9/2/2024 Healthy Junkies + No Feelings + The Phobics @ Hope & Anchor

A punky Friday night at Islington's famous Hope & Anchor venue. The Phobics hail from Deptford in South London and have been at this punk rock lark since the last century. They have got rather good at it.

And their singer Tom Crossley always has the best shoes! And having cool footwear sets you apart in this dirty business - a fact not lost on this band's frontman. Or that excellent rock 'n' roll band The Witchdoktors - who have actually written a song about Tom's shoes and the legendary and much missed 12 Bar Club.

Catchy tunes and social commentary abound in Phobics songs - they don't like gentrification or politics at all...

But The Phobics do love rock & roll and punk music - which they dish out with relish and genuine belief in what they are doing.

The same cannot be said of the next band. No Feelings are named after one of punk's best and most well known songs. But (apart from the bass player) that is the only 'punk' thing about them. Formed by said bass player from the ashes of the band Rock 'N' Roll Suicidez who were actually more punk. People were recruited to form what is really a fake punk band playing classic punk covers.

The band's guitarists seem to change for nearly every gig, and the overall vibe is not very convincing.

Much more convincing and in your face are the ever dependent  Healthy Junkies.

These stalwarts of the Camden scene have been going for quite a few years now. Various other members have come and gone over the years, but singer Nina and guitarist Phil have always fronted the band and remain it's core members. Not that the other other members don't throw themselves wholeheartedly into their performance because the certainly do and the rhythm section really power things along relentlessly!

Healthy Junkies have built up a considerable reputation as a formidable live act with their punk fueled and grunge influenced live shows. And as well as very energetic live performances they also have several albums under their belt with a catalogue of catchy pop/punk songs. As a result of all this they have built up an enthusiastic fanbase ensuring a strong turnout at all their gigs.

A Healthy Junkies show is always an exciting event with a crowd who are willing to enthusiastically throw themselves into it.