock 'n' roll band. The music isn't just a style or genre - real rock 'n' roll is a spirit. and this lot have it in spades!

Sure, they can play - but real rock 'n' roll isn't about technical perfection, being in perfect time and tune - although you don't tend to ever notice these boys put a foot wrong. They play full-on old school rock & roll but with a punk edge - which is how I suspect many true rock & roll bands were in the 1950's even though 'punk' wasn't even a thing back then. Yes, they have some great tunes - but they also play them with fire & brimstone! Many bands who are excellent musicians technically can 'play' rock 'n' roll. Except they can't. Because they don't actually 'get it'. They can play all the right notes, but still be boring. They don't understand what rock & roll is actually about - attitude and rebellion. The Witchdoktors know exactly what it's about - and their cranked up high energy shows are all the better for it. Good rock 'n' roll makes people want to dance - and you will always find plenty of that going on at a Witchdoktors show.

And so to the headliners. Spizz himself is a well known character on the scene, with his carefully constructed persona and talent for self-promotion - often popping up at other band's gigs. But any scene needs it's characters, and Spizz makes an effort to be entertaining and draw you into his world.

Over many years Spizz has built up a loyal fanbase for his 'brand' - so Spizzenergi gigs tend to be well attended. He is good at self-promotion, but he works hard on stage too.

It also doesn't do any harm that in recent years he has put a really good rock 'n roll band together to back him up.

It's actually quite impressive that he has managed to keep his career going since 1979 based on just one song! Although to be fair 'Where's Captain Kirk?' is a very good song and quickly became a punk/new wave classic - a rightly deserved status that it retains to this day. Sadly it's the only Spizzenergi song that anybody apart from hardcore Spizz fans can name, and his live sets tend to have quite a few covers thrown in like Roxy Music's 'Virginia Plain'. That's not to say that Spizzenergi aren't worth catching live if you get the chance, because as I said - Spizz has a great band. And you will always get to hear that song about a Star Trek character - and who doesn't want that?

So, another good and entertaining bill at the Dublin Castle. And in spite of all the 'Live music is dead' naysayers there is a good crowd in the venue on a Sunday night out to have a good time and prove them wrong. In fact virtually all the gigs I have attended this year have been well attended, and some have sold out.

29/10/2022 The Damned (original lineup reunion) @ Hammersmith Odeon

This day has been a long time coming. In fact most people thought it would never happen - for a variety of reasons. It's been no secret that certain members of the early version of The Damned don't get on. Things were OK for the first few years of the band, but there was a major falling out which led to some members of the band leaving and not wanting to have anything to do with each other. So it seemed highly unlikely that the original lineup of the band would ever play together again... 

Then, a couple of years or so ago it was announced that the original members would reunite just for one or two shows - while the current version of the band is still a going concern touring and recording new albums. So is this a case of promoters eventually making them 'an offer they couldn't refuse'? That appears to have been the case with Guns 'N' Roses and The Black Crowes recently - big money talks.

So, shows were booked. A good bill was put together - including The Wildhearts. Ticket prices were very high for an old punk band at around £60 not including booking fees etc and many fans complained. Covid happened and everything was put on hold. Eventually lockdowns and the pandemic passed and live shows became a thing again. The Damned reunion shows were rescheduled. Ticket prices remained very high but it looked like everything was finally going ahead. Then, virtually at the last moment ticket prices were slashed via a 'secret' ticket site link - which of course upset all the people who had already paid full price for their tickets! Could it be that not that many tickets had actually been sold at full price? I couldn't really afford to go at the original price tickets, but when I found out I could see the original lineup (which I had never seen) of The Damned plus a strong support bill for around £30 I knew I had to go. Unfortunately The Wildhearts had apparently split up (again) 😞 since the original bill was announced, but the new bill was very strong and it looked like this would be my only chance to ever see the original Damned lineup, so I bit the bullet and bought a ticket.

I knew I had to get to the show early to see the opening band. I had first seen Smalltown Tigers at the Pump It Up Powerpop Weekender in July. I'd never heard of them before then, but these 3 girls from Italy made a big impression on me that day with their Ramones and Motörhead inspired punk rock! I get into the historic Hammersmith Odeon (I and many others still refuse to call this venue by any other name) just as Smalltown Tigers are starting their set.

The doors haven't been open long and the venue is still nearly empty, but there are a few other early-birds down at the front of this cavernous (when empty) room that holds 5000 people.

I'm sure most the people who made the effort to get to the show early are glad they did as Smalltown Tigers are very well received.

As the opening band on a multi-band bill the girls don't get given much time on stage, but in around 20 minutes they make quite a big impression in spite of their fast and energetic performance being delivered to mostly empty venue.

The girls don't hold back, and although their sound is largely swallowed up by this cavernously empty room they don't seem fazed at all by the size of the stage - it's quite a big step up from The Lexington where I saw them only a few months ago.

There are noticeably more people down at the front of the room by the time Smalltown Tigers finish their all too brief Ramones influenced set of original songs. This band are all about attitude and fun - they look like the are having the greatest time on stage tonight, and I know for sure they have won over many new fans who probably had no idea who they were before tonight. I am really looking forward to their return to the UK in 2023 - albeit on much smaller stages! Catch them at a small venue while you can...

Almost no one present will have known who tonight's opening act are, but by the time the second act takes to the stage there are a lot more people in the venue...

...and most of the old school punks will know exactly who this is. T.V.Smith is the former frontman with The Adverts. After that band split in 1979 he formed T.V. Smith's Explorers, and in more recent times has been plying his trade as a solo artist. His current band The Bored Teenagers are good players, but this is nothing like a punk band and his musicians might not have even been born when The Adverts were around. However, The amount of energy this guy pushes out as he bounds around the stage even in his mid sixties put many frontmen less than half his age to shame! And with a load of such great Adverts songs as 'Gary Gilmore's Eyes', The Great British Mistake', 'One Chord Wonders', 'Bored Teenagers', and 'No Time To Be 21' he can't go wrong!

Next up is an act I have seen many times over the years - and they've always been great! The Rezillos are more of a 1950's and sci-fi influenced rock & roll band than punk rockers, but sprung up at exactly the right time to ride the punk wave with their great tunes and energetic live performances.

In spite of only featuring 3 of the original 5 members of the band The Rezillos are still great fun! Like the previous act they launch straight into 'the hits' - and they go down a storm!

With songs as great as 'Can't Stand My Baby', 'Flying Saucer Attack', '(My Baby Does) Good Sculptures', and their biggest hit 'Top Of The Pops' they can't fail to entertain, and even in 2022 they perform with a high level of energy. There are even one or two 'new' songs thrown into their set - they released a long awaited 3rd album in 2015.

Finally, after an excellent support bill the headliners eventually take to the stage - singer Dave Vanian creeping onto the stage first in the darkness and stalking around in the shadows scoping out the crowd. I think he liked what he saw. We liked what we saw too  - getting all four original members of  The Damned into a room together at all had seemed impossible, but now here they are all on stage together to play all the songs from their historic first album! This is a pretty big deal for us old school punk fans. But what will happen?

This is actually the second of two shows at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon. Reports from the first night weren't too promising. According to some present the band weren't that great, and guitarist Brian James (who hasn't been in the best of health for a while) had to be helped onto the stage, and didn't seem to be able to quite play the full set before being helped off the stage. Apparently he is recovering from a recent operation. Apart from that the show went off reasonably well  and there were no fights or other dramas onstage.

Tonight things seem to go rather better. By the time the headliners take to the stage the venue is quite full - probably due to the later cheap tickets going on sale. The crowd ranges from teenagers coming to check out this legendary band for their first and only chance to see the original lineup, to original 1970's punks some of whom must now be in their 70's.

The band played the entire first album 'Damned Damned Damned' , although not in the same running order. We also got a large chunk of their second album the less well critically received 'Music For Pleasure'. Certainly no complaints there as these were the only albums the band recorded with the original lineup before splitting up.

Tonight's performance is actually pretty decent - although not without incident: A young stage invader manages to get onstage before being tackled and brought down by security. Dave seems to take pity on the guy and persuades security to leave him alone and let him enjoy his moment of fame. This seems to go down well with the crowd 

As expected the atmosphere in this historic venue is expectant and highly charged - people have been literally waiting for years to see this show!.

The sound mix is good and the band play well - probably better than last night. Between songs Captain Sensible reads out a less than complimentary newspaper review of last night's show which expresses surprise at a Damned gig being 'chaotic'! As if a Damned show is likely to be anything else implies the good Captain - it is punk rock after all, so what would anyone expect? All the early classics you would expect are rolled out; The entire first album, and around half the songs from the second are played - including 'Problem Child' and 'You Know' with it's sax solo - which went on a bit long for my liking...

Unlike last night, I doubt anyone went home disappointed. Considering this is the original and some would say 'classic' Damned lineup I don't think anyone could have asked for more from the setlist.

Opening the show with The Stooges '1970' (renamed 'I Feel Alright') most of the show is what you would expect from the early version of the band, with one or two added surprises like their (ill advised IMO) B-side cover of The Beatles 'Help. The Damned have obviously put some effort into rehearsing properly for these shows, although like the classic Status Quo 'Frantic Four' original lineup show I saw at this same venue several years ago two of the band's original members are still 'current' and up to speed - which was sadly not the case for the Quo as the two returning members seemed to have trouble keeping up. I'm glad to say that wasn't the case with The Damned and Rat in particular I thought played really well - which hasn't always been the case with some the the performances he has given outside of The Damned. In spite of his recent health issues Brian played well too. The Captain seemed as irrepressible and irreverent  as ever, and also quite happy to be back on bass duties - maybe because he knows it's not for long. Hearing him crank out the bass intro to' Neat Neat Neat' tonight was a great moment! And Mr Vanian seems to have aged surprisingly little while maintaining his characteristic neo-Gothic croon. I guess being a vampire helps...

In spite of seeming to struggle to get through the set last night Brian James seems to manage OK tonight. He doesn't really move around at all, but he plays fine and I don't hear him play a wrong note all night. It's a relief to see him play the entire set tonight and I think the crowd really appreciate seeing him back playing with the band he started back in 1976. He was probably the most technically accomplished guitarist from the early UK punk scene, although Captain Sensible showed himself to be no slouch on guitar when he switched from bass to 6 string duties after the band's second album.

Predictably the song that started it all 'New Rose' was saved for the encore and went down a storm! Interestingly this was followed by Bo Diddley's 'Pills' (as covered by the New York Dolls), and then a meaningful cover of the Rolling Stones 'The Last Time' - which of course had us all guessing if really "This could be the last time?" - which I think it very probably is for this lineup...

The good Captain decided to celebrate his return to four strings by smashing his bass to pieces on the stage at the end of the show. Naturally the crowd loved this!

And after this came a very special moment which I'm sure brought a tear to many an eye in the house. It's been well known to the band's fans that Captain Sensible and Rat Scabies fell out with each other many years ago and haven't worked together since - this being the main reason this reunion seemed never likely to ever happen. I guess eventually promoters made them an offer they just couldn't refuse - hence the very high ticket prices that so many fans complained about. But hatchets appear to have finally been buried and everyone seems to be getting along. Then, at the end of the show as the band are leaving the stage Rat and Captain walk to the front of the stage together and share a hug. Rat puts his head on Captain's chest and there is barely a dry eye in the house. This is probably the best and most meaningful moment of the entire night. Suddenly thousands of old punks in the room feel rather emotional. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a picture, but this moment was special - it really meant something.

Dave Vanian remarks as he leaves the stage "We hope you enjoyed the show and it was everything you wanted and hoped it would be". Thanks guys - it really was.

A memorable and rather special night.

PS: I'm very pleased to say that Smalltown Tigers are back in the UK playing some of their own shows in September 2023

28/10/2022 The Damn Truth @ The Black Heart

It's always interesting when you get to see a band who might be 'the next big thing' at a very small venue. Canada's The Damn Truth are one such band. Their song 'This Is Who We Are Now' grabbed my attention when I heard it on the radio. When I found out they were playing at Camden's tiny Black Heart I knew I had to take this chance to check them out. I was not wrong.

I am sometimes amused when a band makes a big deal out of 'selling out their London show' - this is exactly what happens tonight, but to be honest you don't have to be that big a band to sell out this 150 capacity venue. To be fair I think this is the band's first time in London so I can understand them being excited about it.

You certainly get the feeling this band should be in a much bigger venue than this. However, I did check out their current album (actually their third) and to be honest only 'This Is Who We Are Now' really grabbed my attention. As far as the band's live performance goes there is a bit of a hippy vibe going on and a strong 60's and 70's influence - there is for sure some Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith in there. Singer Lee-la Baum has a definite Janis Joplin feel, although with the rough edges smoothed off.

This is a very polished and professional looking outfit - you get a strong impression they have spent many years working to get to this stage, although actually they seem a comparatively young band. They have in fact been around for nine years.

There is a lot of stagecraft on display here and the band really seem to know exactly how to conduct themselves as bona-fide rock stars.

I don't know what size venues this band normally play in their home country, but I assume they are used to playing much bigger rooms than this. I sometimes wonder when I see established 'name' bands from abroad on their first UK tour what they think when after playing other shows around the country they arrive in London to play what they are expecting to be the biggest and highest profile gig of the tour - and find they are actually playing in a small pub venue? If The Damn Truth are fazed by this they certainly don't show it.

As far as their performance goes this band already seem ready to play much bigger venues than this, so it will be interesting to see what venue they play when they hit London on their next tour...

PS: In summer 2023 The Damn Truth play a slightly larger London venue on their following tour - Islington Academy 2. Then later in the year will be supporting Glen Hughes at London's Electric Ballroom - a much bigger venue they may well be headlining themselves in a year or so.

13/10/2022 Warner E Hodges Band & Ryan Hamilton @ The Water Rats

It's not long before I find myself back at The Water Rats. This is a show I've been looking forward to for months - two US artists I really like - playing a double headline UK tour. Interestingly both are 'Country Rock' artists, and are both sharing the same backing band for the whole tour. In these post-lockdown Brexit times this is probably a financial necessity for financial and logistical reasons. Ryan normally tours over here with his own UK based backing band, and Warner does the same with his own UK based band, but for this tour there are both being backed by the Warner E. Hodges Band - who are pretty shit hot!

This is a sold out show and the Water Rats is absolutely rammed. For reasons that escape me (writing this 8 months later) I struggled to get to the gig in time and although I arrived in time to hear my favourite Ryan Hamilton song 'Smarter' I was pretty much stuck at the back of the very full room - consequently taking pictures was virtually impossible.

However, I found this a very entertaining show as always from Ryan with his excellent songwriting, natural repartee and banter with the audience, great and interesting storytelling, and of course a great backing band!

After a shortish intermission three of the same musicians return to the stage - this time with Warner E Hodges. If the guitarist on the left looks familiar - it's Ben Marsden who also played on the recent tour with Grand Theft Audio as well as playing with The Spangles and previously the Main Grains.

This is a band that is always terrific! Tonight is no exception. This is Country Rock - with the emphasis very much on the ROCK. Although the setlist (actually there isn't a 'setlist' as Warner just makes it up as he goes along) is mostly original material from Warner's solo albums there are a handful of covers thrown in - not as 'crowd pleasers' but just because they are fun to play. Sadly no 'War Pigs' again in spite of it being requested from the crowd., but as now Warner's UK band has 2 recent albums to promote there is a lot to get in.

No laid back 'Americana' crap going on here in spite of the 'Country Rock' label - this is a high-power rock 'n' roll show! Popular UK resident and bassist Jason Knight is very much in his element as he has every opportunity to rock out at every show on the band's current tour!

There isn't much in the way of 'country' in the set, although much of Warner's own material leans in a more country rock direction - but much of his stuff is pretty rock 'n' roll. There is the more country style of John Denver's 'Country Roads' which is virtually always in the set, but this is a more distinctly rockin' version than other bands play! Much of tonight's material is loud and fast - some people might be surprised to find out that although Warner may look like a country musician, his favourite band is actually AC/DC! In fact among the few covers tonight two are them are AC/DC songs

And what a way to end the show!