GIG 57 - Spam Javelin - The Live Rooms, Chester

Live Rooms, Chester (with Cockney Rejects)

Gwion was late (as always!) - frustratingly late (as always!), so we had use Cockney Rejects drummer to soundcheck. As he was so late (30mins before the doors opened) they also let us use their kit for the gig.

Always feels weird playing through a proper PA - like a professional set-up, being able to hear my own guitar (and all my mistakes!).

Star struck to meet the Cockney Rejects, a big part of my youth - those two Greatest Hits albums! They were such true gentlemen!

GIG 56 - Jacaranda, Liverpool - Spam Javelin / Crapsons / Mr Ted

Jacaranda, Liverpool (with Crapsons, Mr Ted)

Downstairs with that low ceiling! I love Liverpool - if I lived here I'd be poor and deaf from all the music I'd be constantly enjoying.

Had to dash from work, was actually stocktaking (which means counting things then wondering why the fuck the figures don't add up). So I made my excuses and crammed the band, the gear and Garry and Rich into the car and to an equally crammed (sold out) Jacaranda.

Lot's of people in front of us and a great response - good fun!

Set list: Ghetto Scum / Never Trust A Dentist / Video Party / Pen Clicker / Shit On My Show / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Fake News / Fatal Attraction / Existing Services / Paedo Death Church / Boys With Beards / How Can You Die

GIG 55 - The Exchange, Keighley - Spam Javelin / Bogans

 The Exchange, Keighley (with Bogans, Indigo Crow, Rakas Nikotus)

Keighley eh! Somewhere up North I think! Me and Tracey stayed in a youth hostel (being young un all that), while Gwion and Sarah did a round trip! (it's such a long way!).

Not a bad crowd tonight - great stage and excellent sound.

Bogans were really good, they've got a real technical dynamic to their stuff. Enjoyed Rakas Nikotus, over here on tour from their native Hyvinkää, Finland. I wasn't overly keen on Indigo Crow, but hey-ho.

That's all of us there! Slight bias to the male gender in this punk rock scene!

GIG 54 - Atomic, Wrexham - Spam Javelin / Bogans

Played with Bogans, Bear Trap, Rakas Nikotus - the second of a three date mini tour... This one at the great little venue in Wrexham town centre run by Skip Dwight (of No Name Janes).

GIG 53 - Outpost, Liverpool - Spam Javelin / Habits / Bogans

Maguires is dead - Long live Outpost - we play this venue quite a lot - hopefully this will continue under the new name and ownership.
This is the first night of a mini tour with Bogans of Wrexham and Raka Nikotus of Finland - I like these little weekenders.
Habits are not quite at the level of headlining shows in Liverpool, I mean that in terms of stature, as their show is fucking excellent. I think the band personnel outnumbered the audience, or at least matched it.
Gig was good fun though.

 

The North, Rhyl

The North, Rhyl (with Coolzey, JE Double F, Sleep Beggar, Chugga) Shit On My Shoe / Top Knot / Systemisation / Fisting Simon’s Red Setter / How Can You Die / Video Party / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Ghetto Scum / Hate You / Paedo Death Church / Boys With Beards
Great gig last night in Rhyl - excellent sets from all acts involved - big thanks to Jonathan Hargest for his sterling drumming work.

Salty Dog, Northwich

 With 999, Bite Back

Yorkshire House, Lancaster

Yorkshire House, Lancaster (with Revenge Of The Psychotronic Man, Eastfield, This Is Not A Drill)

Drove through torrential rain and we were late. Walked in and had to play straight away. There was water leaking onto the stage from the roof.

GIG 45 - Maguires, Liverpool

(with Sonic Rednecks, Flat Back Four, Hummer)
Ghetto Scum / Arseholageddon / Fuckin Jerk (aborted) / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Ghetto Scum
“ Steve Sharrock played drums borrowed on the night from Flat Back Four, so it was an abortive set really as our drummer problems continue.

Neil Crud On TudnoFM – Show #118 - Salt The Snail session

Well, what can I say… I was pre-warned about booking Salt The Snail (in a good way). Their live shows are a maelstrom of anarchy, slap-stick and a barrage of tunes. This live session was no different and I can honestly say I know no record of a band actually starting a song live on the radio only to stop it to take a phone call for a pizza delivery to the studio! Add also when Krystian, the singer takes out Tom, the drummer with a flying kick during the last song and you might get half the picture!!

Anyway enjoy the session – I certainly did..!
playlist below

Guests – Salt The Snail
Gift – Inflatable Nemo (won as the star prize)
Show Sponsor – Mudshark Records, Bangor

Peter 118 – Seven
Merciless Savage – Foundation
Y Cyrff – Yr Haint
Dead Houses – Greys
System Of Hate – There Is No Madness Here
Salt The Snail – Big Dog (*live in session)
dragSTER – Spit It Out
John Evans & The Imperials – Whole Man
Midnight Climax – Spasmic Life
The Bordellos – Johnny Petrol
Salt The Snail – All Hell (*live in session)
Dense – Irreversible Knot
Cheap Surgery – Live On Me
Skellums – Deeside Day Ticket (*session)
Salt The Snail – Lazer Quest (*live in session)
Haest – I Didn’t Throw A Single Stone And I Still Got Pissed On
Dataslaves – Apathy Reigns
Nameless – Drinking Hell Dry
Terry & The Supercools – You & I
Salt The Snail – Dead Enders (*live in session)
Occult Punk Gang – Societa
Kardomah Gang – Tame
Sid’s Kids – Not Enough Time
Sona – Save
Salt The Snail – Coffee (*live in session)
Salt The Snail – Maate (*live in session)
SPIC – Wasting Time
The Vega Bodegas – A Complete History Of Witchcraft
Picture Frame Seduction – Hey Little Rich Boy
Salt The Snail – Ideas Me (*live in session)
Salt The Snail – Spanish Announce Table (*live in session)
Anhrefn – Am Unwaith Yn Dy Fywyd
Psycho Sexual Sex Terrestrials – Scared
T.S.O.L – Wasted
Ruts – Society
West Coast Sick Line – Have You Ever Been To The North?
Candelas – O! Mor Effeithiol
Stuntface – TV Told You So

GIG 44 - Chester Live Festival

(with Louise Distras, Bogans, Mike West) at The Lock Keeper, Chester

Ghetto Scum / Pen Clicker / Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Life's A Bastard / Never Trust A Dentist / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe / Arseholageddon / Fatal Attraction

GIG 43 - Tivoli, Buckley

(with The Crippens, Emissaries Of Syn, Ballpein, Abominate)

Fatal Attraction / Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Life's A Bastard / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Never Trust A Dentist / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe / Arseholageddon

GIG 42 - Curiad Pulse Festival, Bangor

The Skerries, Bangor (Curiad Pulse Festival with Paul Henshaw, Rabo de Toro, Cane Toads, Dilation) Pen Clicker / Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Never Work / Life's A Bastard / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Never Trust A Dentist / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe / Arseholageddon / Fatal Attraction
*Llion Broadbent on drums

John Robb made a valid point when he approached Glove after a gig last week, they were all excited at the prospect of supporting his band The Membranes and he said, ‘No, there’s no support, we’ll simply play a gig together.’ That’s the good thing about a lot our bands, we leave our egos at the door. The bands who kick off wanting a ‘higher’ slot simply need punching back into reality. However, imagine my despair on seeing Spam Javelin going on after Rabo De Toro, ‘How the fuck will we follow that..!?’ – I guess, we did OK, everyone seemed to enjoy our own brand of shitness and we aired a couple of new songs.

SWEET BABOO Marc Riley session

Trefriw's Sweet Baboo is in session on Marc Riley's BBC Radio 6music show, which is such a regular occurance!

GIG 41 - Easter Alldayer @ The Pot, Rhyl

Rhyl is currently quite notorious for non-attendees. Once the hub of all things bright and musical during the Breeding Ground, Dudley Arms and Bar Blu days things have nosedived over the years with venues and bands struggling to justify the efforts involved in hosting gigs.

So today it was heartwarming to have a good attendance (although the majority of those present had travelled rather than walked) from the word Go and a pile a great bands to boot.

Burning Flag are one of my favourite bands and they are fast becoming that of everyone else too - what a great outfit! Loved Eye Licker, and Auralskit's set was the best I've seen them play. Good performances by all the bands - Emissaries Of Syn, Fuzzasaurus and the sublime Maines too.

We haven't played live with this core line up (Tracey, Gwion, Neil) since early December, and rehearsed just the once (2 days ago) - and I guess were we a little rough around the edges... But it's all punk rock innit! 

On second to preserve the instruments and stage from a drunken performance, we were pleasantly surprised by the sizable crowd this early in the day (5.45pm) and had a good laugh.

Also played new song Fatal Attraction - a rehash of an old PSST song with new lyrics about the new royal couple...

SET - Fisting Simon's Set Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers / Pen Clicker / Top Knot / Fuck Off / Life's A Bastard / Fucking Jerks / Dentist / Arseholageddon / How Can You Die / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe / Fatal Attraction

GIG 40 - Spam Javelin, Red Or Dead, Velvet @ The Skerries, Bangor

What a great gig! Red Or Dead doing their album launch and Velvet being majestic. Llion filled in on drums and did a sterling job (despite being from Talysarn ha ha)
Big crowd and we sold 14 CDs.

20.01.2018 - The Skerries, Bangor (with Red Or Dead, Velvet) Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Fucking Jerk / Life's A Bastard / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Arseholageddon / Never Trust A Dentist / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe / Pen Clicker // Fuck Off *Llion Broadbent on drums

Review in link2wales.co.uk Finally, the notorious Spam Javelin to crank things up and freak things out.  I think back to Mr Crud’s origins in 4Q and the similar chaotic expectations, but now there is a bit more musical solidity and charismatic humour.  In fact, I think this is probably the best I have seen them (even better than when I played in them!) especially with a really hard hitting and precise random drummer addition. It’s all a short sharp blast of catchy raucous punk, with an encore that also tells us to leave in a sexual fashion, not following the example described in their new Arseholageddon EP hopefully

Yucatan's Iwan Huws - RIP

The death of Iwan Huws in January 2018 was a loss that resonated far beyond the foot of the mountains he loved. At just 34 years old, Iwan was a man of dual passions: he was the steady, rhythmic heartbeat of the band Yucatan, and an elite, experienced mountaineer who felt most at home on the rugged peaks of Eryri (Snowdonia).

On January 14, Iwan set out to climb his favorite mountain, Tryfan, via the North Ridge. Despite his immense experience—having trekked the Himalayas and the Inca Trail—and being fully equipped for the conditions, he tragically lost his footing on the West Face. Following a massive search operation involving over 50 volunteers, he was found the following morning. The tragedy was underscored by the fact that Iwan was training to become a mountain leader himself, intending to dedicate his life to helping others safely navigate the landscapes he adored.

Within the Welsh music community, Iwan was cherished as much for his character as his talent. As the drummer for the Caernarfon-based Yucatan, he was a vital part of a band that had earned the admiration of legends like Tim Burgess and Gruff Rhys. His bandmates remembered him not just as a musician, but as a "funny, chilled out, and lovely person" who brought a sense of calm and joy to every tour and rehearsal.

His legacy continues to live on through the Cronfa Iwan Huws fund. Established by his partner and family, the charity transformed a moment of profound grief into a force for good, raising thousands for the Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Team and providing musical instruments for young people in his home community. Iwan Huws remains a symbol of the adventurous, creative spirit of North Wales—a man who lived his life with rhythm, height, and a deep love for the land.

Enlli EP review

GIG 39 - Spam Javelin / Mutha Lovin Chimps / White Ether @ The Pot, Rhyl

Cold night, adverse snowy weather. Great venue.

White Ether's set seems to be getting harder in style; they're playing harder! Spurred on by a contingent of Denbigh Boot Boys who'd been on a football alldayer.

Mutha Lovin Chimps were good old skool punk, 1-2-3 chords and a hatfull of not too topical songs to boot.

Having been on a Chester alldayer the night before, I was feeling a little fragile - but I think we played ok - crowd seemed to think so.

Same set as last gig.

Set list: Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Pen Clicker / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Arseholageddon / Life's A Bastard / Fucking Jerk / Never Trust A Dentist / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe

GIG 38 - Flat Back Four / Spam Javelin @ The Salty Dog, Northwich

Always an honour to share a stage with Flat Back Four.
Great venue with real ales (pity I'm driving) and great sound. Good crowd for a Wednesday night - sold 15 copies of the freshly released 'Arseholageddon EP. 
Bloody venue has a blue spotlight and when it shines on me I can't see the fretboard on my guitar - I'm a shit guitarist anyway, and even shitter when I can't see it ha ha!

Flat Back Four were superb. 

Set list:Fisting Simon's Red Setter / Ghetto Scum / Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Pen Clicker / Top Knot Go Fuck Your Wife / Arseholageddon / Life's A Bastard / Fucking Jerk / Never Trust A Dentist / How Can You Die When You're Already Dead / Boys With Beards / Shit On My Shoe // Fuck Off

GIG 37 - Bite Back / The Webb / Spam Javelin @ The Old Hall, Penrhyn Bay

Gwion had to hang upside down in a cave near Blaenau Ffestiniog tonight so Llion Broadbent sat on the bat stool...

This venue holds a special place for many as there were quite a few punk gigs here back in't day. Maybe those who organised it were a bit over-nostalgic as things (or, more sadly, people) have moved on.

So the attendance wasn't quite up to those halcyon days.

With Llion on drums, we went on first - played well.

The Webb then did their weird Alien Sex Fiend synth-thing with umbrellas !

Bite Back were good for the buck - great set.

Old Hall, Penrhyn Bay (with Bite Back, The Webb) Nazi Line Dancers Fuck Off / Top Knot / Ghetto Scum / Fisting Simon’s Red Setter / How Can You Die / Fucking Jerk / Life’s A Bastard (x3) / Dentist / Boys With Beards / Arseholageddon / Shit On My Shoe / Pen Clicker *Llion Broadbent on drums