Subhumans @ The Owl Sanctuary

Anarchic West Country punks Subhumans, together for an almighty 36 years, are headlining the show tonight at the new Owl Sanctuary. What with it being a new venue and all, everyone's a bit wide eyed and in awe of the place, but our attention's soon drawn to The Tickturds, the first support. With a bass player called Puke Fishguts, I was interested to see what they were like, and they are like...GREAT. A energetic mix of ska, metal and rock n roll, they give us relentless shared vocals, a caustic sense of humour, soaring metal guitar solos and just enough space between the noise to enjoy it when it happens. It's artfully put together, and their stage presence is considerable. They are clearly having a wicked time just playing together, and from my perspective, sometimes that's all it takes for me to like a band. Good job, Tickturds. (Also, wicked name.)

Next up are the East Town Pirates, who have sailed the HMS Cutlass up the coast from their shady, loot-filled caves in Ipswich to play here tonight. They definitely look the part, with a skull and crossbones shirt and a lead singer who looks a bit like Ed Tudorpole with extra scarves and less harmonica, and I give them five stars for effort. Because they clearly want us on their side. This is classic pub rock with a hint of yo ho ho and a touch of The Pogues. Songs about pirates, pirate wenches and scurvy going on's are a-plenty, but seeing as I can't make out any of the lyrics the novelty of it seems a bit pointless. If I had a bottle of rum, and I was marooned in a countryside pub garden at night, and East Town Pirates were playing, I'm sure I would be well up for it, but although many in the audience are happily nodding along (there's one chap who knows every word), it doesn't float my boat unfortunately.

Subhumans. Punk legends in the best sense, they have given not one inch to fashion, or fame, or trends of any kind. What they have been doing since 1980, when they first formed, is to make extremely full sounding, informed, honest and for-the-people punk music, and that's exactly what they do in 2016. Their decades of experience playing not only in Subhumans but in several other bands including Citizen Fish and Culture Shock shines through every member of the band like a beacon. Their musical ability is second to none, and each instrument can be heard individually throughout the whole set. Charismatic-as-fuck lead singer Dick Lucas holds a running conversation with the crowd in the most offhand and relaxed manner imaginable; the stage is quite clearly his natural habitat. He sings songs about our obsession with technology (she types), politics, vegetarianism, the world and everything. Looking like a cross between Baldrick and Swampy (look it up, kids), he's totally on form this evening, the band supporting him with a pure professionalism and sturdily playing through an hour's set that I would quite happily have enjoyed for another hour or two. The crowd are full of joy, a mix of youthful upstarts and weathered leather-wearers who have probably seen this band more times than I've had hot dinners. I haven't seen this sort of level of devotion, commitment and love for a band in some time and it warms my heart. They love punk music. They love Subhumans. They know they are on their side and are fighting, albeit using song, for them. They love Dick. And he loves them. A wonderful night of proper punk music.