We were in our element on this Sunday afternoon of quality punk and hardcore!
Not that we don’t love reviewing the likes of Rebellion Festival for Punktuation, but small gigs are definitely where we feel most at home. This Sunday matinee is a case in point; this is my first time at the Trades Hall, and there’s a fun, friendly atmosphere, decent sound, and a bartender wearing rainbow-coloured Doc Martens. What’s not to like?
Nottingham bruisers King Of Pigs play fast, furious & filthy. Their name makes me think of Poison Idea, and indeed the likes of ‘War Hyms’ & ‘Satanic Death Rattle’ give me the same jolt of adrenaline that I felt when first heard the Portland legends’ ‘Death Of An Idiot Blues’. Throw in a few amusing quips about Phil Collins – and their own absolute beast of a drummer – and we’re totally sold. Check out last year’s ’After Victory Comes Defeat’ album, it’s awesome.
If the drummer is the star of King Of Pigs, then we like how Hearing Tests’ bassist plays Lemmy-style chords. Unsurprisingly, there’s a huge seismic rumble to their sound, along with some brilliantly discordant Jesus Lizard-esque blasts of noise rock. Their vocalist could double as a doomsday street preacher, stalking the small space constantly, and ending up on his knees in the crowd as his band bring things to a close with ‘Bully’. Superb.
What can we say about Dealing With Damage that we haven’t already said before? Today’s there a playful edge to the punk/post-hardcore/loads-of-other-stuff crew’s set, with singer/guitarist Ed attempting a spot of dancing during the closing ‘Rinse Repeat Rinse’. We thought punk was supposed to be rough and ramshackle, but this lot sound like they practise every single day, the bloody sellouts. Seriously, though – the music remains as edgy, restless and compelling as ever, with the couple of new tracks boding well for the band’s forthcoming third album. Can’t wait to see what they get up to in 2026.
The Restarts sound like they’re about to explode with righteous anger. Sometimes the veteran trio go hard and fast on straight-up belters like ‘Outsider’ and ‘The One Percent’, sometimes they add a twist of ska-punk to proceedings, as on ‘XQ28’, but they keep it raw and utterly relentless at all times. Vocalist/bassist Kieran has plenty worthwhile to say, and it’s heartening that people listen closely and applaud as he rails against all manner of evils in this sick sad world. Long may they rage.
Cheers to Al (belated happy birthday, mate!), Aidan, and everyone else involved in putting on such a good reason to get out of the house on a cold Sunday afternoon! Check out details of future Capital Salvage shindigs on the links below.
All Photos: ALEX GOOSE
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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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