Music > Live Reviews

UK Subs @ the Waterfront

13/12/15

It's a wet and windy night in Norwich and the penultimate gig of a busy year. There's a lot going on tonight. Ash are playing downstairs whilst The Big Alabama and No Holy Men are doing a co-headliner at NAC. Much as I'd like to go to both, for what I think is the third December in a row I'm off to check out veteran punx UK Subs.

First up are The Marksmen. Due to a bit of confusion over times, I arrived for their last song. What I heard was bloody great psychobilly and, having seen 'em before, I was more than a little gutted to miss most of their set. Must catch them next time they're about.

Next up are East Town Pirates, self-confessed voodoo pirate rock 'n' rollers from (whisper it) Ipswich. This is anthemic, shoutalong, rock 'n' roll rooted in punk but with a tasty dash of sleaze and hints of the Slade/Mott bovverboy end of 70s glam. Their tongues are most firmly planted in their cheeks but they are serious about making good time, party music. Any band that can sing "God saves our souls we're far too old to rock and roll" with a singer who looks like Ed Tudorpole but sounds like an East Anglian Shane MacGowan has got to be ok in my book. From a couple of committed fans at the beginning, they have a fair few dancing by the end of their set. Bloody great.

The UK Subs have been around for nigh on 40 years. Mainstay and frontman Charlie Harper is in his 70s. Unlike most of their contemporaries, the Subs never really went away. Bassist Alvin Gibbs has been in the band on-and-off since the early 80s. Even new boys Jet and Jamie Oliver (not that one) have been in the band for over ten years.

From 1979's debut Another Kind of Blues, the band's albums have started with consecutive letters of the alphabet. Consequently, they've announced that next year's 26th album Ziezo will be their last. A shame but they'll carry on touring and they've always been more potent - and relevant - live.

Harper, in a fetching tie-dye Ramones tee with matching blue hair and shades, is in fine voice. Gibbs, whether he is in the Subs, Cheap And Nasty or Iggy Pop’s band, is one of the best bassists I've seen. Jet and Oliver do exactly what is required of them. Despite some technical problems, the Subs blast through a 45 minute set with barely a pause. Highlights include Suicidal Girl, Tomorrow's Girls, Warhead and Stranglehold before an encore of the ever festive Hey Santa, CID, I Live In A Car and New York State Police.

Once again, the Subs deliver a great set, with great support acts, to an enthusiastic crowd. As gigs go, it doesn't get much better.