Posted on August 26, 2009 - by Imelda

Reagan Youth + Moral Dilemma +Trash Talk + Section 13

Moral Dilemma © Imelda Michalczyk

The Underworld
London, UK
23 August 2009

I only catch the last two songs from Midlands-based four-piece Section 13, though one is a Bad Brains cover, indicating one of their key influences.

Trash Talk from California follow a much darker, metal theme but are great value for money when it comes to entertainment, with their long-haired, ultra energetic singer spending as much time in the crowd as on stage. This encourages brave but slightly over enthusiastic stage-divers to try flying into the overly sparse mosh pit, which at times barely break their falls. Ouch.

Increasingly popular London hardcore political punks Moral Dilemma, play a dynamic set with little breather between their edgy, generally 100-miles-an-hour songs, except to draw attention to the night;

Trash Talk © Imelda Michalczyk

marking the launch of their second album ‘Agree To Disagree’.

Reagan Youth, the influential early 80’s act from New York, back after a long time split take to the stage with only one founding member, guitarist ‘Paul Cripple’. The other three having all joined at various points since. The fragmented history seems to parallel a slightly odd dynamic in the current version of the band.

The set is an interesting mix of old favourites such as their theme song ‘Reagan Youth’ and ‘I Hate Hate’ mixed in with newer songs and their strongly ethical stance is rightly admired. But when they stop mid-set to remind us that they are ‘anti-fascist, anti-racist, peace punks’, one member pipes up to criticise the Straight Edge scene, leading their singer to all but apologise for the angry outburst, which was expressive of a bizarrely intolerant outlook.

Reagan Youth © Imelda Michalczyk

Audible boos to the introduction of some new tracks and a slightly lacklustre feel make this less of a great comeback and more of an intriguing chance to revisit a band name-checked by so many others that have emerged in their wake.