BOBI 28 got off to a right rowdy start with Lincoln hard Rockers Deadly Changes. Channelling the speed and powerful aggression of early Motorhead with gnarly, almost Punk vocals and attitude, the crowd were certainly warmed up from the off. A healthy congregation had gathered for the set, as had plenty of folk trying to capture it on film and photograph, more of a press pit than a media pit at one point! Feet firmly in the New Wave of British Heavy metal camp, Deadly Changes were a beath of fresh air with their short, sharp and raucous racket that stripped the sounds of 70s Metal down to the bare Rock n Roll essence. Don’t worry headbangers though, there were more than enough Iron Maiden (and the likes) type riffs to keep heads-a-banging throughout. Their new EP, which is due soon, will be a treat for you folk who cut the sleeves off of your denim jacket and wear it over your leather one. Rock on!
More attitude up next, but in a different format. A one-man army of aggro in the shape of Cameron Hoban – going by the stage name of Pretty Girls Kill – wielding a guitar and a set of backing tracks, was a very different proposition to the openers. Taking influences, I imagine, from the Emo Punk world of the 21st century, not to mention a nod to 90s US punk like early Green Day and their peers, Cameron entertained all with his emotive, Punky tunes in a confident manner that belied his youthful age - references to passing his GCSE exams and that – and blended that angst that teenagers know so well with angry, two fingers in the air, up yours, Punk bloody Rock! And huzzah for that!
So, to the top of the bill and yet another BOBI-esque change of pace with the slick Rock anthems of Cubans and Cognac. We have had the Cubans and Cognac lot over to BOBI before, but previously as an acoustic two piece and a promise to return in full band mode, that they have kept. Playing a highly tuneful blend of modern Pop Rock and classic riffage, Cubans and Cognac, appear to have been responsible for most of the crowd, with their fan club clearly making all the noise and bringing their dancing shoes. High flying Rock with plenty of polish and an anthemic quality that sounded huge, bouncing off the old stone walls of Blackfriars Revue Bar. So, that was that, BOBI 28 was done and the something for everyone night drew to a close. Metal, Punk, Rock … what more do you want!?
[Photos by BOBI resident photographer Graham Campling.]
[Review by Marv Gadgie (Gadgie Zine)]
