Ruts DC- ‘Counterculture’ (Sosumi Recordings)

Ruts DC- ‘Counterculture’ (Sosumi Recordings)

It’s been a while since I dipped into the Ruts DC sound, even longer since I caught them live, way back in the Melkweg in Amsterdam with Johnny H and in truth a break from a Brutal afternoon of Gimp Fist, Lions Law and Discipline!!!

But on to this baby, welcome to One of my Favourite LPs of the year so far in a year that’s had some real blinders. A reminder of the times we’re living in, while also reminding us that Punk has a voice, and sometimes it just has to be listened to.

Opener Faces in the sky is one of the strongest openers to have hit these ears in a while, then Caught in the Kill Zone just moves it up a gear!!! That guitar sound that we all love front and centre.

Next up X-Ray Joy, shifts sound and focus, much lighter before things again move up a gear the sound just washes over you, drawing you in deeper and deeper. There’s the merest hint of a reggae skank to the beginning of The Question is before that Bass run takes over and that stabbing punk guitar nudges you reminding you of where the Ruts come from, where the sound is grounded, a societal scream of anguish, a story waiting to be told. Born Innocent gives you that hint of a dub reggae opening before the message in the lyrics stands tall and we move into some gorgeous lead guitar work.

Next up Counterculture again draws on that Ruts heritage, the guitars picking at you, “Whatever happened to the Counterculture?!” standing tall as a vocal refrain, probably standing up as my fave track on the LP. Too Much has an almost soft rock intro before that’s put firmly in its place and we’re back into that guitar sound we all know so well.

Truth be told there isn’t a weak track on this LP!!! Definitely, an LP for the times we’re struggling to survive in, led by the latest Tory Austerity measures, paying astronomical bonuses to the bankers (Give it 5 years and we’ll be bailing them out again) with Energy suppliers bleeding us dry, more than ever we need to turn and embrace the Counterculture, giving that light of Hope that music provides.

Fair play what an LP!!! Get in there!!!

Buy Here

Author: Nev Brooks

John Cale with Special Guests-Cardiff Millennium Centre 28/10/2022 (Llais) Festival of Voice)

John Cale with Special Guests-Cardiff Millennium Centre 28/10/2022 (Llais) Festival of Voice)

Sometimes gigs pop up and you just have to book, no thought necessary especially when it comes to a legend of the Underground, one of the original pioneers of Art Rock, a founder member of the Velvet Underground, appeared on Nick Drakes Bryter Later, as well as producing bands as diverse as Squeeze, Patti Smith and Sham 69!! I mean come on he even set out the score for Leonard Cohens Hallelujah that Jeff Buckley followed, only thing is this gig was initially logged as with an orchestra, and the special guests weren’t actually announced until the week before.

 Safe to say when Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals) James Dean Bradfield (Manic St Preachers) and Cate Le Bon (previous collaborator of both Gruff Rhys and John Cale) plus adding in a gospel choir were announced you knew it was going to be a bit special.

Before diving into the gig I have to say something about the setup in the Millenium center for the Festival, exhibitions, live acts in the foyer, and other acts in Smaller theatres if you get a chance to check it out next year it’s well worth a look (As a footnote Pussy Riot were playing in the other theatre).

The gig itself? Wow talk about a representation of an artist’s career, but reworked updated, and current. The first song that jumped out at me was the third track in Do Not Go Gently Into That Good Night, wow talk about emotional, next up Mercy more than held its own in fact the new stuff (LP is released in January) really sets a high bar. Then the first of the guests came on and just Wow, Cate Le Bon stole the show completely if anything I’d have loved to see her perform some Nico-era stuff but we made do with Gideons Bible and the stunning Ghost story.

Next up the superb Style it takes from the Songs for Drella collaboration with Lou Reed. After drifting through Hatred and Half past France we had the first of another two newies Hanky Panky Nohow and for me, the standout of the night “Moonstruck” both a tribute to and homage to Nico.

Gruff Rhys then entered stage left to bring us Dead or Alive and Jack the ripper returning us to an era of Psychedelia, before Guts cranks things up swiftly followed by a personal fave from the Velvets I’m Waiting for the man, now if only Cate Le Bon could have/had time allocated to perform All tomorrow’s parties or Femme Fatale, it would have been perfect (but what do I know).

Next up James Dean Bradfield brought a whole new dimension to Buffalo Ballet and Ship of Fools, before Cale’s interpretation of Heartbreak Hotel, if you’ve never heard it do yourself a favour!!! Then we’re into the last couple Hedda Gabler and Oh La La.

I have to say the orchestra, Brass section, and Gospel Choir all deserve a mention, adding huge depth and layers to the songs.

It’s not every day you get to see a Bonafide legend of the underground, it’s even less when the new unheard songs yet to be released show you how even now John Cale is shifting focus, bringing something new to the plate. Pity pussy Riot wasn’t the support act instead of playing in a separate theatre. Would have definitely made my night.

Author: Nev Brooks

The Damned – Smalltown Tigers, TV Smith, The Skids – Hammersmith Eventim Apollo 28.10.22

The Damned – Smalltown Tigers, TV Smith, The Skids – Hammersmith Eventim Apollo 28.10.22

As we gathered slowly in the cavernous Hammersmith Odeon at the ungodly hour of half six the Italian trio Smalltown Tigers strode onto the vast stage and proceeded to deliver an energetic set of power pop punk rock with some great hooks and plenty of tunes The Smalltown Tigers seemed to be loving life. It’s a shame there wasn’t a capacity crowd in already as I think that would have helped with the energy of going on so early but it would have been a tick off the bucket list to tell anyone they’d played the famous place and with The original Damned. I think had it been in a small tight club these three ladies would have enhanced their reputation tenfold so until next time…

Next up was the ever-enthusiastic TV Smith & The Bored Teenagers who proceeded to waste no time in taking out two mics, getting tangled with a third in the bass player guitar lead but still managing to race around like a teenager. TV delivered a really good set with an impressive catalogue of songs always opening with ‘No Time To Be Twenty One’ which set the tone. Playing with boundless energy and class and ending with a rather splendid hattrick of songs in ‘Bored Teenager’, ‘Gary Gilmores Eyes’ and ‘One Chord Wonder’ leaving the stage to rapturous applause to a now swelling audience.

TV was followed by The Skids who again rose to the occasion with an impressive ten-song set that included (the U2 song) (I know I’m only yanking your chain) ‘The Saints Are Coming’ an excellent ‘Circus Games’ some memorable as did the Hits of ‘Yankee Dollar’, ‘Masquerade’ and the most excellent ‘Into the Valley’ Jobson dancing and some very amusing banter from the frontman as well. By now the venue was packed and everyone seemed in a great mood up for it and joining in which was fed back from the stage before playing tribute to brothers’ fallen as a worthy rendition of ‘Complete Control’ was covered and they thoroughly deserved their ovation as they left the stage.

Finally, the moment had arrived and a show they said could never happen was upon us and the excitement was building. Well, It was just about to bloomingwell happen. when these four walked off stage back in the turn of the 90s I thoguht like many (the band included) that was that, never to be repeated but sometimes if you dream hard enough those dreams can come true.

Now I know Damned fans can be a funny old bunch and famously hard to please but not this bunny, nope me I thoroughly enjoyed turning back the clock. It was exactly what I’d hoped it would be, the incendiary debut album with a healthy splash of ‘Music For Pleasure’ teetering on the right side of under-rehearsed and as garage as fucking possible. Fuckin’ beautiful! So they’re a lot older and Brian was physically a bit shaky but fuck me the man has magic in those fingers and a tone to die for. Rat was never a drum tickler; more a smash-and-dash player who played with his heart on the inside of that snare he always felt his way through songs knowing when to give it some (al a Moon) and when to lay back and shuffle and you never lose that if you’re one of the great. Rat Scabies is one of the greats and tonight he played like he was actually enjoying it and the realisation that fuck me – The Damned could play and more importantly, they had the tunes to go with the chops.

sure right from the off Captain and Dave looked like they were on top of the brief and were enjoying being part of history and for this to work there wasn’t time to fuck about or scratch old wounds this was a celebration that they have endured and triumphed in the face of adversity and competing with a pandemic this day had finally arrived and it was spectacular.

Now I’ve never subscribed to the misconception that ‘Music For Pleasure’ was a dud and on the back of the spectacular debut they’d run out of ideas and tonight I was overdosing on the record getting my fill of tunes from the horn-honking ‘Alone’ to the MO of ‘You Take My Money’ via the non-album tracks like ‘Stretcher Case Baby’ and the splendid ‘Problem Child’ they should champion that bloody record and tonight it got a fair airing.

Brian delivered the abrasive garage chops with tone and panache and plenty of volume whilst the much-underrated rhythm section of Captain and Rat held it together in fine fashion. So it was hanging on by a thread at times but that was always part of the appeal, wasn’t it? This was punk rock with a huge dash of Garage just like Their heroes The Stooges this band could go toe to toe and in my humble opinion give Iggy and the gang a TKO on the song front as a friend once said to me The Damned were his Beatles and I have to agree having seen them dozen and dozens of times over many decades this one seemed special, after the pandemic and shall we say disagreements this seemed special, Cathartic, emotional and just about perfect.

The band was smiling and actually looked like they knew this was the right decision and playing these songs again together was absolutely the right thing to do and that shone through in their delivery. Vanian must have struck a deal with Beelzebub as he looked as lean as he’s always done, stalking the stage, sometimes in the wrong key sometimes not, but who actually cared it was never meant to be anything other than four men hammering out some of the finest songs ever written, their place and time in music should never be a footnote to the Pistols and Clash but the other way around they were the first to kick this off and trailblazers they have always been and paying tribute to their achievements as those trailblazers the set was perfect with a fine balance of debut album songs – hell, they even smashed out a brutal ‘Stab Your Back’ which might have been the tightest song of the night. From opening with ‘I Feel Alright’ this was more than alright this was beautiful right through to ‘New Rose’ but not before they delivered ‘Pills’ and as they’ve done before it was a poignant ‘the LAst Time’ and into the night the four heroes went. That was emotional just like Rock and Roll was intended to sound. Raw, electric, and dangerous. Fuck I love The Damned, can we do this again sometime, please?

Author: Dom Daley

The Bar Stool Preachers – New Album & Tour Dates

The Bar Stool Preachers – New Album & Tour Dates

Finally, the much anticipated third album from the Bar Stool Preachers is almost here! With help from Kevin Bivona (The Interrupters), Ted Hutt (Dropkick Murphy’s/Flogging Molly) and Ben Hannah (Nosebleed),

The Bar Stool Preachers (friends of the site) are back with a bang, bringing you some of the biggest new tunes, in Spring 2023, they’re bringing them to a town near you. To celebrate this new release and to continue their mission of bangers, power and unity, the band are hitting the road hard – and bringing their one of kind incendiary live show to lucky clubs around the world. Described as having the “perfect blend of intelligent punk anthems and poignant, unsentimental love songs, both combined with the most infectious songs you’ll hear this decade”, these shows are long-awaited, and not something you’re gonna want to miss.

Get your tickets Here

The long-awaited third album is coming out on Pure Noise Records, and it’s going to be out in the Spring of 2023!

It’s called ‘Above the Static’ and it’s a beautiful collection of raucous rock and roll, dancing ska and huge heartfelt punk anthems. Nowadays, it’s hard to get heard above the noise. The shows, are the only shows they have booked so far in the UK for 2023, which means they are the only shows they have booked in the UK – as it stands – forever!

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Scene Killers/Deathtraps/System Reset – The Pit, McCanns, Newport – 22nd October 2022

Scene Killers/Deathtraps/System Reset – The Pit, McCanns, Newport – 22nd October 2022

Part of a short 3 gig sprint across Bristol and south Wales this 3-band bill comprising of Nottingham’s noisy as fuck hardcore mob Scene Killers, Newport’s Action Rock champions Deathtraps, and Abertillery’s melodic hardcore punkers System Reset, is the perfect solution for anyone pissed off with soaring gig ticket prices. 3 quality bands, all with new vinyl to promote, and its £5 on the door. What more could you want?

The Pit, which is downstairs at McCanns Rock Bar in Newport, is about 2/3 full for the arrival of System Reset, for what turns out to be, Stan, the band’s constantly bouncing frontman’s birthday celebrations. Having gigged like bastards throughout the summer their short 30 odd minute set packed with tunes from their recently released ‘Many Hands Make Lies Work’ EP literally flies by, and whilst the songs on the surface are full of melodies you can’t get out of your head, you only have to stop and listen to the subject matters being tackled to realise that the five-piece are one pissed off bunch. Playing ‘Big Business’ as a middle finger to what I alluded to in my intro above, System Reset are the perfect soundtrack for grey Britain, and as if to further reinforce that point it’s also pissing down outside tonight as I step out to get a quick breather between bands.

Taking the stage (or floor as is the case in The Pit) to the strains of Toto’s ‘Hold The Line’, Deathtraps are the Action Rock filling in this mini tour’s otherwise hardcore sandwich, and with album number 3 fresh out the box they waste no time in introducing the crowd to the delights of ‘Appetite For Prescription’ via a blistering ‘Red Eyes and Black Kisses’, and what follows is a lesson in foot to the floor punk rock ‘n’ roll. Vaughan and Fraser spitting out the lyrics to the likes of ‘Rip Em Off’ and ‘Press Darlings’ in venomous fashion, whilst peppering the set with tracks from their ‘Stole Your Rock N Roll’ album via ‘Cool Kids’ and ‘Let’s Fall Out Of Love’ and keeping the travelling fans (of which there are quite a few) very happy indeed. Closing things out with an impromptu cover of Turbonegro’s ‘Denim Demon’ during which Sutton from System Rest and Jesse from Scene Killers join them, Deathtraps are the true shitty sound of south Wales’ steel towns and they sound absolutely fucking glorious.

As the rock world waits with baited breath for the arrival of the next Hip Priests album, their band members have been keeping themselves busy with other musical adventures, frontman Nathan releasing his Hate EP whilst bassist Lee Love went back to his NWONW roots for the ‘Hold Me Down’ EP. Drummer Des popped up providing the backbeat to one of my favourite records of 2021 with Silent Like A Bomb, and guitarist Ben has been depping on second guitar for Swedish metallers Bullet across a series of summer festival shows. Meanwhile, his partner in six string crime, Austin Rocket has assembled a crack unit of musicians to give us Scene Killers, who in the process, have released 2 filthy dirty slabs of hardcore in the shape of 2020’s ‘Rev It Up’ and this year’s ‘Beat Beat Beat’ (an album seemingly so bowel shakingly disturbing in its ferocity that RPM gaffer Dom Daley even managed to get its title wrong in his recent review…ha!).

Joined by members of the awesome TV Crime and fronted by eccentric singer Jesse Luscious (ex of Blatz, The Criminals) Austin’s silhouette provides the only visual link to his other band as sonically speaking Scene Killers are a world away from the Priests’ black denim blitz. Instead, Scene Killers strike a discordant balance between punk and metal, producing short, sharp, 2-minute blasts of music that sound like they might just fall apart at any minute whilst also stabbing you in the eye in the process. Tonight, the initial sound mix in The Pit doesn’t really do the band any favours with ‘Rev It Up’ sounding more like ‘Reverb It Up’, however once that is sorted the tracks from the band’s all new 9 track platter sound absolutely stunning.  It’s impossible to avoid Luscious (who surely would be re-christened “lush hun” here in Newport) as he provokes the audience one on one to singalong to the likes of ‘Gimme Gimme’, ‘Immigrant Eyes’ and savage set closer ‘We’re All Decay’. It’s all over way to quickly in a blur of feedback, distortion and sweat, but it’s the only way we want our gigs to end here at RPM. “Leave them wanting more”, that’s what was say….and at just a deep sea to get in tonight I feel like I’ve just witnessed one of the gig bargains of the year. Result!!!

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Deathtraps Facebook

System Reset Facebook

Author: Johnny ‘ZooportHC’ Hayward!

Wonk + Bad Cop Bad Cop now May 2023

Wonk + Bad Cop Bad Cop now May 2023
After a few failed attempts, the big news is the WONK UNIT tour with Bad Cop Bad Cop is finally SORTED!

Please check if your tickets for the Nov 2022 dates are still valid with whoever you bought them through.

There’s a special guest coming along to these shows, our lips are unfortunately sealed for now!
Upcoming gigs15/10/2022 – Till The Fest 2, South London. Playing “Trolleys, Thank you” album show. Tickets.

18/11/2022 – Alex Wonk supporting the Drowns, Bradford. (early event) Tickets
01/12/2022 – Oslo, Norway – Vaterland (With DANGER!MAN)
03/12/2022 – Trondheim, Norway – Verkstedhallen & Lobbyen (With DANGER!MAN)
16/12/2022 Newport ( Tickets )
17/12/2022 DE, Cologne

2023 BAD COP BAD COP TOUR

16/05/2023 BRISTOL THE EXCHANGE – tickets
17/05/2023 SOUTHAMPTON JOINERS – tickets
18/05/2023 STAMFORD VOODOO LOUNGE – Tickets 
19/05/2023 MANCHESTER REBELLION – tickets
20/05/2023 STAFFORD REDRUM – tickets
21/05/2023 LONDON UNDERWORLD – tickets

Alex has been busy helping rock-n-roller punks, THE DROWNS (USA) with their upcoming tour of Europe and the UK. He’s helped sort some nights on the close-knit UK DIY punk scene so they can play most nights of the tour. They are a fantastic band and well worth catching. Alex will join them on stage in Bradford as he’s a proper Yorkshireman these days 🙂 Tickets

They play a free-entry gig at the same pub in Peterborough Wonk Unit played this year, for those cheeky chaps the Scary Clown Presents. Facebook event here.

All your Wonk wishes Here

CLEOPATRA’S REIGN

CLEOPATRA’S REIGN

Vive Le Rock is proud to be teaming up with legendary Los Angeles record label Cleopatra Records for their 30th Anniversary celebrations at London’s O2 Islington Academy on Wednesday October 26th for what promises to be an unforgettable night of punk and dub rock!

Gathering together three trailblazing Cleopatra artists to shake Islington’s foundations, the 30th anniversary night will be headlined by Public Image Ltd legend Jah Wobble who will perform his reimagining of the second PIL album ‘Metal Box Rebuilt In Dub’ for the very first time.

Those Rebellion festival and ‘Homicide’ favourites 999 will play a special anniversary set to mark the occasion while the kings of the Roxy club and 1976 punk, Eater will make a super rare appearance to open proceedings!

The ringmaster and compere for the nights shenanigans will be none other than the Anti-Nowhere League’s larger-than-life frontman, the one and only Animal. There will be an exclusive aftershow party until late for VIP ticket holders who will also receive a goodie bag of Cleopatra and Vive Le Rock swag and the whole night will be soundtracked by Vive Le Rock DJs!

Cleopatra founder Brian Perera says: “Thirty years has felt like just a few years because time has just flown by while we’ve been having fun working with all of these amazing artists! We’re looking forward to our big anniversary celebration in London where we have so many fun surprises planned for you. We could not have lasted without you!”

Tickets are on sale Here

For further information and updates visit Vivelerock.net and Facebook.com/vivelerockworld

Trampolene – New Album & Tour Dates

Trampolene – New Album & Tour Dates

TRAMPOLENE will release their fourth album Rules Of Love & War on 17th March 2023. Rules of Love & War features 12 new TRAMPOLENE original songs and was produced by Mike Moore (Baxter Dury/Liam Gallagher), Richard Jackson (Super Furry Animals) & Jason Stafford (Albion Rooms)

Says singer and lead Tramp Jack Jones: “I can’t believe we’ve managed to stay together long enough to make 4 albums. That’s the miracle. Having been friends since school. That’s what means the most to me now. We wanted the album to have a psychedelic, cinematic feel to it with grandiose layers, brass, strings and distorted guitars. I’m delighted with how it’s turned out. We got the title from ‘Down & Out In Paris & London’ (George Orwell). It’s felt like we’ve been living in an Orwellian world recently.”

The first single to be taken from TRAMPOLENE’s new album, inspired by a CNN report on climate change, is Thinking Again, which is available now from all reputable digital music providers.

The video for Thinking Again was written and directed by film maker Ricky Allen, Rules of Love & War will be available on CD, cassette, digital download and 12” black or red vinyl, as well as exclusive formats and signed items. Preorder the album here


Fresh from opening and selling out the new Swansea Arena, TRAMPOLENE have announced a headline tour of the UK for April ‘23. Tickets for the Rules Of Love & War Tour are available to preorder now and go on general sale on Monday 17th October @ 10am from  Here  & Here

The full dates are:APRIL 7th Friday  Glasgow – The Attic

8th  Saturday Newcastle – The Cluny 2

11th Tuesday Nottingham – Bodega

12th Wednesday Manchester – Yes

13th Thursday Leeds – Brudenell Social club

14th Friday Bristol -Rough Trade

15th Saturday Swansea – Bunkhouse

20th Thursday  London – 100 Club

TRAMPOLENE will also be playing six headline shows for Independent venue week in January and February 2023. Tickets are available now.

JANUARY

30th Monday Sheffield – Sidney & Matilda 

FEBRUARY

1st Wednesday Bedford – Esquires 

2nd Thursday St Albans – The Horn  

3rd Friday Cardiff – Clwb Ifor Bach

4th Saturday Milton Keynes – The Craufurd Arms

5th Sunday York – Fulford Arms

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JIM JONES ALL STARS ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE ‘IT’S YOUR VOODOO WORKING’ AND LIVE DATES INCLUDING SPECIAL HALLOWEEN LONDON GIG

JIM JONES ALL STARS ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE ‘IT’S YOUR VOODOO WORKING’ AND LIVE DATES INCLUDING SPECIAL HALLOWEEN LONDON GIG

The explosive new project from the warped musical mind of rock’n’roll evangelist Jim Jones kicks up several gears!

Following their rapturously received shows across the UK and Europe, Jim Jones All Stars have announced details of their debut single and live dates including a special Halloween hometown gig.

‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ – originally recorded by Charles Sheffield – is released on 7th October via Ako-Lite Records and will be available via all major download and streaming services. Recorded earlier this year at Memphis Magnetic Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, this thick slice of greasy R’n’B is fuelled by grinding rhythms, rude horns and augmented by guest vocalist Nicki Hill.

Says Jim Jones: “Exciting times! This will be first blood for both Jim Jones All Stars and Ako-Lite Records – and ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’ is the perfect addition to any Halloween playlist.”

To celebrate the release of ‘It’s Your Voodoo Working’, Jim Jones All Stars will play a special Halloween show at the Walthamstow Trades Hall in London on Saturday, 29th October. This is the band’s first indoor London headline show since February. With a license extension and after party until 1am, Jim Jones All Stars will be joined by variety of special guests. The full line up will be announced soon.

Speaking of the gig, Jim Jones says: “It feels great to be back on home turf. The last London show sold out well in advance, so this time we’ve got a bigger venue. It’s a Saturday night and with buses and tubes running well after closing, this is going to be one hell of a Halloween!

“This is the one you’ve been waiting for!”

Jim Jones All Stars also play The Golden Lion in Bristol on 14th October.

October dates

14 – Bristol, The Golden Lion

https://www.headfirstbristol.co.uk/whats-on/the-golden-lion/fri-14-oct-the-jim-jones-all-stars-79872

29 – London, Walthamstow Trades Hall

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jim-jones-all-stars-halloween-special-tickets-427270616917

Ash / The Gulps – Manchester Ritz – 15th September 2022

Ash / The Gulps – Manchester Ritz – 15th September 2022

Always great to be back at the Manchester Ritz. No matter the sponsor attached to the venue you know always in for a special night in splendid surroundings. 


The Gulps
A riotous performance landing somewhere between the Rapture and the Icarus Line or perhaps a domesticated Mooney Suzuki. Either way it’s very fitting on night celebrating the year 2001. There is a bit of a flat start but once the sound engineer warms up their guitars we start hearing all the raw power they can muster. Definitely living up to all the praise these guys are receiving. I enjoyed it and so will you! 
Ash
The songs being played tonight soundtrack my formative teenage years. More often than not when I look back on my happier memories of watching a band on a main stage of a festival, it’s a warm summer’s day and Ash are playing with Charlotte in their number with the most enviable greatest hits set and absolutely killing it!


We are here tonight celebrating the album by the once quartet that made an indelible mark on the early 21st century and stabbed through the heart of the unstoppable beast that was Nu Metal. With a blade of sugary, sunshine, indie rock and distorted pop goodness. Long before the Strokes and the White Stripes, Ash brought guitar rock back to the teenagers bedroom. No turntables were in sight and it never sounded so good!


The evening is kicked off with the inevitable double stomp to the face of ‘walking barefoot’, it may be mid September but I can smell the freshly cut grass and all that good shit that comes with a nostalgic summer memory. I’m not always a fan of the “classic album revisited” setlists but tonight it doesn’t feel wooden. It feels honest and earnest.
From then on we blaze through the classics. ‘shining light’, ‘burn baby burn’, sadly ‘candy’ becomes the inevitable casualty where those in attendance need a piss/fag/drink or all of the above. Tbf every track from the album is a memorable number and gets a great showing tonight.


When face to face with a classic album with so many memorable singles it’s easy to overlook the album tracks. No issues in that department tonight, the long converted throng of the crowd is eating up track after track. Honorable mentions to ‘someday’ and ‘Nicole’. 


As if all 13 tracks of Free All Angels were not enough, here in Manchester we are treated to a most enviable encore. The classics are well represented, obviously to get all the hits in and the whole studio you would need a Springsteen length set and of course it is a school night. ‘numbskull’, ‘a life less ordinary’, ‘kung fu’ and ‘orpheus’ to name a few. Personally, I would have liked to have got a few B-sides from the era in (‘gabriel’ etc) but you can’t win them all. The night is finished off nicely with the always welcome ‘girl from Mars’ and gets the love from the crowd it so deserves. 
It’s been a cracking night to launch the vinyl reissue (don’t forget 1977 is also available!) and it’s always great to have Charlotte back with the lads even if only for a couple of gigs. Another great evening to go alongside all my other classic Ash memories. Nostalgia and satisfaction guaranteed.

Ash Website

Buy Ash records Here

Author: Dan Kasm