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| RUSTY RAZORBLADES GLINT OVER BIRMINGHAM! Get to Wolverhampton train station to be greeted by Rail works in progress grrrrr. However British rail kindly laid on coach shuttles to and from Brum which I was expecting to be about a 50 minute journey, but as luck would have it they got me there within 30 minutes, which wasn't too bad at all. Tonight's turn out at Birmingham's premier punk dive was pretty healthy for a cold damp Sunday night. My only real complaint of the evening was the downstairs bar in the gig room wasn't open, which left a slightly desolate atmosphere between sets. And it also meant for us die hard lager swiggers, numerous journeys upstairs to refill our empty glasses. This may have been good exercise for the unhealthy and young reprobates amongst us, but for cunt like meself resulted in me missing one of tonight's bands. So apologies go out to the Nihilists from nearby Dudley. They must've played a real short set coz by the time Rob from M.D.M. had finished telling me tales about bike gangs and overtime in local boozers in the upstairs bar, the Nihilists had burned through their set, unplugged their guitars and were melting back into the darkness. Oh well maybe next time eh lads. I did manage to catch the rest of the tonights bill though, which got off to an amusing start via the hilarious new local outfit Fighting In Someone's House. Now if that ain't a name to conjure up visions of confusion and rowdiness, I dunno what is? They consist of ex-Dogshit Sandwich members, with some other flotsam and jetsam from the local punk scene. The hyperactive PK on vocals is the focal point and a laugh, as he darts around the stage and into the crowd and onto the seats at various points in the set. Looking like he's lost something, but we never quite find out what? They play yobbish, no frills punk rock with more gusto than finesse, amid a barrage of covers. The most impressive being 'So What' by the A.N.L. which really can't fail. They ended their set with the self penned fun filled number called 'Alright Mate' which had the crowd and me in stitches. A good warm up band. Radiation Angels are more serious maaaan! They're the latest punk band to come outta Wolverhampton since the all-girl Spank and are worth your attention just for their distorted frantic approach. The coy looking baby faced lead singer who looks all of 12 years old comes over as a cross between Davey Havoc (AFI) and a cleaner looking Dick Lucas (Subhumans). A strange combination in anyones book, never mind Wolverhampton's! The appearance is completed with meticulously hand painted studded leather, brilliant white shirt and a hideous stripy tie. Attire aside they didn't look too comfortable on stage either. However once the songs got started they created a certain youthful aura around em and have already got some nice looking groupies. I dunno how many gigs they've played in their short career, but these radioactive kids from nowhere are still finding their horizon in a live situation. And could possibly show signs of morphing into something a lot more interesting on the hardcore punk scene with more gigs under their belt and more stage presence. The bespectacled spiky bassplayer did most of the talking as they blitzed through a barrage of originals like the gritty 'Ronnie & Reggie'. And they also spat out a few blood splattered covers like the rampant 'Religious Wars' by The Subhumans, who seem to be a major influence on their distorted 21st century/UK 80's sound. Should be one to look out for in about 6 months time. Tonights headliners were the Shaggable Sluts outta the Netherlands. These vets who used to play in The Yuppies look like they've been round the block a few times. Becca Puke (tonight's promoter) put me onto the Dutch Sluts when she posted me their ad. They have come over to Blighty for a handful of shows to promote their current split CD with young punks Lets Go. It's called 'Young Studs & Razor Blades' which I missed out on ...drat! Their merchandise stall did however have amongst the CD's and other tour paraphernalia something that any self respecting punk shouldn't be without at a grotty punk show this Christmas... fluorescent Betty Page candles!!! Well they may not be Bob Dylan, but with that novel thought in our mind and their tongue firmly entrenched in their cheeks we were ready to be amused. It didn't take em long with the droll, quirky set delivery from singer/bassplayer Wim, that seemed to catch attention of the punters. They even got a few brave individuals up dancing to their jagged rock 'n' roll ditties. I like the between set banter which was very dry and Euro, but the Birmingham crowd just about managed to get it! In between gags they tore through a fast, brisk collection of duel guitar blasts and looked confident in their '77 inspired jerky attack that had an almost Vibrators vibe about it. They may not be as in your face as the long lost Brezhnev, or as young as Disturbance, but these Arnhem exports certainly made a few fans here tonight with their low slung ego and high octane direction. I'm sure you'll be hearing more from these Shaggable Sluts in future. PETER DON'T CARE |
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