Sabrejets / Thee Flash Guns live @ Atlantic Lounge, Portrush, 12/04/14
The last time I'd ventured up to the Port for a gig was a couple of years ago to witness the return of The Outcasts. That was a cracking gig. When I saw the line up for the gig in the Atlantic Lounge (formerly The Retro) on 12th April 2014 I reckoned it was time to take another wee trip up to the north coast. Was it worth the effort? Hell, yeah!
The open fires and relaxed atmosphere in the venue were a welcome relief from the biting cold wind blowing in from the sea. I'd got there early and was invited in to watch the bands soundcheck after bumping into Brian and Liam of The Sabrejets in the street outside. Both bands sounded brilliant and I knew we were in for a great night.
I first encountered Thee Flash Guns at the punk festival in Bangor last year. Although I didn't catch their full set then, I'd heard enough to know that this was a band to keep an eye on. Formed around the nucleus of Keith Farr (Monkhouse) and Ralph Riot (Runnin' Riot) Thee Flash Guns sound is a mix of 60's garage-punk fused with the New York sleaze of the Hearbreakers and the anger / energy of The Clash. The Johnny Thunders / Heartbreakers influence was evident on the set opener 'Do Not Disturb' (a song about the death of original New York Dolls drummer Billy Murcia) and the brilliant mid-set 'All I Wanna Do' (reminding me of the Heartbreakers 'I Wanna Be Loved'), the highlight of the bands set (in my opinion). The rest of the set consisted of original songs such as 'The Kill', 'Dead End Town' and the delightful surf instrumental 'Surfin' Flash Guns' (a wee tune about surfing in Bangor, I believe?) plus a few choice covers - 'The Crusher', 'Elvis Fuckin' Christ' (even better than the Cramps? possibly) and a pulsating version of The Equals 'Police On My Back' (that one got the crowd rockin' - most people are probably more aware of The Clash version of that song). Smashing set by an excellent new(ish) band who we'll be hearing a lot more from, guaranteed. Check them out if you get the chance.
I've seen The Sabrejets countless times over the years (hard to believe they've been on the go for the best part of 20 years now!!!!) and they've never let me down yet. There was a great turn out for this gig and having been suitably warmed up by Thee Flash Guns it didn't take long for The Sabrejets to get the crowd buzzin'. Kicking off with the Liam Killen original 'Lone Wolf Blues' the band had the audience rockin', boppin' and strollin' for an incredible one and a half hours! A fantastic mix of songs from their own back catalogue and an impeccable choice of covers - 'Lights Out' (Jerry Byrne / Dr Feelgood), The Wild One' (Johnny O'Keefe / Iggy Pop), 'Seven Deadly Sins' (The Outcasts), 'Blitzkrieg Bop' (The Ramones), 'I Fought The Law' (Bobby Fuller / Clash) - all played in their own inimitable souped up, glam-punk tinged rockabilly style. They even managed to squeeze a couple of new tunes into that lengthy setlist
- the excellent 'Zorita' and the instumental 'Lightnin'' (is that the one that sounds a wee bit like 'The Hucklebuck'? lol). There is just such a great feel good factor whenever this band performs that I defy anyone not to enjoy themselves! Everyone was having such a great time they didn't want the show to stop but eventually all good things must come to an end and the band finally wrapped things up with a sublime cover of Marc Bolan's 'I Love To Boogie' as the time approached 02.am. This was an incredibly good performance from The Sabrejets - easily the best live band around.
Really glad I made the effort to go to the gig - brilliant performances from 2 great bands, a good venue, friendly staff, excellent service, open fires and the beer was quite nice too! What more could you ask for?
If you're ever up around Portrush check out the Atlantic Lounge, they've got a lot of top gigs lined up.
If you get the chance to see The Sabrejets or Thee Flash Guns then do so. Why pay silly money to see big name acts when you can go see incredibly good local bands for a few quid?
GT 14/04/14
The open fires and relaxed atmosphere in the venue were a welcome relief from the biting cold wind blowing in from the sea. I'd got there early and was invited in to watch the bands soundcheck after bumping into Brian and Liam of The Sabrejets in the street outside. Both bands sounded brilliant and I knew we were in for a great night.
I first encountered Thee Flash Guns at the punk festival in Bangor last year. Although I didn't catch their full set then, I'd heard enough to know that this was a band to keep an eye on. Formed around the nucleus of Keith Farr (Monkhouse) and Ralph Riot (Runnin' Riot) Thee Flash Guns sound is a mix of 60's garage-punk fused with the New York sleaze of the Hearbreakers and the anger / energy of The Clash. The Johnny Thunders / Heartbreakers influence was evident on the set opener 'Do Not Disturb' (a song about the death of original New York Dolls drummer Billy Murcia) and the brilliant mid-set 'All I Wanna Do' (reminding me of the Heartbreakers 'I Wanna Be Loved'), the highlight of the bands set (in my opinion). The rest of the set consisted of original songs such as 'The Kill', 'Dead End Town' and the delightful surf instrumental 'Surfin' Flash Guns' (a wee tune about surfing in Bangor, I believe?) plus a few choice covers - 'The Crusher', 'Elvis Fuckin' Christ' (even better than the Cramps? possibly) and a pulsating version of The Equals 'Police On My Back' (that one got the crowd rockin' - most people are probably more aware of The Clash version of that song). Smashing set by an excellent new(ish) band who we'll be hearing a lot more from, guaranteed. Check them out if you get the chance.
I've seen The Sabrejets countless times over the years (hard to believe they've been on the go for the best part of 20 years now!!!!) and they've never let me down yet. There was a great turn out for this gig and having been suitably warmed up by Thee Flash Guns it didn't take long for The Sabrejets to get the crowd buzzin'. Kicking off with the Liam Killen original 'Lone Wolf Blues' the band had the audience rockin', boppin' and strollin' for an incredible one and a half hours! A fantastic mix of songs from their own back catalogue and an impeccable choice of covers - 'Lights Out' (Jerry Byrne / Dr Feelgood), The Wild One' (Johnny O'Keefe / Iggy Pop), 'Seven Deadly Sins' (The Outcasts), 'Blitzkrieg Bop' (The Ramones), 'I Fought The Law' (Bobby Fuller / Clash) - all played in their own inimitable souped up, glam-punk tinged rockabilly style. They even managed to squeeze a couple of new tunes into that lengthy setlist
- the excellent 'Zorita' and the instumental 'Lightnin'' (is that the one that sounds a wee bit like 'The Hucklebuck'? lol). There is just such a great feel good factor whenever this band performs that I defy anyone not to enjoy themselves! Everyone was having such a great time they didn't want the show to stop but eventually all good things must come to an end and the band finally wrapped things up with a sublime cover of Marc Bolan's 'I Love To Boogie' as the time approached 02.am. This was an incredibly good performance from The Sabrejets - easily the best live band around.
Really glad I made the effort to go to the gig - brilliant performances from 2 great bands, a good venue, friendly staff, excellent service, open fires and the beer was quite nice too! What more could you ask for?
If you're ever up around Portrush check out the Atlantic Lounge, they've got a lot of top gigs lined up.
If you get the chance to see The Sabrejets or Thee Flash Guns then do so. Why pay silly money to see big name acts when you can go see incredibly good local bands for a few quid?
GT 14/04/14