Bermondsey Joyriders Live In London

By Dave Renogade

The Bermondsey Joyriders/The Phobics/Luna Rose, Weds 7th September 2011,@ 100 Club, London

 

This evening I find myself down at London’s legendary 100 Club to watch London’s ‘Punk Mod Blues’ trio The Bermondsey Joyriders, featuring Gary Lammin (ex Cocksparrer) and Martin Stacey (ex Chelsea). I had missed the band’s debut performance of their forthcoming concept album ‘Noise and Revolution', at this very venue back in July, but had heard nothing but rave reviews following it.

As ever, the band try to make these shows more of an event than just a gig. As well as a DJ playing ska, mod and punk classics, there are also performances from burlesque artist Luna Rose between the bands (that go down extremely well), and support from south London punk and rollers The Phobics. It is the first time I have seen The Phobics live and they impress with their catchy 77 style material taken from their new album ‘Deptford Calling’.

Following a 2nd performance from Luna Rose (accompanied to the stage by a personal valet), The Bermondsey Joyriders take to the stage, (featuring Squeeze’s Simon Hanson on drums and MC5’s legendary Manager/poet John Sinclair narrating in between songs-(as stroke of genius as featured on the album).

 

Union Jack carpets are in place on the stage and opening up with ‘Society (is rapidly changing)’ the band set out some excellent social commentary on the recent troubles affecting the country in 2011. The sound is crystal clear with powerful but melodic bass and slashing guitars.

The songs are very catchy and insert themselves into my head before they have finished.
‘1977’ tells the story of that year by people that were there.

‘True Punk ‘ showcases Hanson’s excellent showman style drumming . ‘Creepy Crawler’ continue s the New York Dolls vibe previously shown on their debut albums ‘Part Of My Problem’. ‘Proper English’ really impresses with its very English themed lyrics and it’s excellent Kinks-esque bass line.

 

After hearing about the ‘Shaking Leaves ‘ club mentioned in a song of the same title I definitely want to visit it from the harmonica style beginning and it’s tales ‘of infamous and hot women...’. ‘Rock N Roll Star’ is a bombastic and very fast tempo’d song played with passion and energy that would embarrass any new band. The Joyrider’s are joined onstage on Harmonica and backing vocals by Paul Ronny Angel of The Urban Voodoo Machine for ‘Rock N Roll Demon' which name checks Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Elmore James and Robert Johnson in its intro with Sinclair’s distinct tones , and showcases Lammin’s slide guitar.

The band wrap things up with ‘Noise and Revolution’ itself which has a very driving bass line and pounding drums with ripping guitars. The band exit the stage to thunderous applause and in the knowledge of a job well done. On the basis of tonight’s show, when ‘Noise and Revolution’ is released this will be an essential album to own.

Photo credits : Thanks to Andy P, editor of the long-running Fear 'n' Loathing Fanzine

Renogade