4/6/2018 Gabriella Jones & Stacie Collins @ The Water Rats

A nice easy gig to get to for me just a few minutes walk from Kings Cross Station. I haven't been to The Water Rats for a while and there has been a change of owners and management since my last visit, plus a complete refurb - and guess what? Yes, a big hike in the bar prices at was once a reasonably priced venue. Still, at least this venue's notoriously piss stinky toilets don't smell as foul as they used to. More tables and chairs have appeared in the back room near the stage - NOT good for when rock acts are performing like tonight. I arrive just in time to see Gabriella Jones.

This singer/songwriter from the Midlands doesn't mess about playing folky acoustic sets like your typical artist of that ilk. No, she goes out slinging a Les Paul guitar and a full rock band! She doesn't mess about. It's not a heavy metal or hard rock band, but this is no lightweight pop act - in spite of some of the "Future pop Queen" hype in her promotional material. There is a definite Led Zeppelin feel to some of her songs - with Planet Rock presenter Wyatt Wendels helping out on drums and apparently channelling his 'inner Bonham' adding fuel to the fire!

There are quieter moments to the set too as Gabriella puts down her guitar, and then you can see where the "Pop Queen" hype comes from - she certainly has the voice to be able to sing 'pop' and well as kicking out the jams on the rock stuff. In between the more poppy and the harder rock material Gabriella also throws in a cover of the Bobby Bland classic 'Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City' - later made famous by Whitesnake. Naturally, the set ends with the radio friendly crowd pleaser 'Take Me To The Party'. But it's not time to go home yet....

Stacie Collins is a new name to me. Country rock apparently, but the logo on her backdrop suggests far more rock than country - which is promising. And that's exactly what we get. She hits the stage in a ball of energy - this chick ain't messin' around! Fast, loud, and brimming with a sassy rock 'n' roll attitude - you can't ignore Stacie Collins! Not a million miles away from the cow/punk of Jason and The Scorchers this is high octane rock 'n' roll with a Country twist.

Stacie Collins is a real livewire as well as a harderned road warrior. She plays a mean blues harmonica too!

One minute she's on the stage, next minute she's singing from a table in the crowd, and a minute later she's at the back of the venue looking you right in the eye and singing right in your face! There is no escape - hiding at the back is no good! However, as the set goes on things slow down and quieten down. Things get a lot more 'Country'. It's Monday night and I've been up since six after only about 3 hours sleep. I'm sure the set will liven up again in due course, but it's starting to drag a bit now for me with several slow songs in a row. One or two I could take, but I have to be up again at six tomorrow morning and this is too much. I sneak out the door and head off home hoping Stacie doesn't spot me leaving and call me out! Fortunately she doesn't.  It was worth coming out on a Monday night, but without the energy level being maintained through close to 100% of the headliner's set my attention isn't being held enough to keep me in the venue any longer. Sorry Stacie - maybe another time....

Camden Rocks Festival 2018

Always one of the highlights of the year and I've been looking forward to it as usual, but to me although the 2018 bill has 250 bands it holds slightly less appeal. I always make a shortlist of bands I want to see beforehand, but my list is definitely shorter this year. There are always the inevitable time/venue clashes, but with less bands I'm interested in seeing this year than usual there are also less difficult choices to be made. Last year there were 32 bands I wanted to see - this year it was only 21. In the previous couple of years I only found time to catch 11 bands each year anyway.

Things don't get off to a great start. Last year I found virtually no queue for wristband exchange at the World's End pub - this year I arrived at around the same time to find the queue going right round the block! The first band I wanted to see was The Ramonas. I was still in the queue when they took to the stage at the Dublin Castle. They were still playing by the time I got to the venue, but even though starting at 12.00 they were the opening band the pub was already packed! It was difficult even getting in the front door of the pub, and it quickly became apparent that that getting into the back room to actually see the band was going to be impossible! I then considered heading to Dingwalls to catch The Gulps, but realised that wouldn't give me enough time to get back to the Dublin Castle to (hopefully) see Tequila Mockingbyrd.

After a walk down Parkway I went back up to the Dublin Castle to see how crowded it was looking? Getting into the pub was easier after the Ramonas finished their set - I heard they had played a set of all original songs instead of the expected Ramones covers - which is what I wanted from a Ramones 'tribute' act - so I wasn't so disappointed at missing them. If you are going to play a set of your own songs good luck to you - but use another name instead of playing under the Ramones flag as it's misleading....

Anyway, I finally managed to squeeze into the back room of the pub. Just. I'd been wanting to see this all girl power trio from Australia for a while as they struck me as a bit of a JoanOvArc from Down Under. Obviously a lot of other people had the same plan and I got jammed at the back with not much of a view. Tequila Mockingbyrd sounded great even from the back of the room and I certainly wasn't disappointed.

A good sound, some catchy songs and a lively performance - ending their set with 'I Smell Rock 'n Roll' makes me certainly want to go and see this band again - hopefully in a less crowded venue....

Next I'm off up Chalk Farm Road to The Monarch. I'll be spending quite a bit of time in this venue today. The first band I'm seeing in this pub today is The Kut - like the band I just saw at the Dublin Castle they are an all girl power trio, but a bit closer to home as they are London based. Whereas Tequila Mockingbyrd lean towards classic hard rock, these girls have more of a grunge/punk/riot grrrl attitude - although singer/guitarist Princess Maha can rip up a pretty mean and stylish hard rock guitar solo when she wants to!

This band have been working hard at building a following for several years now, and things are starting to pay off as they get a lot of people into this venue and have forthcoming album 'Valley Of Thorns' out soon as well. I've seen The Kut a few times now and they always give a spirited and energetic performance, with Maha in particular always really going for it!

Now I'm in this venue it makes sense to stay here to see a few bands without having to worry about timing clashes and rushing from one venue to another while missing parts of various band's sets. Next up in The Monarch are the infamous (once) Towers Of London.

This is a band who I saw many times back in the day, and they have certainly had their ups and downs since then. After reinventing themselves as more of an indie/pop band with a new lineup and a not very good second album they vanished for quite a while. Now, having reinvented themselves a second time they are back again, for what could be interpreted as a desperate last-chance re-boot - or sell out? They now have been signed by ex-Creation records boss Alan McGee for his new label, but all the danger and excitement seems to have vanished from this band and their new stuff sounds very bland MOR rock squarely aimed at the American market - very commercial indeed.

All the outrage and edge seems to have gone, along with most of their old fans. That said, there are still people here who have obviously come to see them, and there are a handful who know some of the old songs. The 'punk' attitude seems to have been binned in favour of a much more bland look and sound. Don't get me wrong, they aren't rubbish, and they can play - but they can't excite. Three members of the original band remain, and it's hard to recognise the now bearded Dirk Tourette who has also abandoned his trademark Les Paul guitar in favour of something rather bland looking. His brother Donny is still a decent frontman and makes more of an effort than the rest off the band to entertain. I think the days of chucking the mic-stand into the crowd are long gone though.

They do play a load of the old classic Towers crowd pleasers - which sound a lot better than the new stuff which isn't very memorable.  Now maybe they will vanish for another year or two? They seem to suddenly reappear every few years for one or two gigs then disappear again for years - they can't seem to keep any sort of momentum so I don't see how they can progress back from playing pub gigs.

I remain in The Monarch to see one of last year's Camden Rocks highlights - who I also saw in the same venue back then. There is now way I am going to miss The Amorettes! Another all girl power trio, but this time from Scotland, and seeming to share the same DNA as Tequila Mockingbyrd, Rock Goddess and JoanOvArc (who like this band both feature two sisters) this band are an amazing live act. They have come a long way in the two years since I first saw them at the Proud Gallery at Camden Rocks in 2015 and although good they seemed a bit like a female Airbourne. They have started to form their own identity now and when I saw them at the Pure Rawk Awards in 2016 and Camden Rocks the same year they were stunningly good! Last time The Amorettes played at The Monarch for Camden Rocks the doors were shut ten minutes before their stage time because the place was already full, so it's just as well I've already been in the venue for some time!

Once again the girls deliver a terrific performance. Loud, raw, and 'in your face' - this is how I like my rock music the best. This is as raw and dirty as early AC/DC and I love it! It might be raw but the playing is top notch - these girls could hold their own on any stage.

Older favourites like 'Hot And Heavy' and 'Let The Neighbours Call The Cops' are supplemented by new songs like 'Everything I learned - I learned From Rock And Roll' - a terrific number that name-checks many of my own musical heroes. No soppy ballads, no love songs (apart from to rock 'n' roll) it's just high energy ROCK all the way - once again The Amorettes are one of my highlights of the whole festival.

After staying in The Monarch to see three bands, I head a few doors up the road to Camden Assembly to stay there for another three bands in a row. Camden Assembly is the former Barfly, and it was also The Monarch before that. Confused? Try drinking two hipflasks of Drambuie - then you'll be fucking confused!

The former Barfly has had a major refurb as well as a change of name. The old paintwork has been stripped off the exterior walls to reveal old glazed tiles underneath - it looks great, and more like an old fashioned pub - from the outside anyway. Inside is very different, with lots of comfy seating downstairs and some very welcome transparency on beer prices - which as expected are overpriced so I don't partake.  After saying hello to Danny McCormack who is holding court downstairs and in good spirits I head upstairs to check out what's going on. A band new to me are just taking to the stage. There is a Japanese looking girl on guitar making an amazing racket! The band look and sound totally mental! They are Ryuketsu Blizzard.

I'm loving it, until the singer takes to the stage and starts screaming. I head back downstairs to socialise and mingle a bit. After taking some fresh air outside where I bump into Mr McCormack again doing the same thing - standing outside with a fag and a pint. I am feeling suitably mingled and head back in to ensure there is no repeat of last year's less than successful attempt to see Massive Wagons at another Camden Rocks venue...

I find that getting into the venue itself is no problem this time, but getting back into the room upstairs to actually see the band is a different matter! Some time before the band even start the room is full and once again the band have been booked into a venue far too small - and once again it's 'One-out-one-in'. I do get in eventually and Massive Wagons are bloody great, but it's too packed in there to even attempt to take any pictures. This is a band very much on the up with their classic rock influences but a modern twist and BIG tunes. One day I will go to one of this band's own shows and be able to enjoy them properly and see their whole set.....

Next it's that canny lad McCormack again, but now on the stage with The Main Grains. Fans of Danny's post-WiLDHEARTS band the Yo-Yo's are probably going to like this band too. They have the same punk 'n' roll vibe and a strong Ramones influence. They have some great tunes too.

As usual the Main Grains are great fun and the atmosphere is terrific! Lots of familiar faces from Yo-Yo's and Wildhearts gigs - and of course Danny is back in the Wildhearts now so things are really looking up for him. It inevitably brings back memories of seeing the Yo-Yo's in this same room when it was The Barfly, and also the previous 'Barfly' at The Falcon in Camden - what great days!

And after The Main Grains I stay in this venue to see a third band - they certainly did get some things right when deciding what bands were playing in what venues and when. Although there have bee the inevitable clashes it's been good to be able to stay at the same venue to see three bands in a row - twice! This time the third band is Ryan Hamilton and The Traitors.

This is the second time this year I have seen this band and The Main Grains together in the same venue - Surya in Pentonville Road last time. Again this is a great show! This outfit are an interesting mix. Well written songs with an entertaining and charismatic American frontman, plus a great band. Ryan himself is a great storyteller with a very relaxed and easy rapport with the audience. He is also very funny!

Some of the music has a distinct country feel to it, but there are also songs with a real rock 'n' roll edge - and they are all played by a band with genuine passion and enthusiasm. This is quality entertainment and Ryan seems sincerely grateful for the support shown by the fans that enables him to keep this band going - they have worked very hard to get this far. This is an act who put a big smile on your face and you walk out after the show feeling good. Things are looking up for this band: After (oddly) getting airplay on Kerrang! Radio and successful UK club tours they now have a record deal, as well as a change of name to Ryan Hamilton & the Harlequin Ghosts - still featuring the same band members. Look out for them on their autumn UK tour - playing at this same venue.

I have some time to kill after my Camden Assembly trifector and my fuel tanks are empty - it's time to head for Wetherspoons for a top-up. Well that was the plan anyway. So I arrive at the Ice Wharf for some reasonably priced ale (I won't pay normal Camden rip-off prices in the music venues) to find there is a queue to get in. After ten minutes or so I discover the want ID on the door. I'm not too worried as I am pretty obviously well over 18 years old - so they are bound to let me in?  Eventually arriving at the front of the queue I find they are demanding PHOTO ID. Of course I'm not carrying any ID at all - I never do unless I know in advance I'll need it. The only photo ID I possess is my driving licence - and I am absolutely not going to risk carrying that about on a boozy night out in town! Refused entry I sit at a nearby table to finish off the contents of my last hip flask. I randomly get into a conversation with a girl in a group who also comes from Barnet, but she seems a bit dodgy so I don't let on that I'm from there too. After a while one of the pub's security guys tell me I can't drink my own booze at their tables even though they are outside. We have a chat and actually he's pretty decent and tells me where I can sit nearby without being hassled. - some security guys are actually OK. He tells me that the ID thing at the pub is only after 7PM and it's because they often have trouble in the area. The reason for photo ID isn't age related - it's so that if it all kicks off in the pub, they already know (because they have recorded everyone's ID on entry) exactly who is in the pub - so (in theory) the culprits can be identified with CCTV. Of course, the troublemakers might have been in there before 7PM and not recorded but...

Anyway, having finished off the last of my Drambuie I head off to Dingwalls Canalside (under the famous club venue) to catch my final act of the festival.

I have been aware of and wanting to see Saint Agnes for some time - having heard their live shows are good but not really knowing anything about them.

Wow! I can see why they have been building a reputation as a hot live act! There is rather a country look to the guys in the band, but a strong Led Zeppelin influence to the sound and performance - plus a punk rock edge.

There is a real feeling of danger when this band are performing - it's a long time since I've seen anything so intense.

The band are fronted by Kitty - and you get the feeling that she might well be a very bad cat indeed
There is a strong air of tension throughout the band's set - there seems to be a whiff of evil in the air.

Saint Agnes may not the the most exciting band I've seen today (although it's been close) but they are the one who have brought the most of that element of danger that is sadly missing from so many rock bands of today - rock 'n' roll is meant to be dangerous, and here and now it is.

Saint Agnes give you the feeling that at any moment something really bad might happen - this band make it seem like Halloween has come early this year.

The band's set finishes with a long  and tense version of their spooky single 'The Witching Hour'. Saint Agnes give an extraordinary performance and it is a great way to end 2018 Camden Rocks Festival.

As usual Camden Rocks has been great, although personally I have enjoyed it less than previous years - Although there are more bands on than ever, I have found less that I actually want to see - although that means less time/venue clashes so I have been less frustrated missing bands I really wanted to see this year. I had to miss about eleven acts I would have liked to see. Last year I got to see 11 out of 32 bands I wanted to see, but this year it was only 8 out of 21 - so particularly as the ticket price has gone up again I have found it less value for money. Personally, I have little interest in seeing the big 'headline' acts - which is where I suspect most of the ticket money goes. Still, I've had a good day out and bumped into loads of friends as usual as well as seeing some great bands - so I expect I'll be back again next year....

6/5/2018 Britrock Must Be Destroyed!

What a great bill!

I'm not sure Dodgy could be described as 'Britrock' - they were always far more of an 'Indie' band as far as I was concerned, although I do have one of the singles in my CD collection. Unfortunately, the service on the Piccadilly line is particularly shit today with signalling problems and cancellations galore - resulting in my not only missing Dodgy, but Terrorvision as well!

I eventually arrive at the rather full looking venue in time to see The Wildhearts. Terrorvision were on great form by all accounts and have ensured things are 'Fired up & lairy' in preparation for the next act.

The WiLDHEARTS are hardly a band that even need anybody to warm up for them - when they hit the stage they are on fire straight away! Long time fans of the band are pleased that Danny McCormack is now back in the band - something that many people thought would never happen for a variety of reasons. Danny has had a few health problems over the last several years, which have unfortunately led to him having part of a leg amputated and spending time in a wheelchair. He is now managing to get back on his feet for at least some of the time, and makes a special effort to be standing up for the first song of the set - the anthemic crowd-pleaser 'I Wanna Go Where The People Go'. What a fantastic way to start the show!

I thought the Wildhearts were on excellent form, although some people did moan afterwards about the setlist not having the usual selection of rarely heard and obscure songs, B-sides, and the odd cover version. However, this show is part of a 'joint headline' tour with the three main bands receiving equal billing and a revolving 'headliner' for each gig - so the band's setlist had to be a 'Greatest hits' affair - and I have no doubt it contained the strongest selection of songs of the night - not that Terrorvision are lacking in hits and have had greater commercial success.

It goes without saying that the Wildhearts set is an absolute stormer! The songs include 'TV Tan', 'My Baby Is A Headfuck', 'Suckerpunch', 'Greetings From Shitsville', 'Caffeine Bomb', 'Vanilla Radio', 'Everlone', 'Sick Of Drugs', 'Weekend', 'Nita Nitro', 'Love U 'til I Don't' and the inevitable '29 x The Pain'. Sing-a-long classics every one of them! No other band on this bill has a list of songs as great as this, although Terrorvision come close.

Reef were certainly a very big band for a while back in the day and it's their turn to 'headline' on this night of the tour', but if you asked me to name their 'greatest hits' I could only think of two of them - I honestly can't remember more than a couple of their songs. However, they reformed not long ago and now have a brand new album out.

The band  has a new guitarist, in the form of Jesse Wood - son of Ronnie. The band also have a new look and sound - when I first heard the title track to their new album 'Revelation' I couldn't believe it was Reef - they sounded like AC/DC! I really liked this new song though. Apart from the new guitarist this is actually the original 'classic' Reef lineup, although you might struggle to believe that with Gandalf now apparently on bass!

New song 'Revelation' still means there are only three songs I actually recognise in the whole of Reef's set - the other two being 'Naked' and of course their huge hit 'Place Your Hands'. They are a good live band, but their lack of more than a few recognisable songs leaves them wanting as 'headliners' tonight - either the Wildhearts or Terrorvision both had far stronger setlists of great and instantly recognisable songs. The crowd thins out noticeably during Reef's set, and I'm sure this is only in small part due to people needing to catch last trains home - they just don't have the songs to keep people's attention compared to the previous two bands.

Reef do get some criticism later for playing a set of almost entirely new and unfamiliar material, although to be honest I couldn't tell if most of the band's set was actually from the new album or just older material that I wasn't familiar with. They struggled to keep my attention apart from those three songs I have already mentioned, and even 'Revelation' I thought sounded weak and disappointing compared to how it sounded on the radio recently.

Things did brighten up as bit when a couple of female backing singers appeared on stage - one of whom was the wonderful Lynne Jackaman of Saint Jude fame. However, even this got some fans moaning later as they accused the band of performing a 'Gospel' set of new material - which is absolute bollocks as it most definitely wasn't a Gospel set. I stayed to the end of Reef's set regardless, but if I'd have known how uninspiring I'd find the rest of their set apart from three songs I think I'd have headed to the pub earlier. Still, the Wildhearts made everything worthwhile - and things seem to be looking up for the band as they are on fine form at the moment and have quite a few festival appearances coming up this year plus a brand new album in the pipeline...

12/4/2018 Last Great Dreamers @ The Black Heart

Thursday night finds me back at the Black Heart.  Tonight's opening act is ex-UK Subs/Dogs D'Amour/ Crybabys/Vibrators (and many other bands) guitarist Darrell Bath. Tonight Darrell is playing a solo electric set.

Darrell has a rich back catalogue of songs to pick from, both from the bands he's been in and also his own solo material. His guitar playing is something special and he has a knack for making it look totally effortless - it just seems to 'happen' as if by magic and the notes tumble from his fingers. He has a very natural feel for this raw blues and rootsy type material. I look forward to seeing him play with his own band again this summer...

A very good turnout in Camden on a 'school night' - great to see so many people that still go out mid-week to support the underground rock 'n' roll scene. I was very late discovering Last Great Dreamers and I still don't understand how such a great band went under my radar first time round in the early 1990's. In 2014 they returned. It's still less than a year since I first saw them - this being the third time since then. After hearing them a few times on Dave Rengade's show on Hard Rock Hell Radio I finally caught them live at last year's Camden Rocks Festival and was amazed as how good they were! Tonight they have yet another stand-in bassist - the more eagle eyed amongst you who have been long-term readers of my blog might recognise one-time Nikki Sixx/DeeDee Ramone lookalike Burty from another band from a few years ago, but he's more recently been a member of Tigertailz.

Things have moved on a bit since last year and now they have a brand new album '13th Floor Renegades' out tomorrow - this is the album release show.. As with their earlier releases, there are some cracking songs on there - these guys really know how to write a catchy pop/rock song - and then deliver it amazingly well live! Tonight's set is a mixture of old and new, with such unknown classics as 'Oblivion Kids', 'White Light Black Heart', 'Dope School', and tonight 'Ashtray Eyes' sounds particularly good.

Once again Last Great Dreamers deliver a fine set of really well written catchy pop/rock songs with immense confidence and swagger. I hope I won't have to wait until next year to see them again...

1/4/2018 Gabriella Jones @ The Black Heart

I'm starting to ease myself back into gig-going after the motorcycle/car crashes of the last few months and associated injuries and lack of disposable income. Managing to avoid being an April Fool (in my eyes at least) I head down to Camden and a venue I haven't been to for quite a while now. I'm at The Black Heart in Camden to see Gabriella Jones.

This singer/songwriter from Birmingham is not your typical singer/songwriter - she plays electric guitar instead of acoustic and fronts a rock band. Her promotional  posters display the quote "Could this be a future pop queen in our midst?", but I think this is doing her an injustice. Sure, she has the looks and vocal ability to be a 'pop star' - but there is more depth to her than that.

At one point in the set Gabriella puts down her guitar for a song or two and just sings - I guess this is where the "future pop queen" thing comes from, but she's soon strapped her Les Paul back on and is rocking again. This singer/songwriter seems far more influenced by Led Zeppelin riffs than folky acoustic songs - a refreshing change! She and her band finish their set with her single that Planet Rock have given daytime airplay to - 'Take Me To The Party'. I'm sure she's not short of invites! ;-) Talking of Planet Rock - the sharper eyed amongst you might recognise the drummer in the band? It's an interesting and entertaining show and Gabriella is happy to chat to people and sign stuff afterwards.

Next up are Samarkind. This lot are pretty much an unreconstructed 1970's style hard rock band - but there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

They have a great sound and are excellent live performers - they look like they have spent years polishing their craft. Their singer has an excellent voice as well as being a very good frontman. The bass player looks like he really ought to be in Deep Purple, but is a good player and rivals the singer and lead guitarist for stage presence - unusual for a four stringer. This is definitely a band worth checking out if they head your way.

All in all a great value for money night out in Camden - under a tenner on the door to see two great bands.

23/3/2018 Ryan Hamilton & The Traitors + The Main Grains @ Surya

This is a really good bill at a surprisingly small venue - I guess it's the best (available on a suitable date) London venue they could find while booking this 'Young, Dumb, and full of Rum' tour. Not surprisingly, it's sold out in advance. I arrive to find this intimate downstairs venue already packed out. so as Main Grains frontman Danny McCormack is having to play the gig sitting down until he adjusts to his 'new' leg it's not worth bothering trying to get any pictures as I can hardly see him! The band turn out a good set of solid tuneful punk 'n roll though - not a million miles away from Danny's old band The Yo-Yo's. This band are good fun, and new single 'The Rain Is Over Now' is a definite progression form their earlier heavily Ramones/Yo-Yo's sounding materiel.

I've only seen Ryan Hamilton and the Traitors once before (supporting Ginger Wildheart) but was sufficiently entertained to want to see them again. Country rock isn't really my thing, but Ryan and Co. put a decidedly different twist on it and it's more 'rock' than 'country'. Ryan himself is a very open and engaging frontman who tells some interesting and funny stories about his earlier career between songs - he was signed to a major record company deal with a band while still quite young and naive - and got screwed over big time by the music business. He doesn't seem bitter about it though, and seems to regard it all as a time of valuable lessons learned. And he has some great stories - his Tom Petty one is particularly touching.

The set is more 'rock' than 'country', and with Rob Lane on bass it was always going to ROCK! The lead guitarist was pretty good too! There is more talking between songs than at a normal rock show, but it's cool on this occasion as Ryan has a very relaxed onstage persona that draws you in. He is also very funny - particularly when he takes some audience members to task for talking during his performance instead of paying attention to the show! It's a top evening's entertainment!

PS: This venue has since closed.

PPS: Ryan Hamilton and The Traitors are playing at Camden Rocks festival

 this year along with the Main Grains - I highly recommend you go!

It's been a long day so I don't hang about after the show as I've already had trouble with the trains getting to the gig. As I walk back from the station I notice what appears to be a lot of smoke rising into the air. As I get closer I see flames and a lot of flashing blue lights - the (now disused) pub round the corner is going up in flames! I count at least five fire engines in attendance.

This is a very sad sight to see as the estate now has no pub and it was a well known local landmark as well as a local amenity while it was still open. I can't help feeling this fire is very 'convenient' for the owners/developers. Not a very nice end to a good night out.

16/3/2018 Shush @ Nambucca

Well it's been a while....

 ...since a sausage roll? No - since I either saw Shush or went to Nambucca. I haven't seen Shush simply because for various 'real life' related reasons the band just haven't been doing anything. That might be changing... As for the venue itself - it's been largely off my radar since it reopened (again) in 2014. This is probably because the venue's current batch of promoters move in different circles to me, and also they simply haven't been putting bands on that I'm interested in seeing - the place seems to have largely abandoned rock/punk/rock 'n' roll and gone back to being a mainly indie hangout. Nothing wrong with that, but it's not my scene.

The venue itself has changed beyond all recognition: The new much larger stage area now repositioned right at the back of the venue is vastly improved and now much move like a proper dcdicated music venue.. The bar has been (no doubt at great expence) moved from one side of the room to the other - this seems really stupid and pointless - if it ain't broke, don't fix it.Real ale has gone and the prices have gone up massively, so I do my drinking at the Coronet (Wetherspoons) down the road instead.

It's great to see Shush back in action again after hardly playing at all for several years, and they are as good as ever - especially as the legendary ex-AntiProduct drummer Simon 'Gonk' is back in the band. This man is a real powerhouse and drives things along greatly. The band have plenty of excellent and catchy pop/punk songs, although I am slightly disappointed that their pissed-off anthem 'Fuck You!' is missing it's usual finger gestures on this occasion!

It's good to see some familiar friendly faces from the old AntiProduct days in the crowd to support ex-AntiProduct and current Shush members Milena (vox/guitar) and Gonk (drums) , and also nice to note that people will still come out to see Shush after a long break from the scene - lets hope the band's appearances will become a more regular affair from now on....

The following band are not doing anything to excite me, and discussion with Shush guitarist Andy and some other friends reveals that I'm not the only one feeling that - so a short walk down Holloway Road to Big Red is suggested. This turns out to be an excellent idea! Not only is the beer better and cheaper, but we discover there is also a band playing. It's free to get in so what's not to like?

Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the band (may have been Stonewire), but they were excellent! Going to Big Red turns out to be a very good move, and it's also much closer to the tube station for the journey home - just like the old days. Well I say 'old days' but it was less than ten years ago that I was at Big Red and the much missed Gaff Club just up the road all the time - great days!