Need something loud and abrasive to shock you back into action after the Easter weekend? Us too.
Handy, then, that on the other side of the bank holiday, the New Cross Inn is hosting three bands who are perfect for the job.
Unfortunately, openers Ikhras (whose new EP, ‘Jahanam Btistana’, is well worth a listen) have had to pull out, but any lingering disappointment is soon swept away by a storming set from Clobber.
“London’s the fucking bollocks!”, declares vocalist Charlie, a man clearly happy to be home again, before the impressive oi-meets-hardcore stomp of ‘Tottenham Court Road’ makes us nostalgic for the days of the Astoria and 12 Bar Club (RIP to both).
Their whole set is a perfect soundtrack to the mayhem that unfolds in the pit, but don’t be fooled – these guys are as smart as their music is tough, and in ‘Council Estate Of Mind’, they have a genuine underdog anthem, replete with the kind of bass acrobatics which Matt Freeman (of Rancid fame) would surely approve of.
Channelling their anger towards our shitshow of a government (and opposition), their enthusiasm is infectious, and we get the feeling their best is yet to come. Be sure to catch them with Sick Of It All next month.
Shooting Daggers are no longer just a hardcore band, in the same way that Refused aren’t just a hardcore band. Lofty comparison, we know. But dropping the three minutes of beautiful post-rock/shoegaze that is ‘A Guilty Conscience Needs An Accuser’ in the middle of their set is a gutsy move indeed – not something your stereotypical hardcore bruisers would attempt.
Nothing falls flat today, be it the crunchy power chords of ‘Smug’ (you gotta BOUNCE) or the righteous rage of the older ‘Missandra’ – still played with as much passion and vitriol as ever. Truly, this is a band who have realised they can do anything, and if you haven’t yet checked out their recent (and brilliant) debut album ‘Love And Rage’, you are seriously missing out.
Headliners Spaced absolutely walk this tonight. It’s their second appearance at the New Cross Inn, following last year’s show with Buggin’, and this time they’re armed with powerful new LP ‘This Is All We Ever Get’. It was released barely two weeks ago, but everyone down the front already seems to know it back to front, and when vocalist Lexi demands a circle pit or some side-to-side mosh action, my goodness does she get it – and then some.
There’s some seriously dexterous guitar work anchoring the likes of ‘Boomerang’ and ‘Big Picture’ amid the onstage chaos, and – like all great hardcore bands – there’s the sense that the band would spontaneously combust if they didn’t have shows like this as an outlet. It’s all too easy to recall GEL’s semi-demolition of this very venue about a year ago, and to wonder if perhaps Spaced are headed for similarly great things.
We file out into the cold rainy night in high spirits, finally ready to face whatever the rest of the week may bring. Cheers to all the bands involved, and also to Real Life Presents (the promoter) – you did us proud.
Follow Spaced on Their Socials
Need more Punk In Your Life?
Steve Ignorant, U.K. Subs, Spanish, German and Belgian punk bands rock festival in Leuven
Saturday, 19 April saw the postponed 2024 Breaking Barriers festival in Leuven, Belgium. Two English punk icons ever since the 1970s, Steve Ignorant and UK
Album review: Another Damn Disappointment – ‘Bedlam’
The 90s Epitaph/Fat Wreck skate punk sound has made quite the comeback, and you can add Californian quintet Another Damn Disappointment to the list of
Comeback Kid, London Tufnell Park Dome, 20th April 2025
It’s strange to think that Comeback Kid started out as a mere side project, only to become its members’ main concern after their second record
Six of the Best – 20th April 2025
New Single, EP and Album releases from Tape It Shut – ‘Employee Of The Hour, The Molotovs – ‘More More More’, Gallus – ‘ Cool
Shake Some Acton gig #88, London Hope & Anchor, 18th April 2025
Finally, the Easter weekend has arrived! it’s taken its own sweet time this year, and it probably won’t surprise you that here, at Punktuation Towers,
Brazilian punks Fantazmaz launch debut album with ferocious single ‘Dead On The Way Home’
We’ve reviewed Fantazmaz’s incendiary live shows at least twice in these pages, so we were delighted to discover that the Brazilian (but UK-based) quartet will
I spend my days teaching English to foreign students, and my evenings attending as many gigs as possible. Raised mainly on a diet of 90s third-wave punk, my tastes have grown to include just about anything from trad ska to thrash metal. The Ramones are my musical gods.
Did you know that we are 100% DIY? We run our own game. No one dictates to us, and no one drives what we can or cannot put on our pages – and this is how we plan to continue!
