I must first apologise to support ‘So Good’ as I had to rush here from the football. I must also apologise to headliners The King Blues for never seeing them live before, despite them being around on and off for 20 years.
To me it takes guts to stand in front of a sold-out venue and kick off your opening tune acoustically but Jonny ‘Itch’ Fox is at home in this situation as he delivers ‘Let’s Hang The Landlord’. The crowd sing along and the wonderful violin soars over the vocal. What a way to hook the crowd.
They take us through their set moving between their cool mix on punk ska and hip hop often within one tune. Their politics and social commentary are key which is no doubt a reason unlike other bands they can cross the age divide. My daughter and her friends are here and massive fans and would only have been seven when the band started their 20-year journey.
They follow Landlord with ‘Set The World On Fire’ from 2011 album ‘Punk and Poetry’. This track is as true and catchy today as it was then. ‘I Want You’ from the same album follows and is brilliantly played with the jagged catchy guitar riff, cool bass, soaring keys and killer drumming with the assembled faithfully singing along to every word. They slip into ‘Hold On Tight’ with its wonderful reggae groove effortlessly and this shows how versatile the songwriting and musicianship of the band is.
‘We Aint Never Done’ from first album ‘Under The Fog’ and ‘A Whole 30 Minutes Work’ follow then Jonny explains that Birmingham was the place where Oswald Moseley started the British Union of fascists which in turn brought with it the anti-fascist movement. A chant of Birmingham is anti-fascist rings out around the room lead from the stage as the band launches into a riotous version of ‘The Streets Are Ours’ with the singalong as amazing as the delivery and killer drumming. Have to say the keyboard lines and violin throughout the set really give the songs an added dimension.
Itch takes it down again and does a semi solo slot with an ace rendition of ‘Shithole’ dedicated to the venues they love (but as they stress this does not include the current venue as it’s far too grand for such a title). Ever favourite ‘Boulder’ incites a band and crowd love in and is followed by a cracking version of early single ‘Mr Music Man’.
This is brummie Ade Preston’s final show after 10 years loyal service and the band are keen to show their appreciation and he obviously owes much to them too. Tonight Ade is on bass but is often seen wielding the guitar. Just like his guitar he throws the bass around like a weapon as he dances around cooly blasting out the choruses with other members of the band. Apparently, the guitarist is also from around these parts.
The temperature is raised when they fly into ‘Headbutt’ which is one of the catchiest tunes you may ever hear and it’s hard to believe this was released in 2010 when the Tory and Lib Dem Coalition came to power. ‘Tory is a 4 Letter Word’ released before the recent election follows and Jonny is keen to tell us how influential this must have been on the outcome. How could you not join in with the singalong.
‘I Got Love’ with its opening rhythm guitar lines works into its wicked semi hip hop groove with a cool middle section and great vocal and backing vocal. Jonny’s vocals have lost nothing over 20 years, neither has his banter and delivery. ‘Underneath This Lamppost Light’ is a proper love song.
‘What if Punk Never Happened’ draws you into the story with its multiple references to the many eras of punk. I would suggest we all listen to this again to make sure we remember why we all joined this movement in the first place, whenever we joined it. As ‘Save The World Get The Girl’ kicks in we know we are on the home straight. This song is ultra catchy with more great lyrics. ‘Going to war to prevent war was the most stupid thing i ever heard’ – genius.
This was an excellent gig and this was definitely not a drill. The gig was all for one and one for all and definitely not one for f*** all as the song suggests. Here’s to the next 20 years – and best wishes Ade whatever you get up to in the future. You played a blinder mate.
