Glen Matlock / Stop Stop Start Again / No Matter / Mohican Jack / Padlock live @ Voodoo, Belfast, 29/11/13
Having seen manys a fine gig in Voodoo (KEN Mode, NoMeansNo, The Outcasts) this night saw the turn of Glen Matlock. Having been well received in Bangor a few months ago, this was a gig that had potential to be a corker.
Padlock begin the proceedings. A punk cover band from Dublin, they begin well but proceed to butcher 'The Wait' by Killing Joke and reduce 'A Forest' by The Cure to a 77 chugalong. These are crimes punishable by flogging in my book. Must try harder.
Mohican Jack have improved greatly since their first gig. They're a much tighter unit these days and throw USHC influenced punk rock to the audience. Stevie pushes his vocals to the forefront these days as well and his voice matches the aggression evident in the riffs. Although the songs are enjoyable, closing song 'Fuck The Police' is their best song by a country mile. They need to get recording as soon as possible.
No Matter steal the show with a tight, energetic and life affirming set of pop punk. New member Adam Sims (Numskull, Dangerfields) jumps, jogs and pulls faces like he's always been a member. Some new songs don't deviate from the formula although, as I mentioned on another site "...one has such a similar chorus to their own 'Gotta Go' that they might have to sue themselves." The two punch of 'Your Band is Shit' and 'Cheapshot' close their set and they encapsulate everything great about the band: humour, melody, energy and song writing skills. Go and see them.
Stop Stop Start Again open with their two worst songs: 'Stop Stop Start Again' (basically a bunch of oul lads saying "music was so much better in my day") and the third hand Razorlight riffage of 'Better Days'. Once they're dispersed with, we begin to get the better songs (and the dark heart of the band). SSSA deal in dark and dirty glam rock with frivolous lyrics to distract you from the darkness. When it's done right (such as 'Bangin On Your Back Door) it's unsettling and humorous at the same time.
Matlock had an awful lot to live up to and, truth be told, he didn't quite do the job. There's no doubt that he's a captivating entertainer (his anecdotes and banter with the crowd were first class) but the whole set felt flat and insipid due to the lack of dynamics. If he had brought his backing band with him (The Philistines) then I'd say it would have been a more lively performance. The addition of covers from The Kinks and The Small Faces as well as the obligatory Pistols and Rich Kids songs just gave the impression that I was at a singer songwriter night.
So, a disappointing set from the headliner but excellent sets from the three local bands to watch out for.
With this being the last Scarred For Life gig, I'd like to give a salute to Stevie and Danielle for putting their hands in their pockets to bring bands over here and to create a label. Many talk but few follow through. You two did.
Christopher Owens 12/12/13
A big thanks to Christopher for the review. I was at the gig myself so I have to add my tuppence worth. Missed most of Padlock's set due to driving around for ages trying to find a parking spot (well actually Phil was driving but you know what I mean!) but they got the night off to a decent enough start. Mohican Jack played a blinder, best I've seen them yet. A new line-up too, with an extra guitarist in the form of Hooligan's Dave Linehan adding an extra dimension to the bands sound. Agree with Chris that they saved the best for last, 'Fuck The Police' ending the set on a high. No Matter were the highlight of the night for me. First time I'd seen them live and was well impressed. Boundless energy and short, sharp songs in the vein of Screeching Weasel / Ramones, and a female bass player too! We need more girls in bands. Stop Stop Start Again are one of the best live bands on the local scene and it was a pleasure to see them again. Another brilliant set. As for Glen Matlock? Well yeah, of course it would have been a better set if he'd brought his band with him, but he was good craic and it was a pleasure to see one of the originators of UK punk in a small venue in downtown Belfast. All in all it was a brilliant night, the sound was spot on, the craic was good, pretty much a party atmosphere. A very fitting finale for the last ever Scarred For Life gig. A big thanks to Stevie and Danielle for everything they've done for the local scene, they put their heart and soul into SFL. And good luck to them in future ventures.
GT 14/12/13
All photos © Bernie McAllister
Padlock begin the proceedings. A punk cover band from Dublin, they begin well but proceed to butcher 'The Wait' by Killing Joke and reduce 'A Forest' by The Cure to a 77 chugalong. These are crimes punishable by flogging in my book. Must try harder.
Mohican Jack have improved greatly since their first gig. They're a much tighter unit these days and throw USHC influenced punk rock to the audience. Stevie pushes his vocals to the forefront these days as well and his voice matches the aggression evident in the riffs. Although the songs are enjoyable, closing song 'Fuck The Police' is their best song by a country mile. They need to get recording as soon as possible.
No Matter steal the show with a tight, energetic and life affirming set of pop punk. New member Adam Sims (Numskull, Dangerfields) jumps, jogs and pulls faces like he's always been a member. Some new songs don't deviate from the formula although, as I mentioned on another site "...one has such a similar chorus to their own 'Gotta Go' that they might have to sue themselves." The two punch of 'Your Band is Shit' and 'Cheapshot' close their set and they encapsulate everything great about the band: humour, melody, energy and song writing skills. Go and see them.
Stop Stop Start Again open with their two worst songs: 'Stop Stop Start Again' (basically a bunch of oul lads saying "music was so much better in my day") and the third hand Razorlight riffage of 'Better Days'. Once they're dispersed with, we begin to get the better songs (and the dark heart of the band). SSSA deal in dark and dirty glam rock with frivolous lyrics to distract you from the darkness. When it's done right (such as 'Bangin On Your Back Door) it's unsettling and humorous at the same time.
Matlock had an awful lot to live up to and, truth be told, he didn't quite do the job. There's no doubt that he's a captivating entertainer (his anecdotes and banter with the crowd were first class) but the whole set felt flat and insipid due to the lack of dynamics. If he had brought his backing band with him (The Philistines) then I'd say it would have been a more lively performance. The addition of covers from The Kinks and The Small Faces as well as the obligatory Pistols and Rich Kids songs just gave the impression that I was at a singer songwriter night.
So, a disappointing set from the headliner but excellent sets from the three local bands to watch out for.
With this being the last Scarred For Life gig, I'd like to give a salute to Stevie and Danielle for putting their hands in their pockets to bring bands over here and to create a label. Many talk but few follow through. You two did.
Christopher Owens 12/12/13
A big thanks to Christopher for the review. I was at the gig myself so I have to add my tuppence worth. Missed most of Padlock's set due to driving around for ages trying to find a parking spot (well actually Phil was driving but you know what I mean!) but they got the night off to a decent enough start. Mohican Jack played a blinder, best I've seen them yet. A new line-up too, with an extra guitarist in the form of Hooligan's Dave Linehan adding an extra dimension to the bands sound. Agree with Chris that they saved the best for last, 'Fuck The Police' ending the set on a high. No Matter were the highlight of the night for me. First time I'd seen them live and was well impressed. Boundless energy and short, sharp songs in the vein of Screeching Weasel / Ramones, and a female bass player too! We need more girls in bands. Stop Stop Start Again are one of the best live bands on the local scene and it was a pleasure to see them again. Another brilliant set. As for Glen Matlock? Well yeah, of course it would have been a better set if he'd brought his band with him, but he was good craic and it was a pleasure to see one of the originators of UK punk in a small venue in downtown Belfast. All in all it was a brilliant night, the sound was spot on, the craic was good, pretty much a party atmosphere. A very fitting finale for the last ever Scarred For Life gig. A big thanks to Stevie and Danielle for everything they've done for the local scene, they put their heart and soul into SFL. And good luck to them in future ventures.
GT 14/12/13
All photos © Bernie McAllister