The Rezillos
It is another Friday night down at the Waterfront Studio and another chance to catch a punk band that I was too young to see first time arising. Tonight it is the turn of The Rezillos.
First up though we have locals Hotwired. Bassist Si has been leading this band of merry men and ladies since 1999 but this is the first time I have caught him, guitarists Paul and Dandelion, Lee on drums and vocalist Emma. Things start promisingly with the self-confessed street punks coming on like a combination of Stiff Little Fingers, Buzzcocks, UK Subs and Vice Squad. Dandelion’s acoustic adds a bit of texture whilst Paul’s lead has a perhaps surprising but tasty hint of The Only Ones’ John Perry. Emma is an engaging front woman whilst the rhythm section play with the expected energy and spite. Sick and Tired is a high point whilst Orgasm Enthusiasm has an almost Tubes-like sleazy swagger. For all that, though, it is all a little samey and a bit of variety wouldn't go amiss.
Featuring members or ex members of the likes of Sustained, Adrenalin, Adicts, Perfect Daze and Red Flag 77, Suffolk’s Smart Alex keep things punky, albeit with a metal edge. Vocalist Gav bounces around like a slimmer - much slimmer - Buster Bloodvessel whilst sounding not unlike Accept's Udo Dirkschneider. Guitarists Col and Mel, bassist Paul bass and drummer Malc back him with a set that brings to mind second and third gen punk. Superficially not that dissimilar to Hotwired, Smart Alex have a greater grasp of melody and variety to produce something bordering on the anthemic. Good stuff.
Smart Alex’s Malc is back on stage with Rampton Disco. Named after a high-security psychiatric hospital, the Rampton’s deliver a deranged, theatrical take on the punk sound, adding a welcome reggae twist. Glenn Ballistic and Doctor Chaos, the former in straight-jacket, the latter in doctor’s garb complete with stethoscope, make for entertaining frontmen. Andy and Greg cut loose with a forceful twin guitar attack whilst bassist S and the aforementioned Malc anchor things with power and a dubby swing. Musically, there are hints of Misfits and Cramps, although Punky Reggae Party is a welcome change from everything - from all three bands - that has proceeded it. Rampton Disco itself is the best song of the night so far. Well worth seeing.
Now for The Rezillos. Coming on to the Stingray theme, this is not the original - and maybe therefore not the classic - line-up of the so-called new wave beat group. Originals Eugene Reynolds (vox/guitar), Fay Fife (vox/keys) and Angel Patterson (drums) are joined by Chris Agnew on bass and Jim Brady on guitar.
Being totally honest, like a lot of the punk and new wave shows I go to, I am here out of curiosity rather than any deep, long term love for the band. For the most part, the old punks have been great. And The Rezillos are no exception. Unlike most of their UK punk contemporaries, theirs is not an attitude steeped in anger, nihilism and protest. The likes of Destination Venus and Top of the Pops are far more light-hearted and have more in common with 50s rock ‘n’ roll, 60s Brit beat and 70s glam than, say, The Clash or Crass.
It took me a couple of songs to get into this but they soon won me over. The aforementioned Destination Venus i classic. This isn’t just a nostalgia trip, there are songs from most recent LP Zero. Sorry About Tomorrow and the title track may not be as fresh or original or simply as good as the older songs but they are still decent enough and worth a listen. Of course, in keeping with the band’s image, this is lighthearted and humorous without ever resorting to shite novelty comedy bollockery. A rampant William Tell Overture - complete with Brady standing on the shoulders of a couple of members of the audience - is a highlight and, of course, Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight is the perfect message of peace and love and understanding on which to end the night. It is all good, clean, entertainment, kids, good, clean, entertainment.
One final point. A member of one of the support bands - and I won’t say who - seemed intent on starting a ruck towards the end of The Rezillos’ set. Mate, no one was impressed, this isn’t The Roxy in ‘76 and you’re not Sid bloody Vicious and The Rezillos aren’t Sham bloody 69. That aside, all round this has been a cracking night.
