29/3/2023 Freya Beer @ The Old Blue Last

Heading out East for a change. Trendy indie kids hangout The Old Blue Last in Shoreditch looks like a nice old fashioned proper boozer from the outside.

However, once inside you find that like the Spice of Life in Soho it's had it's guts ripped out and it's character too. 😞 In fact it's a bit of a dump. A trendy with indie kids dump, but still a dump. If you are of a certain age and still live in the 1990's Britpop/Indie past then this might be your sort of musical nostalgia as you walk in and find it's like a club night from those days. Everything might be painted black, but this is no rocker's haunt. Also, no real ales - so straight away no reason for me to want to return. 😬 But I'm not here for the beer - well actually I am. Sort of. I'm here for the music. This takes place upstairs...

The first act I see is an indie sounding band who's name escapes me. Nothing wrong with them if you like that kind of thing - and I sometimes do, but there is nothing here to make them stand out from all the other bands doing the same thing.

I have been aware of Freya Beer for a while. Punk legend John Robb kept mentioning her on his Twitter page, so I thought she must be worth checking out. After all the hype from Mr Robb and also on his Louder Than War website I was expecting this small Shoreditch venue to be packed, but actually it was quite the opposite with only a handful of people watching the headline act. I think there were actually more people watching the previous band who I'd never even heard of. Freya puts herself out there as being a bit of a Goth, and I thought if Membranes and Goldblade singer John Robb likes her she must have at least a bit of a punk edge too. However, things aren't always what they seem. 'Goth' is something that is very much open to individual interpretation, but if I had walked into the room 'cold' and not knowing what to expect it would never have occurred to me that this was 'Goth' in any way. 🦇 Freya isn't dressed in black, there is no 'Hammer Horror' look or vibe, and the music doesn't sound 'Goth' either. I guess I am missing the point, and her interpretation of 'Goth' is very different from mine.

Personally, I don't think Freya Beer looks or sounds the slightest bit Goth and nor does her band. This all seems very indie to me, albeit with a darker edge. The guitarist looks more like a refugee from a 1980's pop/rock band, and I suspect the bass player wants to be Mark King from Level 42. They are all good musicians, but this really isn't what I was expecting. To be honest I feel a little like I have been lured here under false pretenses.

Freya sings and plays well enough, but her songs don't really grab me. She looks good and has obviously put some effort into her image, but there isn't enough of a musical edge to really keep my attention.

The band play well and sound good, but it all seems rather lightweight compared to what I was somehow expecting. I stay for the full set from Freya Beer but leave feeling rather underwhelmed by the evening. It's good to get out and see different things and discover new music, but sometimes it just doesn't go as well as you hope. Oh well.

17/3/2023 Heavy Metal Kids + The Phobics + Vicious Love + The Chord Buddies @ The New Cross Inn

My first gig (as a punter 😉) back south of the river in a long time, but worth it. Opening the show are The Chord Buddies - all the way from Norway and playing their first ever UK show. Playing in London is a big deal for these guys - they are pretty excited about it and determined to have a good time!

The Chord Buddies play punk fueled raw rock 'n' roll like they absolutely mean it. Catchy tunes played totally from the heart. If you like basic punk 'n' roll then this band are well worth your time when they are next in the UK - and that might be sooner than you think...

Next up are Vicious Love. Decent musicians - like the previous band they have a punk attitude to their rock 'n' roll and turn in a lively and energetic performance.

Local South London punk heroes from just down the road in Deptford The Phobics are always fun!

Local legend and Phobics singer Tom Crossley is a mainstay and supporter of the London punk community. In fact he is so legendary on our scene that top rock 'n' roll band the Witchdoktors have written a song about Tom and his famous white shoes and the much missed 12 Bar Club.

The Phobics keep the punk 'n' roll flag flying and can be seen in South London and also even north of the river on a fairly regular basis - well worth a punt for a T-shirt or CD on their merch stand.

The Heavy Metal Kids like the Hollywood Brats are one one those 1970's British pre-punk bands that should have been big stars, but for a variety of reasons (some self inflicted) never quite made it. But they both had a big effect on what followed - especially in the emerging UK punk scene - many of those bands would cite them as an influence.

Today's Heavy Metal Kids may only contain two original members - in fact every member has been in and out of the band at least once. Drummer Keith Boyce has spent more time in the band than anyone else, with guitarist Cosmo close behind. The original singer was the legendary Gary Holton - later becoming well known as the cheeky Cockney chippie Wayne in 1980's British sitcom Auf Weidersehen Pet. In a later version of the band his place was taken by another actor John Altman AKA 'Nasty Nick' in UK soap Eastenders. The two were actually mates in real life, and ironically Auf Weidersehen Pet was filmed on the same (rebuilt) set at Borehamwood studios as Eastenders is to this day. With Altman as the singer the single 'Uncontrolable' was released. Another singer of note (no pun intended!) among various others to pass through the band is Phil Lewis previously of Girl and later to find fame with LA Guns. These days the frontman role is taken by Simon Gordon - who does a decent job by being himself and not trying to copy any of the previous occupants of the role.

The Heavy Metal Kids originated in the 1970's Glam Rock era, and although that genre had an inevitable influence on the band they were more of a straight up rock band. And definitely not a 'heavy metal' band in spite of their name - which was actually taken from a street gang in a novel by William S. Burroughs. If anything, original singer Gary Holton's image and rough & ready stage persona had quite a punk edge to it - before punk was even a thing. The whole 'from the streets' thing was particularly evident in old live favourite 'The Cops Are Coming' which got them banned by the BBC and like some of their other songs contained lyrics which were 'of their time' and you wouldn't get away with today... These days the 'Kids' are more of a straight ahead rock band. The early version(s) of the band only recorded 3 albums - now available in a box set which I highly recommend. These days the band play 'the hits' from their early albums as well as a few cuts from their mid to later period, but you can be sure you will hear early classics like 'She's No Angel' and 'Delirious'.

One thing that struck me that doesn't happen very often: Just sometimes, you will go and see a band who you aren't very familiar with and know very little of their material - and you will watch them and listen to them play. And you will think 'This is a really good band!'. Not just good musicians - there are loads of bands out there who are great musicians - but that doesn't make them great bands. This is a really good band. A really really good one. They just seem to gel and blend together so perfectly and tightly that without playing particularly hard, or loud, or fast they really hit you and make you feel something. Even if you don't know the songs you can still really enjoy it - and even dance!

23/2/2023 Electrics @ The Good Mixer

 Thursday night is the new 'Friday Night' - Part 3.

The problem with Thursday nights is it's a struggle after a full day at work to get home, grab something to eat, shit/shave/shower and then travel to gigs in town early enough to catch the first band on the bill. 

Consequently tonight I arrive in Camden just as Feed The Wolf are finishing their set - so I can't really tell you anything about them. 😐

Fortunately I am in plenty of time to see ⚡Electrics⚡. However, tonight it's 'Electrics, but not as we know them Jim'  as for reasons unknown bassist Jenny couldn't make the gig and instead we have Dale on bass. He's a good bass player, but not as easy on the eye as Jenny. 😉

But this is a town with more than one Lane in it and tonight instead of Jenny Lane we have Nat Lane - on sax instead of bass. That's two personnel changes from last time I saw the band so the lineup appears to be fairly fluid depending on which musicians are available.

So the band sound as well as look a little different tonight - it's all good though and frontman Al is still cranking out the dirty riffs and cheeky sarcastic charm.

There is a certain punk 'don't give a fuck' attitude here. This is what you need to play rock 'n' roll - I see a lot of bands who can play rock & roll songs, but still can't play rock 'n' roll. It's not about playing the right notes - it's about playing with the right spirit - and not many bands can. Or can even understand that.

And a definite stage presence. Some people look like they belong on a stage, while others who can play really well look like they still belong playing in their bedroom. This lot have earned their place on the stage and are deserving of your attention.

And they play "Dirty jagged rock 'n' roll". ©

11/2/2023 Girlschool @ The Underworld

Daffodils in early Febuary WTF? Actually they have been out for weeks...🙈😟

Stopped for a livener or two at BrewDog before the show. I like the transparency shown in the big information board. It's an expensive bar (but where isn't in Camden?) but if you choose carefully you can get a lot of 'bang for your buck' - especially if you are in a hurry 'cos you are on your way to a show where you know the bar will be shit and overpriced for pissy beer.

Thanks to BrewDog I missed Alcatraz. I'm sure they were good, but to be honest the Underworld isn't a venue I like to spend any more time in than I have to these days. How times have changed...

Girlschool shows are always fun, and this one is no exception. However, there is a bit of a change for tonight's gig. Kim hasn't been well on this current tour, and as a backup reserve the band have brought in Niky from Czech hard rock band The Agony. She fits in perfectly and looks totally at home taking on lead vocals and rhythm guitar duties on some songs.

But we needn't have worried - Kim is still here too and seems to be getting over her recent health issues. The band are on good form and tear though a load of the old classics like 'Demolition Boys', 'Hit And Run', and 'C'mon Let's Go'  - mixed in with more recent material from the last few albums like 'Guilty As Sin' and 'Take It Like A Band' (with Niky on lead vocals). Then it's back to the older stuff like 'Nothing To Lose' and 'Kick It Down' - featuring one of my favourite guitar riffs!

Girlschool throw in a cover of 'Bomber' in tribute to their friends Lemmy and Motörhead, as well as their well known cover of 'Race With The Devil'. The band look like they are thoroughly enjoying themselves, and returning ex-Rock Godess bassist Tracey Lamb seems well at home.

The band aren't content to sit back and rely on past glories to keep them going - they are now also playing some brand new songs from their forthcoming album entitled 'WTForty Five?'. New songs 'It Is What It Is' and 'Are You Ready' show Girlschool have lost none of their energy  and raw punky edge.

The set finishes with 'Emergency', and then the well deserved encore of 'Take It All Away' and ZZ Top's 'Tush'. Even at '45WTF?' 😉 Girlschool are still a force to be reckoned with!

I don't hang around in the less than hospitable confines of The Underworld after the band finish - security and management's attitude of 'We've got your ticket and beer money now fuck off' discourages me from buying that last overpriced beer I would have once enjoyed in this venue and makes it harder for bands to make some much needed money at the merch stall. So BrewDog get my beer money instead.

19/1/2023 Big Boy Bloater & The Limits @ The 100 Club

It was kind of appropriate but a complete coincidence that on my way to an evening of 'the Devil's music' (ie; The Blues) I arrived at the station to find this carriage awaiting me. Not for the first time I may add...

A good omen for the night I think. 😈

I arrive at the 100 Club in time to see Laura B & Her Band. Closer to swing, jazz, and jive to pure blues, but still very entertaining. Laura has great stage presence and a terrific voice!

And on to tonight's headliner. Since moving to France Big Boy Bloater has only been able to make around one trip a year back to the UK. This January sees him back in his old home country for a short tour with his band The Limits.

The world famous 100 Club is pretty much the perfect London venue for this guy.

Bloater isn't yer normal generic bluesman - he puts a different twist on things with the subjects he covers in his songs. And he also likes to tell a good story.

He's a pretty good guitarist too, and has backed up some well known figures on the blues scene as well as performing original material with his own band as seen tonight.

As well as social comment and observation there is a lot of humour in his songs, but much of his humour is very dark: Failed relationships (Oops Sorry) and serial killers (Insanely Happy) seem to crop up quite a bit, as do robots (Robot Girlfriend) and 1950's B-movie style monsters (It Came Outta The Swamp). And booze (Friday Night's Alright For Drinking).

This might be 'the blues', but it is also fun - it's not all doom and gloom and there is some lively full-on old school rock 'n' roll as well like 'Devils Not Angels' - if you want to dance - there are songs for that too! There is stuff going on in the songs on different levels and different vibes, but you will be entertained!

14/1/2023 Electrics @ The Spice Of Life

It's years since I've been to The Spice of Life to see a band - this place is virtually a secret music venue in the heart of the West End. As you walk in at ground level it's largish bar with all the old pub character stripped out of it, but downstairs is an intimate bar and music venue. It's cheap to get in to see three or four bands, and the bar has real ales at surprisingly reasonable prices for the West End and it's tourist traps. It's only McMullens so the ale isn't up to much, but compared to what else is on offer in the area I'm not complaining.

It's only the second time time seen ⚡Electrics⚡, although I think they have been going for several years. I saw them supporting Dirty Strangers at the Dublin Castle last year, and I think just missed their set when they previously supported the same band at the Mau Mau Bar a while back - it's a shame it's taken me so long to discover them. There is no sax player at tonight's show unlike the first time I saw them, but it's still an enjoyable show.

It's dirty rock 'n' roll with a bit of a New York influence - via Portobello Road and Stonebridge Park. There is a distinct punk edge and attitude - with song titles like 'No Shit'.

Electrics are good musicians with some catchy and memorable songs - I shall definitely be going to see them again...

Next up are Pseudonym. A band with a decent frontman playing generic indie rock. Decent enough musicians, but not much in the way of memorable songs.

Final band of the night is Alphawaves. The frontman appears to be trying to be a more rock 'n' roll version of Van Morrison - and like 'Van the man' seems to maybe take himself a little too seriously. He's a good guitarist and makes an effort to 'perform', but the music isn't in the same class as the pop/rock classics of the 1960's onward that he seems to be trying to emulate.

I give Alphawaves a chance and watch them for a few songs, but don't stay to the end and wander back upstairs with my drink. Soon afterwards I ironically find myself up the road in another pub that used to be the Marquee Club.

7/1/2023 The Boys, The Vulz, & Continental Lovers @ The 100 Club

Saturday night finds me back at the 100 Club for a pretty good bill. First up are the Continental Lovers - a band I finally saw for the first time at the Dublin Castle last summer. I thought they were pretty good and had a cool New York/punk/rock 'n' roll vibe going on, but could really use a second guitarist. They have since addressed that, and are definitely a better band as a result. Unfortunately the new guy is on the far side of the stage and can't be seen in my pictures, but he does bring some added depth to the sound..

Continental Lovers are finally the full package now with their expanded lineup - good songs and sound, plus image and stage presence.

The opening band are from Nottingham, but the second act hail from closer to home...

In fact The Vulz lead guitarist Gary Pearce actually resides in Barnet.

The Vulz are straightforward UK style old school punk and very entertaining.

Headliners The Boys are genuine punk originals from the first wave of UK punk, and one of the very first to release an album - their self titled debut had some great tunes and earned them the well deserved title 'the Beatles of punk'.

Although currently only featuring two original members they are still a good live band with a great back catalogue. At first glance it appeared they had comedian Bill Bailey on lead guitar - again on the far side of the stage so not really visible in my pictures...

Can you spot a member of the infamous Hollywood Brats and later the legendary London SS excitedly pointing at his former Brats bandmate keyboard player Casino Steel?

All in all another pretty good night out for a reasonable price at one of London's best music venues. 😊

Sorry about the even worse quality of my pictures than normal - my PC is currently refusing to load pictures into my usual software for editing for reasons unknown.😠