June, 2012

Arriving at Tut’s to the more than slightly gutting information that chaotic Danish punks Iceage are not playing isn’t the best way to start the night, and finding out that they are actually in Glasgow and they are not playing down to some simple communication problems may push it over the edge for some.

Regardless we move on, and much hyped, Odd Future signed, Californian hardcore four-piece Trash Talk open things up.

Trash Talk are fast and hard but there’s something about frontman Lee Spielman’s delivery that make you instantly latch onto why there are so many youngsters at what is essentially a gig for hardcore oldies.

That is not to say Trash Talk don’t have their good points, they are raw and energetic, much like their hip hop label owners, and their riffs are good enough to provide interest if Spielman’s vocals and in your face delivery aren’t your cup of tea.

They provide a short opening, only 30 minutes, jam packed full of short bursts of powerful hardcore and stage diving chaos before asking for a weed hook up and leaving us to tonight’s hardcore punk legends.

OFF! are essentially a hardcore punk supergroup and they draw a massive collection of old guys looking to relive the early to mid 80s heyday, and the word that this could be their last tour pulls a few more eager punters too.

Frontman Keith Morris, former vocalist of both Black Flag and Circle Jerks, cuts a charismatic figure at the front of this four-piece as he spills tales of a colourful past.

OFF! aren’t just a welcome blast from the past either they’re a tight unit and their music feels fresh despite an aged style and ageing members, but let us not forget this band have only been together three years.

Morris’ recognisable dreadlocks may well be diminishing but his presence certainly isn’t as he shouts his way through a set of hardcore punk that sounds as classic as the band member’s ‘80s work.

Between dedicating songs to long passed best friend Jeffrey Lee Piece, of scene setting punk blues act The Gun Club, telling stories of hanging with Black Flag and almost misreading the Tut’s sign, the band spark into action with joy written all over their faces, especially that of bassist Steven Shane McDonald, these guys have certainly not lost their love for what they do.

If you are to hold anything against OFF! it’s maybe that they are slight dismissive of current hardcore punk, Morris is first to sing the praises of his 80s contemporaries but there are no nods to this generation of DIY punk acts.

I suppose if you’re being picky 45 minutes may not be deemed long enough for headline slot but at an average of just over a minute a track you certainly get a lot of songs for your money, and it’s powerful stuff, fast, raw, attitude filled bursts of classic hardcore punk that we just may never see again.

Words: Iain Dawson
Photos: Amandine Eap

To mark the official start of the summer, Scotland’s capital is gearing up to welcome the very first Summer Solstice event, including exclusive FREE performances from top comedians Fred MacAulay and Jen Brister (BBC 6 Music) plus internationally acclaimed musician Roddy Woomble, front man of hit rock band Idlewild and Emma Pollock of The Delgados.

Over two days and two nights (Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd June), the area – famous for its quirky independent boutique shopping and cobbled streets – will be transformed into a vibrant hub of activity in honour of reaching the pinnacle of summer - immersing visitors in the ‘best of the west’ and a plethora of top-notch entertainment.

Revellers will be able to soak up an exciting programme of events from 11am until late including an arts and crafts market, face painting, buskers, children’s dance workshops, plus a series of cultural events showcasing an impressive line-up of Scottish talent from the world of comedy, music, fashion and literature. And that’s not all! Shoppers will be able to make the most of a vast array of special Summer Solstice discounts and offers, as well as extended opening hours across select stores including Odyssey Boutique and Marina Rinaldi. Plus fashion devotees can indulge in Style Masterclass hosted by celebrity stylist Lindsay Campbell.

The city’s historic West End will come alive with an incredible, bustling atmosphere so for the full programme of activities, participating venues and to reserve FREE tickets to the Summer Solstice events please visit the West End’s official Facebook page.

The atmosphere is tense tonight as rather eclectic crowd is here to witness Future Of The Left and you can feel their excitement in the air before the band even hits the stage.

With their new album, The Plot Against Common Sense, due for release tomorrow, it is, without doubt, an exciting show.

An intro later and here they are, opening with ‘Arming Eritrea‘ from their second opus Travels with Myself and Another, setting the mood straight and starting their odyssey for the night.

Armed of their powerful bass and keyboards, they get the audience into party mood and ‘Manchasm‘ particularly catches everyone’s attention with its intense and melodic lyrics “…Colin is a pussy, a very pretty pussy/Colin is a pussy, a very pretty pussy cat”.

Up and down the crowd goes and the band does not fail to participate by swapping places with them, including instruments!

Singer Andy “Falco” Falkous talks to the crowd a lot this evening, and entertains them with comments on the jubilee, the championships, Welsh and Scots facts, which the audience seems to appreciate.

He also pointed out one of the spectators tonight who manifests an extremely annoying behaviour and tried to calm him down… to no avail.

The show is rhythmed by quiet and more powerful moments, with a general feeling of ascension and growth in energy and punk feelings.

They even ditch the keyboards for the rest of the show, maybe the Buckfast effect? A bottle can be spotted by bassist Jula Ruzicka’s amp.

A good mix of old and new songs are introduced tonight but one song inparticular shocks the crowd as the band play ‘Lightsaber Cocksucking Blues‘ an old McClusky song that surprises yet pleases the hardcore fans.

It comes as a shock as most of the crowd probably never thought of hearing the song ever again and here it was, right in front of their eyes.

Sing-alongs and the constant energy coming from the stage tonight assure an ever growing ambiance, pits are formed and a lot of dancing is involved, both on and off stage.

The last song had an “average life of 10.4min” as Falco tells us, depending on the crowd’s reaction.

A noisy punk tune that ends up in a total mess, drummer playing backwards, guitarist screaming from the crowd, cymbals in the air and never ending guitar noises.

Irn Bru drinker Jimmy Watkins (guitarist) waves his can goodbye to Scotland and Jack Egglestone (drummer) has to be carried (literally) off the stage.

Future Of The Left win everyone’s hearts tonight, new and old crowds will be telling their friends how spectacular the show they had the chance to attend was.

Words/Photos: Amadine Eap