Scarred For Life Records
CD Launch Gig 12/10/2012
Tonights 'Scarred For Life' cd launch gig was a big deal for Belfast, as it marked the birth of a new record label and gig promotions company in the city. High profile shows by the likes of the original line up of Sham 69, Anti Pasti, The Members (with Rat Scabies) and many more are already booked by 'SFL', and scheduled between now and early 2013.
But this was the labels first record release ,and all the bands playing here tonight as well as 'The Defects, Blitzkrieg, Buck Eejit and Paranoid' among others have two tracks included on the SFL debut double cd.
The label bosses' Danielle Earley' and 'Stephen Smyth' are two of the nicest people you could meet, and they're both very passionate about their punk rock. The tattooed 'SFL' logo image which adorns the cover of the cd, is actually a real piece of skinwork on Stephen's back. So if all that blood and pain is not seen as his total commitment to the 'Scarred For Life' cause , then I don't know what is.
I thought this was actually going to be a reformed version of 1978 punks 'Control Zone' from Omagh, who once had author / fanzine writer 'Tony McGartland' (Ernie Badness) as a menber. But it seems I was a little mixed up, as these guys are actually from Newtownabbey, and they could trace their roots back to 1977. The band had reformed in 2008, and have released a couple of albums since. Have to say I liked their old school style, they had some very good originals in their set like 'Something Strange', but when they played their cover of 'The Heartbreakers' gem 'One track mind' I was won over. I will definitely be checking them out again sometime soon.
What should've been a night of onstage celebration to mark their inclusion on the 'Scarred for Life' cd and the end of a month of intensive gigging, turned into a bit of a technological nightmare for the band of the moment 'VX'. The band's party had been pooped by persistant techno gremlins, and an irratating sound mix from hell all through their set. This far from perfect situation was treatening to derail their runaway teenage train, but to their credit the boys just got on with it, emerging with their deserved reputation as Belfast's best new teenage band still very much intact. The audience gave them a great reception, and there was plenty of very positive feedback from their new fans. This was the end of the bands phase one plan to re-establish the 'VX' name, and it certainly looks like they've achieved their aim.
The band want everyone to know that there are more gigs, recording,etc etc already in the pipeline, so be prepared for more 'VX' in your face very soon!
This is probably the third time I've seen punk covers band 'Fubar' live, and with a cherry picked setlist of classics like they've got, how could they possibly fail?. There's no risk involved here, you know exactly what you're going to get, I particularly enjoyed their versions of ' 'Brand New Cadillac' & 'Jah War'.
Talk about getting your ass kicked , I knew nothing about 'By Any Means' before tonight, but I won't be forgetting them in a hurry, thats for sure. Big f*****g guy's, with a massive uncompromising hardcore wall of sound. I can't tell you the title of any of their songs because I never understood a single word, but I know I liked what I was hearing.
Last up it was the headliners, UK82 era influenced 'Stoke on Trent' punksters 'Wasted Life', who were a noisey blur of activity on the postage stamp sized stage. They were surprisingly energetic for a band who were allegedly still partying non-stop from the previous night.
'Wasted Life' were a fitting conclusion to a great night , well done to 'Danielle', 'Stephen' and all the SFL crew, and best wishes for the future!
One last tale from the evening.
A raffle was held mid gig, with prizes ranging from 'Scarred For Life cd's, limited edition labelled wine, a leather purse and an original 'Sid Vicious' portrait on canvas by local tattoo artist 'Ewan Whosearmy' (not his real name lol). To cut a long story short ,'Chris Byrne 'VX'guitarist won this coveted prize . He then gave it to me as a present, which I happily accepted. Thank you Chris. The funny thing was that when I saw what was coming up in the draw I jokingly said to everyone at the table that I was going to win the 'Sid' artwork , well I didn't but I still got to take it home!.
Courtesy of the 'Joe Donnelly ' Facebook page
15.10.12.
But this was the labels first record release ,and all the bands playing here tonight as well as 'The Defects, Blitzkrieg, Buck Eejit and Paranoid' among others have two tracks included on the SFL debut double cd.
The label bosses' Danielle Earley' and 'Stephen Smyth' are two of the nicest people you could meet, and they're both very passionate about their punk rock. The tattooed 'SFL' logo image which adorns the cover of the cd, is actually a real piece of skinwork on Stephen's back. So if all that blood and pain is not seen as his total commitment to the 'Scarred For Life' cause , then I don't know what is.
I thought this was actually going to be a reformed version of 1978 punks 'Control Zone' from Omagh, who once had author / fanzine writer 'Tony McGartland' (Ernie Badness) as a menber. But it seems I was a little mixed up, as these guys are actually from Newtownabbey, and they could trace their roots back to 1977. The band had reformed in 2008, and have released a couple of albums since. Have to say I liked their old school style, they had some very good originals in their set like 'Something Strange', but when they played their cover of 'The Heartbreakers' gem 'One track mind' I was won over. I will definitely be checking them out again sometime soon.
What should've been a night of onstage celebration to mark their inclusion on the 'Scarred for Life' cd and the end of a month of intensive gigging, turned into a bit of a technological nightmare for the band of the moment 'VX'. The band's party had been pooped by persistant techno gremlins, and an irratating sound mix from hell all through their set. This far from perfect situation was treatening to derail their runaway teenage train, but to their credit the boys just got on with it, emerging with their deserved reputation as Belfast's best new teenage band still very much intact. The audience gave them a great reception, and there was plenty of very positive feedback from their new fans. This was the end of the bands phase one plan to re-establish the 'VX' name, and it certainly looks like they've achieved their aim.
The band want everyone to know that there are more gigs, recording,etc etc already in the pipeline, so be prepared for more 'VX' in your face very soon!
This is probably the third time I've seen punk covers band 'Fubar' live, and with a cherry picked setlist of classics like they've got, how could they possibly fail?. There's no risk involved here, you know exactly what you're going to get, I particularly enjoyed their versions of ' 'Brand New Cadillac' & 'Jah War'.
Talk about getting your ass kicked , I knew nothing about 'By Any Means' before tonight, but I won't be forgetting them in a hurry, thats for sure. Big f*****g guy's, with a massive uncompromising hardcore wall of sound. I can't tell you the title of any of their songs because I never understood a single word, but I know I liked what I was hearing.
Last up it was the headliners, UK82 era influenced 'Stoke on Trent' punksters 'Wasted Life', who were a noisey blur of activity on the postage stamp sized stage. They were surprisingly energetic for a band who were allegedly still partying non-stop from the previous night.
'Wasted Life' were a fitting conclusion to a great night , well done to 'Danielle', 'Stephen' and all the SFL crew, and best wishes for the future!
One last tale from the evening.
A raffle was held mid gig, with prizes ranging from 'Scarred For Life cd's, limited edition labelled wine, a leather purse and an original 'Sid Vicious' portrait on canvas by local tattoo artist 'Ewan Whosearmy' (not his real name lol). To cut a long story short ,'Chris Byrne 'VX'guitarist won this coveted prize . He then gave it to me as a present, which I happily accepted. Thank you Chris. The funny thing was that when I saw what was coming up in the draw I jokingly said to everyone at the table that I was going to win the 'Sid' artwork , well I didn't but I still got to take it home!.
Courtesy of the 'Joe Donnelly ' Facebook page
15.10.12.