Local Meta/Punk Band ‘Big Black Eye’ host these monthly punk nights at this excellent venue and they are becoming ever more popular.
Complete Dysfunction
First up tonight is Complete Dysfunction whos number includes two former Drongos members (from back in the day). Complete Dysfunction start with ‘1977’, a full-on punk tune with references to Elvis and the like. Apparently, they haven’t rehearsed since Rebellion festival but you wouldn’t know. They take us through their set of classic old school punk singalongs including the topical ‘Black and White’, ‘Innocent’ , ‘Religion’, ‘Riot’ and ‘999’, complete with machine gun fills.
They know how to put on a show and get the crowd on side. For the subtly titled ‘Fuck You’ they invite Drongos guitarist Andy Mac to join on backing vocals before launching into a killer version of ‘Lets Get Fucking Wasted’ which is always a great end to their set with the chorus belted around the room. I’m sure a lot of people probably were by the end of the night.
https://www.facebook.com/davedysfunction/?locale=en_GB
Year Zero
After a quick change over next up we have Year Zero, who without much preamble launch into their first song ‘Little England’ with its chiming power chords intro and without stopping for breath they follow up with ‘Beach Boys and Bikini Girls’ a song about being an outcast among the beautiful people and getting sand kicked in your face, sounding like a cross between the Ramones and The Beach Boys.
Kel (the singer) is bouncing around as he usually does while the rest of the band try looking cool and calm. A highlight is a song with different slower vibe about Vietnam (the war and the holiday destination) ‘Danang Beach’ which segues straight into ‘Merry Go Round’ and you could detect a bit of dancing in the crowd
They ‘finish’ on Tonight an anthem dedicated to fallen friends and a reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed then fire straight into ‘Fan Club’, (not the Damned song), but a thrasher about the people who have an unhealthy interest in serial killers.
They think it’s all over until the sound guy (who did a great job BTW) says you got time for one more and not waiting to be asked again they start up ‘Human Condition’ dedicated to Elon Musk and bow out to some enthusiastic applause.
https://www.facebook.com/yearzeropunk/?locale=en_GB
Big Black Eye
Local metal/punk band and hosts ‘Big Black Eye’ kick off their heavy onslaught with ‘Bleed’ to a packed eager crowd and set the tone for their set. This is like a hammer blow from start to finish. Next up is 2024 single ‘Hyper Violent’ with a start akin to Iron Maiden with a killer riff – it has tight rhythm and some cool changes and goes out on a high with echoes of a Black Sabbath groove with some complex guitar work. ‘Fury’ follows before the distinctive riff of latest single ‘Disease’ makes the song fly – it moves cooly between rock and slow funky grooves with a killer chorus. Probably the best track for me as it’s got everything you would expect from a great rock tune.
‘Monkey’ begins with its intense start and these songs are well thought out. This is a like a crossover between classic metal with a chorus that could be Nirvana. The Lyrics are great and the middle breakdown is sublime. 2025s ‘Captain of the Hounds’ follows and is a ripper track bordering on early 1990s punk in the chorus with complex rock riffing a plenty. As we near the end ‘Slumber’ takes us on a more funky trip like early Chilli Peppers. Nice to see each song has a feel of its own. Great catchy chorus and drums tightly locked into the guitar riffs.
This was one guitarists last gig and the other members present him with a goody bag complete with new stage attire. Nice touch. Signature tune ‘Big Black Eye’ complete with crowd participation is the last song before they launch into black sabbaths children of the grave riff as a cool outro. Excellent set well played.
https://www.facebook.com/bigblackeyeband
Drongos For Europe
Anthem ‘Wake Up Call’ starts the set with Kimbo now well established behind the kit. Follower ‘Untamed’ with its machine gun drumming and some dazzling guitar licks provides a wicked opening to the set. The rallying cry of ‘Mayday’ keeps the tempo up and the crowd get more into it. ‘What About Us’ in delivered with venom as Tommy Drongos prowls out front engaging the audience as the crowd in the room grows.
They have written many anthems over the years and ‘Contaminated’ from album ‘Cage The Rage’ is proof of that with its singalong chorus and some great backing vocals.
‘Who The Fuck are You’ is a killer punk tune and how could you not sing along to that chorus. ‘Black Cross’ from their first ep then kicks in – this is as good as it’s ever been and I still have my copy somewhere. They seem relaxed as a band these days and there is a fair bit of banter on the stage with Mopsy holding up a home-made placard. Very drole.
They have stories to tell and ‘Any Street Any Town’, has some brilliant lyrics. ‘Athens is Burning’ is another classic examples of this. – ‘Burn It Down!’ ringing around the room. The set is relentless and ‘Freedom’ with its complex bass line, driving rhythm and lead and massive chorus would be hard for anyone not to get involved with.
‘Don’t Wanna Be Like You’ leads nicely into the classic ‘Hope and Glory’ bringing a perfect end to a great night of punk rock and metal. Long may these gigs continue.
https://www.facebook.com/people/Drongos-for-Europe-offical/61566115062256/#
