Dear Hot Damn! About last night... I was twatted by a unicorn! 🦄 True story.

R.I.P. Robin Guy

R.I.P. Robin Guy. This one hits hard, but not like how hard he hit his drums. Robin was an amazing drummer, and by far the best showman I have ever seen behind a drum kit. He was also a really lovely man - as anyone who ever met him would testify. Helpful and always friendly. Although I was never lucky enough to play with him myself, many of my friends did over the years, and Robin made every performance a special and memorable one. Among countless others Robin played with live or recorded with: Rachel Stamp, Bruce Dickenson (Iron Maiden singer), GMT, The Fiascos, AntiProduct, Sack Trick, Sham 69, All About Eve, Bay City Rollers, Conspirators, Adam Bomb, Tigertailz, Lilygun, Maleficent, Freewheeler, and Faith No More (on Top Of The Pops) - the list of artists Robin recorded sessions with, depped at gigs, or bands he was a full member of is endless...

I can't claim to have known Robin very well, but he always remembered me when we met even it we hadn't seen each other for years and his smile and greeting was always warm and genuine - not a showbiz 'sunshine smile' as often found in the music business.

I am shocked and deeply saddened this evening to hear of his passing. Robin will be greatly missed by a huge number of people in our scene - his family, friends, and countless musicians famous and less so, and of course his band mates who I know will be absolutely devastated. Robin will leave a massive hole behind, but also all the memories of the good times - of which there were many. Rest in peace my friend - our world of rock was a much better place for you being in it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kSiDXo-OLk

18/5/2024 Denizens + ? + Cato Street Conspiracy + Loudmouth @ Hope & Anchor

Saturday night and I'm back at the Hope & Anchor for the second time in two weeks. And why not as it's usually a very reasonable ticket price along with bar prices to match? Tonight's punk themed show kicks off with Northern oiks Loudmouth.

Just what it says on the tin, but decent musicians making a tight and punchy punk style racket. Well done lads.

Next up are Cato Street Conspiracy. I'm a bit confused - I think I may have mixed them up with a band I've seen in the past managed by an old friend of mine (hello Joe) called Caffeine Conspiracy who were a bit like The Wildhearts. This is not that band.

Good solid sound from these guys - heavy with a punk edge, but not a lot of stage presence.

Next (nearly) was the headliners. Denizens are definitely worthy of that title tonight. A bit more attitude than the previous band

More aggressive vocals, but without taking the easy but all too common route these days of resorting the screaming or shouting. I hate all that fashionable fake 'anger' and 'emotion' from so many modern rock vocalists, but this sounds more genuine and convincing.

Denizens do more than any of the other bands tonight to get your attention bring you into their world without resorting to unnecessary drama. They are worthy of your attention.

Oh yes, there was actually another band on just before the headliners. I didn't get any pictures of them as I was otherwise engaged. 😉

10/5/2024 Anoraks + Seizure Salad + Glitter Kick + No Feelings @ The Hope & Anchor

Another good value for money Friday night at the Hope & Anchor - only £7 advance or £10 on the door to see 4 bands. And still people moan about gig tickets being too expensive! They are obviously going to the wrong gigs. 🙄

The theme of tonight's show is 'Female Fronted Punk', but there is some 'artistic license' applied with the first band of the evening The Anoraks.

They are an old school East End punk band formed back in the last century - and they've never stopped since.

Bev the drummer takes lead vocals on some songs - sort of justifying the 'Female Fronted' title - even though she is at the back  of the stage, but mostly they are fronted by guitarist Gary Minall.

Although they are a punk band after all this time together they can play pretty well and are capable of holding their own on large stages with big name bands at events like the Rebellion Festival.

There have been a few lineup changes over the years, but over that 25+ years the band has evolved into a tight and punchy sounding unit.

With a really solid sound The Anoraks mean business and I don't envy any band that has to go on after them.

However, that doesn't seem to faze the weird and wacky Seizure Salad who have come all the way from Exeter to entertain us.

And we are indeed entertained by their punk and Riot Grrrl antics. They give a spirited performance and look like they are having a lot of fun!

All too soon Seizure Salad have finished their set and it's time for Glitter Kick 🤩

There have been changes since I last saw this band in February. A new and maybe permanent rhythm section has been installed to take over from those who been standing in after the tragic and unexpected loss of drummer Belle Star, and subsequent departure of Adam the bassist.

The core of the band is singer Roxi and guitarist Greg, but the new guys seem more than competent enough and fit in as if they have been there for a while.

Glitter Kick are polished and professional with a bunch of catchy and commercial pop/rock songs - with Roxi and Greg always holding your attention.

Roxi manages to look completely different for every show - apart from one thing - she loves her big boots!

Even if you have never seen Glitter Kick before and don't know any of their songs, you can still be sure of one thing - you won't be allowed to get bored!

Glitter Kick mix things up - pop, rock, glam, and a hint of punk. Pretty much something in there somewhere for anyone who likes guitar based music.

No Feelings name their band after a Sex Pistols song and try to pass themselves off as a 'punk' band, but are by far the least punk band on tonight's bill. Although they are supposedly the 'headline' band they are the least interesting or exciting band of the night.

Unlike the other bands tonight all playing their own original material No Feelings set seems to consist entirely of covers - albeit mostly punk classics. Although the singer does a decent enough job, the only punk thing about this band is the bass player - I'm guessing it's his band as apart from the singer the rest of the band seems to change every time I see them.

Although reasonably competent musicians, this is the sort of band you will find in countless local pubs in every town and city in the land every Saturday night. And I come down to Islington or Camden to get away from this sort of thing.

Still, four bands for around a tenner on a Friday night in one of London's cooler little venues is not to be sneezed at, and the price of a pint is much more reasonable than most music venues too - well worth jumping on the train to Highbury & Islington for!

3/5/2024 King Salami and the Cumberland Three @ Signature Brew Haggerston

It's nearly a year since I last saw King Salami and the Cumberland Three - and that's been far too long!

Last time I saw them was at the Hope & Anchor, but now they are playing at the larger Signature Brew in Haggerston - also quite easy to get to on the Overground train. When I last saw them they had a new guitarist replacing the excellent 'Captain Not Sensible'. The new guy then was still pretty good, but now he too has been replaced. Fortunately the newest bloke is also a pretty good rock 'n' roll player.

Not content with playing some of the best old school rock 'n' roll to be found, their singer also has the best headgear! I am pleased to report that the sausage boys are still a damn fine rock 'n' roll band, and as well as being fine musicians they are also highly entertaining! 'The King' himself is a great frontman with a good line in banter. The often sausage themed songs are also good fun and get people dancing. There is nothing not to like here.

The venue itself is also better than many, although the toilet facilities leave something to be desired... No real ales at the bar unfortunately even though the venue is owned by a brewery. 😕  However, there is a reasonable selection of beers at the bar of varying strengths - although they aren't cheap considering the brewery are cutting out the middleman. Still, it's not a bad place to go and see a band on a Friday night.

18/4/2024 Jeff Moh Memorial Show @ Mau Mau Bar/Bar Love

Photographer Jeff Moh was a well known figure on our scene - frequently seen at gigs, and always sporting his signature look of black aviator shades and bandanna. Nikon in hand he would be down at the front getting all the best shots - while still wearing his shades - always the coolest looking photographer in the room. In fact, often the coolest guy in the room full stop. Always friendly, he seemed to know everyone! London's rock 'n' roll scene was deeply saddened to hear of his passing in November last year - Jeff was a friend to many of the bands, and not just rock bands - he was the official photographer for Osibisa. 😎

Originally from Borneo he was well travelled, but known mostly for his time in Berlin and then London where he spent 40 years building a reputation as a photographer. But there was a lot more to this modest man than that and he was involved in more dangerous things in other countries, but maybe those stories will remain untold...

As Jeff was a well loved character, particularly in the Ladbroke Grove area it was decided to organise an event to pay tribute to him. And appropriately it took place at one of his regular haunts - Mau Mau Bar as it used to be called. Sadly this cool little Portobello Road dive has since closed. Now reopened as a trendy cocktail/wine bar in the same location called Bar Love. Next best thing I guess as it's still in the same place Jeff used regularly hang out. As a tribute to Jeff attendees tonight are invited to wear their own shades and bandanna - a nice touch. I oblige, but I can't carry it off as smoothly as Jeff did. 😎

It being a Thursday night I struggle to get all the way to Ladbroke Grove after work and sadly miss Roxi and Greg from Glitter Kick😍 perform a short set in tribute to their friend Jeff. The place is packed when I arrive! Fortunately I am in time to see 🗲Electrics🗲

This band are very at home in this intimate venue as like with Jeff Moh this is a regular haunt of theirs and they are used to playing here.

As usual 🗲Electrics🗲 give a lively and entertaining performance of punk tinged edgy rock 'n' roll.🎸

Although this is a very much West London band there is a strong New York and Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers vibe going down here - without resorting to copying or being a tribute band.

But the snotty punk attitude is very much in place, and the band only play their own original songs.

With song titles like 'No Shit' and 'Fuk U' and frontman Alan Blizzard often wearing a L.A.M.F. T-shirt you can tell where this band are coming from.

Punky attitude aside 🗲Electrics🗲 are basically a good rock 'n' roll band, and also a lot of fun!

The next band also have similar West London roots - in fact The Dirty Strangers and 🗲Electrics🗲 can often be found playing on the same bills - and both bands also have frontmen called Alan who go back many years as being great mates.

Another thing The Dirty Strangers and Electrics have is common is that they are both just basically rock 'n' roll bands. But that's fine, in fact it's all I need - because Mick, you say "It's only rock & roll but I like it" - but I don't like it - I fucking love it! And so do a lot of other people if all those dancing are anything to go by.

The thing about that used and abused term 'rock 'n' roll' is that it has been devalued by being applied to so many things and people that simple aren't. If you need a huge banner behind you saying "ROCK 'N' ROLL" to tell everyone that you are, then you almost certainly aren't. The Dirty Strangers don't need any banners. Like punk real rock 'n' roll is all about the spirit with which is played - and this band have it in spades! You only have to watch Alan Clayton fronting this band to see how much he totally loves what he is doing. This is the real thing.

And the rock 'n' roll isn't over yet as Taurus Trakker take to the stage. This is another band with close links to the Ladbroke Grove area. There seem to be a bit of a theme developing here: Portobello Road, rock 'n' roll, frontmen playing Telecasters, and Jeff Moh. 😎

This area of West London seems to be a bit of a rock 'n' roll outpost - after all - Lemmy used to live in Ladbroke Grove! 🂡 They might not be as loud or as fast as Motörhead, but Taurus Trakker are very much a rock 'n' roll band in the finest traditions and capture it's guitar based spirit well.🎸

I think the bands and crowd tonight did Jeff Moh proud - I think he would have been happy to see how much affection the local crew, and the London rock scene hold for him. The venue was packed, including many musicians - did I see an Only One or London Cowboy or two? He will be much missed by us all. Thanks for all the pictures Jeff.

13/4/2024 The Priscillas @ Walthamstow Trades Hall

Walthamstow Trades Hall may be a bit off the beaten track and not always easy to find if you haven't been there before, but it's actually one of East London's best venues for live music - and other events too. It's quite spacious inside, but not too big and barn like. Reasonable bar prices, and friendly staff who look like they are actually happy to be there too - it's the sort of place that makes you want to come back. Unlike London's many corporate venues - the vibe here is quite different. 😀

There is plenty of room to dance if that's your thing. And as the always entertaining Priscillas are playing here tonight then more people than usual will probably feel like dancing to their infectious rock 'n' roll beat.

But the Priscillas beat is actually slightly different tonight as the band's regular drummer is otherwise engaged, and the drum stool is occupied by former Molotovs drummer Ice Dob. This girl in no slouch behind the kit!

The band are a few miles East of their usual Holloway haunts, but appear just as at home here as anywhere else.

The dim lighting suits singer Jenny Drag's Catwoman style outfit tonight - lookout boys - she's got claws!

Taylor maintains the fact that the coolest person in most bands is actually the bass player.  Regular readers will know this is true. 😉

Although  it has to be said that the best named member of this band is guitarist Valkyrie. Which makes her sound like she should be in some sort of extreme metal band, but she's actually far more rock 'n' roll than that. 😎

The Priscillas are a lot of fun! They have a punky edge to them, while echoing the sounds of classic old school rock & roll and the sixties and seventies girl groups - probably not a million miles away from the same influences that shaped the sounds of the New York Dolls and Ramones. Which can only be a good thing!

If you go to a Priscillas show you are going to be entertained - whether you like it or not. And Walthamstow Trades Hall is a pretty good place to be entertained. There is nothing not to like here. 😃

The venue is in walking distance of the Victoria Line and the Night Tube, but as I wander about after the show I see there is a new Superloop bus service going right past the venue which means I don't even need to walk to the Victoria Line to get a train to get me home. And the new Superloop bus routes are much faster as they don't stop at every bus stop.

11/4/2024 Electrics + Dave Renegade acoustic @ The Good Mixer

Yes, Thursday night really is 'The New Friday Night'. Or something. Well it can be a cheap midweek night out - if you go to The Good Mixer in Camden Town anyway. Actually, the beers aren't cheap, and there is no real ale so I wouldn't normally set foot in there - but there is live music and it's free to get in. And sometimes they have bands or artists of interest to me. Like tonight. First up is Dave Renegade.

Dave is a seasoned London based musician who has played guitar and bass in various bands over the years, but is now striking out on his own as a singer/songwriter. Tonight he is previewing songs from his forthcoming second solo album Haunted Heart. As far as songwriting goes Dave is a master of melancholy, but if you want to hear something a bit more rocking from him then I recommend tuning it to his weekly 'Dark Heart of Camden' radio show on Wednesday nights at 21.00-00.00 GMT on Hard Rock Hell Radio - lots of old and new underground rock 'n' roll, classic punk and metal, as well as veering off into tangents that might involve country and acoustic singer/songwriter stuff. And maybe even one or two songs from his own recordings - or even played live on-air!

One of the bands that can often be heard on Dave's Hard Rock Hell radio show is Electrics.

This West London outfit always bring it, and tonight is no exception. These are people who are not interested in fashion and what type of music is currently trendy or 'in'.

 

Rock & roll music played by people who actually like rock & roll. ✅

Snotty attitude.✅

New York punk vibe.✅

Jagged dirty rock 'n' roll.✅

Basic raw stripped down sound.✅

No ballads or soppy love songs.✅

A song called 'Fuk U'.✅

A song called 'No Shit'.✅

Lyrics I can really relate to.✅

🗲Electrics🗲 are the real thing. They don't give a shit what the media music mafia think 'the kids' should be liking this year. The only thing they give a shit about is rock 'n' roll and music that makes you actually feel something - not what is 'in fashion' for five minutes and will sound incredibly dated in a few years.

This is music that actually means something - it's timeless. Like classics by the Rolling  Stones, Ramones, Beatles, and Sex Pistols it still won't sound dated in 20 or 30 years - unlike most of the current rock/metal which the music media insist we should like. They can fuck off - this will still sound good (and relevant) when I am eventually too old to go out to gigs. And unlike the upcoming generation I will still have my old CDs and vinyl to listen to. And if you want a CD of 🗲Electrics🗲 then if you can make it to a gig tap up Alan the 🗲Electrics🗲 frontman and he might be able to sort you out with a free CD. And if you can't make it to a gig then go to the band's Bandcamp site and you can download it for a price of your own choice - or even for free if you are skint.

Public transport turned to shit (again)  on the way home so I had to get the bus. 😱 It was rather depressing to go past the much loved Unicorn - a pub formerly known as The Brecknock with a significant live rock music history. Now closed for several years and probably going to be turned into shops or flats. 😟 This place holds a lot of memories for me - both as a punter and playing there myself in bands.

4/4/2024 Marc Valentine + The Speedways @ The Water Rats

Another good bill at The Water Rats this Thursday night. Yes, Thursday night seems to be becoming 'the new Friday Night'. And the serious live music fans are out in force - those lightweights who won't go out on a 'School night' are missing out big time! Yes, I know that not everyone can handle getting up early and going to work after a night out - especially if they have to travel far. But I have to get up and go work at 5AM most mornings and I can still manage it.

The Water Rats is certainly one of London's more intimate live music venues - I remember having to watch Therapy? from the TV screens in the front bar a few years ago as it was too crowded to get into the back room where the band were playing! Fortunately that isn't an issue tonight, although the turnout is still good for a couple of underground bands on a Thursday night. The venue has undergone an extensive refurb since those days, and the notoriously stinky downstairs toilets have been confined to history - although real ales are no longer served which is a backward step. 🙄 So I don't drink much at this venue these days.

Opening the bill tonight are the always excellent Speedways.

With their mixture of punk attitude, rock 'n' roll, and New Wave they always put on a lively performance.

But it's not just all about putting on an energetic show - The Speedways know that you also need some good tunes to back it up.

That box can also be ticked - there are tunes-a-plenty to be heard here. These boys know how to write a catchy hook-filled song. And they also know how to deliver it with a snappy live show

The Speedways originally formed just to play one show to open the Some Weird Sin Club's then new Pump It Up Powerpop Weekender festival, and they haven't looked back since! Not content with continuing to play live, they have also recorded many albums and EPs.

The Speedways are no 'warm-up' act and are certainly good enough to headline in their own right, but tonight that honour goes to Marc Valentine and his band.

With Last Great Dreamers now on indefinite hiatus Marc and Slyder from the band have busied themselves with their own solo projects - both rather good. Both have also played live and released albums, with Marc being the most prolific of the two. While Slyder has veered in a harder rock direction Marc has kept more to the original Last Great Dreamers pop/rock template, although with all new songs.

Marc has put an excellent new band together, although the bassist seems to have changed since I last saw them.

The music seems to have been labelled as 'Powerpop', although I wasn't really aware that was or is a genre? It's sort of reminiscent of the 1980's but with a hint of earlier Glam Rock, and very British sounding.

It's all very guitar based, but with a polished 'pop' sheen - catchy tunes and hooks abound.

Marc has natural and unique stage presence and charisma - he could be disguised in different clothes and with a mask over his face, but you'd still know from his moves and the shapes he throws that it's him. I guess that is star quality.

With quite a lot of solo gigs under his belt the past couple of years or so Marc Valentine has become a polished and accomplished performer, but maybe he always was? His songwriting is certainly similar in style to that heard in Last Great Dreamers - sort of catchy and bouncy without being too lightweight and throwaway - there is still a 'rock' edge to be found.

Once again a great night of quality rock musical entertainment in a small London music venue at a very reasonable door price. Most the gigs I go to these days are only 10-15 quid or so for several bands. Some people claim to be live music fans, but moan about paying to see bands and think it should always be free like in their local pub where the same bands play the same cover songs every week. But they will happily spend well over £20 on drinks alone in the pub - well over what I usually pay for a ticket to see several bands at venues like this, The Dublin Castle or Hope & Anchor. Beers might be more expensive in those venues than the local pub, but these days the difference isn't always that much And drinking is optional in music venues - if you don't buy a drink in a pub you might get thrown out for taking the piss, but if you've paid to get into a venue to see a band you can stay in a there all night and not drink anything at all. Or do what I do these days and drink less instead of throwing it down my throat like I used to. 

I have noticed a difference in recent times due to beer prices at gigs. A few years ago I would go to see a band at somewhere like The Garage in Highbury, and virtually everyone in the venue would have a drink in their hand. These days I go to the same venues to see similar bands, but most of the people in the crowd watching the band don't have a drink in their hands at all! Do the people who run these venues notice this? And do they wonder why that is?