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| $hame Academy Ex Producers Empire, Belfast 23rd December 2004. Last big punk gig of what has been a busy and fun 12 months here in Belfast. It's been an eventful year or so to say the least. Featuring local retro punk rock activity in the city, following on from the excitement and promise of good things to come since the publication and launch of 'It Makes You Want To Spit' book, a NI punk history bible. Which was released at the end of 2003. Sadly the catalyst itself has not fulfilled it's full potential up to now. The publishers for whatever reason haven't given it the expected push in either the south of Ireland or on mainland Britain, which it really deserves. Fanzines like Punk Throwback and web sites like Nihilism On The Prowl!, as well as world-wide fans through word of mouth have given their invaluable time and full support to the book, as well as local bands and fans. Promised gigs and parties promoting the book outside of Belfast supposedly taking in place in major cities like Dublin, London, Manchester and Glasgow amongst other places deemed to have a strong punk pedigree, have yet to materialise. The Reekus publicity machine has just ground to a halt, and any momentum that was built up early on has been wasted! The publishers need to get their act together fast. Maybe a relaunch is required in 05? Back to the present, there's a happy Christmas vibe around the Empire tonight, as everyone is in good festive form, ready for a drink and a laugh. It's all soundtracked by some damn fine vintage punk rock tunes, blasted out by the two bands and the DJ Stuart Bailey ex-NME scribe. Incidentally Guy and Sean the authors of the Spit book were both really pissed by the end of the night. We had a seriously slurred conversation between the three of us. Back from the dead the EX PRODUCERS continue on the comeback trail. This is their second show in a week, following on from their very good low-key warm up gig at the tiny Duke Of York pub last Saturday (reviewed elsewhere on this site). This is a much bigger hall and stage, how would they cope? Well the fact that three of the band play here in a Glam. covers band every Friday night, you would imagine that this will be a piece of cake. But TC doesn't gig regularly, and he played like his 20 odd year gap between gigs never happened! His enthusiasm and delight at being back in the spotlight is infectious. It was another great gig from a band who unbelievably had only two rehearsals prior to the gig last Saturday. Punk audiences are a more critical and harder to please bunch, than the glamarama spide party crowd that 3/4 of the band are used to playing for. However I'd say that the punk fans were well entertained by the Ex Ps this evening. ' P Check' and 'Newer Wave 79' sounded fantastic, and they would easily make up one of the great never properly recorded double A side lost punk 45s. A point I must correct from my previous review concerning their Cure cover 'A Forest'. After my criticism off it at the Duke gig for which I got slagged from the stage here tonight. The shorter version or so it seemed sounded great in the wide expanses of the Empire accompanied by the pseudo 70's prog rock dry ice. So there I've held my hands up, I didn't realise you were so touchy John!!! $HAME ACADEMY round off 2004 in fine style, as an established name in their own right, having now played a number of headline shows. And they are but weeks away from the release of their debut LP 'Punk Rock For Dummies' or 'The Idiots Guide To Punk Rock', titles undecided as yet? It will be available on Combat Rock records in early 2005. They switched the amps up to eleven and tore into the songs with a vengeance, but then you wouldn't expect or accept anything less from this band. New additions to the set included the old Rudi songs '14 Steps' and 'Crimson' as well as the Outcasts classic 'Just Another Teenage Rebel', plus a stomping cover of the Glitter bands 'Angel Face'. They finally offered up a seasonal and punked up version of 'Silent Night'...great stuff!! Again tonight, there was a couple of very minor violent incidents. Which seem to be becoming a regular occurrence at $A gigs in the Empire, which the band neither provoke or want to see at their shows. We all get caught up in the nostalgia and energy of the music, but the punters involved in the fisticuffs should show some self control and wise up. Most unusual sight of the night, was Marty Cowan ex Outcasts dancing to his own songs, which was strange! Punk Aid beckons in March 05 when $A make their first foray onto distant shores to shake up all the old timers that constantly play these festivals. It's be a good chance for the audiences to see that not every Belfast retro punk band goes through the motions doing a punk cabaret performance. $A may not be doing anything new, but the heart is still there! Most N.I bands like some of their counterparts elsewhere, have never lost the original punk rock spirit or attitude. So make the effort to check $A out coz you won't be disappointed. I'll sign off now for the last time this year 2004, but before I sink anymore lager and don my Christmas Eve Santa suit (well I've got the figure to fill one out now ), rumours of another NI punk supergroup featuring ex members of the Outcasts and Stage B is doing the rounds. And an almost certain reformation of the brilliant Stage B is closer than ever, which will be a real highlight of the new year. So along with the imminent $A album release with shows already confirmed in deepest Antrim!!!! and England mentioned earlier, and further expected Ex P's gigs. That is some good news for 2005 already. Special thanks to Peter DC for his patience and support, cheers!! (No problem, i'll settle for a liccle drink next time I'm in the Europa!!! - St. Don't Care) Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2005. And remember a dog is for life not just for Christmas. JOE DONNELLY Belfast |
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