Revenge of the Psychotronic Man
There is a bittersweet feel to tonight, for tonight will almost certainly be the last time that Revenge of the Psychotronic Man will play Norwich. After 14 years together, Andy (bass/vox), Matt (guitar/vocal) and Chris AKA Big Hands (drums) have decided to call it a day at the end of 2018.
But before all that, we have (adopted) locals Paper Champ and their melodic hardcore. Mixing Stiff Little Fingers, Bad Religion and Social Distortion, this is enjoyable, if not exactly earth shattering, stuff. Still, anyone whose set list names songs as Woo Song, Song 5 - as the eighth song of the set - and 30 Second Song is okay by me.
I had never heard of North City Lager System before tonight but at least three of the four members have been in the audiences at various punk gigs in the fine city over the years. What the Lager System deliever is superficially basic, thrashy, Oi! tinged punk that brings to mind the likes of Cockney Rejects, Discharge and Subhumans. And, like Subhumans, this music is more intelligent and, well, damneddanceable than first impressions suggest. With some stunning bass lines, it is Maff Steele that is the undisputed star of the show. Of course, with songs like Mousehold Wank Nest, Beer Dodger or Inside the Mind of Billy System, frequent references to ale and general between song banter, the Lager System are far from serious and I had a broad grin across my face throughout a thoroughly impressive and wholly enjoyable set.
Now for Revenge of the Psychotronic Man. Cards on the table, I bloody love this band. The bringers of Colossal Velocity play fierce, raging hardcore at a frantic pace. Whilst the lyrics are usually serious, there is good nature and a humour at work here that creates a gig with a wonderfully welcoming atmosphere.
Kicking off with Drinking In the Van, the sound is far from great but that is sorted by third song (and a personal fave) I Am Absolutely Fuming. Over the course of 21 songs in 45 minutes, highlights includeNiall Quinn, Booze Time, I Wanna Be A Spaceman, Rrose Selavy, references to amusement park Tayto Park and Crinkly Bottom, a human pyramid and a crowd surfing T. rex.
The audience, ranging from teenagers on their first visit to the Owl and an ice-cool goth to punks close to retirement age and that T. rex, throw themselves into the show and about the dance floor with complete abandon. What, to the uninitiated, may appear aggressive and intimidating, violent even, is, in fact, good natured camaraderie. People tumble over in a tangle of arms and legs and beer in what, in different circumstances, could lead to a punch-up (yeah, Sham 69 fans, I am talking about you) to be helped to their feet to do it all again. Honestly, I don’t think I have ever seen so many hugs and grins at a gig.
And so, as we bid farewell to Revenge of the Psychotronic Man, all I can say is anyone that has missed them so far should go and see them before they call it a day at the end of the year. They won’t be coming back to Norwich but there are plenty of gigs lined up around the country and the final, final show being planned for Manchester in December will be an absolute riot.
