Phrases and Footage, Adrian Hextall / Mindhex Media
The final time we noticed the Vive Le Rockers, Vive Le Rock journal’s ‘home’ band performing it was 2019. The Stranglers headlined, The Wealthy Youngsters reformed and performed a number of numbers, and awards had been handed out to some true musical legends. 2020 ought to have seen the festivities, the particular company and extra persevering with. Posters had been made, acts had been lined up and all a lifeless cert till after all, the ‘factor’ occurred and the world shut down for over 2 years.
Some 3 years later nonetheless and with the venue upgraded from the O2 Academy in Islington to the larger and higher staged, O2 Empire in Shepherds Bush, the occasion was lastly on.
Based on Vive Le Rock founder and occasion organiser Eugene Butcher, this was prone to be the final awards present. His personal band Determined Measures is taking on a whole lot of his time and nicely, to be honest, you may solely deal with a lot and if this does certainly show to be the award’s swan music then they positively went out in model.
Getting the entire individuals into the venue on the fitting day and the fitting time, I’m positive, is like herding cats. Bands have been named as showing, artists have been on the invoice and eliminated once more (sadly Arthur Brown, the god of hellfire himself, who was billed for the 2020 occasion was not current) however the finish outcome was an exquisite mixture of stay music and nicely deserved awards handed out by and to luminaries for the world of punk, ska, different and extra.
Vive Le Rockers
The night began in tremendous kind with the at all times energised frontman from City Voodoo Machine, Paul Ronney Angel, main the Vive Le Rockers with a rousing rendition of Dick Dale & His Del-Tones ‘Misirlou’ which many people will know after all from its inclusion within the Pulp Fiction soundtrack. We knew from that second on that the music was going to be one thing particular and it was. Particular company got here and went because the Vive Le Rockers performed basic after basic throughout each of their nicely obtained units. Highlights included Kim & Jackie from Girlschool approaching for some Motorhead work in addition to their basic St Valentines Day Bloodbath EP. We additionally obtained a canopy of the Intercourse Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’ with Millie Manders on lead vocal in reminiscence of John Lydon’s spouse Nora who had handed away earlier within the day.
Even the occasion organiser, Mr Butcher, obtained in on the motion, clearly loving being again in entrance of the microphone with Determined Measures NZ as soon as once more.
When the awards had been underway, the true spirit of punk shone via with the primary few presenters and recipients misplaced backstage within the inexperienced room, having fun with the (let’s assume) ‘hospitality’ afforded to them by Eugene and Co. “Are they simply getting pissed” known as out Beki Bondage, our attractive host for the night. All through a lot mirth and merriment as both giver or receiver went AWOL, the one issue that shone via was the camaraderie between everybody current. Did it matter? Did it have an effect on the ambiance for the night? Not within the least. If something it gave the organisers, the presenters and the group one thing to shout, snicker and joke about and actually introduced everybody collectively.
Carrying the torch in to the rest of the twenty first century (as a result of with the perfect will on this planet, half of the acts right here gained’t be enjoying in 15-20 years time) is Bob Vylan, the English duo based mostly in London who play a method merging parts of grime, punk rock and hip hop. Their award receipt triggers roars of approval from the viewers which suggests the style is in good arms as Bobby and Bobbie take up the mantle of ordinary bearers together with one other deserving act, Australia’s personal Amyl and the Sniffers. Though the latter couldn’t seem in individual, their label appeared on stage to gather their award and delivered a rousing “f**ok yeah!” earlier than heading off for some extra of that inexperienced room hospitality.
With awards out of the best way, the stage was then set for the primary of three additional stay units.
Cockney Rejects
Getting the ball rolling had been Londoner’s Cockney Rejects. They might have been round since 1978 however have misplaced none of their chunk or perspective within the intervening years. A brief snappy set adopted and, as I sit right here typing, I can’t assist however preserve muttering “Oi Oi” in my thoughts. Easy, efficient, energetic, every little thing a punk band needs to be and Cockney Rejects reminded us of simply that reality.
Neville Staple Band
The unique impolite boi, Neville Staple was up subsequent and in sharp distinction to the music from Cockney Rejects, delivered some wonderful ska infused tunes, celebrating his time with The Specials and particularly the truth that he’s touring together with his band celebrating ’40 Years of Ghost City’. The present Neville Staple Band line-up consists of (assuming Wikipedia is correct) Christine “Sugary” Staple on vocals, ex-Specials member Drew Stanshall on saxophone, ex-Dangerous Manners members Matty “Bingo” Bane on drums and Stephen “Sledge” Armstrong on bass in addition to Billy Shinbone on guitar, Joe Atkinson on keyboards and Pete New on trombone.
Collectively the music was on the cash, with everybody on stage having as a lot enjoyable dancing to every music because the bouncing crowd in entrance of them. Anybody that is aware of Neville’s historical past in music may have appreciated the combined set which included:
Do the Canine (Rufus Thomas cowl) / Nite Klub (The Specials music) / Monkey Man (Toots & The Maytals cowl) / A Message to You, Rudy (Dandy Livingstone cowl) / Gangsters (The Specials music) / Concrete Jungle (The Specials music) / Ghost City (The Specials music) / Longshot Kick De Bucket (The Pioneers cowl)
If you wish to see what he and his band are as much as lately, try current single ‘Have fun With You’.
Lords of The New Church (feat: Michael Monroe)
And so, to the headline act of the evening. Fashioned in 1981, and consisting of notable musicians from the 70s punk scene, Stiv Bators (ex-the Lifeless Boys), guitarist Brian James (ex-the Damned), bassist Dave Tregunna (ex-Sham 69) and drummer Nick Turner (ex-the Barracudas), the band loved affordable success within the mid Nineteen Eighties with songs like ‘New Church’, ‘Open Your Eyes’, ‘Dance with Me, and a canopy of Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’.
Stiv died in 1990 in Paris after being hit by a automotive so the chance of this reunion taking place appeared a distant hope. Nevertheless, very long time pal of Stiv’s, Michael Monroe, agreed to the request and fairly truthfully, I don’t know who else might have carried out the position justice. Monroe oozes rock ‘n’ roll stylish, his time with Hanoi Rocks cementing his place in style historical past. Bassist Dave Tregunna is again as soon as extra, as is Brian James (the person Rat Scabies describes because the one which taught him every little thing he knew about punk music) on guitar. Drumming for the night is Terry Chimes and authentic Lord’s keyboard participant Mark Taylor.
The rehearsals have clearly been worthwhile because the band appeared tight from the off. Opening with ‘New Church’, to the delight of the pogoing crowd, the years melted away and rapidly it was the sound of the 80s yet again. Mixing punk and New Wave music, the Lords powered via a brief set of fan favourites.
After which… as shortly because it had commenced, it was throughout…. or was it? “Would you like some extra?” got here the shout from the stage…. Effectively, that is England mate and by god it’s onerous work to get a crowd to go mad for an encore particularly when the viewers is usually the incorrect facet of 40 years previous. Nevertheless a number of tuts and muttered “yeahs” later, and with an additional nudge from the stage, when the group lastly discovered their voice and demanded extra, the band got here again on stage.
With Terry again behind the drum equipment (having most likely politely informed Rat the place to go as nicely) the band closed off the 2023 Awards present with Bo Diddley’s ‘Tablets’.
If, as Eugene says, that is the tip of the awards for future years then what a approach to exit. Having the balls to drag collectively a set from Lords of the New Church with certainly one of Stiv’s closest buddies entrance and centre was nothing wanting miraculous. That they sounded so good simply goes to indicate the extent of expertise on stage and when it was mixed with units from Neville Staple, Cockney Rejects and the sensible Vive Le Rockers, it’s not shocking everybody went residence joyful.
Prime work all spherical (as anticipated tbh).
SETLIST:
New Church
Livin’ on Livin’
Dance With Me
Russian Roulette
Methodology to My Insanity
New Rose (The Damned cowl) (with Rat Scabies)
Encore:
Tablets (Bo Diddley cowl)
To see our protection of the 2019 night, click on on the hyperlink under:
