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.