I suppose you could say that BOBI were “up against it” with our 26th gig that saw us return to Blackfriars for the summer. Punk 4 The Homeless were hosting a half day gig over at the Railway, there was a great big Reggae Festival in the town park, plus the 30-degree-plus heat had people opting for the beer garden awaiting England’s final group game against Panama at 10 o’clock … quite a bit going on then … Those that did brave the heat however, were rewarded with a most eclectic evening with three very different acts from far and wide.
Opening up were our old mates OLDBOY OF THE FENS, an acoustic duo of men in black who channel the spirit of Johnny Cash through a macabre Fenland sensibility. Taking inspiration from this vast, bleak, land of sky and soil, digging deep in to the darkness that hides within the seemingly endless, featureless terrain, OldBoy of the Fens conjure up images of isolation, desolation and the odd murder ballad, soo let’s be honest, we are not dealing with the most joyful of fellows. Acoustic Country Gothic is probably the best way to describe the guitar and bass pairs output and tonight, they were rather splendid. Even more bleak and misery mongering than I remember ever seeing from them in fact. Post gig I suggested to Adrian that “this was the most miserable I’ve ever seen you mate. It was awesome.” His reply – “oh mate, you’ve not seen anything yet, we can get far more miserable than that!” – suggests this was them in relatively jovial form. Lawks. Like Leonard Cohen if he wasn’t so upbeat “someone” suggested wittily … Highlight for me was the classic “He Owes Me Money” but it was brilliant stuff throughout from a very niche outfit.
Next up, and a semi acoustic set from a three-piece borne of a formerly full band, The STEVIE JONES TRIO are one of a myriad of combos that the titular Stevie has played out in over the years. This current incarnation – keyboards, electric guitar and acoustic strumming – are a trio dusting off the back catalogue of Stevie Jones and The Wildfires and it sounded fabulous in this stripped-down setting amongst the medieval walls of Blackfriars Revue Bar. Initially it seemed we were in for a set of Americana-esque numbers a la Tom Petty or Tom Cochrane but as the songs were rolled out it was clear that there is a far more British singer songwriter flavour to these marvellous melancholy moments. In discussion afterwards with other impressed audience members, tunesmiths such as Shed Seven, Cast and other Britpop alumni were hinted at, yet with a bigger, wider cinematic feel to the sounds. Tales of heartbreak, addiction and overcoming adversity were mixed up with more upbeat, almost jangly, rays of sunshine peaking through the clouds. At one point I picked up a bit of “All Along The Watchtower” while at others The Levellers/Ferocious Dog pastoral, cider in a great big field summer festival capers had us all nodding along approvingly while grinning ear to ear. I reckon BOBI regular Matthew Aylett would go down well on a bill with these fellas who played an awesome set that fitted the warm summer evening perfectly. Highlights were the glorious “Fourteen Days That Followed The Supermoon” and that one about the life changing experiences of seeing The Clash and New Model Army. Belting stuff.
The mood was rising and who better to cap off the gig than Nottingham’s rambunctious rabble rousers DRIVELHEADS. A wonderful three piece who combine a love of Ramones with a cheeky nod to Elastica, Drivelheads raised the rumpus levels in mighty fine style. With Dave and Sarah sharing vocal duties as Dikon pounds away at the drums, we were treated to grubby, melodic, mean streets Punk Rock. The two hit singles were saved for the riotous climax of the set with “Proxytocin” and it’s catchy chorus followed by a belting “Distraction Tactic” that brought to mind the cold Berlin ambience of Bowie and Iggy buggering about in Hansa Studios in the late 70s. Top quality Punk Rock with an unpolished, raw Ramones-y feel if they hung around Bargain Booze in the back streets of Nottingham instead of the Bowery in New York. The third time they’ve visited Boston now, Drivelheads just get better, and they’ll be back at Christmas for the P4TH do. If you missed ‘em in favour of sunshine and footy and Reggae and whatever else, you’ll have no excuse in December!
So ended a fantastic and varied evening of original music and, you know what, I have never seen a stage set taken down so quickly and before I knew it, I was opening a can of McEwans Export and sitting down to watch England beat Panama 2-0 in my front room. Not a bad evening if you ask me.
[Photos by BOBI resident photographer Graham Campling.]
[Review by Marv Gadgie (Gadgie Zine)]
