Hard Skin @ The Owl Sanctuary
OI! Oi! Oi! Oi without the baggage of the racism, bovver and Garry Bushell.
Travelling from Bury St Edmunds to play a twenty minute set that kicks off to an almost empty room must be disheartening, but Rats As Big As Dogs put their all into a short, sharp set. Their sound is rooted in punk but is far from punk by numbers. The inventive use of feedback and the vocal interplay between Jay, Shannon, Reuben and George are particularly appealing. (9/10)
Essentially a vehicle for Snuff’s Duncan Redmonds – there are different line-ups for touring in Europe and Asia - Billy No Mates play melodic hardcore in the vein of Husker Du with warmth and humour. (9/10)
I don’t know what to say about stars of rockumentary The Punk Syndrome, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät. Pertti, Kari, Sami and Toni use punk to vent to difficulties of everyday life when living with Autism or Down's Syndrome. Heart-warming and inspiring. (7/10)
For the last 20 year, oi revivalists Hard Skin put a contemporary, satirical twist on the skinhead stomp of Cockney Rejects, Cock Sparrer and Sham 69. The entertainingly foul-mouthed Fat Bob, Johnny and Nasher play it hard and fast. (7/10)
This was a great end to a year when I’ve taken in 171 artists and bands.
Pavlis
