7/10/2023 Duncan Reid and the Big Heads - The Grand Finale @ The Lexington

A great night, but also a sad one. I have seen Duncan Reid and the Big Heads many times since I first saw them nearly ten years ago at Buffalo Bar in Highbury. There have been some lineup changes along the way, but Duncan has always had a really good band. And also some interesting guests popping up here and there - including ex-Hollywood Brats frontman Andrew Matheson. That band's song Sick On You was later covered by Duncan's old band The Boys on their first album and has been a mainstay of Duncan's set ever since he formed the Big Heads over ten years ago.

After many Big Heads tours in the UK, Europe, and as far away as South America, plus five studio and one live albums Duncan has decided it's finally time to retire from the music business. There are various reasons behind his decision - one of which was a surprising discovery he made about himself which changed the way he see's life. This is dealt with in some of the songs on the recently released, last, and probably best Big Heads album And It's Goodbye From Him. Duncan has taken the decision to bow out gracefully while he is still at the top of his game and still enjoying it rather than dragging things out for too long like some artists do. It's sad to see he is choosing to pack it in, but at least he is making the decision himself at a time of his own choosing - and I totally respect that.

There is quite an air of anticipation for tonight's sold out show at The Lexington. We know the band will be great, and we know the songs will be great too. Unlike my pictures.🙄 The venue was full and I just wanted to enjoy what I knew would be a special show and enjoy the moment instead of fannying about with my phone camera. 😕 Duncan and band hit the stage running and the energy level is high from the start. Mostly tonight we get the 'classic' later lineup of the band with Sophie Powers driving things along with her high power rhythm guitaring and Nick Hughes cranking out most the lead and solo stuff, plus Karen Jones pounding away on the drums, and of course Duncan on bass and lead vocals.

I was hoping Andrew Matheson might make an appearance, but Duncan told me later that he has been ill recently. Needless to say we still got a great version of 'Sick On You' though. As usual we also got Boys classics 'Soda Pressing' which this band always do a particularly great version of. And also from the Boys first album the brilliant 'First Time'. Both those songs have featured in probably every Big Heads show I have ever seen,  but Duncan has no shortage of great original songs of his own - as heard on all five Big Heads albums. He obviously learned a lot about catchy tuneful songwriting from his time in The Boys - not for nothing were they known as 'The Beatles of Punk'.

The current Big Heads lineup is supplemented mid set by the addition of Heidi Cotton on guitar as she contributed to the final album. The atmosphere in The Lexington is terrific and the setlist packed with really great songs. Although I have all the band's albums I actually much prefer hearing the songs live rather than on CD.  As always Duncan Reid and the Big Heads deliver a strong and energetic performance of well crafted pop/punk numbers - there really is nothing not to like - apart from a tinge of sadness at knowing this probably really is the 'last time'. No more albums, and no more live shows. I ask Duncan afterwards if this really is the end - or could there possibly be the odd live show in the future if he feels he is missing performing? He wouldn't be drawn - apart from to say something along the lines of 'never say never', but he said it was unlikely. He seemed happy though, and content to draw a line at this point - so don't hold your breath... And he really did go out while still at the top of his game.

So I headed home a little sad at the thought of never seeing another Duncan Reid and the Big Heads show, but I will always have great memories of the live shows, and I still have all the albums to listen to any time I want. 😀

I am cheered up slightly on the way hope by seeing some of these chaps scurrying about on the tube station platform - does the Victoria Line have more mice than other lines for some reason?

28/9/2023 Chinook Crew 'Chick' @ The RAF Club

This was an interesting day out. My destination was the RAF Club, but as I was early for the event I was going to I had a rewarding look around the vicinity first. Nearby on the edge of Green Park is the RAF Bomber Command Memorial.

The bronze sculpture by Philip Jackson is a remarkable piece of work in it's own right and the detail on the figures is amazing.

The sculpture really is superb and worth a visit in it's own right. The artist has done a fantastic job of capturing the spirit of typical WW II RAF bomber aircrew - this is a very emotive piece of work and it takes quite a while to take it all in.

The Bomber Command Memorial isn't the only thing in the area with a historic connection to WW II. Just around the corner from the RAF Club is the long disused Down Street tube station. This well hidden and little known relic was the Top Secret underground headquarters of Winston Churchill.

Well away from Whitehall and Downing Street part of this by then disused tube station was converted into a secret HQ for the Prime Minister - hidden deep underground and safe from German bombing. This station was featured in a fascinating episode of one of my favourite TV series Secrets of the London Underground.

So after spending a while exploring the area it's time to head for the RAF club for my main reason for being here.

The club itself is a fascinating place dripping with history

A talk at the club is being given by former RAF aircrew member Liz McConaghy to promote her book Chinook Crew 'Chick'.

I have to confess that I had already read the book - I borrowed it from my local library as soon as they got a copy - I think I was the first person to read it. And a very good read it was too - very open, down to earth, and honest. It's an inspiring story of how a girl managed to find her dream job by accident after seeing a photo of a "guy on a rope" hanging out of a helicopter, and thinking 'I want to do that'. And she did, but there was a heavy price to pay as she witnessed the horrors of war at close quarters. Eventually she had to leave her dream job due to injury and was also hit hard by PTSD - and a lot more besides resulting in a suicide attempt. The book isn't an easy read in places.

So, after returning the book to the library when the chance came to get my own copy of the book, and hear the lady who wrote it talk about her experiences at a free event I had to take it. So I took my seat, and presently a petite blond in a blue dress took to the stage. She told her story from her early years, to joining the RAF, and all that led to - which was a lot as she was (and remains) the longest serving female RAF Chinook helicopter crew member. It's quite a story, with many highs, and the lowest of lows. There was lot lot more to what she had to do as a Chinook crew member than just being a 'guy on a rope' - she also had to go through two wars and deal with helping get horrifically wounded combat casualties  and those who 'didn't make it' onto the chopper and off at the other end. And watch some of them breathe their last during the flight.  Not to mention using a machine gun 'in anger' to defend the helicopter and it's crew. Her talk was really interesting, and also quite emotional at times.

I was lucky enough to meet Liz after the talk and have a chat. Guess what? She was really nice! I introduced myself under my Twitter handle and she knew who I was straight away. 😊 And I am now the proud owner of a personally signed copy of her book.

I can highly recommend this book - it's involving, moving, inspiring, and shows how it's possible to hit rock bottom but still turn your life around and create a 'second life' and career for yourself. A deal has been signed and a second book will be appearing at some point. In the meantime Liz is giving talks internationally and on cruise ships as well as all round the UK - get to one of them if you can - I'm really glad I did.

Oh - and did I mention? There was free beer! Note: This probably doesn't happen at most Liz McConaghy talks! 😉

22/9/2023 Janus Stark + Glitter Kick @ The Hope & Anchor

I like going to the Hope & Anchor. For me it's quick and easy to get to with excellent transport links, and the venue is dripping with rock history - even though the room downstairs has changed beyond recognition over many years. And the ale prices are pretty reasonable for a music venue. Just the fact that they even have real ale as well the the usual generic fizzy pisswater puts it above nearly all music venues in London. 🍻 Then add the fact that they regularly put on bands that I actually want to see and the ticket price is pretty low for 3 or 4 bands - especially on these monthly Rockaway Beach club nights where I can be sure of bumping into a bunch of people I know. 😊 And tonight there are a couple of bands I know I will enjoy....

First up are Glitter Kick. This outfit have evolved from a band called Bexatron, but their singer decided she didn't want to do it anymore and left. This is effectively the same band with a different singer - enter Roxi. 

I had seen Roxi a few times before singing in a band called The Transmitters and she made quite an impression - the best of three or four different girls I had seen fronting that band. I said this was effectively Bexatron with a different singer - well Glitter Kick were when they initially formed - that was the case as they still had the late and much missed Belle Star on drums. He managed to record all his drum parts and produce the forthcoming Glitter Kick debut album before his untimely demise. And Adam the bass player has since left the band - so tonight after the band's debut at the Belle Fest tribute show at The Underworld we have a stand-in drummer and bass player. The bassist is former Transmitters guy Aaron who is very good - the coolest guy in any band is usually the bass player. 😎

This gig is virtually Glitter Kick's first proper show, but you'd never know it from their polished and professional performance. Their mixture of pop/rock/punk songs sound good too.

Glitter Kick have a bunch of catchy memorable songs with good hooks - I am looking forward to hearing what their debut album sounds like when it eventually emerges...

The next band have a few albums under their studded belts - probably the best known of which is Great Adventure Cigar.

Janus Stark have been around since the last century and have been through a few lineup changes over the years, but the one constant is their frontman Gizz Butt - who has also been seen playing guitar with The Prodigy when they they get out to play live. Although this band appear to wear a uniform on stage their sound is full-on punk rock, but with some dazzling lead guitar and solos. As long as they play their single 'Every Little Thing Counts' I'll be happy, and they do. Oddly they also include a Buzzcocks cover in their set tonight, but it is such a brilliant and well known piece of pop/punk perfection that they can get away with it.

16/9/2023 Black Spiders + The Hot Damn + Haxan + Muddibrooke @ The New Cross Inn

 It seems an expensive ticket for a pub gig, but it was worth it.

I couldn't get all the way to South London in time to see Flashhouse so the first band I saw was Lavire.

They played well enough and sounded OK although the singer was a bit screamy. She was a lively and passionate performer but none of the band's songs grabbed me.

The next act took things up a level or two. Having heard their song Devil on the radio a lot and really liked it I was looking forward to checking out Muddibrooke. They didn't disappoint.

As I would have expected from a band that have received much airplay on national radio Muddibrooke turned in a polished and highly professional performance. Sometimes you see a band and think they are far too good to be playing pub venues like this - nothing against the New Cross Inn which is actually a pretty good pub venue.

Their rock/grunge influenced songs songs were good, and very well played. They also sounded great! Although I wasn't familiar with most of their material they very much left me wanting more. Definitely a band that is going straight on my list of bands I want to see again.

Next were The Howling Tides. Competently performed pretty standard classic rock. In fact the most striking thing about them was their frontman's uncanny resemblance to Planet Rock Radio's Paul Anthony.

The band feature well played 1980's style rock, but I can't actually remember any of their songs. If you like that type of music they are certainly worth checking out though.

Things stay heavy for the next band - like their Welsh countrymen Budgie these girls can kick some serious arse in the heaviness stakes.

Haxan are quite a powerhouse  - in fact one of their previous drummers went on to join JoanOvArc for a while - and you've got to be pretty damn good to get that gig!

Haxan take no prisoners and give a hard rocking and full-on performance - if you like bands like Girlschool and Rock Goddess then you really need to check this lot out!

And girls continue to rock the house as The Hot Damn hit the stage! Less of a heavy metal band than the previous act, but no less rocking! This band may not have a 'rock' image, but the do very much have a rock pedigree as singer/guitarist Gill used to front Scottish outfit The Amorettes and drummer Josie was in Australian band Tequila Mockingbyrd. I was sad with the demise of both bands and had enjoyed seeing them live. Some members from each band united together to fulfill some existing gig commitments playing each others songs, and this ended up turning into a new band with new songs - this is the result!

 

I've been really looking forward to finally getting a chance to see this band  - and they certainly didn't disappoint! The Hot Damn! have written a bunch of excellent and catchy new songs. They sound quite poppy and commercial, but with a punky attitude. They are also great fun when you see them play live!

The band have a debut album on the way which I am really looking forward to, and I can't wait to see them play live again as well!

Things take a darker heavier turn next with the well named Empyre. If you like Prog rock with a distinctly heavy sound and maybe are a Queensryche fan then these guys could be right up your Strasse. Quite technical and polished there is plenty to digest here.

And on to the headliners. Black Spiders frontman Pete Spiby used to be in a punky band called Groop Dogdrill many years ago. They were great! Me and my mate Charlie were fans and used to go and see them. So we decided it would be a cool idea to each wear different Groop Dogdrill T-shirts to this gig. Guess what? No one even noticed! 🙄🤣

Black Spiders have been going quite a few years now. I've seen them at some large gigs like the Electric Ballroom and the (much missed) High Voltage Festival. They seemed to have split up for a while, but now have a new invigorated lineup.

Earlier on this bill The Howling Tides had a Planet Rock Radio DJ lookalike in their ranks. Black Spiders go one better and have an actual Planet Rock DJ in the band! Lunchtime presenter Wyatt Wendels has been playing drums in Black Spiders for several years now - he's quite a powerhouse behind the kit.

This band is very different to Pete's old band - the Doncaster destroyers Groop Dogdrill who dripped with an aggressive punk vibe. His current outfit are much more in the 'classic rock' vein.

Black Spiders have a few albums under their belt now, both from their early days and right up to now as the current lineup are still recording new albums.

The band have a decent back catalogue to call on these days so there is no shortage of material to fill a longish set.

'KISS Tried To Kill Me' is always a crowd pleaser!

It was a good and varied afternoon/evening's entertainment of quality ROCK music and certainly worth the money!

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!

2/9/2023 Tizane @ Electrics @ The Spice of Life

Tizane has been creating a bit of a buzz this year - busy playing lots of gigs and getting media coverage. So I have been intrigued, but actually I am mainly here for the support band...

Yes, it's them Leckies again - so here I am back in Soho. I like the Spice of Life - downstairs anyway. The ground floor is basically just a large room with a bar designed to separate tourists and young trendies from their money. So I head straight downstairs where after paying a very reasonable door charge a nicer bar area is to be found - and a stage. Being a McMullens pub the beers are surprisingly reasonably priced for the West End of London, although as usual in a McMullens house the ales are weak and not really to my taste. The music very much is though.

🗲Electrics🗲 can always be relied on to dish out some dirty rock 'n' roll that will get your feet moving. After their recent gig in Acton they are now back up to full strength with the return of Rob Jones on gritty driving rhythm guitar.

There is a distinct New York rock 'n' roll influence, and if you are a fan of Johnny Thunders you will probably like frontman Alan Blizzard's lead guitar style. 🠝

'Dance Captain' Jenny on bass will always get people moving as her enthusiastic playing makes you want to bounce around!

🗲Electrics🗲 are very much an old school rock & roll band in the 1970's style, but with all the bullshit stripped away....

...and a definite punk edge and attiude - they take no shit!

I've been try to catch a Tizane show for a while now, but other things always seemed to get in the way. Tonight though I get a chance to finally see them - on the same bill as one of my favourite bands on London's underground rock 'n' roll scene.

The band seem good musicians and play polished pop/rock. The guitarist looks like he is really shredding the shit out of his instrument, but, as is often the case the bassist is the coolest person on the stage! 🠟

The emphasis seems more on pop than rock and to be honest doesn't really keep my attention. Don't get me wrong - there is absolutely nothing wrong with this band, but I'm more of a rock 'n' roll guy and this simply doesn't float my boat.

My boat might not be floating off down the River Fleet, but don't be surprised to hear Tizane on your radio soon or see them pop up on your TV...