Got to the venue at about 4.20pm for this afternoon and evening of punk rock from across the country. Apologies to the 2 bands I missed, Mad Badgers and Tri Subversion. Note to self must review their latest releases. Apparently both their sets went down well with good crowds in early on which is great to see when other punk gigs seem to be struggling.
MC16
I think the last time I saw Wolverhampton’s MC16 was when they were playing the introducing stage at Rebellion festival . Since then, they have released a number of singles and an album in February 2025. The lyrics are thought provoking but not rammed down your throat which isn’t easy to pull off. They make a great sound for a three piece with solid drums, some great melodic bass and catchy guitar played by singer Tom. They put on a great show with the singer bouncing around at the front of the stage. Their new album ‘Machine Code’ brings together a lot of their recent singles such as ‘Shoot Em Up’, ‘Ground Control’ and ‘One From Another’. This and their back catalogue are really worth a listen.
Knives
Knives from Nottingham have been active for around 10 years and have elements of a number of eras of punk and rock from the 1970s and 1990s. They have done some great gigs including supporting legendary rockers Y and T at Nottingham Rock City. Their songs are really catchy, especially when the vocal harmonies are on show on tracks like ‘I Believe’. They cover ‘Pump It Up’ by Elvis Costello and the Attractions and a Therapy track which shows their broad influences. Not sure they’ve recorded recently but if not, they need to get some of their own stuff down in the studio.
Headstone Horrors
Headstone Horrors from Nottingham/Northampton have been away for a while but are clearly back firing on all cylinders. I haven’t seen them for a while and they play as if they have never been away. The musicianship is top notch as ever and their horror punk songs delivered with venom. They play tracks from their three studio albums and showcase new song ‘A Million Ways which is a real piledriver. Great set and half an hour wasn’t nearly enough.
https://www.facebook.com/HeadstoneHorrors/?locale=en_GB
Destructors 82
Destructors 82 are next up with original member Gizz Butt on guitar. I have never seen them live – then again maybe I did back in the day but that would have been a long time ago. As their name would suggest they play tracks from the 1982 era of the original Peterborough punk band the Destructors. This is proper old school punk and they play a good set with tracks such as the classic ‘Northern Ripper’, ‘Superstars’ and the subtle tune that is ‘Bullshit’. Good stuff. Check out their album of old recordings that came out recently it’s an interesting listen.
https://www.facebook.com/Destructors82
Dog Rotten
Dog Rotten from London/Kent merge punk and rap in a similar way to their mates Riskee and the Ridicule. There is so much energy in the band as the two singers prowl the outdoor stage engaging the audience as the others leap around and the drummer goes for it. They deliver a polished set and change style and pace with ease and are super tight. This was half an hour of controlled madness and get an amazing reaction. This not surprising given the quality of tracks such as ‘Dead’ and ‘FTS’ which make you feel like you’re being hit over the head with a hammer. Must see these again. Interesting onstage antics and maybe drinking from your trainer will catch on but I’m far too fond of my collection of vans shoes to even consider it.
https://www.facebook.com/DogRotten/?locale=en_GB
Desperate Measures NZ
Being a guitarist light, Desperate Measures draft in guitar virtuoso Gizz Butt for his second performance of the day. They deliver a raucous 45-minute set of their thrashy rock and roll punk in the dolls style. Eugene is a great frontman who loves his music and James Sherry keeps it tight at the back. Their album ‘Sublime Destruction’ released in 2024 is a banger and they play a number of tracks from this including title track ‘Sublime Destruction’ and the cool ‘Seven Sisters’ dedicated to London the place they live and love. For good measure they throw in ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’ by The Stooges and a track Gizz Butt will have played to thousands of people back in the day. (if you know you know). Have a listen to their album it’s sublime you know and their merch is cool too.
https://www.facebook.com/DesperateMeasuresnz/?locale=en_GB
Face Up (FU)
Face Up (FU) are going from strength to strength and now appear to be gigging constantly and are on almost every punk festival programme you see. When you watch them it is easy to see why. Opener ‘Stand Together’ is a rallying cry and a great beginning to the set to which there is no let-up for 45 minutes.
Roxy makes the stage her own and is natural with the audience banter. They are an excellent band and some of the drumming is incredible and makes the songs fly. They just get better and better. Even with a guitarist missing they can deliver, with guitarist Neil doing a great job as ever.
They have come far since I saw them in the early days and have some big tunes that everyone knows and sings along to and every track was a banger. Stand out tracks for me were ‘The Few’, ‘Rise Now’, ‘No Echo’, ‘Not Your Enemy’, ‘The World Is Ours’ and set ender ‘Stand Fight Live Die’. Another top gig by FU and their fan base grows and grows as today testifies.
https://www.facebook.com/faceup.uk/?locale=en_GB
GBH
I’ve never reviewed GBH before even although the first time I saw them was upstairs in the now famous Crown Pub in Birmingham with Sean on bass before Ross Lomas joined the band. Showing my age, I know. They always had conviction and it was no surprise when they achieved worldwide fame.
They launch into the set with probably one of my favourite tracks ‘Diplomatic Immunity’. That guitar riff is a killer. ‘Drugs Party’ leads into the classic ‘Sick Boy’ and the packed room has already moved forward some right next to the stage to sing along and punch the air. ‘Slit Your Own Throat’ and ‘Am I Dead Yet’ follow in quick succession. ‘Wardogs’ starts with reference to Black Sabbaths ‘War Pigs’ which is a cool touch given the Crown Pub and Brummie connection a week before Black Sabbaths final farewell.
‘Maniac’ from the ‘City Baby’ album is dedicated to Brian James and Colin from Conflict and is played with real aggression as always with Mopsy Harvey from the Drongos standing in on bass doing a great job.
‘Gunned Down’ with its rocking opening riff catapults into the manic full speed riffing and guitar leads with Scott crazy as ever behind the kit playing some brilliant stuff and controlled double bass licks as he does throughout the set. ‘I Am The Hunted’ follows before the cool and heavy tom tom opening brings in ‘Prayer of a Realist’ which in turn leads into a manic ‘Heavy Discipline. There is never any let up in a GBH set which is still good to see. The audience go with it and get more manic.
GBH have always had a rock and roll element to their music evident in early fan favourite, the speeded up cover on Slaughter and The Dogs ‘Boston Babies’. ‘Bellend Bop’ from ‘City Baby’ keeps with this rock and roll theme with the punters now leaping around and singing along to every word. ‘Momentum’ is a great album and ‘I Never Asked For Any Of This’ showcases its quality with some signature Jock style guitar riffs and cool lyrics.
The final section of the gig has some killer songs – the classic ‘Generals’ (still has the same effect on me now as it did the first time I saw them perform it all those years ago), ‘No Survivors’, ‘Momentum’ and ‘Give Me Fire’ are all ace. ‘City Baby Attacked By Rats’ with its classic opening leads into the cool licks of ‘City Baby’s Revenge’ which brings an end to the main set with the audience sweating like mad but clearly in no hurry to leave. Mopsy Harvey did a great job on bass and enjoys joining in the chanting for an encore.
In the encore we are treated to ‘Time Bomb’ and Motörhead tune ‘Bomber’ which all the members of that classic Motörhead line up would have been proud of. GBH never fail to deliver the goods and we are probably all glad they have stuck to their guns throughout the years. The number of bands that have covered their songs and cite them as an influence speaks volumes about their music and how they have influenced punk and other genres.
What a great turnout and a great afternoon of punk rock. Well done to all those involved.
