June, 2012
With performances by Discharge, Anti-Nowhere League, Goldblade, Ed Tudor Pole, Dumbjaw and more.
It was always going to be an emotional night for many, with such an incredible link up of punk rock in one of the genre’s spiritual homes, expectations were high for last night’s Represent show. Headlined by the legendary UK Subs the line up also paid tribute to punk from across the ages with a host of bands that drew out punks old and new from London to party at the 100 Club, even Captain Sensible from the Damned was in the crowd.
Warming up the crowd was DJ Liam Penetrator who played all night between the bands and joined the dots between sets with an unbeatable collection of vintage punk 7” vinyl. With six bands on the bill it was an early start and Dumbjaw took to the stage at six o’clock firing through a short but vey sweet set of snarling punk. They were followed by ex Ten Pole Tudor man and sometime Crystal Maze presenter Ed Tudor Pole who drew out the old school heads and got the crowd in the mood with repeated calls for the spirit of real punk to show itself.
By the time Goldblade took to the stage at least half the crowd were wearing the ltd. edition UK Subs tees. The band have a fearsome live reputation and frontman John Robb gave it 110% to prove they still have every bit of energy that they had when the band formed in 1995. By the end of the set he was shirtless and very sweaty indeed, as were many of the crowd.
Following swiftly on, Discharge showed the 100 Club why they’re known as some of the UK originators of the hardcore punk sound with a high intensity run through of their catalogue from 1977 until the present day.
The packed club were clearly anticipating the headliners so Anti Nowhere League had to really give it some to hold their attention. Fortunately that is what they do with lead singer Animal barking and growling through the set on top of some serious riffs from guitarist Magoo. In true punk style crowd participation was now well and truly underway, something that would carry on well in to the UK Subs set.
Being back where it all began was a special moment for a lot of the crowd and you could see that the UK Subs were loving it. Close your eyes and you could have been back in the 70s experiencing the raw energy of this sound for the first time. Playing live is where the ‘Subs are in their element and after all these years they’ve well and truly still got it, lead singer Charlie Harper is still a formidable presence on stage. Tracks like the classic ‘Stranglehold’ still sound fresh and the crowd lapped it up, sharing the mic with Charlie, stage diving, jumping, pushing, shouting and doing all the things that make a real punk show one of the best musical experiences you can have.
Another great night at Represent, keep an eye on facebook.com/converse for all the info as the shows progress.
