A small but potent rock n' roll invasion hits suburban London hard!
Ah, Kingston, it’s always a pleasure, especially on a warm Friday evening. Tonight we gather in you to watch three homegrown bands who should really be household names by now, but if any of them are frustrated that the Fighting Cocks isn’t exactly Brixton Academy, they certainly don’t show it.
Tonight, The Phobics singer Tom dedicates his band’s set to the sadly-departed Tony Conway (of London garage punks Bad Karma Beckons/Helltrain), and it’s safe to say that Mr Conway is grooving along in approval in rock n’ roll heaven. The Phobics are hardly reinventing the wheel, but few bands play adrenalised, punked-up rock n’ roll with such great tunes or this much vitality – witness guitarist Paul’s fizzing solos on the likes of ‘Like A Child’ and ‘Punk Rock Show’. These guys are firm favourites at Punktuation, and we implore you to check out their ace ‘Gimme Cyanide’ album now – we promise you won’t regret it.
Damage UK are missing their usual drummer, but have drafted in Phil from Emergency Bitter as a replacement. He steps up to the task in fine style, but after The Phobics’ explosive start to the evening, we find ourselves craving something similarly fast and full-throttle. The melancholic ‘Innocent Bystanders’ and the jangly ‘Speed Of Love’ sound great, but the energy level dips somewhat, and it takes a cover of the Pretty Things classic ‘Rosalyn’ to get us all moving again. Still, they give it their all, and their closing version of ‘I Fought The Law’ ensures they depart triumphant.
“It’s like a sonic boom up here!” That’s Witchdoktors vocalist/guitarist Andy, who may actually be the Devil in disguise, as he has all the best lines. His band were great when we saw them back in July at the Lexington (with Darts), and they’re on even better form tonight. Of all the many great punk and rock n’ roll bands that Witchdoktors recall, Rocket From The Crypt are forefront in our minds tonight; not just because the riff from ‘Neck Tattoo’ resembles that of the San Diego crew’s 90s hit ‘On A Rope’, but also because these guys are showmen through and through.
Whether barrelling through the insanely catchy ‘No Pain, No Gain’ or adding a tinge of dark country on the delightfully sinister ‘Black Sack’, everything is delivered with zero pretension, a knowing wink and an unmistakably British sense of humour. There’s a new album on its way, titled ‘Izzatso? ’ and if tonight is an indication, it’s going to be a corker. Look out for a review in Punktauation near its release date (31st October)!
Well, whilst we can’t help but wish for greater things for all tonight’s bands, we do at least leave the venue feeling like we’re in on something of a great rock n’ roll secret. Hey, the sense of intimacy would have been totally lost at the Brixton Academy, anyway. Cheers to all involved!
All Photos/Videos: RUTH RAE
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I spend my days teaching English to foreign students, and my evenings attending as many gigs as possible. Raised mainly on a diet of 90s third-wave punk, my tastes have grown to include just about anything from trad ska to thrash metal. The Ramones are my musical gods.
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