Goldblade / Outcasts / Mohican Jack / Spittin' Teeth
live @ Voodoo, Belfast, 31/01/14
New Belfast record label / gig promoter Hannibal Records kicked off their 2014 itinerary with what turned out to be a pretty stunning gig!
First on stage were Spittin' Teeth, a local Belfast band formed less than a year ago, but who are already making a name for themselves with their own brand of 'grindy hardcore crusty sludge punk'. Heavy riffage and ear-splitting vocals are the bands stock in trade and they fairly made the windows rattle! The musical genre Spittin' Teeth ply their trade in is, to be honest, not really my cup of tea, but they certainly had their fans on the night.
Next up were Mohican Jack, who we are starting to see a lot more of these days. With the new stable lineup of Stevie (vocals / guitar), Rory (bass) and Johnny (drums) the band are now firing on all cylinders. This was a big night for the band as the gig doubled as the Mohican Jack debut CD launch. Hard, fast, melodic hardcore was the order of the day as the trio blitzed their way through a set of original, aggression soaked tunes such as 'Born A Loser', One Way In', 'Two Wrongs', 'Wrecking Ball' and (what is fast becoming an audience favourite) 'Fuck The Police'. That last song in particular showcasing what this band are capable off. Go buy the CD!
Unfortunately Paranoid Visions had to pull out of the gig but as the saying goes - 'every cloud has a silver lining' and we had extended sets from both the Outcasts and Goldblade to look forward to.
A late change to the running order saw local heroes (and self-styled ' bad boys' of the early NI punk scene) The Outcasts take to the stage for their first outing of the year. There was a real buzz of excitement as the band kicked in with the opening 'Nowhere Left To Run'. The band seemed fired up for this one and with Greg being in great form, you just knew we were in for a treat. It didn't take long for the Outcasts to have the place jumping as they ripped their way through a star studded set of punk classics such as 'Self Conscious', 'Mania', Gangland Warfare', 'Cops Are Coming', 'You're A Disease' et al (you know the rest). A sizeable chunk of the audience had taken to the floor stagefront to throw a few crazy shapes and sing along to their favourite anthems. Greg's customary repartee with the audience always an added bonus. Memories of sweaty, beer soaked early gigs down the Harp Bar etc. came flooding back. This band are well and truly back to their best. The set finished in some style with their adrenalized cover of Bowie's 'Suffragette City' (the boys have recently been in the studio to record their version of that song). A truly superb performance.
Just about enough time to catch a breath before John Robb and his band of ruffians Goldblade got the adrenalin pumping once again! Goldblade are an outstanding live band. They had played Belfast a couple of times before this gig and I was lucky enough to catch those shows as well. This is punk rock'n'roll at its best. Stripped to the waste and a burning fire in his eyes, Robb cuts an imposing figure on stage. Strutting around like a demented evangelical preacher, when he leaps into the audience and screams in your face 'Do You Believe In The Power Of Rock'n'Roll'? you'd better reply 'hell yeah'! And when he sings 'My Name Is Psycho' well, you're not gonna contradict him! Audience participation is a big part of Goldblade shows - either brother John is down in the crowd sticking his mic in peoples faces or half the audience is up on stage bouncing with the band. Goldblade played a blinding set of songs from their ever expanding back catalogue including such gems as 'Riot Riot', 'Strictly Hardcore', 'Someone Stole My Brain' and the previously mentioned 'Psycho' and 'Do You Believe In The Power Of Rock'n'Roll?' I reckon there were quite a few new converts to the 'Church of Goldblade' after witnessing the gig. I've met John Robb a few times and whilst he may be 'psycho' on stage, he is a complete gentleman off it. His passion and enthusiasm for punk rock is second to none and his belief in the power of punk rock is unquestionable. Come back soon Goldblade.
A big thank you to Hannibal Records for putting on this outstanding gig.
GT 05/02/14
First on stage were Spittin' Teeth, a local Belfast band formed less than a year ago, but who are already making a name for themselves with their own brand of 'grindy hardcore crusty sludge punk'. Heavy riffage and ear-splitting vocals are the bands stock in trade and they fairly made the windows rattle! The musical genre Spittin' Teeth ply their trade in is, to be honest, not really my cup of tea, but they certainly had their fans on the night.
Next up were Mohican Jack, who we are starting to see a lot more of these days. With the new stable lineup of Stevie (vocals / guitar), Rory (bass) and Johnny (drums) the band are now firing on all cylinders. This was a big night for the band as the gig doubled as the Mohican Jack debut CD launch. Hard, fast, melodic hardcore was the order of the day as the trio blitzed their way through a set of original, aggression soaked tunes such as 'Born A Loser', One Way In', 'Two Wrongs', 'Wrecking Ball' and (what is fast becoming an audience favourite) 'Fuck The Police'. That last song in particular showcasing what this band are capable off. Go buy the CD!
Unfortunately Paranoid Visions had to pull out of the gig but as the saying goes - 'every cloud has a silver lining' and we had extended sets from both the Outcasts and Goldblade to look forward to.
A late change to the running order saw local heroes (and self-styled ' bad boys' of the early NI punk scene) The Outcasts take to the stage for their first outing of the year. There was a real buzz of excitement as the band kicked in with the opening 'Nowhere Left To Run'. The band seemed fired up for this one and with Greg being in great form, you just knew we were in for a treat. It didn't take long for the Outcasts to have the place jumping as they ripped their way through a star studded set of punk classics such as 'Self Conscious', 'Mania', Gangland Warfare', 'Cops Are Coming', 'You're A Disease' et al (you know the rest). A sizeable chunk of the audience had taken to the floor stagefront to throw a few crazy shapes and sing along to their favourite anthems. Greg's customary repartee with the audience always an added bonus. Memories of sweaty, beer soaked early gigs down the Harp Bar etc. came flooding back. This band are well and truly back to their best. The set finished in some style with their adrenalized cover of Bowie's 'Suffragette City' (the boys have recently been in the studio to record their version of that song). A truly superb performance.
Just about enough time to catch a breath before John Robb and his band of ruffians Goldblade got the adrenalin pumping once again! Goldblade are an outstanding live band. They had played Belfast a couple of times before this gig and I was lucky enough to catch those shows as well. This is punk rock'n'roll at its best. Stripped to the waste and a burning fire in his eyes, Robb cuts an imposing figure on stage. Strutting around like a demented evangelical preacher, when he leaps into the audience and screams in your face 'Do You Believe In The Power Of Rock'n'Roll'? you'd better reply 'hell yeah'! And when he sings 'My Name Is Psycho' well, you're not gonna contradict him! Audience participation is a big part of Goldblade shows - either brother John is down in the crowd sticking his mic in peoples faces or half the audience is up on stage bouncing with the band. Goldblade played a blinding set of songs from their ever expanding back catalogue including such gems as 'Riot Riot', 'Strictly Hardcore', 'Someone Stole My Brain' and the previously mentioned 'Psycho' and 'Do You Believe In The Power Of Rock'n'Roll?' I reckon there were quite a few new converts to the 'Church of Goldblade' after witnessing the gig. I've met John Robb a few times and whilst he may be 'psycho' on stage, he is a complete gentleman off it. His passion and enthusiasm for punk rock is second to none and his belief in the power of punk rock is unquestionable. Come back soon Goldblade.
A big thank you to Hannibal Records for putting on this outstanding gig.
GT 05/02/14