Music > Live Reviews
Norwich Punk & Alternative Festival
The Adrian Flux Waterfront
29/05/18
Punx not dead, right? Cripes-a-Lordy, how many times has that statement rung out during the last 40-odd years? As Rebellion and the Manchester Punk Fest prove, punk is in the rudest of rude health. With thirteen bands on two stages over two days, the Norwich Punk & Alternative Festival may be more modest but is equally valid evidence of this.
First up is a new name to me in Knock Off. Andy T, Andy C and Lozz (vox/guitar, drums and bass, respectively) deliver proper melodic punk. Yep, it is old school but it is invigorating and damnable good fun. Hell, Football Beer & Punk Rock even has a bit of Hanoi Rocks’ Mental Beat about it.
As much as I like what Ruts DC do, as much as I wanna see ‘em play the likes of Babylon’s Burning and Staring at the Rude Boys, I only catch This Music Must Destroy, the title track of the last album. It sounds great but I last saw Segs, Ruffy and Leigh a couple of months ago and really want to catch the acts I have not seen before.
And so, I make my way upstairs to the Studio for Bristol’s Criminal Mind. There is melody, a Celtic swagger and a ska strut to what they do but this is, essentially, as full-on as the likes of Revenge of the Psychotronic Man and that is a very, very good thing.
It is Charlie Harper’s 74th birthday and he is celebrating by bringing UK Subs to Norwich. Long standing Subs rhythm section of Jamie on drums and bassist Alvin are as great as ever. On guitar, relative newbie Steve has truly found his place in the band, now having the confidence to play the songs in his own style. This is another band I have seen recently and so I stay until Born A Rocker Die A Rocker before heading back up to the Studio for Sick On The Bus.
My first impression is that Sick On The Bus play fast, hard, basic punk rock but are as good as fast, hard, basic punk rock gets. As catchy as the songs are, it is a bit too samey and not strong enough to hold my attention and it is back downstairs for more Subs.
And what a great decision that is as I am just in time for Teenage, Party In Paris, an absolutely mighty take on personal favourite Warhead, Riot and Stranglehold. I have seen UK Subs a fair few times now. They are always great but this might just be the best set that I have seen them play.
When I saw Sham 69 here last year, I was underwhelmed. They seemed to be going through the motions. There is none of that this time. Vocalist Jimmy Pursey, Dave Parsons on guitar and bassist Dave Tregunna of the ’77 line up deliver with far more passion that I saw last time out. Behind them, with his lit-up kit and stick twirling antics, drummer Robin Guy is a natural born entertainer and is Sham’s not so secret weapon.
After Borstal Breakout, it is back upstairs for Extreme Noise Terror. ENT have been around for over thirty years and have had at least 24 previous members, including the late Phil Vane, but this is the first time I have seen them. The first couple of songs leave me cold but then something clicks and I appreciate just how awesome – in the true, dictionary meaning sense of the word – this is. Has there ever been a band that is more aptly named? Co-lead vocalists Dean Jones and Ben McCrow deliver the expected guttural deathgrunts and roars but Ollie Jones (guitar), Michael Hourihan (drums) and Andi Morris (bass) deliver an intense noise that borders on avant-jazz in places. It may not be music to most people’s ears but ENT live deliver an intense experience that is as fun as it is cathartic and finishing with a version of Borstal Breakout was a nice touch.
After twenty hours to recover, it is back to the Waterfront for day two. King Kurt get things going with some riotous psychobilly. I’ll be honest, this isn’t really my thing on record but these guys know how to deliver live. You want a frontman that testifies like an old testament preacher? That’ll be vocalist Gary Smeg Cayton then. You want guitarists who play like rocket propelled versions of Cliff Gallup and Link Wray? Here are Paul Thwak Laventhol and Eli Irving. I have to mention the sax of John Reddington and the rhythm section of Gaff (drums) and Bert Boustead (bass) but my analogy-generator has gone on the blink.
Upstairs, Andy Blade is playing and it would be rude not to check him out. Perched on a stool with an acoustic, Andy proves to be a decent raconteur and plays some great songs from his Eater days right up to current solo stuff. He doesn’t exactly seem to be delighted to be here and the performance is a bit lacking in passion but, hell, that may be down to the fact that he is playing to an almost empty room.
Membranes must be the least punk but most alternative thing on this bill. From the moment they open with The Universe Explodes Into A Billion Protons of White Light until closer Myths and Legends, this is a very special performance. The nine song set is heavy on songs from the recent Dark Matter/Dark Energy album but old favourites like Spike Milligan’s Tape Recorder are also given a 21st century makeover.
Last time I saw Membranes, it was as a three piece at the Owl. I thought that gig would be hard to top but this manages it and then some. John Robb is a relentless ball of energy. Anyone who has had the chance to speak to him at this or any other gig will know that the singer, bass player, journalist and author is just as energetic and enthusiastic off the stage as he is on it. There is an originality to the guitars of Nick Brown and Peter Byrchmore that is a joy to behold. The differing styles intertwine the surf sounds of Dick Dale, the no wave of Glenn Branca and more. Rob Haynes is joined by second drummer Chris Connolly (of Blue Orchids and John Rossall’s Glitter Band) to create a ferocious rhythm. Add a choir into the mix and this is a glorious wall of sound.
After the brilliant Membranes, the Members had a very tough act to follow. I only caught last few minutes of their set, including Sound of the Suburbs. I may be mistaken but the current line-up doesn’t include any original Members but, from what I saw, they did a decent job. Next time they hit Norwich I’ll make a concerted effort to catch them.
Wattie Buchan has been leading Exploited on their unwavering path since 1979. Along with drummer brother Wullie Buchan, Irish Rob on bass and guitarist Robbie "Steed" Davidson, this is pretty much pure second gen punk. There is a touch of thrash metal to the guitar that doesn’t go down too well with my mates but, for me, the only disappointment is that Exploited aren’t as challenging and intense - and closer to ENT’s performance last night - as I was expecting.
Upstairs, Kirk Brandon leads Spear of Destiny through a set of powerful, alternative rock. The current line-up is a veritable supergroup. There is Craig Adams of the Sisters, Mission and Cult on bass. Adrian Portas has provided guitar for Sex Gang Children, New Model Army and the brilliant but sadly almost unknown Dollface. Phil Martini on drums has played with Ian Hunter, Jim Jones, Joe Elliott, Heavy Metal Kids and umpteen others. With a line-up like that, SoD were always going to be good but I wasn’t expecting them to be quite this good. Brandon is in fine voice. The songs cover the entire history of the band from the early 80s to this year’s Tontine. Final song Liberator is just about the perfect way for the set to end.
Utter respect to Karl of KK Concerts for pulling this together. Respect too to Jess and Shelly and the security staff, particularly on day one, for dealing with failed scanners, a large queue and early stage times. I’d be exaggerating if I said that everything went smoothly and was perfect but this must be considered a success. Maybe, if this were to become a regular thing - and please let that happen - the fine city can have something to challenge MPF and Rebellion and that will be a very good thing. Cheers to everyone behind this for all the hard work.