TV Smith & the Bored Teenagers - The 100 Club, London 8.1.17

And the new year of gigs kicks off ... at the 100 Club with their Resolution Festival.
Really looking forward to this one as not only is TV Smith headlining but it's my first ever chance to see The Screaming Dead!!. No Steve this time, but I was there early for the soundchecks, but had the most brilliant time sitting and chatting with The Screaming Dead ... superb bunch of guys and their followers, chatted away for hours with them and watched their soundcheck, until finally it was opening time.
First band on were The Setbacks, a band I had never seen, or head of, before. They were pretty good, although there not many people there to really give much atmosphere. They still plugged away with their set and received a good amount of applause when the finished up. A good band and would like to see them again in a busier venue.
Next ... The Screaming Dead. Wow! .. what a band, so glad I finally got to see them. They were amazing.
The Sam came on with painted black eyes, dark glasses and a vicars dog collar! he proceeded to move around the stage as though he owned, prowling around and laying hands on selected member of the audiences heads .. great fun!
We were treated to all the old tracks 'Night Creatures', 'Warcry', 'Tower of Babel', 'Valley of the Dead', 'Necroaria', 'Paint it Black', 'Damned Generation', 'Lilith' and covers of 'New Rose' and 'God Save the Queen'.
TV Smith & the Bored Teenagers finally took to the stage to great applause. TV Smith is ever popular and one of the nicest guys you could hope to meet. This was a good set and TV Smith had a backing band, so we had a mixture of his solo stuff and of course the Adverts tracks like 'One Chord Wonders', 'Gary Gilmores Eyes' and 'No time to be 21'. A really superb set by them and sounding all the better with a band! Unfortunately I had to cut my visit short due to a tube strike, however that didn't take any enjoyment away from the majority of the set that I saw.
A really great night and I'm all ready for the next visit .. UK Subs and Menace!!

UK Subs - The 100 Club, London 14.1.17

A week later and I'm back again at the 100 Club for the next installment of the Resolution Festival.
I was back again, less that 7 days after the last visit, this time were a couple of old heavyweight Punk bands were on the agenda. I started the night doing a few promo shots for Menace around the venue, then it was back to covering the soundchecks. By the time these were over it was start time and I just had enough time to chat with a few friends who had turned up, before the evenings festivities kicked off.
Kicking the night off were Desperate Measures, I had seen these guys play fore the first time before Christmas and really enjoyed them then, this time they upped the tempo and were really superb. Quite a few had arrived early so there was some support for them in the crowd which helped build the atmosphere a bit. Still they breezed through their set with cheers after each track.
The night really kicked into gear when Menace took to the stage. Immediately the crowd responded with cheering and floor was awash with bodies leaping up and down to the band. Menace were doing a '77 set so we were treated to 'Insane Society', 'Screwed Up', 'I Need Nothing', 'Carry No Banners', 'Civilised', 'Live for Today', 'The Young Ones', 'Last Years Youth', 'GLC' and as an extra 'Fuck You'. Absolutely blinding set and the place was in uproar, especially during 'Fuck You', where everyone joined in!
The UK Subs really need no introduction at all .. just superb all round and now with Steve Straughan bedded in on guitar they were complete. Never yet seen a bad gig by Charlie & Co and always nice to chat to as well. They went down an absolute storm. The place was packed and the crowd were leaping around and joining in on every track. We had 'Teenage', 'CID', 'Bitter & Twisted', 'Tomorrows Girls', 'Warhead', 'New York State Police', 'Stranglehold' and 'Emotional Blackmail' among many many others. The UK Subs were superb and the icing on the cake, a great evening all round with three excellent bands. It was then the long trip home, before the obligatory kebab to round the night off!
Next up is the Davee Memorial gig at the UCA Canterbury, that should be an excellent night out.

Davee Wild Memorial - UCA Canterbury, Kent 4.2.17

It's that time of the year again when we remember Davee ... and what a line-up yet again!
I arrived early and help load in the kit for the evening. I bumped into a few friends from the bands that were playing and had a good catch up. Finally Steve arrived too and we were ready for the evening to kick off!
16 Guns started proceedings and even though the place was not full they really laid down a great sound. Tom stalked the stage like a man possessed cajoling the crowd into action. The breezed through their set and, as usual, really made their presence felt! It's such a shame that they are calling it a day at the end of the year!
NO sooner were they done than Left for Dead took to the stage. Wow! .. these guys are always good, heavy and gravelly lyrics, I just love this band! No Keiran this time as he's abroad with The Restarts, so Les popped back to help out. There was also a new drummer who was superb! I think it was his first outing, although you wouldn't have thought it. They went through so many of their old tunes finishing with 'Hops and Barley'. The crowd loved them and it was starting to fill nicely now.
Next out of the blocks was Belinda Carbuncle. These are a great band with bouncy comedy songs and they never take themselves seriously. As local boys they drew quite a crowd who danced and threw themselves around the floor to each track. This was the third time I'd seen this lot and I think they are superb, real good fun.
The Foamers were on next. I'd never seen this lot before and so wasn't sure what they'd be like. Unfortunately most of the crowd hadn't either so the floor was quite empty. Still, the band were very good! and eventually some of the crowd were bouncing along to their tracks. Not sure about the Foamers really, I think I'd need to see them again to get a better opinion.
Headline for the night were Sick on the Bus. They really came out and blew the place away! Another absolutely superb band and a stunning performance too. The crowd responded and there were bodies everywhere! Such a powerful band they blasted their way through their set and received resounding cheers after each track, I really liked them and their set was fantastic!
Well, that was it, over for another year and another large chunk of money for C.R.Y. Loved the night and all the bands, once again another successful evening in the name of Davee Wild.

Another Winter of Discontent - Boston Arms, London 17-18.2.17

Having missed last years festival I was lucky enough to be able to pop along for a couple of days this time.
I was on my own for the Friday session of AWOD. I arrived and met up with a few friends before the proceedings kicked off. We started with The Mispelt who I had never seen before, they were very entertaining although not a lot of people had arrived at that point, but they played their set and those around seemed to enjoy it. second up were Kiss My Acid. I had seen and loved this band at last years Rebellion and as was looking forward to them here too. They were still superb, but the vocals did seem a bit lost during their set, bit of a shame, more like the sound guy had got it wrong.
The Sporadcis were next up and were another new band for me. They were ok, the Ska Punk thing doesn't always work for me, they had a great following and the crowd loved them, maybe I need to hear them again sometime to make my mind up.
Next up were Eastfield who as usual were brilliant, blasting out a superb set to the waiting and expectant crowd. They very nearly stole the show, if it weren't for the v=fact that they were followed by The Rezillos who were absolutely brilliant! Best time I've ever seen them and the really suited the smaller stage. Loved the whole set and they really made the place rock.
Saturday arrived and it was day for me, Steve joined as well for this one. First up we had an acoustic session by Chris Butler which was ok, this was followed by The Fleas, a band I'd never seen but will out for after this showing. They were followed by our good friends, Surgery Without Research and their first appearance at AWOD. Boy did they make an impression and really stole the show. Amazing set from an amazing band! Hot on their heels were Anarchistwood and Damidge, two bands new to us and two bands that really blew us away! brilliant bands and ones I'd really like to see again .. anywhere!
Following on were Pete Bentham & the Dinner Ladies, who I had seen advertised each year but never seen. They were surprisingly good!! Then it was The Yalla Yallas who were far better than the last time I'd seen them, and Brassick who were just as superb as the last time I'd seen them!. We were then treated to Rat's new band, Warwound who were every very good, and Interrobang who for the first time in ages were a band I really didn't warm to at all. It was then a last trip to the downstairs stage for P.A.I.N who were ok (really need to see them again some time though), before the final push at the upstairs stage.
We were now into the final straight and were treated to Dragster who were superb and really got the crowd bouncing as Fiona has a really great stage presence. After that it was Hard Skin who were their usual piss-taking selves, and then Los Fastidios from Verona, were their own Oi! style. This just left us with Antisect to finish the evening off, and finish it off they did! Loved them and would definitely want to see them again some time.
All in all it was a superb 2 days, loads of bands and many I'd never seen before, and certainly a few new bands I'll hunt out and see again!.

The Commited / Burning Lady - The Lady Luck, Canterbury 23.2.17

For the first time this year we were back at the Lady Luck, a couple of local bands and one on tour from France.
I met Steve in Canterbury and as we were a bit early a light bite was in order. After that it was back to the Lady Luck and a chance to catch up with friends before the bands took to the stage.
First up were our good friends Surgery Without Research. We had seen them only a week earlier at AWOD where the blew the place away. Back on home turf now they kept up the barrage with a brilliant set, which got the place buzzing ready for the acts to follow. We were treated to 'Jackbooting in the USA', 'We Pay the Price', 'Religious Bullshit', 'Woman Beater', 'Government Dream', 'Always in the Wrong', 'Punk? Wot?' and finally 'We are the Punks'. They were awesome again and the crowd loved them as it was already getting rather full.
Next up were a band new to us, Burning Lady. They were a French band over here on tour, and seemed really good. They blasted through their set and seemed to pull in a lot of the younger Uni element, who were bouncing around at the front. Unfortunately at the time I was not that impressed. They made an OK sound, their drummer was bloody amazing and they were full of energy, but there was something missing. I bought their CD on the off-chance and it was only after listening to that did I realise quite how good this band was!!! It's not been playing in my car ever since! So, next time they appear over here I will jump at the chance of watching them again.
Last up were another of our local favourites, The Commited. I hadn't seen them for a while and it was nice to see Daz back on stage leaping and diving around while pitting out his lyrics. The played 'Brezhnevs to You', 'Depression', 'Punk!', 'Big Pharma', 'Bruised not Broken', '(Let's Build a)Factory', and 'Be Afraid'. Again, as usual, Daz and boys were superb, the place was heaving and everyone was joining in, they were in their element.
It was a superb night, three excellent bands and gave us a great chance to catch up with friends. Surgery Without Research are finally beginning to make a well deserved mark on the scene with AWID the week before and Undercover in Margate later this year .. good on you lads! you deserve it!.
A bit of a break now, as family events have taken over, but should be back to the gigs again soon.

Angelic Upstarts - The Underworld, Camden Town, London 7.4.17

2011 was the last time I was at the Underworld, was really looking forward to this line-up too.
I made the trip up to London easily and met Steve outside the venue where we popped into the pub for a couple of beers and chat before the evenings entertainment got underway. After a brief scare with the photopass we were in and preparing ourselves for the first of three bands that made up the night.
First band on stage were Desperate Measures. These were originally a Kiwi band with Eugene (Vive Le Rock Editor) fronting them. We've seen them a couple of times recently and really liked them. Tonight was no exception! They were really on fire. They blasted their way through their set, unfortunately as it seems to be with support bands at the Underworld, there were not many people present, this made no difference to their set at all. This was the best I've seen them and would really look forward to seeing them again!
Second up were a band I'd never heard of before, an Oi band from Italy called Totale Apatia. We were not sure before they took to the stage, but one they got started, well, they were the surprise package of the night! Superb band! There were a few more of a crowd and certainly a few Italian followers really enjoying the band. I would certainly look out for these guys playing again, they were superb and so full of energy singing songs in a mixture of English and Italian.
Last up were the Angelic Upstarts. Every time we see these guys they put on a great show, but this time with the loss Neil newton I thought it may be a bit flat ... how wrong was I? They really suited the smaller Underworld venue and although the crowd was not huge, it was big enough to fill the floor. The Upstarts were superb! With tracks 'Woman in Disguise', 'Last Night Another Soldier', 'Teenage Warning', 'I'm an Upstart', 'Solidarity', 'Police Oppression' (Which was done twice due to a guitar failure!), 'Anti-Nazi', 'Two Million Voices', 'Leave Me Alone', 'Give the Fox a Gun', 'Tories Tories Tories (Out Out Out)', 'You're Nicked' and finally finishing with 'Liddle Towers' and a cover of Sham 69's 'If the Kids are United'. Mensi was in fine form both singing and the banter between tracks, and the crowd lapped it up!
Well, a superb night, three amazing bands, we went home happy bunnies .. and an obligatory kebab to finish the night!

The Wonder Beers - The Lady Luck, Canterbury, Kent 27.4.17

Back to the Lady Luck for a second time this year to catch a superb band from London.
I was on my own for this one, but the pull of seeing the Wonder Beers live again was too much, so I made the journey across the Canterbury and arrived in plenty of time for the bands to start. I had a chat with a couple of friends there and then it was time to start. First up were a new band and their debut, Melisandre's Beaver. This was a three piece and all wore what looked like towelling jogging suits! Hopefully that was a joke? Anyway, they proceeded to blast out their set. They were not bad, especially for a band that were doing their first gig. They had obviously practiced as they seemed very much together, I wouldn't mind seeing them again once they have a few gigs under their belts and have had the corners rubbed off.
Next up were Dark Days. These guys used to be Dropthis, and have now reformed minus one member under the new name. Again they were rather good, but I think I'd like to hear them again in a few months time as they didn't quite hit the spot. The crowd warmed to them immediately as they seemed to have brought along a lot of their own support.
tHE rASH, I'd seen these guys once before, at the Lady Luck, however I couldn't remember much about them. I was pleasantly surprised as they crashed around the stage with masses of energy and the singer disappearing in the crowd from time to time. As with Dark Days, tHE rASH had brought quite a large crowd with them which really added to the atmosphere. A great band and solid performance.
Last up were The Wonder Beers. Seen this lot a few times now and they never ever fail to impress, always solid, always fun and always a really nice bunch of guys. We were treated to 'Walk of Shame', 'Thursday is the New Friday', 'I Want a Pint', 'Meat & Chips', 'Toilet Epiphany', 'Anthem', 'Down the Shot', 'Skint Again' and 'Geezers'. It was a really superb set, the guys were full of energy and blasted though one track after another enjoying themselves almost as much as the expectant crowd.
A really brilliant band and all in, a fantastic night of music. It was a nice journey home with a mixture of Rancid and Wonder Beers in the CD player .. can't wait for the next one!

TV Smith - The Flowerpot, Maidstone, Kent 29.4.17

It's been a while since my last visit to the Flowerpot in Maidstone, and I only seem to come here to see one man .....
I was dropped off in town so I could have a few beers while at the Flowerpot, so it was a quick walk up to the pub. I had a chat with another photographer friend and then bumped into Mr Smith at the bar, so that resulted in another beer and a good bit of chatter.
After the last support band had finished I made my way to the front, where I bumped into a couple of friend and was ready to start! TV Smith took to the stage with a bit of banter and was then straight into his set.
As usual TV Smith was superb! Angry acoustic tracks interspersed with old Adverts tracks, just what everyone was after. The crowd had grown considerably and as the Flowerpot is only very small, it became rather cosy!.
We treated to a heady mix of '', 'Expensive Being Poor', 'I Delete', 'Immortal Rich', 'The Day We Caught the Big Fish', 'Tomahawk Cruise', 'Gary Gilmore's Eyes', 'One Chord Wonders' and 'Bored Teenagers'. The old Adverts tracks got everyone going, most of the crowd were joining in the choruses.
A brilliant evening with one of the most talented and approachable musicians on the circuit! Never a dull gig, always full full of energy and always a happy crowd from beginning to end.

Adam Ant - Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London 17.5.17

Third time within the space of a year seeing Adam Ant, and this time it was in the grandeur of the Royal Albert Hall.
It was a really shitty journey in the pouring rain to get to the Royal Albert Hall, even though when I left home it was still sunny! Still I finally got there only be pushed from one door to another until finally the correct desk said yes they had my pass ... but I had to wait for another 5 minutes until they officially opened!! So I stood beside the woman for the allotted 5 minutes .. and then she handed me my pass!!! Then it was back outside and round to the stage door to wait until we were taken up to the pit ready for the first band.
The evenings entertainments was kicked off by the Glam Skanks and psudo-glam all girl American band. They were actually very good, although not my style of music. The crowd loved them, and in a place the size of the RAH it was filling up pretty quickly. The Glam Skanks breezed through their set with confidence and the whole band seemed to really enjoy where they were and the response from the crowd. The lead singer was quite the show girl as she strutted around the stage, posturing with other band members and rolling on the floor during a couple of tracks. So, all in all, a really good set!
We were then escorted outside and we had to walk back to the stage to door to await our security minder who would take us back to the pit ready for the headline act.
Adam Ant finally hit the stage still full of his youthful zest and proceeded to wow the packed Royal Albert Hall! As with the other times I've seen him, his energy and fitness on stage belies his years and the he rolls the clocks back with his tremendous set. This time we were treated to 'Beat My Guest', 'Vive Le Rock', 'Dog Eat Dog', 'Friend or Foe', 'Antmusic', 'Car Trouble', 'Zerox', 'Young Parisians', 'Friend or Foe', 'Strip', 'Lady/Fall In', 'Red Scab' and 'Physical'. This time we dropped the pirate style dress in favour of a straw hat, leather jacket, trousers and boots, so the set sort of reflected that style. The crowd were wowed by him, singing along to most well known tracks and making sure the RAH was lifted by the sheer volume.
It was a great evening of music, Adam Ant still has that stage presence that all his adoring fans know and love, that carried the evening really and was helped immensely by the Glam Skanks set.

Eastfield - Elephant & Castle, Ramsgate, Kent 4.6.17

A welcome return to Ramsgate, this time Eastfield had made the long trip down.
As Steve was in Wales, I made the long-ish trip to Ramsgate on my own. It was a pleasant drive, then parked up and into the Elephant and Castle. There were already a few there and so I grabbed aping and popped off to catch up with a few friends. Time seemed to wear on and finally it was announced that the first act would be on at around 9pm and sure enough on came DeKadanCe. I had not caught them for quite a while and so it great to see Kay and Russ back up on stage blasting out their tracks. The crowd was still small but they all seemed to enjoy the quirkyness that is DeKadanCe.
Once they were done and packed away Russ Crimewave returned to the stage for his solo acoustic act. Russ is great, and very politically angry, which seemed to go down well with the crowd that had now assembled in the pub. The more he got into his set the more the crowd shouted out their requests for tracks and to be fair he covered most of them.
Once Russ was done, there was a short break and finally Surgery Without Research took to the stage. Biggest shock was the fact that there was a new drummer! Things had apparently come to a head and Paul had decided to part company with the band! A big shame, and all eyes were on the new drummer to see how he would fare ....
he did a superb job!! No problems at all as they belted out the likes of 'Jackbooting in the USA', 'Fight Back', 'We Pay the Price', 'Somethings Can't Explain', 'Die Tonight', 'Woman Beater', 'Power Unpower' and 'We are the Punks'. As usual the crowd loved them and responded to each and every track in the set. Surgery are a real Punk throwback band, it's like the early 80's all over again every time I see them. Another cracking set completed, but it always amazes me why this band aren't so much bigger than they currently are! They could blow away most of the other bands on the circuit and always get superb reviews wherever they play.
Last up were Eastfield, another band that never seem to put a foot wrong. Again they were superb and everyone at the venue was thinking likewise. They thundered through their set with the usual power and energy, bringing their Rail Punk to a small Kentish seaside town. Brilliant, couldn't have asked for better.

Nancy's Place - The Harp Restrung, Folkestone, Kent 24.6.17

Off back to the Harp Restrung, for a rather weird evening of experimental music.
I was on my own this time and arrived in Folkestone quite early. This gave me time to pop down to the venue and have a chat with friends. I had been to an evening before with Nancy's Place playing and it was a weird one to say the least, so I was expecting more of the same this evening.
First up were Flange Zoo, a band who were on the bill last time. They are a 3 piece who wear masks of a Tiger, Anubis and what looks like a Dragon. Their music is very experimental with sounds and light and all very very strange. The Anubis character had a small box on a chair in front of her and when she moved her hands over the top of it, the light beams were broken and it made strange electronic noises. This was all topped off by them referring to the crowd as 'Humans' .. yeah, you can see where that was going . next!
Next up were The Hose, who I saw years back under the name 'Deano's Hose'. Then they were a lot heavier and a different line-up, now they have moved into the experimental music field, although not to the extreme of Flange Zoo. They made a pleasant sound and those that had arrived seemed pretty happy with it all.
last up were Nancy's Place, this is Andy from Surgery Without Research, and this is his experimental side .. now, while I am not a huge fan, their music was the best of the night, and really becomes more of a stageshow that a straight-forward gig. For a start, they have three guitarists who all play withe their backs to the crowd, while the two drummers face forward. The lead tended to walk around laughing and then started using a ball of wool to make a barricade across the front of the stage, which then spread to entwining the crowd too. All very strange but rather hypnotic! It was a rather interesting evening and gives an insight to other types of music.

BST Festival - Hyde Park, London 1.7.17

My first ever large scale outdoor festival, this one was in Hyde Park and was rather huge.
I made it to Hyde Park quite early as I knew it would be a sod trying to find where I was meant to be. Sure enough I was directed all over the shop for near on an hour, until finally someone with enough access took me down to the media tent. Once there the formalities of signing disclaimers was done they it was time to take a rest on the comfy settees provided and make my choice of (non-alcoholic) beverage from the fridge! Blimey how the other half live! One all was sorted I made my choices of bands I would like to see .. and then the day really started! First up were Stiff Little Fingers who came on in the main stage to rapturous applause. They did a usual set with 'Alternative Ulster', 'Tin Soldiers' and 'Suspect Device' in. They were really good and on the huge stage, even better.
They were followed by The Damned who were their usual selves with Captain Sensible making numerous comments throughout their set. They again were belting out the usual known tracks with 'Eloise', 'Smash it Up','Neat Neat Neat' and 'New Rose'. Next on were a band I'd never even heard of, Gogol Bordello who were a kind of Gypsy Punk, and really rather fun, a very pleasant surprise. the stage was now set for The Hives, I had been told they would be very good, but unfortunately they did nothing for me at all, they were more an Indie band than punk and so I quickly lost interest.
We now had to make a trek over to the other side of the festival, to the Barclaycard stage in order to catch The Living End. These were an Aussie 3 piece and were a sort of Rockabilly Punk, but really very very good! A surprise package for the day. They went down really well especially when the double bass player jumped up on top of his instrument and balanced there for a few minutes!.
Now we had one of the bands I had been waiting for ... Rancid! This was my fist time seeing them live and I wasn't disappointed! They were bloody superb, and the crowd went wild for them, as they covered 'Nihilism', 'East Bay Night', 'Radio', 'Time Bomb', 'Bloodclot', '' and ''. Tim Armstrong, Lars Frederiksen et al absolutely blew me away, it was gonna take something really special from the other bands to top that.
Next was a another slog over to the other stage for The Stranglers. I love this band and they covered the old favourites like 'No More Heroes', 'Duchess', '5 Minutes', 'Something Better Change', 'Grip' and 'Peaches', a superb set from an excellent band, loved it! Now it was the finale, Green Day, they have never been a band high on my list but they certainly put together a good set with the likes of 'Know Your Enemy', 'Basket Case', 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', 'Holiday' and 'Revolution Radio' and the crowd loved them and cheered to everything they did and said ... that was the problem for me, a little too teeny-bopper for my liking, for me the fast, hard and heavy sound of Rancid was what really what I liked and wanted to hear.
Well, it was a truely superb day with so many bands that I liked and will hopefully see again soon!

The Dickies - The Underworld, Camden Town, London 7.7.17

Not seen the Dickies for a few years, so this was superb, right my doorstep from work too.
I met up with Steve just before, in the Worlds End pub, upstairs from the venue and we sank a couple of beers along with Dave Nash who was also coming along for the gig. It was a great get together and very soon it was time to get into the venue. The Underworld is a brilliant place, with bags of space and we were wondering how filled up it would get?
First up for the night were Blatoidea. These London based, Scicilian Punks are always spot on and tonight was no exception. There was a rather sparse crowd at this point but that didn't deter them and they pounded out their set to those in front of them. Great band and a great bunch of guys, just a shame the place wasn't more filled.
It was a short break before the main band took to the stage. The Dickies bounded out onto the stage, and by now the crowd had multiplied so there was quite a good showing. The Dickies were playing two nights at the Underworld, this the first night had them covering their first album, 'The Incredible Shrinking Dickies' in it's entirity, and also a few a tracks thrown in at the end.
They were superb!! We had the lot, in addition to the album we had a number of other tracks including 'Gigantor' and 'Banana Splits' which always seems to get the crowd going. After the furore in the States on the Vans Warped tour, Leonard didn't hold back, and took time to take the piss out of himself and at the same time make references back to the incidents from a few days back. The crowd wwere always on their side and cheered and clapped along to everything.
What a night, two great bands, and it was so good to see the Dickies once again, it had been too long since the last time.

Rebellion Festival - Winter Gardens, Blackpool 3-6.8.17

Well, after last years Rebellion celebrations, what could come close to the line-up presented in 2016 .... well ... the superb line-up for 2017 of course!
We did our usual trip the day before and Steve did the honours in getting us 1st Class seats (and back again too!!!), while I managed the 3rd class accommodation! Actually the Manuela Rose is our usual haunt, and they do a really superb breakfast!
DAY ONE: Once again my stage to cover was the Arena, my choice as I love this stage.
Thursday, for me was the busiest of the lot and gave me the chance to see Evil Blizzard, The Soap Girls, In Evil Hour, Hospital Food, The Reverends, Acidez, Bad Religion, Pennywise and a real blast from the past Toyah. Best band for the day? it was close run, but a new band for me Sem Futuro".
DAY TWO: A hearty breakfast was forced (??) down and then it was off for the second day of music which included Paranoid Visions, Razors, Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes, Kiss My Acid, Hobo Jones & the Junkyard Dogs, The Svetlanas, Slaves and Crude SS. All the bands were bloody superb but the highlights have to be shared between Knock Off and The Lee Harveys, they were both excellent!
We had reached the mid-way mark of Rebellion ... there were still so many bands to see!
DAY THREE: Today promised to provide a few heavyweights in the line-up and so it looked like another cracking day with System of Hate, Hands Off Gretel, Infa Riot, Blatoidea, United Bottles, The Anti-Nowhere League, Angelic Upstarts, The Violators, Steve Ignorant : 1977-2017 Set and Resistance 77 A great day with many great bands but the day's highlight had to be The Defects.
DAY FOUR: once again the last day had arrived .. a time we both feel a bit deflated .. that is until the bands strike up again! Sundays bands were a superb bunch with Royal Oi, our very own Russ Crimewave, Wolf Bites Boy, Dirtbox Disco, Criminal Mind, The Casualties, The Primitives and another local bunch The Warriors, however the band of the day, and a real surprise for me, were The Skids.
So, another Rebellion under my belt and a ton of new bands that I'd never seen of photo'd before, along with a few oldies I thought I'd never see. It was brilliant ... as usual!
Next up, as there is no New Rose festival this year, I'll be off to Cornwall for an all-dayer headlined by Dirt Box Disco, now that will be fun.

Dirt Box Disco - Mounts Bay Academy, Penzance, Cornwall 24.8.17

It was a long journey down to Cornwall, but it was worth it to meet up with family and capped off with a superb gig at the Mounts Bay Academy.
no 3 Chords or New Rose festivals this year, however an alternative all-dayer at the Mounts Bay Academy made up for it. There were a number bands on and it was so good to meet up with old friends from the former festivals who were organising this one too. The day kicked off with Die Spangle. I had seen these guys a few years back the 3 Chords, but they had really changed over the years. They were very good then, but now they were superb! A great visual act as well as a bunch of great tunes to bounce along to.
Next up were Plymouth's finest, The Bus Station Loonies and true to their name .. they were a bit nuts! The lead singer appeared in a pink Nun's outfit! Love this band and I have seen them a few times over the years, they put in a brilliant set here too.
Following close on their heels were one of my favourite West Country punk bands, The Surgeons. I know the guys well now and they are the nicest bunch you could ever hope to meet .. and their music is top notch too, fast, raw and very '77! There's not much more you could ask for really.
Once they were done, it was a quick rest, and then it was a band from Merseyside, Biteback. I had seen these guys before and liked them, however now the line-up had changed and they were far far better! I even had to buy a CD, which is superb too!
Finally it was time for a real treat, one of the best Punk/Oi bands around at the moment and certainly the most hard working, Knock Off. They settled into their set immediately and the crowd loved them as they blasted out their set ..'Dirty Little Secret', 'Same Shit, Different City', 'Aint no Fool', 'On the Road', 'Fingers to the Bone', 'Jack the Ripper', 'This is Who We Are', 'The Hunted', '1918' and the singalong 'Football, Beer & Punk Rock' ... the tracks just kept on coming and the crowd danced around like lunatics to each one.
Last up were the amazing Dirtbox Disco. A huge roar went up and they launched into their set. All our favourites were played, 'My Life is Shit', 'Something In My Eye', 'My Best Friends Sister', 'Burning', 'Standing In a Queue', 'Top Shelf', 'My Girfriends Bestfriends Sister', 'Guest List and 'Let's Get Wasted'. We have fun with inflatable balls and bananas, which were bounced around the crowd. They just seemed to go on and on, which was fine for all of us really!
Wow! What a time was had. The only downside was that I had to drive back to Kent after .. which meant I got home around 3:30am. Still, I'd do it again in a flash!

The Psychedelic Furs - O2 London Forum, London 9.9.17

I hadn't been back to the O2 Forum for a while, so it was nice to see the place again and a headline act that I'd not seen before was a bonus.
Juts me this time as I had been asked to pop along for Vive Le Rock magazine to get some shots for them. I do like the London Forum, it nice just to wander round a have a couple of beers. I bumped into another photographer, Svenja, and we had a good chat catching up on what we'd been up to, before the show finally got under way.
Support for the night was looking very good, it was Lene Lovich. I'd just seen her the previous month at Rebellion and was looking forward to this as she always seems to put on a superb show. She didn't disappoint, among a host of tracks we had 'Bird Song', 'What Will I Do Without You', 'I think We're Alone Now', 'Say When' and of course 'Lucky Number' and was just in the first six tracks. The place was really filling up now and Lene Lovich was superb, still able to hit those notes with no effort involved, and the crowd responded to each track, dancing around and joining in on each. It was a tremendous atmosphere and you tell there were many more just waiting for the headline act to make their entrance.
One Lene Lovich had left the stage we had a short wait before The Psychedelic Furs took to the stage to huge applause. Now I've never been a true fan of them but tonight they seemed to relish the chance to play so many of their well known tracks to a sell-out crowd here in London. They blasted their way through 'Love My way', 'Dumb Waiters', 'Until She Comes', 'Angels Don't Cry', 'Sister Europe', 'President Gas', 'India', 'Don't be a Girl', 'Heaven', 'Heartbeat' and of course 'Pretty in Pink'
It was a really great night. Lene Lovich was on top form as usual and I was really pleasantly surprised by how good the Psychedelic Furs were. So it was home, kebab and bed. Next up is back to the Lady Luck, should be a good one.

Hands Off Gretel - The Lady Luck, Canterbury, Kent 28.9.17

Another visit to what has become our local in Canterbury, the Lady Luck!
Steve and I travelled over to Canterbury ready for the evenings festivities, stopping for a quick Pizza on the way. On paper this looks a superb gig with two bands we really like and another that we'd not seen before.
Opening the evening were The Muffinheads. Not seen this trio before, but they turned out to be rather good! The small crowd seemed to like them too, and were made up of a few of their followers, which was good as it gave them a bit of a boost.
Next up were one of our favourite bands, a probably one of our most watched too, Surgery Without Research. As usual they took the place apart! More people had arrived now and were really getting into the band. There was no let-up, Andy's angry lyrics bombarded the venue, sending the crowd wild with tracks 'Power Unpower', 'Thugs in Blue', 'Religious Bullshit', 'Like Winter', 'Deform not Conform', 'Woman Beater', 'The Jokes on Us', 'We are the Punks' and 'Jackbooting in the USA'.
Surgery were superb ... angry, loud, shouty and just good old punk Rock.
Last up were Hands Off Gretel. We had seen these at Rebellion a month before and they were very impressive then. They were no less so at the Lady Luck. A lot had turned out to see them and they played well to the crowd. I loved them, so another CD was purchased and added to the collection. Would love to see these again on the Rebellion stage and also back at the Lady Luck for another evening, they seem to be able to cover any size stage.
Superb bands and a superb night, Emma really know how to pick the best bands.

Peter & the Test Tube Babies - The 100 Club, London 6.10.17

Back to the 100 Club again, and as usual its a bloody excellent line-up
I arrived early as usual and got some shots outside for the Badoes, plus a few of the soundchecks too. Then was off with Steve for a quick bite to eat before it all kicked off.
First band on were Foreign Legion all the way from darkest Wales. Seen this lot a few times now, but this was first time for a while .. boy had they improved! They got the sparse crowd up and moving as Marcus stalked the stage on each of their tracks. They went down very well, and were very much appreciated by all who were there. Second up were the East End Badoes. These guys are always a superb laugh and so nice to sit and chat with. As usual they larked about on stage, always having a bit of banter with the crowd as they belted out their tracks. The crowd had grown somewhat and they really started to thrash around to the Badoes. The band really seemed to be on form tonight .. as per usual really. They always seem to the really enjoy themselves on stage which make for a fantastic evening.
They were followed sharply by the Arch Rivals from the West Country. They are very much an Oi band and get better and better each time I see them. A great bunch too and having seen them recently at Rebellion, I was looking forward to seeing them again here at the 100 Club. They did not disappoint and had the crowd up and stomping in readiness for the headline act.
Last up for the night were Peter & the Test Tube Babies. being one of Steve's favourite bands they very rarely ever seem to play below par. Tonight they blew the place away. It had filled nicely by now and as the hits were trotted out the crowd joined in and threw themselves towards the stage. we had the lies of 'Transvestite', 'Moped Lads', 'Jinx', 'Banned from the Pubs', 'Run Like Hell', 'Crap Californian Punk Band' and 'Up yer Bum'. A great set from a truely excellent band.
And that was that, we headed home, well for a well-deserved kebab first!!.

The Warriors - New Cross Inn, London 14.10.17

It had been quite a while since I had visited the New Cross Inn, so it was nice to be back, and with a brilliant line-up too!
Steve wasn't able to make this one, and I probably wouldn't have either if it weren't for the offer of a lift back with the Warriors after the gig. Even the train travel wasn't straight forward and I had to travel to Chatham as the main line in from Maidstone had no trains! Id did finally arrive safely and got chatting with a few people I knew before the gig finally got under way.
Kicking off the evening were a band called The Mistakes. They weren't bad, and were good to listen to, but came across as a bit of a filler, and didn't really offer anything different to remember them by.
Next up were Brainglue. Now these were better, very reminiscent of the Jesus & Mary Chain, and even looked the part. I enjoyed this band and would definitely like to see them again some time. Now, next up were another band I'd not seen before, Overload. They came across as thrash punk sounding, with their Milanese lead singer contorting himself into some very strange shapes. He had the look and style of a young Malcolm Owen. They were very heavy and the crowd really got behind them. An excellent band who, again, I would really like to see a lot more of.
Geoffrey OiCott were next to take the stage. They are very good and have been going for quite a few years now, however, they just don;t do it for me .. and I don't know why. Their set went down really well, and the crowd plus all the other bands loved them, so they are definitely a band to be reckoned with.
Next were Knock Off. Love these guys, they play a superb set and are just the nicest hard-working bunch ever. They got everyone up bouncing around and they just seemed to have fun. They stormed through their set and the crowd responded to each track with shouts and cheers. They went down a storm.
Headline act for the night were our old friends, The Warriors. The line-up has again changed slightly with the loss of Andy, however the addition of Mark and now Konrad and Beaumont makes their sound far more Punk than Oi. At the New Cross Inn they put in a superb performance. by now the crowd were warmed up and ready, bouncing along to all the tracks. It was a great performance by The Warriors and it was so good to see the new members really getting stuck into the tracks. It's a new chapter in the Warriors story and one that i think will take them to even more audiences.
All that was left was some food from the chicken shop outside, then it was home in the Warriors van. The guys very kindly dropped me right back at my car. A superb night!!! Loved it and really enjoyed all the bands.

The Ramonas - The Lady Luck, Canterbury, Kent 19.10.17

The strong line-up this night was enough to entice us back to this venue again .. not that it takes much, when it's a gig at the Lady Luck!
Finally it was a gig back with Steve again. We met up in Canterbury and scoffed a pizza first, then it was back to the Lady Luck. A good few familiar faces were there and we were able to catch up with most people before the festivities got under way.
The evening was set out as a trio of female led bands and the first up were a new band for us called Gutfull. This lot from Surrey were very very good. The venue was starting to fill and they managed to get the crowd moving and enjoying their tracks with great ease. They breezed through theri set and in no time it was over. Would like to see this lot again sometime soon! Next up were a superb band who we are very friendly with, In Evil Hour. This band is amazing, normally we catch them at Rebellion normally, and they take over the Empress Stage and really make it their own, so we were looking forard to see how they play in the small Lady Luck? .. well .. just as well! They were superb, with Alice's angry snarling lyrics backed up by trememdous sound, they are a force to reckoned with. The whole place was moving now and had filled nicely, it was superb. The tracks kept coming and coming and we enjoyed every minute.
After a short break The Ramonas took to the stage. I have seen them a few times now and love all their Ramones covers, so it was pleasing that they have now started doing their own stuff as well. I think though, most people arrived for the covers tracks, and they were not disappointed, they blasted through their set while the crowd danced arounda and we were treated to some of the new stuff as well as the rest. The place was packed and i think the majority of people were dancing one way or another to each of the tracks that were pumped out. Happy times were had by all.
Once it was over, I drove Steve back to Maidstone and we stopped off for our obligatory kebab, before going home. A superb night and three superb bands, Emma never lets us down withthe bands she books!

Dirt Box Disco - The 100 Club, London 28.10.17

Back to the 100 Club again, and here to see a band I saw recently in Cornwall, but also on the bill is one of the best bunch of Barnsley guys you could ever hope to meet!
After a week of work, it was back on the train, but this time I was off to the 100 Club for a real treat of a night. As usual, I managed to get there early and bumped straight into the guys from System of Hate! It was great to catch up, so we did a bit of a photoshoot around the 100 Club, before retiring round the corner in a local pub! So good to sit and a have a bit of a chin-wag for a while, before heading back ready for the evenings entertainment.
First up for the night were the Healthy Junkies, love this band, and they always put on a 100% show. Phil & Nina are the nicest people and always make to say hello and chat when they see you. The place itself was not very full, but still, those there loved the set. As usual the Healthy Junkies went through their tracks with their angry edge they seem to have, the crowd loved it and even though there were few that had arrived, they bounced away to each number.
Next up were System of Hate all the way from darkest Barnsley. These guys really know their music, dark and brooding Punk, really superb, a mix of Punk, Goth and industrial, they make a superb sound. They are a Rebellion regular, and it would not be the same without them. We were treated to 'Sanatoria', 'Zealot's Path', 'Mutilation', 'Apostle of Pain' and 'Unhallowed Ground'. Fantastic set and went down so well too! headline for the night were the superb Dirt Box Disco. These guys are amazing, full of laughs and make a fantastic sound to boot. They literally took the place by the scruff of it's neck and shook it for the rest of the night! They blasted away all the old favourites 'the Other Side of the Street', 'Burning', 'Tragic Roundabout', 'Peep Show', 'My Girlfriends Best Friends Sister', 'My Life is Shit', 'Slapdash & Haphazard', 'Guest List', 'Standing in a Queue', 'lets Get Wasted' and 'Dirt Box Day'.
The pace was bouncing around to each track, and the crowd joined in on every chorus. Dirt Box Disco are a band of 5 showmen, and when they get on stage they all perform, and perform so well. It is always the sign of a good band, when the set finishes and you are still w3anting more .. well that seems always to be the case with Dirt Box Disco.

Cockney Rejects - The 100 Club, London 2.12.17

A couple of day later and I make a triumphant return to the 100 Club, a bit of special one this time though.
This night really was very special, it was going to be the last ever 16 Guns gig! I arrived early and Steve turned up not long after. It meant we had some time with he 16 Guns guys and I was able to get some group shots of them early on. Then it was time to purchase their single, we were lucky enough get copies signed by all, so that was a rather superb memento of the evening.
Finally it was time for the first band to step up. This was The Outfit. These are a side project that includes Jeff Turner and one of his offspring. They are not really a punk band at all, but they did make a rather pleasing sound. They were fun to watch and Jeff spent a lot of time thanking everyone for listening even though the music was not in the same vein as the what was to come. And so it was time for 16 Guns to take the stage for one last time, and they made the most of it. Superb set, all the old favourites like 'Private 999', 'Feed the Paedophiles to the Sharks', 'Punk Rock Stardom', 'Evil Man', 'Friend or Foe', James Bond', 'Can't Pay, Won't Pay', 'Psycho' and of course Paul Beeson's rendition of 'Johnny B Goode'. Brilliant band, will be sorely missed!!. What next for them? Well as far as I know Paul is off to play in Violation, Chris will continue with his other band Local Madman, and Matt will still play with The Lost Cherrees. As for Tom? who knows, all we can do is wish him and Gina all the best for the future ... and thanks for bringing us 16 Guns.
Last up were the Cockney Rejects bringing us their Christmas appearance at the 100 Club. As usual they dove straight into their set at breakneck speed. Such a superb band. Loved them ever since seeing them in '79 at Demelza's in Penzance, Cornwall. Still just as good, a little older but still the same anger and energy thrown into all their tracks. From the off the crowd goes nuts, throwing themselves at each other and the stage, singing along to every track and cheering both the end of the last track and the beginning of the next. We were treated to 'Police Car', 'Bad Man', 'Greatest Cockney Rip Off', 'Flares & Slippers', 'Oi Oi Oi', 'War on the Terraces' and many more, of course ending with their rendition of 'Bubbles'.
What an evening we both had, so it was just left with a train ride home and the obligatory kebab to end the evening and to end the year's worth of gigs! Next up will be in 2018, see you all there.

Vive Le Rock Xmas Party - Nambucca, Holloway Road, London 6.12.17

This looked too good to miss, a chance to be part of the magazine's Xmas Party and photo the bands playing.
I arrived quite early, so before the venue opened it was off to have a swift beer to try and dull the pain of man-flu!!
Once back, the vebue had opened and it was a chance to look round. It was my first time at Nambucca and it looked to be nice little venue, small enough to still be personal yet the stage area was well sized. The evening was kicked off by The Vive Le Rockers, a put together house band with Dave Ruffy (Ruts DC) on drums and Paul-Ronney Angel (Urban Voodoo Machine) on Guitar and gGavin Jay (Jim Jones & the Righteous Mind) on bass. As the set worse on, new faces made cameo appearances, Jen (The Priscillas), Knox (Vibrators), Duncan Reid (Ex-The Boys), Leigh Heggerty (Ruts DC), Mauro Venegas (Ex-Godfathers) and of course VLR Editor, Eugene (Desperate Measures). This made for a superb set of well known tracks from each of the members.
After a brief change The Professionals took to the stage. For me, it was the first time seing them, they were superb! Great to see Paul Cook bashing away on the drums as they blasted their way through a couple of Pistols numbers, 'Bodies' and 'Silly Thing', plus a rendition of 'Merry Jingle' and a few Professionals tracks too to fill their short set. The crowd loved them and had managed to fill the smallish section in front of the stage in order to get a better view.
Brillinat evening, even though I had to cut it short as I was feeling too ropey and needed to get home.