Having missed the previous days gig due to being overly tempted by a Baikal Teal in Southport the thought of missing this one was too much to bear. My all time favourite band and a chance to catch up with a few old faces twisted my weary arm and I arrived at the gaff in good time to meet up with many a rock and roll 'erbert. A few flyers were sprinkled and duly gobbled up several times over (don't forget January the 18th people - DIY purism all the way plug, plug) and I wagged my jaw merrily with a few old fruits regarding giggage and in fact, birding. Round the back and 12 sheets passed over and more chatting with the night's promotional deviant Dennis 'The Oi' Matthews - what a grand chap with his wicked humour, no nonsense style and frequently puffed pressure busting pipe ha, ha. Ex-promoter Steve Lillis popped up too and a good old catch up was had - we put the world to rights tha' knows.

More flyering, a few beers, a good crowd building, first band - Pressure 28.

Pressure 28 have baggage, it is quite well known on the scene that political shit flies this way and that, various names get dragged here and there, some never shake free of the grimy web. Fuck all of that - music is my passion, darn noise - do ya hear me -  and I'd much like to keep it that way. I ain't got no time for prejudices and idiocy - we are all equal, we need to smash every fuckin' barrier we build and wake up and concentrate on whipping the piss takers, the criminals, the egotists etc. Anyway, I digress, to the set. Fuckin' A-class if you ask me and despite a change up in personnel since last time I saw em' I thought this was most excellent with the front lout especially creating a fine old showpiece. Each song was loaded with the 'OI' spirit and reeked of a birth from the cobblestones. Songs such as 'Your Responsibility', 'Do Wot You Like' and 'Tell Me A Story' ring with sincerity and hit a chord with the on-looking brigade as do most of what this band delivers. A few covers were thrown in with 'Time For Action' an unadulterated joy and 'Chaos' a well-drilled version that has fine impact. On stage the two guitarists were a little static but as they relax more and more into their roles fluidity within the fleshed framework will come. Sticks were tidy and overall the band put on a good un'. One noticeable hiccup is par for the course in this proudly unprofessional scene and if P28 ever stroll down your way you would be wise not to miss em - earthy urban noise of a quality standard for sure.

Only one support band tonight, no time to waste.

The UK Subs - a band I regard as the most convincing punk band of our age despite my DIY underdog slant that decries too much nostalgia and old time back crawling. Still moving, still relevant and still approachable this unit have swapped and shifted but never flopped and drifted - a fine work ethos, a remarkable output and one that has kept me entertained for approximately 35 years. Tonight’s set was well drilled, organised and absolutely fuckin' spot on the mark. These days, when viewing the Subs I always worry in case I am going to come away deflated, defeated and think 'shit, that's it' - what a prune hey? I should know better! So what of the set? 'Creation' kicked off and is one of the bands most modern efforts although this beauty has been kicking around the sonic shitbowl for quite some time now - a crackin' song and one of several up to date efforts with 'This Chaos' an undoubted classic, 'Detox' a solid surprise and '18 Wheels' an excuse to use that bloody harmonica ha, ha. All potent and hypnotic Subs class and that is before I add such delights as 'New York State Police', 'Time And Matter', 'Down On The Farm', 'Stranglehold', and other such brain tattooing ditties. As an extra treat we saw the band don Santa hats and belt out the vulgar chuggery of 'Hey Santa', a song I can only recall seeing them do once before and that was on a snowy December night back in 1991. A mixture of poignancy and pride swept over me at this stage as I wondered where the time had gone and how all we can do is strive on to keep this noise making going and arousing our true passions. The fact remains though The UK Subs still rock, I am still a stubborn twat fighting for the underdog and this movement, with whatever label you want to put on it, still magnetises people who have just gotta get their fix. Throughout the players did their bits – Gibbs wank is 4 wired weapon with quality attention and really gave the fretted shaft a good old seeing to.  Jet is a different beast these days to the nervous, unsettled chap he was when first joining the Subs – he his a fine guitarist now and well into the groove with utter dedication and precision.  Jamie is one of the best young drummers out there – take time to watch his energy, focus, tympanic trickery – I tell ya man he is bang on his game.  Harper at the fore is rubbish, a real twat and ruins everything – ha, ha – what you don’t believe me – just as well because this guy, despite the age, still has it – too many superlatives spring to mind – I’ll stick to one, a word I feel is overused in many situations but here is absolutely perfect – legend – and the title is well deserved.  The set came to a close, I was well fuckin' pleased with this and am already looking forward to the next one - see - another rock and roll addict.  Up the Subs and a swollen thank you to each cacophonic component for their contribution to a wonderful noise.

Cheers to all that made this another fine night out - I always have time for the Subs, have great faith there is a lot more to come and hopefully more and more people will wake up as to how necessary bands like this are. Back to the gutter for me though and hopefully will see a few heads enjoying the new bands who are just as important - think on folks.

FOOTNOTE:Following this review and the opinions expressed therein it seems many feathers have been ruffled and opinions have been outed. The review was written as per, natural and off the cuff, with the intention of staying politically free and avoiding any ensnaring bullshit. My aim, with everything I do on this site, is to push and promote the things I adore - namely noise and nature and to get people enthused and duly discussing. I feel the above review reflects my passion and stubbornness but as been viewed by some as a fence sitting angle and by a very few misguided individuals as tolerant of right wing issues. I am under no illusion that whatever is written some people will always read into it what they will due to some grudge, insecurity or lack of insight - this is par for the course with public appraisals. Having said this I feel it utterly important to state my stance on certain matters and it is as thus - I hold no sway with any right wing leanings and find prejudice in all its forms utterly disgusting. I will try, as best I can, to keep noise moving and keep all I do as transparent as possible and hopefully keep things 'out in the open' and more healthy than it currently stands. Music will always be a minefield for people who seek self reward but to play games in order to achieve this is utterly foul and soon found out. I must also add that being a sheep is not my thing and I take time to work things out for myself and go with the flow that seems right (mistakes are made but also many correct decisions are had too). My apologies to those who find the above article upsetting, thanks to those who understand my angle. I openly admit that what I do is a lost cause but why should I suppress my passion and do fuck all. Remember too that I deal with a whole heap of noise and many bands fall under the spotlight - I cannot keep dossiers on all bands and monitor their every move and motivation. To end - fuck your prejudice, fuck misdirected hate, fuck racism and fuck the bastards who only do things for their own gain - over and out and thank you for reading.

review by Fungalpunk/OMD (8 December 2013)