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...