A new era began for BOBI this evening with our first of the monthly BOBI gigs going on at Blackfriars Arts Centre in the Revue Bar. Culture Vultures us. Of course, we put together a night of bands that all fall under the wide and varied umbrella of Punk Rock and it was a fabulous night. Good turn out, good atmosphere, great space for a gig and most importantly great performances from the bands.
The mysterious two piece BALACLAVA opened up, their faces hidden by … well, you can guess. The guitarist/singer worked hard to engage the crowd who warmed up to his capers and carrying on as the Norwich duo ran through a riotous set of spiked tunes that would be a perfect compliment on a bill made up of fellow head knitwear enthusiasts, We Punch Tigers and rent-a-gob yobs Pizza Tramp. Great fun and although it was pretty sweltering already, there was plenty of energy from the stage and in the pit.
Back in time to UK82 next with POST MORTEM, a band who have had something of a line up caper of late. After the new line up of the fabled Skegness Punks disintegrated, a new one was put together by original front woman Lorraine, only for the bass player leave last week! Considering this new line up had been together for about two weeks, and one of ‘em joined on Tuesday(!) they played a remarkable set. Studded jackets, fishnets, leather and tartan Punk Rock from the dawn of the 80s. Some classics from back in the day and some new belters off their latest CD, hints of Vice Squad, Potential Threat and Penetration abounded.
If POST MORTEM are in thrall to the sounds of the UK in the early 1980s, GRISTLE take their cues from the other side of the Atlantic. The home town heroes were making their BOBI debut and are fast becoming an abrasive, brutal unit of tightly wound aggression. The Negative Approach and SSD comparisons still stand up but new material was thrown our way tonight and I detected a bit of Gorilla Biscuits sneaking in at one point. Blistering set in blistering heat and good to hear a shout out to our fallen comrade Darrell who sadly passed away recently.
Finally, then, Lincoln legends SUBURBAN TOYS for their third BOBI gig – our most booked band so far – but the first with new frontwoman Lillith who put in a most lively, not mention, wriggly performance! The BOBI crowd had brought their dancing shoes and Lillith was in there with ‘em all busting plenty of moves as the TOYS ‘77 Punk via Two Tone Ska topped the night off in a most marvellous fashion. All the classics with a new singer giving their sound a different dimension – maybe a bit more bratty Punk than before? Whatever, SUBURBAN TOYS remain a class act. New venue then? It's smashing! See you at the next one which comes around pretty quickly on August 9th!
[Review by Marv Gadgie (Gadgie Zine)]
