A sizzling celebration with the sounds that make the Punk world go round!
Happy Birthday, Vive Le Rock! We’ve said it before, but we’re amazed at how they continue to thrive in an age where print journalism is on life support. We’re happy to be at this birthday gig tonight for two reasons; first, because there’s a great line-up, and second, because it’s a sanctuary of sorts from the hordes of Arsenal fans roaming the area tonight. Football’s all well and good, folks, but it can’t satisfy the soul like punk rock can. Anyway, on with the day.
Opening a show at the early hour of 5:15pm is never an easy task, but Headsticks approach it head-on, delighting the early birds with a clutch of folk-punk anthems. Frontman Andrew is quite the master of ceremonies, trying (with at least partial success!) to gee us up a bit, and even a solemn, acoustic ‘Paper Flowers’ is deservedly met with raucous applause. They finish with a rollicking ‘Peace & Quiet’ and leave us wanting more.
Sad that Sham 69 couldn’t make it to the party? Never fear, because Tear Up are here to provide some no-nonsense street punk. Vocalist Jamie cuts a boxer-esque figure with his shirtless presence, and ‘Oi Ain’t Dead’ is as bold an opening statement as we’ll hear all evening. No, there’s no great subtlety to what these guys do, but that was never the point; the likes of ‘King Of The Car Park’ and ‘War Stories’ hit hard, and in their brutal simplicity, they’re damn effective.
We’ve seen Deaf Devils utterly destroy onstage (and occasionally offstage!) at the Hope & Anchor and Signature Brew Haggerston, but can they cut it at a larger venue with a barrier? As they tear into the opening brace of ‘Tonite’ and ‘Dancing With The Devil’, we can’t believe we doubted them for a second; their visceral death-punk attack is as effective as ever.
It doesn’t take long before frontwoman Lucyfer joins us in the crowd, as guitarist Pipe unleashes another squalling solo (with his instrument behind his head, no less), and it’s the sense that they constantly teeter on the brink of chaos that makes their set so compelling. We remember seeing Turbonegro play a blinder here about 20 years ago, and now it’s the turn of another bunch of Europeans playing shit-kicking rock n’ roll to utterly own the venue. Top that!
Desperate Measures certainly give it a good go, delivering the likes of ‘Back To The Rats’ and ‘Scars & Memories’ with no little venom, and as they’re bathed in siren-esque blue and red lights for ‘1984’, it all feels wonderfully sinister. New guitarist Calle is fitting in so well that he even gets a brief neck massage from frontman Eugene, who, incidentally, is at his combative best this evening. Tight PVC-clad Kit Swing joins them for a spirited ‘Enjoy The Ride‘, We’ve reviewed this lot so many times, what more can we say about them?! Oh, let’s give a shout out to drummer James, who thumps good tub and keeps the beat in fine style.
With all due respect to drummer Lewis, who does a sterling job, vocalist/guitarist Lily is undoubtedly the focal point of The Meffs live experience. When she’s not anchored to her mic stand, she’s criss-crossing the stage like a trapped tiger, and eventually breaks free to riff away in the centre of a circle pit.
More than any other band on the bill, there’s a sense that the Colchester duo need this music as an outlet for their fury at the state of the world, and from the opening ‘Business’ to the closing ‘Clowns’, they channel that fury into a take-no-prisoners display of stripped-down punk rock. The poster for this gig describes them as the “best new band in Britain”; tonight, they justify that label – and then some.
UK82 veterans Chron Gen are back for their first show in seven years, and certainly seem rejuvenated. They play a spirited set, but there’s a sense that much of the crowd is either going through a post-Meffs slump, or saving the bulk of their energy for tonight’s headliners. That said, old favourites like ‘Clouded Eyes’ and ‘Misadventure’ were never going to fail when played with this much passion in front of a devoted crowd, and they keep the pit simmering throughout their set. Good stuff.
We can only hope that, when we reach our 60s, we’ll have half the energy and vitality of the Skids frontman Richard, who dances away happily throughout his band’s superb headline set. The Scottish quartet have one foot in punk rock and the other in post-punk, and tonight they sound huge, but not bloated – a trick that’s not easy to pull off, but a mid-set triple whammy of the evergreen ‘The Saints Are Coming’ (complete with deafening sing-along), ‘Circus Games’ and ‘Hurry On Boys’ is proof enough of their songwriting prowess.
Clearly grateful that his band still means so much to so many people, Richard’s easy-going demeanour wins over even the most casual of fans (I myself am now officially a Skids convert!), and he announces a welcome surprise at the end – a cover of The Clash’s ‘Complete Control’ that damn near brings the house down.
Cheers to Vive Le Rock for having us along for the ride. Keep up to date with them via the links below, and they’ve promised us another party next year!
Main Photo Credit / Additional Photos: IAN LADLOW
Additional Live Photos: PER-ÅKE WÄRN
Live Videos: RUTH RAE
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