The Californian crew bring ska-punk sunshine to a chilly London!
It’s ridiculously cold outside for mid-May, but that matters little when we’ve got some serious musical sunshine inside the New Cross Inn. I’ve often been at pains to point out that ska-punk can be so much more than just a party soundtrack, but tonight, it’s pretty much the perfect party soundtrack. The Inn is increasingly packed, and I’m feeling smug about my decision to wear shorts, given that the place is already feeling a bit humid before the first of the evening’s band has played a note.
Codename Colin are celebrating their 10th anniversary, and there’s a wonderful irony in them calling a (great) new song ‘Burnout’ when they’ve never sounded so vivacious. The Hertfordshire quintet are clearly in a playful mood, and covers of Britney Spears and Depeche Mode have us grinning ear to ear. Their own songs are just as good, though; a mix of ska, pop-punk and the odd easycore breakdown, infused with a touch of British grit and a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour. Keep up the good work, guys – on tonight’s evidence, you’ve got plenty more years left in you yet.
An impressive start, but Suburban Legends are not going to be outdone at their own show. Not since the early UK shows of Less Than Jake have we seen a band so determined to turn a gig into one big party. Whether making us laugh with some synchronised dance moves, orchestrating a ‘wall of hugs’ during a fabulously groovy ‘Dance Dance Dance’, or tossing the odd Disney cover into the mix, there’s never a dull moment tonight.
Yes, there are plenty of folks out there who’d no doubt roll their eyes at such antics, but as the bold, brassy likes of ‘Forever In The Friendzone’ and ‘Up All Night’ incite mass cheering and bouncing, it’s clear that any cynicism has been long since left at the door tonight. This is all about pure, unadulterated FUN, and although you can’t help but wish for bigger things for the band, the combination of a small venue and a packed crowd makes us feel like we’ve all been let in on a highly entertaining secret.
Are Suburban Legends the best ska-punk band around? Well, to these ears, they’ve yet to make their own ‘Hello Rockview’, but just like Chris Demakes’ crew, they don’t half know how to bring the sense of occasion – and the result is the best Friday night we’ve had in ages. Cheers for having us, guys – let’s do it all again sometime soon?
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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