REBELLION 2009
Although this event has been running for 15 years, this was my first time attending….and how I regret not having gone before.
OK, for the Punk purist its probably too commercial/popular/wrong crowd but for those of us who are nearing 50, love the music, the atmosphere, the seaside and the beer - it was amazing. I got to see some great bands that I would otherwise never have heard of, met some heroes and felt at home.
Thanks for the cheesy photo opportunity to Charlie and the Captain.
My brief review of what I saw, and remember, is as follows, (its my opinion which means it doesn’t have to comply with anyone else’s).
Thursday – Drove up from Southampton in time to catch Geoffrey Oicott – the only band I know that can make cricket seem interesting – hilarious. Max Splodge was value for money in the Acoustic bar and in the Ballroom for Cute Lepers – crap, Blood or Whiskey and Flogging Molly – great performances but I’m not really into Irish Rebel music even if it is played at 100mph. Highlight of the day for me though was Outl4w. Probably my age, but they looked about 12 but made the noise I was there for…fantastic energy, got the crowd going and left the ears ringing. I think they should have been in the Ballroom rather than the Arena…they deserved a bigger audience.
Friday – Best day of the weekend, managed to catch the whole of Bad Town (Kiwi Ska/Punk), Septic Psychos, Sensa Yuma, Demob – last ever gig, and the Subhumans – fantastic performance from Dick and the boys. Also managed to see bits of The Crack, SNFU, The Business, Drongo’s for Europe (superb), Splodge, Lurkers, Sick on the Bus, Vice Squad, The Exploited and the Damned. (Hugely disappointed with Dave Vanians vocals. I believe Brian James described his version of New Rose as an attempt to be Frank Sinatra. I agree – shit). Act that shouldn’t have been there – Adrian Edmunson and the Bad Shepherds….what is that all about? Best act of the day goes to another band that should have played the Ballroom – the Restarts, fuckin ace.
Saturday – Started with Urban Scum, fantastic band and also caught full performances from Citizen Fish, Goldblade, The Freeze, Anti-Nowhere League…is it me or does the Hoff front them now? Caught bits of Newtown Nuerotics, the Freeze, Last Resort, Riot Squad. Biggest disappointment – The Adicts. Band of the Day and in fact the weekend for me, The Rabble. Great set, great attitude, great atmosphere. Put them in the same venue as the Restarts and Outl4w…they are better than a sideshow act.
Sunday – Saw all of Gimp Fist, Dirty Revolution (Ska/Reggae – brilliant), the Dickies, Leftover Crack. Caught bits of Middle Finger Salute, Killing Joke, (boring), King Blues (why?), UK Decay, Chron Gen, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Charred Hearts. Band of the day – The Stupids…clearly didn’t give a fuck but made a fantastic noise. I’ve already booked my B&B for next year….can’t wait.
