Goodbye 2023...

 Well 2023 was certainly a year of ups & downs - mostly downs in the latter part...

I learned more about other people and how they can be a lot more complicated than they appear - and in the process I learned more about myself. Including that apparently (to quote a song written by Lemmy) "I ain't no nice guy after all" ♠

"My shine wore off as time wore on" Ain't that the truth... ♠

That episode in the summer triggered another of my periods of self doubt and lack of confidence. It left me feeling worthless and made me take a closer look at myself. Also left with with trust issues - can I ever believe anyone who says nice things to me - do they actually mean the things they say?

Another (unrelated) thing I learned: On top of OCD (which I think I have had most my life without even realising it) I have now also discovered 'Imposter Syndrome' is a thing - a thing I seem to have.

For 2024: Press 'Control/Alt/Delete' to restart...

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...

27/8/2023 Little Gransden Air and Motor show

This nice little airshow off the beaten track has become an enjoyable yearly ride out into the country now. A much more friendly informal atmosphere compared to the bigger more 'corporate' airshows. There is always an interesting mixture of aircraft - some that you are unlikely to see anywhere else.

Of particular interest is this beautiful Lockheed Electra Junior. Just restored to flight status this year it has a very interesting history dating from shortly before and into WW2.

In civilian guise this actual aircraft made some daring and highly secret covert reconnaissance flights over Germany and elsewhere - gaining information of vital importance just before the start of the war.

The P-51 Mustang is a type often seen at airshows in the UK but always a pleasure to see - especially up close like this. It's long range and high speed made it a game changer in the last half of WW2.

Like the P-51 another later product of the North American Aviation Co was this post-war T-28 trainer. Not seen so often at displays in the UK.

Although the T-28 looks and is much bigger and heavier than the Mustang it actually has a faster rate of climb than the P-51 due to it's massive and hugely powerful engine!

Another even more rarely seen post-war training aircraft is the Russian Yak-11. It's based on the very nimble WW2 fighter the Yak-3.

Like most other vintage Russian aircraft seen at air displays these days it has now had it's Russian red star markings overpainted with Ukrainian markings to show support for that now embattled country. Last time I saw this one it was looking rather bent with it's engine hanging off after a bit of a prang but now seems to be fixed.

Continuing the training aircraft theme is this Stearman from the USA - a pre-war design that saw extensive use teaching new pilots in the USA during WW2 - including many British and Commonwealth trainee pilots.

And continuing the pre-war theme is this Spartan. Two of these are regular performers at this show and have become favourites of mine.

It's a 1930's aircraft from the USA, and looks like an 'Art Deco' aeroplane - if such a thing is even possible? For a pre-war civil aircraft they have a surprising turn of speed.

Oh yes - it's a car (and motorcycle) show too, but I wasn't taking much notice as there was too much going on in the sky!

You can't get this close to live aircraft at most air displays!

A great day out in spite of the less than summery weather. But at least it didn't rain and it wasn't cold so that didn't ruin a nice ride home through the countryside.

26/8/2023 Electrics, London Sewage Company, Nosebleed & Blue Carpet Band @ The Aeronaut.

I don't go to Acton very often - in fact not really at all for many years apart from the London Transport Museum Acton Depot. It's not actually that far as-the-crow-flies, but it takes bloody ages on the Piccadilly Line! The Aeronaut pub looked interesting though, so I did a bit of research into it's name and the pub's theme - there is a genuine local aeronautical connection going back to the early days of aviation. The pub's theme is a tribute to locally born aviator George Lee Temple who was later to come to grief at nearby Hendon aerodrome - but that's another story...

George Lee Temple

I was already intrigued, and then I found out some bands that I'm interested in were going to be playing there - so I had to make the trip.

Also, 'SHAKE SOME ACTON'  - brilliant play on words for an event that is actually in Acton!

Although unfortunately the Flamin' Groovies aren't actually playing here.

Due to it taking so long to get from Cockfosters to Acton on the tube I completely missed the first band, but fortunately was in time to see 🗲Electrics🗲 who are always good fun!

"It's Electrics Jim - but not as we know them"

Tonight's show is different to the band's normal performances as for one night only they are playing as a power trio instead of their usual four piece lineup.

The reduced version of the band still  works well, but it's better with Rob Jones solid rhythm guitar driving things along.

It's good seeing 🗲Electics🗲 in this rather unique venue. The Aeronaut more often hosts 'Circus' themed events and is styled accordingly - more so than it's aviator theme, but the place is well suited for more rock 'n' roll events like tonight as well. And 🗲Electrics🗲 jagged New York tinged take on punky rock 'n' roll with snotty attitude fits in well here.

Next up is a more London take on punky rock 'n' roll.

London Sewage Company has risen from the ashes of punk Elvis tribute band Viva Las Vegas, and like that band is also fronted by Mark 'Barnet' Webster - ex-manager of Denmark Street's legendary 12 Bar Club.

If you liked Mark's previous band you'll probably like this one too as the musical style is very similar - but you probably won't hear any Elvis songs!

Next is a band new to me who take things up a gear or two. Nosebleed are all the way from Leeds - they are on a mission! They arrive on stage very smartly dressed in suits - this and their very tight punchy  rock & roll sound remind me strongly of The Hives. But their jackets don't stay on for long! In fact 2/3 of the band don't stay on stage very long either - these guys believe in taking the music out to the people - so, taking their mic stands with them they stride forward into the crowd and play most of their show from there...

There is punk influence in the band's attitude and intensity, but basically this is very tight but fiercely played rock 'n' roll.

The drummer is great too - this is very important and makes the difference between a good and a great band. Unfortunately the audio from my phone camera was shit and the band sounded much better than this - and as you can see the crowd were loving it!

If The Hives came from Leeds then they might have looked and sounded like this. They don't play in London very often but Nosebleed go straight away of my list of bands I really want to see again!

Finally tonight I get to see The Blue Carpet Band - who I have been wanting to see for some time as they have built up a terrific reputation on our scene as a great live rock 'n' roll band. Circumstances always seemed to conspire against me getting to their shows for one reason or another - until now.

I was not disappointed - this band were well worth the wait. A full-on rock 'n' roll band with a great frontman.

I can see why this band have quickly gained a great reputation as a great live act. Although they are a varied bunch who look like they are from different bands they are all good musicians - but it's the singer you are most going to remember - he looks like he eats, breathes and lives rock & roll. Although young he looks like an authentic throwback to the 1950's - like Danny McCormack in his time in the Yo-Yo's. And as well as totally looking and acting the part the energy and enthusiasm he hurls into his performance totally grabs the attention of the crowd!

Like the best frontmen the stage is too small to contain him! The Blue Carpet Band are fun and highly entertaining. Tonight they and Nosebleed are straight away added to the list of bands I can't wait to see again.

As for the venue, I found The Aeronaut an interesting place and far more suitable for live bands than most pubs. It's just a pity it takes so long to get there on the tube - and home again late at night. It's not a place I would ever choose to drink in if I lived locally though as it's quite expensive, and also sadly like many other music venues I walk up to the bar and find no real ales or any other kind of beer I actually want to drink - regardless of price. Sorry Aeronaut - I didn't find you a good drinking experience and you need to do better.

5/8/2023 Electric Gasmen @ The Butchers Arms

I don't normally write about cover bands as they tend to be much of a muchness - mostly playing the same songs - usually in a competent but plodding and lifeless manner. But pub regulars don't tend to be very demanding (especially after a few drinks) and this is all the live music they've ever seen - so they lap it up. However...

This is something a bit different as far as cover bands in local pubs go. This outfit of local musicians has been thrown together to back up East Ender Gary Lammin - ex of that fine rock 'n' roll band Bermondsey Joyriders, and before that legendary underground punks Cock Sparrer. Quite what he is doing in a Barnet pub in a Hi-Vis vest is anyone's guess, but he is no stranger to the area.

The set consists mainly of rock & roll classics.

Although Gary has a strong punk pedigree he is a very good rock & roll player with a love of 1950's classics as well as stuff from the 60's and 70's - the Rolling Stones being particular favourites.

As well as familiar rock classics from the past Gary is also liable to throw in one or two Bermondsey Joyriders songs as well to keep people on their toes.

Gary is assisted on vocals and guitar by local musician Paul Morea 

who also runs a jam/open mic night at this pub.

29/7/2023 BelleFest @ The Underworld

This is a difficult one. The late Belle Star was a much loved and respected figure on our underground rock scene in  London: Drummer, mixer, producer, and DJ - he was great at all these things. His sudden loss was totally unexpected and came as a shock to our scene. Some people just knew Belle as a DJ - particularly at the Glam club Decadence, but he wore many hats. I knew him best as a musician and saw him in a quite a few different bands over the years - mostly in Lilygun and Maleficent in more recent times, and last in Bexatron. The latter band evolved into Glitter Kick who were his current musical focus and he had recently finished recording their debut album. Sadly he died before playing his first show with this new band, but he had finished recording his drum tracks. As well as his renowned skills behind the drum kit he was also an excellent sound engineer with a very good ear for getting a good mix.

Belle was a charismatic and popular figure on London's underground Glam Rock scene - and also a very glamorous figure in his own right - if he was in a room everyone would notice! He was well known for his strength and having a very loud snare drum sound, but also as a very nice and kind man - I have never heard anyone say a bad word about him. He will be greatly missed by many and his family and friends have arranged this event at a tribute to him.

Opening the evening were the wonderful Glitter Kick. Formed from the ashes of Bexatron. who also featured Greg and Belle later to form Glitter Kick. They were a fun band who I only saw once at the New Cross Inn but wanted to see again. Sadly they split up before I managed to as singer Bex decided she didn't want to do it any more. So the remaining members got a new singer called Roxi who I had seen a few times in the past fronting a band called The Transmitters. They rebranded as Glitter Kick and seemed to be about to step up to the next level. An album was recorded - with Belle recording and mixing as well as playing the drums. Then, before the band could play their first gig tragedy struck. And now with tragic irony Glitter Kick play their first ever live show without and as a tribute to their much loved drummer.

There is an unknown dep drummer, and no one I speak to seems to know who the extra singer is or why he is there. He seems totally superfluous and totally upstages Roxi - who is more than capable of fronting a band on her own.

Glitter Kick turn in a good performance - in spite of their extra member distracting from what they are really about. 

They are an excellent live act with a good selection of catchy pop/rock tunes and also an entertaining and engaging singer.

I very much look forward to hearing the band's completed album featuring Belle on drums - which has apparently already been recorded...

Next up are another (of many) bands of which Belle has been a part of.

Dark. Heavy. Goth. This is Nosferatu.🦇

Next things take on a different but very London vibe.

Flash Mob consist mostly of members of the infamous King Lizard and feature many faces well known from London's trashy Sleaze Rock scene of the first ten years of this century. We got a few minutes of rock mayhem and chaos - exactly as expected!

 

After the previous carnage things calm down with Anna Christina along with David Ryder Prangley of Rachel Stamp performing a touching acoustic song specially written as a tribute to their friend Belle.

Things soon get louder again when Belle's former band Killing Miranda take to the stage.

Their fearsome Goth/Industrial Metal noise blasts out into the confines of The Underworld and the band appear to be taking no prisoners.

Next on the stage it's David Ryder Prangley & Friends.

Many of whom are familiar, and some less so.

And finally DRP returns to the stage again with the band he is most associated with - Rachel Stamp.

I can think of no finer act to pay tribute to Belle - even though he wasn't actually in this band...

...but this band's drummer Robin Guy and Belle were great friends who often helped each other out with gear issues and depped for each other at gigs.

Rachel Stamp are a flamboyant and gripping live act with some banging pop/rock tunes.

I think Belle would have been proud and happy to see this big sendoff from his many friends.

A fine finale and salute to the much loved Belle Star - he will be greatly missed.