REHEARSAL - new songs

We've been busy learning / writing new material. Here Gwion gets his teeth into the new song, Neil struggles with the longer words and Joe wonders what the fuck he's doing with these two tards.

GIG - Bar Uno, Bangor

LINE UP: Arcade Avenue, His Finest Hour, Braxton Hicks, What The Dickens?

(review by Combi Chris) With all the subtlety of a shotgun blast to a nun, Braxton Hicks (pic above) are next up, and are a spitting, swaggering salute to the classic days of punk. The Christian Union meeting must’ve seemed like catnip to guitarist/vocalist Joe, who decided to address them directly: “If you’re Christian, give us a shout!” A meek, terrified response followed, but hey! it’s the meek that’ll inherit the Earth, right? Well played, Christians. Well played.
These punks are really fast: Joe’s strumming skills are a lesbian’s wet dream, Neil Crud becomes a Tourette’s sufferer when he straps on his bass, whirling, twitching and capering his way everywhere, yet somehow not managing to miss a single note. Getting flipped off by him mid-song was just lovely – cheers, mate! Haha! As for Gwion, the drummer? An angry, pale, technically-proficient musician, his battering of his poor drumkit can only be truly described as musical spousal abuse.
Their set was a roaring, frenzied statement of musical intent, punctuated by their amazing closing song, ‘Never Kill Yourself’. I have to admit, I did sing and bang my head to this tune: it’s just too catchy not to. Punk’s not dead, people: it’s still as weird as ever.

(from Crudblog) We played our set, we dripped our sweat. We got a good response, hell, some even knew the words! Which ain’t bad, as the songs will be alien to the vast majority and not a cover to be heard; more so because we lack the talent to master anyone else’s tunes! Our 28 minutes of making a racket consisted of Macho Man / I Don’t Wanna Be You / Depression / Get Outta My Head / Poison By Rancid / Gone Fishin’ / Government To Be / This Song Was Never Written / Never Kill Yourself.

GIG / VIDEO SHOOT - Offas Tavern, Prestatyn

 

It was cold on the promenade in Old Colwyn, the fishermen lined up in thermals, hoods and gloves gave it away as Gwion and myself pulled up alongside Johnny's Bench. 'I bet they didn't get body paint, I bet it was car spray.' I muttered as we climbed out of the car. My reference was to spraying our hands orange, paying homage to one of the madcap things Johnny used to do, simply for a laugh. The days when this gang of punks lived carefree lives, throwing each about and throwing up at The Dudley Arms have long gone, some have grown up, some have moved away, some have had kids, some have to work, some have fallen out big time and some have died. This is why Joe organised this day to shoot a video for Braxton Hicks' next single Gone Fishing which is, of course about Johnny, he who died six years ago after a night out in Manchester. It would've been brilliant to have had everyone there, the whole gang there, but, like I've just said... Those days have long gone.