A great recording of the London punks' stand-out set at the SLPC all-dayer in August!
Alright, in terms of ‘I was there’ punk moments, the recent South London Punk Collective all-dayer wasn’t quite up there with the Sex Pistols at the 100 Club, but it was still a brilliant day of quality punk rock – not to mention with the added bonus of a free barbecue (something that the Pistols definitely declined to provide). Cheers to one John Youens on two counts; first, for putting the event together, and second, for playing one of the best sets of the day with his band Slow Faction. ‘Return To The Windmill’ is a soundboard recording of that set, and it features a couple of bonus tracks from prior appearances at the same Brixton venue.
We said of the band that their “melodic punk anthems recall the leading lights of ‘77”, and that’s true for pretty much everything on offer here. First song ‘The Blank Generation’, with its earworm chorus and whoa-oh backing vocals, is a prime example of how they infuse these classic punk sounds with a new vitality. Bands like The Pistols, The Buzzcocks, The Clash (especially The Clash)…all that good stuff, updated for the 21st century, and lent a certain extra oomph in the live setting.
There are no weak links on show here, but we particularly like the mid-set brace of ‘La Commune’ and ‘1945’; the former a slice of classic Slow Faction, and the latter featuring a ‘drum and bass solo’ – for which John needlessly apologises, not least because it turns out to be a brief but highly groovy rhythmic workout! Oh, and the way ‘Oblivion’ rides on a rumbling bassline before yet another water-tight chorus explodes into life…trust us, you’ll be sold within half a minute.
The musicianship is excellent throughout, with a particularly blistering solo partway through ‘Poundland Society’ and credit is especially due to bassist Charlie, who makes his presence felt with the kind of dexterous low-end action that would have Matt Freeman (yep, he of Rancid fame) envious.
If we really had to make a criticism of this record, it’s that John’s vocals don’t always come through quite as clearly as they could, but we know from the studio versions that the man has plenty worthwhile to say, and a way with words (check out the self-explanatory ‘Antifascist’, in particular). In any case, as the anthemic ‘All The Fascists’ brings the record to a close, it’s clear that these songs would probably still sound great if played upside down and under water. Ok, we exaggerate. But not much.
By his own admission, John’s had his hands full with SLPC stuff (including having to move venues repeatedly over the last three years), but apparently new Slow Faction music will see the light of day in 2027. In the meantime, if you’re not yet acquainted with the band, ‘Return To The Windmill’ is a great way to catch up on what you’ve been missing.
‘Return To The Windmill’ is out now – check it out HERE.
- The Blank Generations
- Poundland Society
- 59 Minutes Past 11
- La Commune
- 1945
- Antifascist
- Oblivion
- The Definition Of Madness
- Under Heavy Manners
- BONUS: UDI – Soundcheck
- BONUS: Bubblegum For Josh (Aug 2024)
- BONUS: D Lister (Aug 2024)
- BONUS: All The Fascists (Aug 2024)
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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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