Ok, first up, this is an excellent idea. Earache, a label that has
established itself with a particular brand of music, is spreading it's
wings more, and then putting on a tour featuring 4 of its now diverse
bands (5 if you count the gabba sets DJ'd by Johnny Violent).
Driving up to this, one thought was great idea, but if it's nextgen,
then what about the nextgen of fans. Kids who aren't as fortunate as me
in having a car, or being able to fly up the motorway to gigs. In other
words, more than 2 dates in the UK please.. But then you're confronted
with the reality of the situation. A reasonable sized club, a
distressingly small turnout. New Year hangovers? Possibly. General
apathy. As if I would suggest such a thing ...
But first, Pulkas. A band who I was looking forward to seeing for
the first time. My listening experience is limited to their
contributions to the first Org Radio cd. And might fine contributions
they are too. And I wasn't disappointed. Playing to an empty floor
didn't seem to unduly perturb them, and the band turned in an intense
performance which makes you wonder what they'd actually be like if they
had a crowd to play to. Don't know the names of the songs I'm afraid,
but the one now officially known as Song 3 had a really heavy, simple
effective riff. A band I'll certainly be looking to find out and hear
more by.
Janus Stark. That guitarist blokey from The Prodigy is in 'em inni.
Yep, I know as much about them as anyone else. But forget the Prodigy
if you're looking for any overlap here. There is none. Janus Stark are
playing punk. With humour it would seem, especially between songs. And
too a not overly receptive audience. Why? Apathy? Maybe, but maybe it's
because the songs don't really grab you much. It's traditional punk,
but there's not quite the melody of some bands, not quite the
catchiness of others. I'm sure that listening to the album when it is
released will help, but you have to wonder what would happen if they
didn't have that That guitarist blokey from The Prodigy is in 'em
inni element to them.
Misery Loves Co. An audience. So that's what it looks like? Scary.
Actually, fair's fair, they probably had the biggest crowd of the
night. Unfortunately, I've only listened to the debut album a couple of
times many moons back, and can't remember much about it. So, no titles
again, except for Kiss My Boots, which according to them, they haven't
played in a while. If that's true, they should play it more often,
because not only was it good, it got the best reception from the crowd.
The rest of the set was, I guess, a mix of the 2 albums. Performed
quite well, but maybe I just wasn't in the mood tonight for industrial
metal style. I've got no problem with it normally, but I was beginning
to look forward to the groove of Dub War. Still, a victory for the
band, but you can't help that feel that following on from the Machine
Tour a couple of weeks back, this must've been a comedown to earth for
the band.
Dub War. Ah, what a band. Still, criminally, it would seem, one of
Britains best kept secrets. This is a band which can always put a smile
on your face. Greedee, Enemy Maker, Silencer, Respected, Nar Say a
Ting', Bassball Bat (featuring big humdinger upright bass) Gorrit,
Million Dollar Love. The songs. A glorious mish mash or rock, punk,
hardcore, reggae soul. Topped off by Benji. Always a laugh, and a voice
to die for. Layed back and in your face at the same time. Encouraging
and joking. This is how it should be when music crosses over. The
audience may have been relatively small, but that didn't deter. Some
classic quotes from the band, some wonderful music and a great
atmosphere. But best summed up I think at the end by Benji, this
is for all those people who love Dub War, but just haven't gotten round
to buying our records yet. you know who you 'kin are. Indeed.
Dub War, one of THE best bands in the UK. Go and listen. Make '98 the
year that we get some things right.
So a great idea. The result was a little bumpy in places. Still think it should be taken out to the masses in a few more places. And come on people. Make Dub War the stars that they already should be.