Posted on August 17, 2009 - by Cut Throat Steve

Suicide Bid + The Filaments + The Grit + Mouthwash

Saturday 15th August 2009
Garage
London, UK

Suicide Bid © Imelda Michalczyk

Highbury Garage has always been a staple in the life of any London punk rocker’s life. Over the years it’s been regarded as one of the capital’s many “toilet” venues suitable to house hordes of the great unwashed. However, the new look “relentless” sponsored Garage with its silver walls and a floor you could eat your dinner off is a world away from its former (bordering on squat) incarnation.

Impressively refurbished venue aside tonight is a rare pilgrimage. (Suicide Bid only play once a year due to chaotic band commitments and inconvienient global positioning) Promoted by the good folk of www.nosweat.org.uk this evenings proceedings are all for charity and for a fantastic cause which makes this event extra special.

First up are south London’s Mouthwash. With only 1 or 2 founding members on board ex-Hellcat signings haven’t lost any of the groove they have possesed since the first time i saw them supporting Rancid in 1998. Now a 5 piece outfit, Mouthwash have a certain swagger and charm that borders on Chav chic. More likely to be poncing cigarettes off the public of Croydon than on stage at a punk show, but it really works for them and thier reggae influenced punk goes down great with the early comers.

The Grit © Imelda Michalczyk

Next to take the stage are lovable geordies The Grit. The growing crowd are going crazy even while the band are tuning up and getting prepared. The mere sight of “little man” Kurt’s beautifully Vince Ray decorated double bass gets rapturous applause. As soon as they tear into their opener the room goes positively mental. Songs of anger, drinking and being a geordie show a fantastic sense of humour and its all packaged with a massive psychobilly sound. The Grit pick up where the Living end left off (before they started writing middle of the road indie rock) and deserve all the recognition they get and more.

Chelmsford’s Filaments were widely hailed as one of the U.Ks premier punk acts, and rightly so. Tonight sees loyal followers gather at the front to shout every word back towards them. Joined onstage by Deadline’s Herve to tackle bass duties and Meg back on the trombone they perform as a 7 piece. Tearing through such classics as “men of the law” and “sick joke” they prove that thier anger is still raging and they are having a great time showing it! Frontman Johnny “one lung” has a nostalgic grin through the whole set, but friendly banter between bandmates and the crowd is unfortunatley lost due to his thick Essex accent, hampered further to the sheer volume of the exitable punk’s at the front. you can feel the love and unity regardless! Closing with “Trevor” (Filaments singalong anthem about an old friend) puts the icing on the vegan cupcake for fans of the band. Awesome comeback!!

The Filaments © Imelda Michalczyk

The Filaments don’t need to move far as they make up a large portion of Suicide Bid. Opening with a number sung by Ex- Cathedra’s Andy, the band appear to have not been anywhere this last year as they are tight as a “gnats chuff” from start to finish. The near capacity venue reaches deafening volumes with the appearance of founding member Itch (King Blues) as he struts onstage with a can of Strongbow in hand. Microphones are passed around like a game of hot potato to members of various u.k punk outfits such as Inner Terrestrials and a better late than never arrival from Laila K and Barney Boom (Sonic Boom Six) to provide many layers of vocals! Everyone onstage is having a party and its remakabley contagious! An all too early curfew to make space for the club night to follow means Suicide bid have to finish a little prematurely but undettered they make thier mark with “like a lion” involving most members onstage at once!

I think I speak for all in attendance when i say “Roll on next year!”