A Punk & Hardcore All-Dayer @ The Cockpit, Leeds:
Saturday, November 9th, 2002
- Photos from the event - GBH & Vice Squad -
I thought that the comments I have received regarding Vice Squad sum up some
of the best and worst aspects of people's opinions. I have been highly amused
to have read comments in Vice Squad's offical homepage guestbook by the rather
narrower minded individuals who haunt the Punk Rock scene. It would seem that
no band is allowed to evolve in any shape or form.
To me personally, it would appear that Beki and co have sat and had a long
think about their approach to their 'comeback' and for better or worse, have
adopted a certain path to it. Now I am the first person to admit that any band
foisting 'Grave New World' type albums on us can hardly be surprised to lose
their fan base overnight, but it would seem that Vice Squad are supposed to not
deviate one bit from the sound that they brought about as naive 16 year olds ?
Yeah I am a great fan of 'Stand Strong .. ..' the LP and some of their earlier
singles but it is quite obvious that Beki has pursued a different career for
the last 16 years since and some of those influences have rubbed off on her.
When I saw the band last Easter here in Manchester they sounded almost 100%
'Punk' (if you can define such a thing), but they were indeed a little on the
metal side at Leeds. Personally I like Heavy Metal and further still, I think
that I quite like some of 'Get a life', that's my choice.
To all those who
have moaned, here is some food for thought. Everyone I knew really enjoyed
them and better still, 'Wilba', nephew of Helen my door assistant was more than
taken with the band, he'd never heard them before so he couldn't be prejudiced
now could he ? I think that Phil the soundman was pretty struck on Beki too !
To all those who criticise, all I can say is examine your reasons
for complaining, eke out the existence of most professional musicians and see
where after 20 years of struggling, the shitty road of
life has taken you. The band played many 'classic' older numbers that evening
and some ones from 'Get a life'. They finished off with covers of 'Ace of
spades' and 'Ballroom blitz' and all sounded well to me. Rock on Beki, that's
all I can say.
The final band of the day and one believe it or not that I have not seen for
nearly two years. GBH were the only group that day to have gone 22 years
without a break and have passed into the realms of legend for their efforts. A
string of excellent LP's and singles marking the various transitions of their
musical career and appearances all over the world promoting their
impressive portfolio.
I received a number of letters from people beforehand telling me how they were
looking forward to seeing the band at this (rare) UK gig. And indeed, we got
people travelling from all corners of Britain to see them as well as a few
souls from abroad (though they'd have to have come a long way to beat the
distance travelled by Billyclub's Kark Morris pictured below).
I actually managed to be on-stage as the band started and they began the
evening with the first two tracks from their new LP Ha-Ha, namely the eponymously titled opener &
the tribal drumming spectacular that is 'Falling down'. There then followed
'Diplomatic immunity' and enough favourites to please even the most
nostalgia-hungry of crowds, 'Give me fire', 'Catch 23', 'I need energy' and
many other classic live pieces.
I am always struck by the words of Paul 'Sandy' Sanderson without whose drunken
inspiration you would never have seen any of my gigs, "The most rewarding part
of the whole thing is when you stand on the back of the stage at the end of the
night and think 'I did that'", and he was exactly right. All I could see was a
sea of happy faces, due very much in part to all of the people who worked so
hard to help the show along and most especially to Colin, Jock, Scott and Ross
who capped it all off, thank-you very much indeed for a great evening, we shall
return.
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