The Moby Grape basement club in Stockton has been reopened
by Tim Oxnard and promises great musical outings for the future.
The first of those (for me) is tonight’s gig of ‘carefree
rock ‘n’ roll’ courtesy of The Antiseptics, Snakerattlers and The Hangmen.
Promoted by Lunar Tricks.
Moby Grape’s basement club is perfect for such events
reminding me of small, intimate venues from my youthful years in Manchester
such as The Banshee and, in later years, York’s The Duchess. There’s a decent
crowd that cuts across a wide age range adding to my growing belief that some
elements of today’s youth do actually listen to decent music and get out to see
it played live rather than relying on TV talent shows and YouTube for their
tunes.
First up tonight are The Antiseptics. Youngsters from
Middlesbrough who, in their short existence, have already graced the stage at
London’s Roundhouse and at punk’s holy grail of festivals that is Rebellion.
And it’s easy to see why. Loud, angry, fast punk rock from the word go. Connor
Mcpherson spitting his lyrics out while Jamie Campbell on bass pounds around
the stage like some axe wielding psycho. Their influences are obvious – Subs,
Upstarts, Discharge. Add in a hint of ska and a bit of mainstream punk and The
Antiseptics have their own sound. With a set list that includes ‘Politician
Killer’, ‘Stalin Was A Sellout’, ‘No Pasaran’ and ‘Mother Russia’ you’re left
in no doubt about opinions regarding the state of society. ‘Overdose’ is a
magnificant reggae/ska tinged danceable number reminding me of Ruts/Ruts DC
while ‘Babylon Is Dead’ takes you back to some great Clash tunes. Add in a
cracking cover of ‘Suspect Device’, a crowd that clearly appreciates them and
it’s a belting start to the night. Middlesbrough can be a tough, angry town.
The Antiseptics play tough, angry punk.
The Antiseptics – Facebook.
Snakerattlers really are on top form. It’s the fourth time
I’ve seen them in 2017 and tonight is certainly the best. Rising from the ashes
of The Franceens (whose album ‘Stepford Smiles’ is well worth a place on your
shelf) Snakerattlers have certainly made an impact on the local scene since
they arrived. Reverb fuelled rock ‘n’ roll with a pure punk rock attitude.
Think The Cramps pared right down to just one guitar and two drums. But that
guitar and those two drums make one hell of a glorious noise. Dan Oliver Gott
screams, wails, howls, shouts and sings his way through a set list that veers
from the foot stomping, accelerator to the floor ‘Let You Go’ to the rhythmic
pounding of ‘Oh My Love’ via the guttural howling of ‘Rattlerock Rumble’ in the
space of just 7 or 8 minutes. Naomi Gott backs it all up with unrelenting,
thumping drum beats. Throughout the set Dan Gott fixes the crowd with a stare
that is both compelling and possessed. At times this is literally in your face
as he take his guitar and it’s addictive, nagging riffs into the crowd while
Naomi casually bangs out the beat on stage. It’s a set that grabs you and
doesn’t let go. Instrumental ‘Death Valley Driver’ has one of the angriest,
grungiest guitar riffs I’ve heard in ages. Rounding off with ‘Sweet Sixteen’ –
ancient beats, infectious guitar, vocals straight out of the camp of Lux and
then ‘Ripper Rattle Rock’ – pure, basic, primitive garage rock ‘n’ roll it’s a
set that makes you long for more and determined to see them again.
Album ‘This Is Rattlerock’ available here.
Snakerattlers Facebook here.
For the next hour The Hangmen give us full on, loud, hard,
fast psychobilly rock ‘n’ roll. 19 numbers covering murder, death, hell,
suicide. Unsavoury stuff delivered with a backdrop of infectious drums and rumbling
double bass.Loz Firewalker growls out vocals whilst his guitar sucks us in with
everything from heavy blues riffs to full on thrashy punk. It’s raw,
uncompromising and intense. ‘True Hate’, ‘Pity My Soul’, ‘Godkilla’, ‘Great
Brain Robbery’, ‘Body Bag’, ‘Dancing On Your Grave’ – the song titles alone
tell you what you’re going to get and it never lets up. Impressive performance
delivered with kick ass energy.
The Hangmen – Facebook.
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