It’s the 14^th of February 2020, so that can mean only one thing being marked in H-Bombz diary, right? Yup, its gig time as I head to Le Pub in Newport for Bad Sam’s all-new single launch party.

Braving storm Dennis along with what appears to be a head on collision of a Friends Reunited meeting for Arkham Asylum and a Pokemon Go adventure party gone a little off course I have just enough time to grab myself a quick pint before local alt-rock trio The Oversights kick off proceedings with a punchy selection of what we used to broadly describe as “indie music” back in those halcyon days of TJ’s.

With ‘Hello Adventure’ their debut 5 track EP available at the merch table and a healthy number of people already looking to catch them live I feel The Oversights just need to get some gig experience under their belts before they become true contenders, but at this very early stage in their career things are certainly looking more than just a little rosy.

With The Oversights idea of image being three Hawaiian shirts slung on quickly before they play it takes a mere glimpse out of the corner of my eye at Igam Ogam wandering through the crowd to really restore my faith in true musical eccentricity. These crazy fuckers look like a band formed by the cast of Psychoville and what’s more they actually sound like it too. It’s all a bit too Primus-y for my tastes but the between-song banter from drummer/singer General Waste is absolutely priceless and bassist Grotty the Clown and guitarist The Third Person look and sound absolutely amazing even if ole Clowny could do with losing about 5 strings off that 6 string bass of his. As I say it’s not my thing musically, but the packed audience seems to love the likes of ‘Happy Families’ so who am I to argue?

Any new music from the Newport’s favourite hardcore sons Bad Sam is worthy of a celebration so it seems completely right and proper that they have chosen tonight and Le Pub (the city’s venue renowned for welcoming lovers…not fighters) to act as the springboard for the band’s all new 3 track ‘Alcoholic’ 7” single. It also feels right and proper that the band should kick off their set with a track from said release, and as ‘Looking Back’ unravels in all its Sabbath meets Bad Brains glory, this sets the tone perfectly for what is to follow with Beddis and the boys playing eighteen tracks from throughout their back catalogue.

I’ve honestly never seen the band tighter or more focused than they are tonight as the likes of crowd favourites ‘Bastard Son Of A Teddy Boy’, ‘I’m A Terrorist’ and  ‘Black John Wayne’ sit alongside deeper cuts like ‘3 Little Pigs’ and ‘Sweet Dreams’, and never mind how much Beddis claims to dislike playing these latter tracks live, they still sound absolutely amazing through the Le Pub rig. What is surprising is that ‘American Fat Fucks’ isn’t given a run out, albeit the long overdue reintroduction of ‘I Love The Port’ (which ends things in total chaos) almost makes up for this.

I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating, that in the times we find ourselves in the UK needs bands like Bad Sam to give us something to believe in. So get off your arses and drop Beddis a message to secure your ‘Alcoholic’ 7” for £5 plus P&P, or if you live in South Wales why not pop into Kriminal Records in Newport Market and pick one up first hand. These vinyl bad boys ain’t going to be around for long, do don’t be snoozing.