Dear Reaper,

Might you consider taking some time off? Very recently you have taken Jeff Moh, Dave Myers, and Pat Begent from our scene. Enough already! Maybe you could take a break and go away for a couple of  weeks?

17/2/2024 Girlschool + Alcatrazz @ The Dome

I used to go to quite a few shows at this venue in (Nigel) Tufnell Park, but rock events here seem few and far between these days. Tonight is an exception, and as I usually only get a chance to see Girlschool around once a year in London if I'm lucky - I'm not going to miss this! The girls are doing a joint headline tour with Alcatrazz - who the band have already toured with in the past. In fact their guitarist Joe Stump guests on one song on Girlschool's latest album WTForty Five?

Although I know their name and that they have been around for a long time I'm not that familiar with Alcatrazz's materiel. I think there are two original members left in this band who formed in the USA in the early 1980's, and some big names in the rock world have passed though over the years, including original singer Graham Bonnet and guitarists Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai!

Currently Alcatrazz vocal duties are taken care of by journeyman singer Doogie White who does a fine job. Although I don't really know any of their songs the band come across as a very tight and polished unit.

Alcatrazz were certainly worth seeing, although I wouldn't go and see them on their own. But I certainly would go and see the joint headliners Girlschool on their own - and have done many times in the past. This lot have loads of great songs, and are always a lot of fun!

Some old bands still play well, but just seem to be 'going through the motions' for old times sake for an easy payday. This isn't one of them. Girlschool still give a spirited performance as they bash though the hits, and still genuinely look like they are having fun!

And they don't just play play all the old stuff - they also play songs from their more recent few albums 'Believe', 'Legacy', and 'Guilty as Sin' - all of which have some excellent songs on them. And of course their new album 'WTForty Five!' is featured too, with Joe Stump of Alcatrazz returning to the stage to guest with some sizzling guitar on 'Are You Ready?' The girls also pay tribute to their late great friend Lemmy on their new album with a cover of Motörhead's classic song 'Born To Raise Hell' - featuring Motörhead's Phil Campbell, Saxon's Biff Byford, and G'N'R's Duff McKagan.

But Girlschool (these days featuring ex-Rock Goddess bassist Tracey Lamb) always keep the fans happy by playing classics from their early days like 'Emergency', 'Nothing To Lose', 'Kick It Down', 'Hit And Run', and 'Take It All Away' etc - so everyone will be going home happy!

15/2/2024 Smalltown Tigers @ The Birds Nest

Heading south of the river to go to a dodgy old pub in Deptford, but I have a good reason. This pub originally called The Oxford Arms has a rich musical history, with bands like Dire Straights and Squeeze playing here in their early days.

These days it's called The Birds Nest and is a well known venue on London's punk rock scene. But the punk rock band I'm here to see tonight aren't from South London. In fact they aren't even from Great Britain.

I'm here for some punk rock fury - all the way from Italy! And it's provided by Smalltown Tigers.

I first discovered these girls a couple of years ago at the Pump It Up! Powerpop Weekender at The Lexington, and later that year they went on to support The Damned at their original lineup reunion shows - where they won over a lot of new fans. I saw them at the second London show and they were very well received.

This band aren't afraid to go back to smaller venues - this is the second time they have played at The Birds Nest since supporting The Damned.

But now there are a lot more people here to see them - hence my problems getting any decent pictures in a crowded small venue!

Smalltown Tigers seem to have hit on a winning formula with their Ramones influenced punk-pop style, but this is no cover or tribute act - they play their own original songs, and they play them with style and red blooded Italian passion - they mean it man.

The place is full even on a Thursday night and there are plenty of people dancing, while the band look like they are enjoying the night just as much as we are - proper punk rock chaos!

I see lots of posts on (anti)social media with people complaining about the price of gig tickets and paying three figure sums to see bands while being ripped off for £9 for a pint of weak pissy beer. 😮 Meanwhile there are a load of people you don't hear about going to gigs like this and having a great time! And tonight's show was FREE admission. I think you won't be able to go and see Smalltown Tigers and have as cheap a night out as this for much longer - so enjoy it while you can 'cos I expect this band to be playing in bigger (but still great value for money) venues next time they are in the UK.

9/2/2024 Healthy Junkies + No Feelings + The Phobics @ Hope & Anchor

A punky Friday night at Islington's famous Hope & Anchor venue. The Phobics hail from Deptford in South London and have been at this punk rock lark since the last century. They have got rather good at it.

And their singer Tom Crossley always has the best shoes! And having cool footwear sets you apart in this dirty business - a fact not lost on this band's frontman. Or that excellent rock 'n' roll band The Witchdoktors - who have actually written a song about Tom's shoes and the legendary and much missed 12 Bar Club.

Catchy tunes and social commentary abound in Phobics songs - they don't like gentrification or politics at all...

But The Phobics do love rock & roll and punk music - which they dish out with relish and genuine belief in what they are doing.

The same cannot be said of the next band. No Feelings are named after one of punk's best and most well known songs. But (apart from the bass player) that is the only 'punk' thing about them. Formed by said bass player from the ashes of the band Rock 'N' Roll Suicidez who were actually more punk. People were recruited to form what is really a fake punk band playing classic punk covers.

The band's guitarists seem to change for nearly every gig, and the overall vibe is not very convincing.

Much more convincing and in your face are the ever dependent  Healthy Junkies.

These stalwarts of the Camden scene have been going for quite a few years now. Various other members have come and gone over the years, but singer Nina and guitarist Phil have always fronted the band and remain it's core members. Not that the other other members don't throw themselves wholeheartedly into their performance because the certainly do and the rhythm section really power things along relentlessly!

Healthy Junkies have built up a considerable reputation as a formidable live act with their punk fueled and grunge influenced live shows. And as well as very energetic live performances they also have several albums under their belt with a catalogue of catchy pop/punk songs. As a result of all this they have built up an enthusiastic fanbase ensuring a strong turnout at all their gigs.

A Healthy Junkies show is always an exciting event with a crowd who are willing to enthusiastically throw themselves into it.

2/2/2024 Down With The Stereotype + We Know John + Electrics @ The Spice of Life

It's 'The Long Good Friday' apparently, so I'm back down to The Spice of Life - via BrewDog over the road first for one or two quality (and very strong) liveners first as the McMullens ale in The Spice of Life is pretty anemic even if reasonably priced. Unfortunately I miss the first band Catfight. I'm just here to see 🗲Electrics🗲 really, but anything else is a bonus.

It's only about five months since I last saw this band at this same venue, but there's nothing not to like (apart from McMullens watery ale) so here I am again. I'm not the only one who's made the effort - amongst others there is also ex-Hollywood Brats and London SS guitarist Brady checking the band out.

Jenny the bassist is the band's appointed 'Dance Captain' and moves about more than anyone else in the band.

However, as some of us know 😉 - it's the basslines that get people dancing! And there is no shortage of bass action at an 🗲Electrics🗲 show.😀

But there is a lot more going on on stage - frontman Alan is giving it some snotty attitude and punk edge as he peels off Johnny Thunders inspired rock 'n' roll guitar licks.

🗲Electrics🗲 spark off a dynamic reaction from the crowd.

Gritty edgy New York 1970's style rock 'n' roll is the order of the day, although this band actually hail from the dirty streets of West London.

The band's Dance Captain weaves her spell, and the audience responds!

But all to soon 🗲Electrics🗲 are waving us goodbye. Until next time...

And now for something completely different. This lot are the oddly named We Know John. Well we all know a few Johns don't we? And at least one of them probably has a new motor. I don't know if anyone in this band has recently purchased a new car but they certainly have brass in pocket. And brass on stage too.

And the band's frontman certainly seems to have a brassneck - or a trombone anyway. A brass section and pop/punk appear to be what this band is all about - they are certainly unlike any other band I have seen, and seem to be good musicians as well as having fun!

But I can't help being reminded of a certain Dire Straights song that mentions a crowd of young boys who don't give a damn about any trumpet playin' band - 'cos it ain't what they call rock and roll. And although they are good at what they do it's not really my sort of thing either.

Tonight's headliners take things in another direction completely. The Geddy Lee lookalike bassist suggests this is some sort of prog rock band, but although he is very good that isn't really the sort of music this band is playing.

In fact south London band Down With The Stereotype are more of an indie pop/rock band. They play well and obviously know what they are doing, but lack that edge or a certain something that will make you remember them. They are good enough to keep your attention while they are playing, but not exciting or interesting enough to make you (or me anyway) want to go and see them again.

Oh well, there was only one band I saw tonight who were actually playing what I call rock and and roll - although maybe Catfight did too if I had managed to get there early enough to see all four bands? Of the three bands I did manage to see only one had the 🗲spark🗲 to make me want to see them again.