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This is (to the best of our knowledge) the first time that our beloved Union has opened it's doors to the under 18s. And it's just as well, or there'd be only about twenty of us.
The atmosphere was mental but friendly. If someone chinned you with an over-enthusiastic skank then they picked you up and apologised (not that you could hear them). Things did get fairly pushy, but no more than you would expect from a punk/ska gig this size.
The security showed incredible courage under fire. At times they were pulling surfers almost constantly (and they didn't drop me or Jamie, so we like them), and all credit to them to keeping everything together. Even if they did give up vetting the extrants to the bar, and quite frankly - so what? I drank underage and I'm sure all you did too . . .
The one problem was heat. Spunge themselves said that it was the hottest gig they had played, and they were running a constant risk of having their equipment shorted by the sweat that was dripping off of the ceiling. The layout of the hall means that there's not a lot the uni could do about it, especially with that many people slam dancing, skanking and jumping about in one room. Although security were throwing water at the front rows as we are now used to, the place was still like Dante's inferno but with more sinners.
Anyway, that's enough of the general, here's all about the bands . . .
Spankboy
Jamie put me onto these guys about a year ago. While their stuff showed some flair the recording always sounded a little rough around the edges. Still, I liked their general sound and was interested to hear them out.
First things first, they have really polished up. The performance never came across as anything but professional, and they kept the crowd going at all times. For those of you who haven't heard them before they tend to play high speed ska with a little punk thrown in. They also have a three piece brass section and two and a half vocalists, so the whole thing sounds full but without being crowded. It's all happy and bouncy, with the only hint of animosity being aimed at Chavs, so that's OK.
+ Great live performance. More active than a breakdancer with a ferret in his jump suit
- The guitarist looks like Spike out of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Farse
In an effort to prevent people from dying from over-skank, they threw in a more traditional punk band. These guys play a good ska-core set, moving more towards the punk end of the spectrum. Think kinda like Capdown or Lightyear, but without the brass. And according to Jamie, the lead vocal guy "has a really weird voice". So there ya go.
To be perfectly honest I can't remember much about these guys. That's not to say that they suck. They blatantly didn't because if they did I would have made a point of remembering it because I've been looking for someone to rip into. But at the same time they didn't blow my hair back.
So what can I say. They weren't bad, but they didn't amaze me. Totally worth watching as a support but I wouldn't bother if they're the headline.
+ One of the guitar guys looked like a young, tattoed, bleech blond, Kenneth Williams
- Where's the brass?
Spunge
Apparently when these guys played in Reading on Tuesday there was riot when the stage was invaded and two band members were done for GBH, although general concesus is that it was actually a bit of over zealous work by the security team. Still, they managed to be here tonight and they did indeed rock.
The set went on for ages, but no one gave a shit. They played all of the Spunge classics that we have come to know and love across all three albums, and . They probably finished at about the right time. Any more and people would have been keeling over on the dance floor, and besides, for most of the audience it was probably past their bed time.
+ They played to one and a half hours. In the hottest venue on the tour. That's dedication, and it's what you need
- [spunge]? If I can't spell it using just 26 letters and 10 numbers, it doesn't get spelt
All in all it was a great set to end a great gig with a great warm up. Shame the cool down was so effective. Jamie and I came home drenched in sweat (not all our own - yuck), although Gemma, cheese fan and skank virgin, came out looking as fresh as a daisy. Fuck knows how . . .
Probably the warmest gig I have ever been to, but also the most skanktastic ska night I have ever had the honour of attending. At least until we go and see Reel Big Fish in January ; )
Bonzai Tom
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