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 made me take a closer look at myself. Another 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...

Pubs don't want to take my money!

It seems like an increasing number of pubs don't want my money. I went to the Good Mixer in Camden on Thursday night to see a band. No real ale available, or any other beer I particularly want to drink. I know at most dedicated live music venues and clubs this isn't unusual, but the Mixer is a pub that just has bands on sometimes. I guess they aren't that bothered about catering for my ale needs so I don't drink much in there.

On Friday I went to the Dublin Castle in Camden - a well known pub and music venue. There used to be three or four real ale pumps on the bar here - so at least I could usually get a pint of Trooper or similar, although the quality of the ales they served often wasn't good as the pub didn't seem to know how to look after them. Sadly the Dublin Castle has recently stripped out all the real ale pumps from it's bar, but at least I could still get a bottle of my old faithful standby - Newcastle Brown Ale. Now they even seem to have stopped serving that. I'd normally sink several pints in a night at the Dublin Castle, but on Friday I only bothered with one as there was really no beer in the pub that I really wanted to drink. They don't seem to be bothered about my custom so I don't bother to drink much these days when I'm there.

When I'm in Camden I like to drop into BrewDog before and after gigs. No real ales in there, but in spite of that they do always have a variety of tasty beers I actually want to drink. Not cheap, and the strongest beers aren't served in pints, but it's a handy port of call if I'm in a rush to get a couple of high strength liveners in before heading to a music venue where I might not drink at all due to the poor quality and high prices. I like to drop into BrewDog after gigs as well for a nice beer or two before jumping on the tube at nearby Camden Town station. However, although it's advertised as being open until midnight Thursday-Saturday it often seems to close earlier. More than once recently I've walked in there around 11.30 after a gig only to be refused service as the bar staff tell me they are closing. I have even gone there about 11.00 to find the place shut and all the lights out. Don't they want my money?

Last night I was planning to go to a gig in Greenwich - at a pub that apparently serves real ales. However, I found out too late that the band I wanted to see and I assumed were headlining were actually going on earlier than I expected. I realised that as it would probably take at least an hour and a half to get to the pub I was going to miss the band. So I'm showered and all dressed up with nowhere to go.

Disappointed but not wanting to put all that effort to waste on a hot summer night I decide on Plan B -  to take a late stroll down to my local. The Railway Bell seems an oddly run place at times. Tonight is one of them. This pub stays open until 1AM but rather bizarrely won't let anyone in after midnight - which means when I often get off the train at New Barnet virtually within sight of the pub around 11.58 I am denied admission by security to a pub which is still serving for another hour! This seems a strange policy as in the last hour of opening there are usually very few people in in the pub - in fact the number of security people present combined with the bar staff is around the same as the number of drinkers for the last hour so they can't be making any money. And yet they still won't let me in to contribute to the money taken at the bar. But last night shouldn't have been a problem as I rolled up around 11.00 - with two hours drinking time to go. When I tried to get in I found the doors were locked! The pub was obviously still open as I could see customers inside - although not many for a summer Saturday night. I point to my watch and try to have a conversation with a security guy through the window pane of the door which he won't open, but I can only hear him shouting that they are shut. At 11.00 on a Saturday night. Once again the Railway Bell doesn't seem to want my money.

Plan B has also fallen though. Disconsolately I turn round and start to walk home - all I wanted was a few beers in a pub on a hot Saturday night. There are actually three other pubs within a hundred yards, but one is a McMullens house and I don't like their ales, the other is expensive with ales that are average at best - plus I don't like it's 'sports bar' atmosphere, while the third is really expensive with ales that aren't as good as they used to be.

Then I realise High Barnet is only a short bus ride away and Ye Olde Mitre Inne is open until 1AM. I put Plan C into action and about ten minutes later I am in what is probably the best (and definitely the oldest) pub in Barnet and finally enjoying a pint of quality ale in a pub that actually want's my money.

26/5/2023 Los Coyote Men + The Phobics @ The Birds Nest

 

Yes, it's them Phobics again! They are liable to pop up at any gig in London, but especially on their home turf in Deptford. Actually, I'm not sure there is any turf in Deptford - but if there was then The Phobics would be on it. Instead they are on the stage in the intimate confines of the Birds Nest pub.

This band must have played this punk rock toilet venue countless times over the years - on occasion as the same night as me in another old punk band. But no one is interested in that - instead everyone want's to see Tom's famous white shoes! Since the Witchdoktors wrote a song about Tom Crossley's shoes and the much missed 12 Bar Club they are more often found in here.

The Phobics are chaotic fun as usual and now promoting their excellent new album 'Burnt Rubber' - featuring songs like 'Gentrification' - a subject which is even starting to affect places like Deptford. 😟

The Phobics are always worth seeing, but tonight I am particularly excited to finally have the chance to see a band I've wanted to see for many years but never thought I would as their shows are as rare as rocking horse shit. That band is Los Coyote Men.

I first became aware of this band quite a few years ago after hearing their song 'Any Port In A Storm' on the radio. It was filthy raw garage rock 'n' roll and straight away I knew I wanted to go and see this band. But where? And When? Those questions remained unanswered - until now. In the meantime I managed to track down the 2003 album the song came from - 'Los Coyote Men Vs The Illegal Movers'. It's presented as two different bands taking one side of the album each, but it's said that The Illegal Movers are actually Los Coyote Men. Anyway, it's a great album of dirty scuzzy garage rock 'n' roll dripping with punk attitude.

This band take being 'underground' to new depths, and as they don't even have a website it's difficult to find out what (if anything) they are up to. But here they are playing at a small pub venue in South London. Los Coyote Men explode onto the stage in a blitz of rock 'n' roll chaos! Wearing wrestling masks and ridiculously OTT gear they could hardly look more rock 'n roll - this is a band out to make an impression! And they do - the music is incendiary.💥 Their energy level is off the scale, and they are often off the stage too - even the drummer can't be contained behind his kit!

Rock 'n' roll doesn't get much more primal than this, and the band's costumes lend an air of mystery, not to mention menace and danger. I wasn't around in the early days of rock 'n roll, but I can imagine seeing a red hot band in a small club in the 1950's might have been something like this.

In spite of the 'show business' look of the band's attire, there is a primitive punk attitude underneath, and with the less than Politically Correct lyrics of the song 'Any Port In A Storm' you get the feeling that this band really don't give a fuck and will get right in your face!

This is pure rock 'n' roll in it's most distilled form, but although there is a punk edge the playing is sharp. These guys mean it man.

This is possibly the most full-on totally in-your-face rock 'n' roll show I have seen all year - I really hope I can see this band again some time.

7/5/2023 The Molotovs + The Priscillas in Kennington

A bit of an adventure in South London for me today - South of the river - what could possibly go wrong?!! I get off the tube at Kennington - I'm sure I've never been to this station before but it looks familiar. 😕 Then I notice the station building's unique dome - and realise that I have seen this Grade 2 Listed building featured in one of my favourite TV series: Secrets of the London Underground. Unfortunately I don't have time to admire the architecture of the tube network's oldest surviving building and have to head off to a nearby rather more recently built housing estate...

So why am I actually in South London on a Sunday afternoon? I am at a Coronation related event - not something I would normally head this far south for. Chas is getting a new hat and that's all very nice and everything, but I'm actually here to see a couple of bands: The Priscillas are always fun and it's worth the trip just to see them, but I've also been wanting to see The Molotovs for a while - so finding them both playing on the same bill at a free show is a result! The gig is actually just a stage set up at a street market event on a housing estate by the Brandon Tenants & Residents Association. It's an early summer's day and the weather is nice - what's not to like?

I guessed there might not be a bar so I bought my own booze just in case. I was right - no bar. Or toilets either. But there was a pub virtually next door - so I needn't have worried. The Canterbury Arms provided all the facilities I required - apart from real ale. It's a typical 'estate' pub - a dive probably loved by some of the locals, but absolutely nothing to make anyone other than locals ever set foot in the place. It's main (only) claim to fame seems to be it's (self proclaimed?) resemblance to the pub featured in the Shameless TV comedy series - which I have never actually seen. Still - any port in a storm... It seemed friendly enough though.

Each of the two bands playing are doing two sets, but by the time I have got my shit together and dragged my sorry arse down to South London I have missed the first sets by each band. This is the first time I have seen the Molotovs and they are excellent!

There is a strong Mod influence to this band's look and sound. The Jam must be a big influence although The Molotovs are playing their own songs.

There is a definite punk influence as well though, and the band are also reminicent of 1980's UK Power Pop and New Wave.

The Molotovs set is fast and very energetic - they are a good band to get the crowd moving and grooving!

This band sound really tight and well rehearsed. I think getting quite a lot of gigs under their belts must have really helped as well - they must have worked hard to get this good this early in their career. It's all paying off as they seem to have a wide appeal to the South London locals.

As far as the way they are dressed the band seem to have really got into the Coronation spirit - while still keeping a strong Mod look.

There is something in the Molotovs tight and punchy sound that grabs your attention and makes you listen while your feet are tapping - it's hard to keep still.

As well as dressing for the occasion the Molotovs also play the 'National Anthem' - or at least the punk version of it with a spirited rendition of the Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen', although they didn't take the opportunity to change the lyric to God Save The King to keep it more current.

I thought the Molotovs were great and will definitely be going to see them again. The next band I have seen many times over the years.

The Priscillas band lineup has changed on many occasions over the years, with singer Jenny Drag being the only constant member.

However, the only other constant thing about this band is that they are always fun! Today's show is no exception.

Punk is the Priscillas main influence, but there is also 1950's rock & roll - mixed in with 60's pop.

It's all entertaining stuff with a wide appeal - and the local kids are getting well into it as well.

The band bring their North London vibe into South London with songs about their home turf like 'All The Way From Holloway'. And also a more serious side with their latest single 'Angela' a warning of the dangers of predatory men in clubs and bars.

The Priscillas draw a weird and wonderful crowd from all parts of London with their broad appeal.

Among the throng I see quite a few familiar faces - some Phobics  (who I only saw last night) from South London not too far from their Deptford stamping grounds, and some musicians and DJs all the way from North London where the Priscillas hail from.

In between bands I find myself in the neighbouring pub. Well I needed to use their 'facilities', and having done that it's only good form to enjoy their hospitality and have a drink or two to show my appreciation and not take the piss by just having a piss in their pub. Do the right thing.

It's an enjoyable event overall with good music, a nice atmosphere and a friendly vibe - maybe South London isn't so bad? It turns out there is also an aftershow at a nearby hall. Well I have also finished off my own supply of booze I brought with me assuming there would be no bar - and there is a bar at the aftershow so it would be rude not to go.

The aftershow winds down and I remember I am quite a long way from home so it seems like a good time to make a move. I can remember how to get to Kennington tube from the event I was at earlier - but I'm not there - I'm somewhere else that isn't on the route back to the station. Well it can't be far - how difficult can it be? Actually, more difficult than expected... I have a smartphone, but they don't always give you the information you need when you actually need it. So I walk in what I think is the right direction. Actually, it is the right direction, but the streetlighting is shit and so is the badly repaired road surface so I trip and fall arse-over-tit. Nothing to do with booze of course. Well maybe a bit., but I wasn't that pissed. No really - I wasn't. 

Not much bloodletting, but I liked those jeans - they had served me well. Now I'll look like one of those fucking posers with deliberately ripped/cut jeans! I hate that shit - I like to keep things real. Soon after that I got on a bus to Brixton - all plain sailing from there. And I made friends with the mice at Highbury & Islington station

Anyway, I enjoyed my South London adventure! Same time next year?

6/5/2023 Johnny Throttle + Desperate Fun + The Phobics @ New River Studios

New River Studios is an interesting Arts Centre venue in North London walking distance from Manor House tube station. I've played there and it was one of the most 'punk rock' venues I've ever been to, but not in a bad way. There is a decent bar and kitchen too.

Three bands for only a fiver on a Saturday night - you can't go wrong really! Well worth it just for one good band really, but we get more than that. It's not often Deptford's finest The Phobics venture this far North of the river. The River Thames that is, but here they are north of the New River - Camden or Islington is about as far North as they normally venture, but here they are in a North London venue that suits them well.

There is quite a decent turnout for a gig with virtually no promotion at a venue which is unknown to most people, but there are quite a few familiar faces in attendance - many of them musicians from other bands in the underground scene. The Phobics are always good fun and tonight is no exception. Tom Crossley is an engaging frontman and like the rest of the band have been playing punk rock on the underground scene for many years in various bands before The Phobics. Although they are very much a (South) London band there is a noticable New York rock 'n' roll influence in their sound as well - if you like the Heartbreakers and Ramones you'll probably dig The Phobics too.

The next band is less enjoyable. For some reason deliberate or otherwise they are ear-splittingly LOUD, and the sound mix is consequently shit. As is often is when a band or sound engineer seems to think sheer volume is far more important than sound quality and it just becomes impossible to actually enjoy the actual music. As a result Desperate Fun come across as far more Desperate than actual Fun.

One or two songs is all I can take as it becomes physically painful and I need to escape to protect both my hearing and my sanity. I leave the room and head for the refuge of the bar - determined not to return until the band have finished. It's a shame as they seemed decent enough musicians.

Fortunately things improve greatly for the final band of the night. I've seen Johnny Throttle a few times over the years but thought they had split up as they seemed to have disappeared a while ago. They have a punk 'in-your-face' attitude but are actually a really great rock 'n' roll band!

This is how you play rock 'n' roll.

And this is what happens!

This was a really great end to the evening - I hope we haven't seen the last of this terrific rock 'n' roll band. Two out of three bands were well worth seeing, and it was an absolute bargain at only a fiver!

15/4/2023 Electrics @ The Spice Of Life

Saturday night finds me heading down to the Spice of Life for the second time this year - to see the same band. Low door tax, four bands, and real ale at a reasonable price in the downstairs bar where the bands play - what's not to like?

I missed Hoaxes who were first band on. Fortunately I was in time to see 🗲Electrics🗲 on next.

I am getting to quite like their brand of NYC influenced rock 'n' roll. Sax player Nat returns for this gig to add some flavour to the sound. Jenny is back on bass as well to liven things up!

Next up we have Taurus Trakker. I first saw this band a few years ago at The Rhythm Factory in Whitechapel - a venue since closed.

I was impressed by the band back then, but they seemed to have slipped off my radar until recently.

They are a pretty good stripped down no frills rock 'n' roll band who turn in a spirited performance. I hope to see them again soon...

Last band of the evening is the Boomsticks - a good name, but sadly I can't remember anything else about them as I write this over a year later.

The guitarist has a distinctive look and seems to give a performance that intends to get the audience involved...

...but I head back upstairs to the main bar and then off to the BrewDog within sight of the Spice of Life.

12/4/2023 Bad Nerves & Black Honey @ KOKO

A bit of an unexpected gig for me until a friend suggested it, but good company and a night in Camden was too good to miss so... Thursday night has been 'The new Friday Night' a few times recently, but tonight Wednesday night is the new 'Thursday Night'. All the 'Weekend Warriors' who never go out during the week miss out on so much good stuff. This was my first visit to this venue since the massive fire which seemed sure to be the end of it - I really thought there was no chance of it ever reopening, but like Camden's Hawley Arms it has also risen Phoenix like from the ashes. I must say they have done an amazing job of rebuilding it - you really wouldn't guess that the place had been gutted by fire several years ago.

We were actually there because of the support band as my friend really wanted to see them. Essex punkers Bad Nerves were very lively and surprisingly danceable - although I wasn't the one dancing as I'd only had one pint! Good tunes too - nothing not to like here.

I'd heard some stuff on the radio by headliners Black Honey and they seemed OK. They were definitely worth sticking around for.

Marketed as more of a 'rock' band than their commercial sounding pop/rock sound and image suggests, but they were polished and professional - maybe a little bit too slick but certainly worth checking out.

Decent tunes, and although they had mostly slipped under my rock radar they managed to fill a fair sized Camden venue like KOKO.

A good evening's entertainment, but the night wasn't over yet as after leaving the venue we bumped into another friend from London's underground rock scene and ended up in the Good Mixer until perilously close to the times of the last tube leaving town. That's the great thing about a night out in Camden - you never know who you are likely to bump into and where you might end up!

6/4/2023 Vive Le Rock Awards @ Shepherds Bush Empire

This is one of those nights when everyone seems to be here. Well nearly anyway - I bumped into loads of friends. 😀 There is a snag though - it's a Thursday night. 😒  This is all well and good for all the music industry pros living in London, but the 6 o'clock start time means those of us with a normal day job haven't a hope in Hell in getting there in time to see the first few acts. I know I have been banging on about Thursday Night being 'the new Friday Night' a few times recently, but on a normal Thursday I can usually make it to gigs in Camden or Islington and only miss the first band on the bill of 3 or 4. It takes longer for me to get to Shepherd's Bush so I miss some things I want to see like Millie Manders who I've been wanting to see for a while, and Kim and Jackie from Girlschool performing a tribute to their late friend the much missed Lemmy. 

Beki Bondage from UK punk legends Vice Squad is presenting the Vive Le Rock magazine award ceremony itself as well as fronting the Vive Le Rockers all star band. Unfortunately I miss all this and only arrive in time to catch London punk legends Cockney Rejects. I always found the whole violent thuggish football hooligan and 'Oi' thing very unappealing  - not my scene man - I'm just into music. So I never bought into that whole herd mentality football thing. Or the Street Punk scene either, even though I was once in a band who were described as 'Street Punk'. But the Cockney Rejects latest album Power Grab has been getting good press in Vive Le Rock and heads in a more hard/classic rock direction as the band pay tribute to their earlier influences. So I was interested in finally checking them out.

I have to be honest and say I was underwhelmed. The band didn't give the impression of being well rehearsed and seemed to be just going through the motions. No songs made any real impression on me - there was little if any stage presence, and their singer's shtick seeming to consist entirely of prancing around the stage as if he was sparring in a boxing ring. I know they have played at many large festivals, but the band looked like they would be more at home playing in a pub than on a large stage. I was looking forward to seeing them and hoping they could win me over, but there was nothing here in their short 3 song set that made me want to see them again.

Things took a big step upwards when Neville Staple and band took to the stage. This was far more lively than the previous act. Assisted by his wife Sugary Staple on backing vocal/dancing duties this was very much a celebration of the 2 Tone scene. Regular readers might be surprised to know that The Beat and The Selecter can be found in my record collection. Inexplicably, there is nothing in my collection by The Specials who I also liked back in those days. Needless to say, the songs of The Specials feature heavily in Neville Staple's set, and the songs of his former band are performed in a very lively and thoroughly enjoyable manner!

 

If anybody came to Shepherd's Bush tonight wanting to dance - this was the time to do it! There is something about Ska music that is very uplifting - it's just such happy music that makes you want to move and it never fails to lift my mood. The Maytals classic 'Monkey Man' is a song that always goes down well, as does 'Rudy A Message To You', and needless to say 'Gangsters' and The Specials classic 'Ghost Town' go down a storm before the closer 'Long Shot Kick De Bucket' originally by The Pioneers.

The final act of the evening is a bit special. This is a strictly one-off performance by punk/goth legends Lords of the New Church. Only two original members of the band feature tonght - ex-Damned guitarist and founder member Brian James and ex-Shan 69 bassist Dave Tregunna. Original Lords singer and previous Dead Boys vocalist Stiv Bators died in 1990 - so for one night only his place is being taken by ex-Hanoi Rocks frontman Michael Monroe. This is a very good choice! 

Brian James health seems to have improved since his recent temporary return to The Damned for their few original lineup reformation shows. Dave Tregunna has been busy playing in many bands since he was last in Lords of the New Church and seems to have remained match fit. Michael Monroe meantime has had a successful career with his solo band solo band who have done many albums and tours  since Hanoi Rocks split for the final time. He remains one of the best frontmen out there and as well as his full-on super glamorous rock star image he manages to maintain an incredible energy level for every show he performs - he is like a punk/glam rock version of Mick Jagger!

Sadly it was only a short seven song set, but that was all that time allowed on this busy evening. Even though there were only two original members of the band on stage this still felt like a historic performance - behind the drum kit was original Clash  drummer Terry Chimes. Opening with 'New Church' the irrepressible Mr Monroe burst onto the stage and let rip! The set also included the classic 'Russian Roulette', and 'Method To My Madness' (I still have that T-shirt bought when the old band played at the Electric Ballroom) before Brian James old Damned bandmate takes to the drums for a blast though the song that arguably started it all - 'New Rose'. There is time for one encore song - 'Pills', the song originally by Bo Diddley but probably better known to most in the crowd from being covered by the legendary New York Dolls.

1/4/2023 The Priscillas @ The Night Owl

Bullet Bar the much missed Finsbury Park venue has recently reopened as The Night Owl. This is good news for me as it's one of the most easy to get to venues by public transport - I can see it from the train as it pulls into Finsbury Park Station, and the tube stops there too.

I guess you would call this an 'intimate' venue, but that's just right for some bands. The bar is shite though - no real ales and a poor selection of beers if you don't like lager. 🙄 Prices aren't particularly expensive, but it's another place I would never choose to drink in. That applies to most music venues though - pub venues included. However, The Priscillas are a band who can tempt me into such a place.

It's a very local 'home' gig for the band and the place is packed! This and the Holloway Road/Islington area is very much the Priscillas stamping ground - a fact they celebrate in their song about the area 'All The Way To Holloway' - see the short video above.

Singer Jenny Drag is the sole original  member of the band. Many members have passed through the ranks over the years, but in more recent times the lineup seems to have become more stable.

One thing that can always be relied on is that a Priscillas gig will be fun! The band look good and have bright catchy sounding tunes to match.

Jenny always brings the party to the show - she will never allow you to get bored if the Priscillas are in the room!

One of the good things about small venues like this is the atmosphere that a good band can generate. The home crowd are well up for it and determined to enjoy themselves - with their catchy tuneful pop tunes with a rock 'n' roll sound and punk attutude the Priscillas don't disappoint them.

The band show another string to their bow when they play their recent single Angela - an ode to the problems females face from predatory men. This song shows more depth to the band, but in a way that draws your attention to this matter with a well written song.

Thanks to The Priscillas for another good fun night out, and at a venue that is easy for many London people to get home from - or head into town for more fun if you haven't had enough already!