Music > Live Reviews

UK Subs // Waterfront 16.11.2013

18/11/13

U K Subs, T V Smith & Hotwired // Waterfront Studio, 16.11.2013

Right, I'll come out and admit it. I had always been told that the UK Subs were 2nd rate, 2nd gen punk rock and though Charlie Harper had just jumped on the punk bandwagon. Oh, the follies of believing what your elders tell you.

Tonight's Subs show didn't start promisingly, the band coming across a little too speedmetal for comfort. However, once the band hit their stride three or four songs in, this turns into a damn fine performance. Like near contemporaries Stiff Little Fingers, the Subs play hard and heavy, punky rock 'n' roll. Drummer Jamie Oliver (thankfully not him off the TV) and guitarist Jet play solidly. Musically, star of the show is bassist Alvin Gibbs. In addition to his various stints with the Subs, Gibbs has toured with Iggy Pop and is the author of the excellent book "Neighbourhood Threat".

Of course, centre of attention is vocalist/harmonica player Charlie Harper. He's been doing this for well over forty years, mostly with the Subs, and is approaching 70 but still spits the lyrics with more venom than many a younger man (or woman). Clearly, not someone who just jumped on a bandwagon.

With a strong set including the likes of "CID", "Emotional Blackmail", "I Live In A Car" and "Warhead", UK Subs prove that I should've ignored the naysayers and checked 'em out a loooong time ago. Excellent. (9/10)

I was here for TV Smith. Cards on the table: for me, Smith is simply one of the best singer-songwriters these islands have ever produced, whether with the Adverts, Explorers or solo. But for some shitty breaks and a fickle press, Smith would be a star. With a set list including "No Time To Be 21", "One Chord Wonders", "Expensive Being Poor" and "Gary Gilmour's Eyes" through to "Christmas Bloody Christmas", this was classic, modern Smith - one man, an acoustic guitar and serious amounts of passion. Genius. (10/10)

Openers Hotwired were a surprise. They've been around since '99 and I've lived in Norwich since 2000 on-and-off, so how have I never come across this lot before? This wasn't stunning but it was reasonable, entertaining, workaday punk owing a large debt to the Pistols, Clash, early Damned, Gen-X  and Exploited. Good, angry fun. (7/10) 

Pavlis