BBA Taking Control 2013
Marine Court Hotel, Bangor, 15/06/13
999, Barb Wire Dolls, The Outcasts, The Lurkers, The Defects, Charred Hearts, Not The Only Clown In The Village, Wasted Talent, Thee Flash Guns, SSSA, Buck Eejit, Shock Treatment 21, Confrontation Time, No Matter, Hardcase, Steven VX.
When I woke up early on saturday morning, it really was a touch & go situation as to if I was going to make this years festival. I'd been struck down yet again with this persistent virus, that just refuses to go away. So to say I felt like crap , would be an understatement.
Regardless before I knew it we were on the train to Bangor bright & early, as 'Steven VX' had the honour of opening BBA 2013 "down by the seaside at midday" (woo woo woo woo wooooooooooo!).
As we entered the main hall we could see the local labels 'Punkerama Records' / 'Spit Records' were busy setting out their stalls, as various band members chatted and posed for pics with the photographers present. The event organiser 'Tom Tom' spiky haired and resplendent in his band logo adorned shirt was also there directing operations, while meeting and greeting everyone who entered the room.
At 12 noon precisely 'Pier GaHell' the stage manager gave 'Steven VX' the go ahead to strike the first chords of his New York Dolls cover 'Pills' and 'BBA 2013' was now officially off & running. A well received eight song akoustik covers set followed, featuring tunes by the 'Ex:Producers, The Ramones, Rudi, The Clash amongst others. After a bit of friendly banter, '$teven' controversially finished his set with the 'Don E Sibley' 1977 anti punk rant 'Punk Bashing Boogie', which went down surprisingly well with the puzzled crowd , I think they got the joke lol. One particular visiting punky punter actually shook hands with '$' afterwards and told him "loved it kid, you've got balls".
'Hardcase' were up next, and they were fantastic. Front man 'Billy Riot is a real contradiction, so mild mannered off stage and a psycho with a (billy) club on stage. Highlights of their set for me were '3000 septic kisses' &'God sent me an angel in fuck me boots'.
When Hardcase finished I immediately went to the back of the hall and bought a copy of their just released ep ' 'Waiting for my ship to come in' (along with the new 'Androids' ep ) from Punkerama & Dragon records supremo Mr Fahy. Jeez! I'd forgotten how good it was to buy vinyl 45s, and I bet you have as well .So do yourself a favour and get your fix now!
Saw 'No Matter' play the Warzone with 'VX' a few months back, great tunes and sarcasm on tap, everything you'd want from from a young punk rock outfit. Good band, they certainly didn't disappoint here today.
First three acts down, and BBA 2013 has got off to a very exciting start, can the rest of the line up keep up the energetic momentum ,we shall see.
The man formerly known as Stiff Little Busker or 'Aidan Doherty' to his family and friends launched his new band 'Confrontation Time' here at BBA. Confidence within the band was obviously high, as they chose to play a nine song set of unheard originals. 'Saints preserve us' was the song that stood out for me.
Davy Treatment was a man down today, as his usual 'ST 21' bassist 'John Rossi was in exotic climes on holiday. Late into their set the band decided to debut a song with a real old school post punk vibe which was originally conceived in 1979 called 'Great Expectations', and it sounded really good. A dramatic performance of 'Belfast Telegraph' finishing with Davy's head buried in a monitor ended the bands set.
'Buck Eejit' are well on the way to becoming one of the most popular bands on the current local scene, and as I've always said don't be fooled by the very entertaining madcap antics of the front man 'Paddy O'Doors', who is a natural born funny guy and brilliant craic. Because this band are great musicians, they can really play and tonight they were tighter than ever. The set was shorter than usual, but still crammed with infectious singalong tunes. And wasn't it great to see Ryan's young son watching his dad play from the edge of the stage.
The last 'Stop Stop Start Again' (well half of the band) gig before this was amazingly in Tokyo, today they were back on home ground playing at a seaside hotel beside the 'Pickie Pool' in a rather dull and rainy Bangor. Quite a change of scenery, I think you'll agree.
Throughout the afternoon I'd met up with a lot of old punky pals and acquaintances, and done a lot of catching up. Show-wise everything was running like clockwork, and there was such a positive and friendly atmosphere around the whole venue. But unfortunately I had to call it a day, as I was now feeling really queasy and I knew I would have to start making my way home. I would have liked to have stayed until the end, as there was still plenty of bands I wanted to check out. But there was no way that was going to happen, so I had no choice but to say goodbye and bail.
Well done and thank you to 'Tom Tom, Georgina and the rest of the BBA crew, roll on 'BBA 2014'.
Now if anyone would like to pick up the baton, and continue with this review. Please feel free to do so.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 17.6.13. (review and photos © J. Donnelly)
[part 2 of this review (by me, GT) coming soon....]
When I woke up early on saturday morning, it really was a touch & go situation as to if I was going to make this years festival. I'd been struck down yet again with this persistent virus, that just refuses to go away. So to say I felt like crap , would be an understatement.
Regardless before I knew it we were on the train to Bangor bright & early, as 'Steven VX' had the honour of opening BBA 2013 "down by the seaside at midday" (woo woo woo woo wooooooooooo!).
As we entered the main hall we could see the local labels 'Punkerama Records' / 'Spit Records' were busy setting out their stalls, as various band members chatted and posed for pics with the photographers present. The event organiser 'Tom Tom' spiky haired and resplendent in his band logo adorned shirt was also there directing operations, while meeting and greeting everyone who entered the room.
At 12 noon precisely 'Pier GaHell' the stage manager gave 'Steven VX' the go ahead to strike the first chords of his New York Dolls cover 'Pills' and 'BBA 2013' was now officially off & running. A well received eight song akoustik covers set followed, featuring tunes by the 'Ex:Producers, The Ramones, Rudi, The Clash amongst others. After a bit of friendly banter, '$teven' controversially finished his set with the 'Don E Sibley' 1977 anti punk rant 'Punk Bashing Boogie', which went down surprisingly well with the puzzled crowd , I think they got the joke lol. One particular visiting punky punter actually shook hands with '$' afterwards and told him "loved it kid, you've got balls".
'Hardcase' were up next, and they were fantastic. Front man 'Billy Riot is a real contradiction, so mild mannered off stage and a psycho with a (billy) club on stage. Highlights of their set for me were '3000 septic kisses' &'God sent me an angel in fuck me boots'.
When Hardcase finished I immediately went to the back of the hall and bought a copy of their just released ep ' 'Waiting for my ship to come in' (along with the new 'Androids' ep ) from Punkerama & Dragon records supremo Mr Fahy. Jeez! I'd forgotten how good it was to buy vinyl 45s, and I bet you have as well .So do yourself a favour and get your fix now!
Saw 'No Matter' play the Warzone with 'VX' a few months back, great tunes and sarcasm on tap, everything you'd want from from a young punk rock outfit. Good band, they certainly didn't disappoint here today.
First three acts down, and BBA 2013 has got off to a very exciting start, can the rest of the line up keep up the energetic momentum ,we shall see.
The man formerly known as Stiff Little Busker or 'Aidan Doherty' to his family and friends launched his new band 'Confrontation Time' here at BBA. Confidence within the band was obviously high, as they chose to play a nine song set of unheard originals. 'Saints preserve us' was the song that stood out for me.
Davy Treatment was a man down today, as his usual 'ST 21' bassist 'John Rossi was in exotic climes on holiday. Late into their set the band decided to debut a song with a real old school post punk vibe which was originally conceived in 1979 called 'Great Expectations', and it sounded really good. A dramatic performance of 'Belfast Telegraph' finishing with Davy's head buried in a monitor ended the bands set.
'Buck Eejit' are well on the way to becoming one of the most popular bands on the current local scene, and as I've always said don't be fooled by the very entertaining madcap antics of the front man 'Paddy O'Doors', who is a natural born funny guy and brilliant craic. Because this band are great musicians, they can really play and tonight they were tighter than ever. The set was shorter than usual, but still crammed with infectious singalong tunes. And wasn't it great to see Ryan's young son watching his dad play from the edge of the stage.
The last 'Stop Stop Start Again' (well half of the band) gig before this was amazingly in Tokyo, today they were back on home ground playing at a seaside hotel beside the 'Pickie Pool' in a rather dull and rainy Bangor. Quite a change of scenery, I think you'll agree.
Throughout the afternoon I'd met up with a lot of old punky pals and acquaintances, and done a lot of catching up. Show-wise everything was running like clockwork, and there was such a positive and friendly atmosphere around the whole venue. But unfortunately I had to call it a day, as I was now feeling really queasy and I knew I would have to start making my way home. I would have liked to have stayed until the end, as there was still plenty of bands I wanted to check out. But there was no way that was going to happen, so I had no choice but to say goodbye and bail.
Well done and thank you to 'Tom Tom, Georgina and the rest of the BBA crew, roll on 'BBA 2014'.
Now if anyone would like to pick up the baton, and continue with this review. Please feel free to do so.
Joe Donnelly Belfast 17.6.13. (review and photos © J. Donnelly)
[part 2 of this review (by me, GT) coming soon....]