9/9/2023 Smalltown Tigers + Voodoo Radio @ The Birds Nest

It's a few months since I've been South of the river, but now I'm back - watching other bands instead of being onstage myself. The Birds Nest in Deptford is one of the most 'punk rock' venues in London these days. The first band I see tonight are Girl Autism - 'The Untitled Band Project'.

Apparently the band change their name for every gig, and tonight for one night only they are 'Girl Autism'. Confused? Well I am. The band don't really seem to know who they are or who they want to be - either musically or as an identity. If they don't care enough - then why should we? They can play OK but don't seem to have any memorable songs. I guess it's punk rock and I assume they are enjoying themselves and are getting some sort of satisfaction from performing - even though they don't appear to be. Art for art's sake.? Some bands (mostly extreme Death Metal) seem to deliberately self -sabotage themselves by doing things like having indecipherable logos that are indistinguishable from all the other bands in their genre - so they are self-doomed to fail. And use that as an excuse, because they knew they would have failed anyway - because they are shit. I wouldn't say Girl Autism are shit, but I guess they really don't even want to 'give up their day jobs' or get even minor 'success' on the scene - because if you change your name for every gig you are never going to build up a following, and when promoters see no one comes to you gigs they won't be falling over themselves to book you again. I don't know why I have even wasted so many words on this - maybe I don't want anyone to read my blogs either....

Anyway, on to something that is actually fun.

I have been lucky enough to play on the same bill as Voodoo Radio (at this same venue) and already knew they are highly entertaining!

This is a rock & roll duo all the way from Cumbria. An unusual set-up of a vocalist/drummer who plays standing up, and a loud rock guitarist. They have a very lively dynamic and catchy tunes. The drumbeats sound rock & roll/rockabilly and make you want to dance while the guitar is hard rock with a punk edge.

Paige the singer has an engaging personality and plenty of Northern banter. If anyone is looking at the duo and noticing the apparent age difference... Paige says of her bandmate "No, he's not my boyfriend - he's my Dad!". And he actually is. And also the van driver.

Voodoo Radio are lively and very entertaining - catchy bouncy songs and a dash of humour thrown in. I highly recommend seeing them if you get a chance - they will put a smile on your face! 😄

I first discovered Smalltown Tigers at The Lexington last year and have been keen to see them again. These girls from Italy have raised their profile in the UK since then after bagging a support slot on the Damned original lineup reunion tour. I'm  sure they won a lot of new fans over with their performances on that tour, and now they are back in the UK with their own headline tour.

Smalltown Tigers are great fun! Original songs in a style influenced by the Ramones.

A bunch of good tunes played in a fast and furious punk rock manner - what's not to like?

It's easy to see why Smalltown Tigers were picked to support The Damned - 1970's style punk rock played with great enthusiasm!

This song wasn't on the setlist but shows the girls love of the Ramones. Originally by The Trashmen, but I first heard it on the boys from New York's brilliant 'Rocket To Russia' album.

Yet another great night out at South London's sleaziest most punk rock dive!