Rock Regeneration

After catching my breath from two days of Punk Rock there is no time for resting on one’s laurels – there are bands to be reviewed! If the first two days are anything to go by we’re in for a treat. On a personal note I’m looking forward to Chron Gen, Cockney Rejects, and openers Science Made Us Robots to name three. But this review is not just about me, it is about an annual event that on the first two days evidence I will be frequenting on a regular basis. Read on and enjoy, I know I did!

Saturday…
With my ears still ringing from “The Exploited” twelve hours earlier, I join the early birds for the first band of Saturday, “Science Made Us Robots”.Featuring ex-“Monkish” bassist Chris Goodman, their set of no-nonsense three-chord Power/Punk songs are energetic and fun, delightfully interspersed with banter and crowd freebies! A few slip-ups are redeemed by their overall enjoyable set. I walk to the Ballroom whereupon I discover the enigma that is “Texas Terri Bomb”. I can’t help thinking she looks to me like the lovechild of Stephen Tyler and Joan Rivers. It’s all pout, sneering and attitude. As a band they’re pretty tight musically, but they seem to be primarily concerned with the appearance of their performance. She milks a trip into the crowd before returning to the stage to bare her arse and flash her tits. It’s not terribly original but they’re not disappointing (the band that is!)

After some refreshment I catch the deafening “Control”. They bludgeon the senses with their intense Oi/Punk sound. Considering it’s only 4pm there’s a considerable crowd in the room. It’s so loud in here that you can barely make out the vocals. Fortunately there is no such problem for the next band, the one and only “Dirt Box Disco”. Having made a name for themselves – I’m told – in this very room last year, they waste no time re-acquainting themselves with the small stage. The band is joined by a mystery man in a fetching leotard and army jacket combo. The humorous “My Girlfriend’s Best Friend’s Sister” is one of many highlights, and the crowd are now jumping enthusiastically. They end a thirty-minute set with the live favourite “Let’s Get F*ckin’ Wasted”.

After dinner I catch my new friends “Hagar The Womb”. The six-piece ensemble has a “Slits-esque” sound, and a wonderful stage presence made comedic with amusing costumes; the guitarist’s luminous green suit is a corker! I leave early to catch the purists “Blaggers ITA” in the Olympia. Once again I’m deafened as they bash out their invasive anti-Nazi rants!

Following a brief break to try to regain a little hearing, I head over to catch those perennial live favourites “UK Subs”. I and many others expect to hear them open with the favourite “Emotional Blackmail”. Tonight however the band surprises us with a jumbled set order. All the favourites are in there and despite Jamie’s drums not sounding that potent early on, the expected sound is soon achieved. Charlie is in fine fettle, and we all sing along to “Warhead” and “Teenage”. “Riot” and “Down on the Farm” go down well while “Stranglehold” still sounds fresh after thirty-five years.

Chron Gen, on the Olympia stage welcomes the expanding crowd, with several songs from their debut LP. Despite a strong set there seems to be little chemistry between band members as they barely look at each other, and don’t exploit the space onstage. Overall, a great set, but lacking in stage presence.

Later on in the day, I’m itching to catch the “Cockney Rejects’, having never seen them before. The Ballroom is packed as the Cockney four-piece bash out the songs they made their name with. Watching their singer Jeff (Turner) in action is enough to make anyone sweat as he runs from one side of the stage to the other. His energy knows no bounds as he seems to be shadow boxing between vocals! And the crowd clearly love it! After an hour-long set, they return for the mighty “War on the Terraces” for their encore piece, and have the whole room singing.

Only one band could possibly follow this. “Cock Sparrer” have been rewarded with a headline slot and looking around me, the room is packed. The band fills the stage well, and Colin produces a wonderful rabble-rousing vocal. I’m new to this band so can’t say I know any songs, but the combination of “Street Punk and Oi”works for me. Towards the end of their set Colin gives a heartfelt and glowing band introduction. They end Saturday’s bill in fine form and will no doubt be back again next year.

Sunday…
After a much-needed session of shut-eye, I’m raring to go for the fourth and final day. First band up is “Channel 3”. This four-piece American outfit have a slight “Rocket From The Crypt” influence and look good onstage. Their clean-cut image, powerful drumming and crisp vocals ironically contrasts with their song titled, “You Make Me Feel Cheap”. They start my Sunday off well.

After lunch, I dash to catch the excellent “Terraces”. The Aussie band includes former “One Way System’ front man Gary Buckley, and they confidently proclaim themselves to be P.O.M.E.’s (Punks of Mother England)! The Terraces dollop on more than a dash of The Clash, and expertly cover “Complete Control”. Gary’s vocals are aggressive, made more so by his passionately clenched fists. The powerful drums and heavy bass add depth to the performance. The songs “Billy” and “Hustler” grab my attention. Despite playing only to a half full room, I feel the Terraces make a good impression, and finish their set to keen applause.

We hang around for “K*nt and the Gang”. The main man eventually arrives onstage to a full room. His dancing and Kevin “bloody” Wilson-style humour has the rabble in stitches. We leave half way through to watch “External Menace” whose harsh noise is absolutely deafening! I expected better, so I quickly make my exit, giving me ample time to see “The Pukes’ playing ukuleles. Their set is of a very good standard; The band reproduces the best tracks by Chron Gen, Exploited, P&TTTB’s “et al” in their own inimitable way. The collection of musicians perfectly executing their own vital role is a sight to behold.

An early dinner means we return in good time to catch “Gimpfist” on the main stage. Once again it’s deafening but they are at ease and playing to a huge crowd of skinheads. A quick dash to the Ballroom means we catch some of “F*cked Up”. An ogre of a vocalist takes centre stage before jumping into the crowd. Welcome to Sunday evening at Rebellion Festival, where anything goes! Musically it’s loud, but a great show. Shrek, swamped by the crowd, performs the rest of the set in the pit, and has countless photos taken with several eager fans.

What comes next is simply indescribable; the loudest band of the weekend, playing hardcore Punk at breakneck speed. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you “The Bronx’! After trying to cajole the audience into a frenzy, singer Matt takes it upon himself to join us in the pit. With a slow-starting song , he proceeds to initiate a vast moshpit, and then remarkably, continues singing! Intense does not adequately describe the atmosphere here tonight! I can only describe the performance as incendiary, which I suppose is the point! They don’t let the small matter of some of their gear not arriving on time stall them. This has to be one of the standout performances of the weekend and despite my now battered and broken hearing, I can’t wait to see them again.

The only band who could possibly follow The Bronx are “GBH”. Colin and band take to the stage and play a “best of” set which is received well. The pit is once again frenetic but, never fear, it’s all friendly. We even get the “No Survivors” E.P. in its entirety. “Self Destruct” is exceptional, while “Big Women” is a comedy number. To conclude, a flawless set.

Jello Biafra is up next. Despite his resplendent Hawaiian shirt, his confident set fails to push my buttons. I expect better, and when he begins a political rant I switch off and head for the bar at the back. Three of the most famous ‘Dead Kennedy’ songs redeem him a little, but I’m still not blown away. I, however, am in the minority and the packed-in audience love his performance.

And so to the final act of Rebellion’s wonderful weekend After a fifteen minute delay, “Sham 69” arrive onstage. The band appears before their leader, Jimmy (Pursey), ambles on in a bizarre mask and boiler suit combo. From the outset Jimmy is angry, so we know we’re in for one hell of a show. They open with “What Have We Got” and the crowd instantly react. Jimmy contorts his face and body into hideous shapes while showering both his band mates and the audience with water; riotous! “Angels with Dirty Faces” is a bonus in what is becoming a Sham “best of” set. However, they do throw in a couple of new numbers before returning to their best-known songs. The pit swells constantly, and the audience’s singing gets louder. “Questions and Answers” and “Borstal Breakout” increase the energy as we near the end of this most entertaining hour. After a three-song encore they leave the stage, but are called back for yet another song. “Hurry Up Harry” is saved until last, and the audience goes nothing short of crazy! This is the perfect end to what has been a great four days of music.

This review has been penned purely about some of the bands I witnessed and not the festival as a whole. I apologise to the acts I missed. I’m sure you can appreciate that it was impossible to catch all two hundred and forty four bands, and then write constructive reviews about them!

I will conclude with this: if, like me, you have considered Rebellion but never taken the plunge, then waste no time in 2014 and get yourself a weekend ticket. The music, value for money, and vibe was incomparable, and the abundance of like-minded Punk enthusiasts was a beautiful thing to be a part of. Roll on, next year!

Words, pictures, and a disctinct lack of green hair by Ross A. Ferrone.

Part One is here.