2/11/2008 UK Subs & The Duel @ The Gaff

Subject	UK Subs & The Duel @ The Gaff
PostedDate	11/2/2008
	I'm at this very promising new venue for the second night running. A few weeks ago I'd never have thought I'd have seen punk legends UK Subs at a pub on the Holloway Road, but tonight The Gaff is packed! First on are The Duel. It's actually the second time I've seen them in this venue, but the first time was a couple of years ago when it was still the Old King's Head. There wasn't even a stage then and the bands had to play in a corner at the back of the pub. Since they last played here Dave Renegade has joined the band on rhythm guitar. Regular touring has made the band a tighter unit these days. UK Subs have had so many lineup changes over the years that only Charlie Harper can have any idea how many people have passed through the band! The current band is UK Subs in much the same way as Guns 'N' Roses is still 'Guns 'N' Roses' - only UK Subs aren't led by an unhinged egomaniac with a tentative grasp on reality. Unlike Mad Axl's outfit - this is a far better band musically than the original version. Good old Charlie seems to have lost a bit of weight since I last saw the Subs and he's looking better for it. It's amazing that he's still sticking to his guns and keeping going in his 60's - how many of us playing today honestly think we'll still be out there doing it at his age? I think a lot of us will be glad to just still be alive at that age - never mind still touring! Some young guns have been recruited to keep the band going - including ex-Sonic Boom Boys guitarist Jet. Needless to say, a load of the Subs 'classics' like 'Warhead' get trotted out, but I'm a little disappointed they don't play 'Tomorrow's Girls'. Like the mighty Motörhead, UK Subs just seem to be a band which goes on forever, although Lemmy's crew has has a stable lineup for many years now. Respect is due to these guys for keeping the spirit alive - long may they continue...

PS: This venue is now closed.