As far as debut gigs go, it always helps to have some music out there in the ether and maybe make it a hometown show with another band on the up this time in the shape of Bambees from Merthyr. With a near capacity turnout, it’s Friday night in the canteena from Star Wars, where cans of Red Stripe or Stella are the cocktails of choice. With the band not hitting the stage until 10PM, it was a wise move to get everyone loosened up for the pop show.
It was a joy to see Darren and Ginge on stage again after a lengthy hiatus. As the band took to the stage and struck up their intro as the ringmaster marched on to signal that it was time for the audience to join in with the backing vocals of ‘I Want Something I Don’t Care About’, and we were up and running. The band sounded tight, and the songs sounded upbeat and full of energy. Sitting somewhere between early Manics, 60 ft Dolls married with a healthy dose of Sorry & The Sinatras punk n Roll for good measure and top melodies turned up a notch or two and pretty much everything sitting on the shelves of Ginge’s record collection (apart from his copy of Jimmy Nails ‘Crocodile Shoes’) it was hook after hook, swapping songs about darkness and self loathing for songs of love and nice things, funnily enough a track entitled ‘L-U-V’ was an excellent tune and a real highlight alongside ‘I Was A Teenage Arsonist’ something Ginge openely admitted was a true story, these alongside the already released pair of songs these were right in the pocket of catchy, sleazy rock n roll that’s been missing from the scene and some real immediate earworms. Going home singing the woah ohs! can drive you nuts but what a way to go. The audience was loving it, and the joy was infectious, but having the band sound in such a great place was a bonus I’m glad I was part of. Bring on the EP and the next show Lithium Kicks have arrived boys n girls substance and alcohol free and all the better for it, straight edge punk n roll its the bloody future I’m telling you.
Being their debut show I’m sure they’ll find places to tighten up and sharpen, but from a punter’s point of view they were right on the money, and it was infectious with people singing along with unfamiliar choruses like they were well worn songs they’ve been listening to for years, which is always the sign of a top tune wrapping itself around you and making everything alright.
Being the beginning of the journey the set was short and oh so sweet with the music being the real highlight on display sure it was great to see Ginge back on stage making music but it has to be quality and to be fair with the new material he’s knocked it out of the park thus far and the other new songs that were played there’s no sign of it stopping quite yet this train is bound for glory baby and I’m sitting in first class. Hop on board as they stop in a town near you, because this should gather pace, and it’s always cool to say you were there at the beginning. Bring on the Lithium Kicks, we all need some rock n roll highs.
Author: Dom Daley
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