Posted on December 13, 2009 - by Editor

City Invasion 2009

US Bombs © Imelda Michalczyk

The Exploited + US Bombs + The Grit + Moral Dilemma + The Skints + The Luchagors + Jonny One Lung + Reno Divorce + Gimpfist + Girlfixer

Islington Academy
London, UK
Sunday 6th December 2009

A Sunday afternoon for a all day punk fest is not ideal, but I had high hopes the London fans would make their way down none the less to support a pretty decent lineup from the scaled down 2008 roster. US Bombs (with Duane Peters this time) and the only other UK show of 2009 for iconic punks The Exploited was surely going to drag in some older punk rockers, while the rest of the lineup, with a  mixed variety of young & upcoming bands should appease the masses.

Sadly the opening few hours were a disappointment from the crowd perspective, lackluster and seriously lacking in numbers, the day was in the balance. Opening up the proceedings were Nottingham four piece, Girlfixer but with less than a dozen people in attendance, a difficult slot was made all that more challenging and it would be unfair hard to entirely judge them on this. The female led vocals and female drummer added the “girl” element to the band and with a uncompromising in your face punk sound with rocking guitars, they try their best  with the lead proving she can sing

Reno Divorce © Imelda Michalczyk

but vocals are scratchy and raw to add that edge.

Gimpfist, a melodic street punk 77’ era sounding band have good songs and play to a few more people in crowd. But the lead does ask mockingly if anyone else is coming as the same thing happened in Sheffield the day before. The music though is spirited punk rock, and good punk rock at that. “Just another Country” and “War On The Streets” stand out from a decent set for a band who showed great potential.

Reno Divorce were one of my personal highlights- with their country punk rock ‘n roll strongly reminiscent of a Social Distortion sound. They are a good band and by far have the most energy and fullest sound of the bands to have played. They play songs from new record and songs they have not played for three years with the themes loosely revolving around love and loss; “How Long’s It Been” a great example. They are a likable group who with their mid western twang entertain the fans too and have been supporting US Bombs through Europe.

Jonny One Lung; he of many bands including Suicide Bid, The Filaments, the 241ers and The Babylon Whackers, and his acoustic set is a collection of songs from these varied bands.  It’s a break of tempo for the day, but not a bad one and he plays a decent albeit short set to mellow the vibe.

Jonny One Lung © Imelda Michalczyk

The Luchagors play a brand I would describe as sleaze punk n roll, with former WWE wrestler Amy Dumas heading the vocals supported by her band of rock n rollers. Amy is far more engaging with the crowd but atypical of American bands, saying how great the fans are and how great the day is, even though they are probably quite average by this point. They are not really my thing but put on a decent show regardless and have a few happy-snapping fans in tow ready to speak to the guys after the set.

The Skints lead the London precession and also highlight how constant touring and hard work can pay off for any band. I have seen them play a number of times and their shows at times have been disappointing but the music always top notch. In my opinion they have found their balance of great live show based on a foundation of upbeat reggae skanking tunes and now seem a far more polished, confident and diverse performers. It’s another feather in the cap for a band, who on the days billing are the only ska element and they win over many hardcore and matured punks who may have missed out on their rapid rise to prominence.

Moral Dilemma likewise have come on strongly in my opinion over the past 18

The Grit © Imelda Michalczyk

months and their new record has given them increased impetus and stage time supporting and touring constantly it seems. The hard and fast band are punk to their roots with DIY/squat scene background and the political and social commentary delivered in their raucous uncompromising and raw punk rock raises the energy and noise levels after London-mates The Skints had bought it down to their reggae grooves.

The Grit, theatrical, funny and a damn fine band, end the London trio contingent for the night. With their rockabilly, ska touched and melodic set, receiving some decent support from the now much enlarged crowd, I only manage to catch a portion of the set as I was backstage listening intently to Duane Peters of the US Bombs in Distorteds interview.

The US Bombs as I mentioned now with Duane on lead again, after last year’s late withdrawal, remind us all of the bands history and influence as Duane takes center stage to gradually strip down from his rock and roll outfit. The band as a whole play through a envious back catalogue for fans and manages to get a decent circle pit running through most of their set, even though some of the guys in the circle/carnage are obviously out to hurt rather than enjoy. The US Bombs are a

US Bombs © Imelda Michalczyk

band with a chequered history of onstage fighting but tonight are united in delivering what Duane had told us earlier has been a fantastic and encouraging tour. Although the sound quality isn’t great, they play an impressive set (“Tora Tora Tora” and “Yer Country”, “Jaks” personal favorites) and if you are not a fan hopefully you will take the opportunity to see a band deservedly marked on punk rock’s epitaph.

The Exploited, legends adorning leather & spiked punk rock combat gear the world over, play with a revamped lineup and some in the crowd don’t like the hippy-esque looking guitarists. That cosmetic bullshit aside, the band run through songs at 150 miles per hour with iconic front man Wattie still running the show, with his spurts of face menacing, mohawked presence in the centre of the stage, demanding a frenzied pit from the get go. I’m no fan of The Exploited, but their long running status and determination is admirable and the hardcore punk band has already written its place in the history of punk rock. The show sees a large number of equally menacing skins, hawks and by en large an elder generation not present at so many shows of younger bands, clinging onto memories and a time, sound and place of punk rock that is now rare and in short supply.

The Exploited © Imelda Michalczyk