It takes a brave band to take Punk veterans, UK Subs out on tour with them and with good reason. Tonight, there were literally on fire with their smash and grab, high intensity show that ignited from right from the start with “You Don’t Belong”.
“Party In Paris” and the Guns N’ Roses approved “Down On The Farm” were laced with venom and angst with many aghast at 78 year old king of Punk, Charlie Harper, looking fitter and sharper than many half his age.
With long-time bassist, Alvin Gibbs by his side, Harper and the Subs could do no wrong. Few other Punk acts have stuck to their guns quite like them. While others have gone soft and flabby in their old ages, UK Subs still possess that spirit of rebellion that fired them up in the 70s and early 80s, as the gang vocals of “Warhead” and the classic “Stranglehold” gave the headliners something of an uphill battle.
On only their second appearance in Newcastle in their 40+ year history, L.A.’s, Bad Religion, snatched the batten from UK Subs and took the absolutely rammed to the rafters Newcastle crowd on a high-speed sprint of prime-time American Punk.
Fronted by founder member, Greg Graffin, a Doctor of Zoology no less, Bad Religion battered their way through a 26-song set covering material from their whole career from their 1982 debut, How Could Hell Be Any Worse including “We’re Only Gonna Die” to “End Of History” from their latest album Age Of Reason.
There was little let up in pace throughout the whole set with pretty much everything at high velocity although a serious grasp of melody and some huge choruses aided and abetted by the effective backing vocals of bassist and fellow original member, Jay Bentley, kept things from drowning in speed, “Punk Rock Song” and “Supersonic” being prime examples.
“Slumber” and “21st Century Digital Boy” slowed the pace a touch but packed a hefty punch and gave the crowd, an albeit brief, breather.
By the time set closer “Fuck Armageddon…This Is Hell” arrived, a mere hour and 20 minutes later, the positively exhausted, sweat soaked Newcastle crowd staggered out into the night after an evening of uplifting, thrilling, classic UK and US Punk. What a night.
Review and Photos By Mick Burgess
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