SquadLeader
Gold Member
Mentioned a few weeks ago that the band I'm in had a support slot for the UK Subs last night....
Dream come true this for us....we've had 8 rehearsals now since picking up our instruments after about a decade out. This was our 4th gig and a dream come true for us all given that we've been following Charlie Harper and the UK Subs from when we were in our teens (now in our 40s)....
Tried to explain it best to my kids....it's the equivalent to them being asked to do a support slot for The Killers in 20 years time.
So...we arrived at The Witchwood in Ashton Under Lyne, a venerable old live music venue on the outskirts of Manchester. I've played there twice in previous bands. It's proven to be a launch pad for many of the famous bands to come out of the UK. And it's a fantastic venue...a great real ale pub attached to just the most perfect, smaller, live music venue.
We got there at the same time as the UK Subs. I made a beeline for Jamie (drums), then gave Jet (guitar) a hand getting his equipment on stage. I have to say, what an absolutely belting bunch of fellows. Without question the most pleasant, and amicable band I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Neither the two guys above, nor Alvin (bass), and Charlie Harper, could chat enough with us....Jamie and I spent probably half an hour chatting about drums generally, and his 26" Slingerland bass which was just a fucking thing of beauty.
All things having been set up, we were on stage for 9pm...the place had just about filled up....I love punk rock crowds in particular because they're always immensely keen to hear the supporting bands, as well as the main event.
The gig itself went like an absolute dream. Not a single off note, every fill made, not timing issues...just absolutely belting...after a couple of songs we noted that the guys from the Subs had come out of their dressing room to give their support to......to see one of the most revered members of Britain's punk rock scene whistling and clapping us after each song........best moment of my life. Bar none.
The crowd...well we were slightly concerned that our music didn't have the gritty edge which they'd get from the Subs....but after three or four songs we noticed the mosh pit/dance floor/whatever at the front of stage had filled up with mohicaned and spiked, heads bouncing around, and it just spurred us on to play even better.
The crowd asked for an encore....we turned to the Subs just side of stage by now and asked if we had time....thumbs up from them....and we rocked out to Blitzkrieg Bop at lightning speed...we're not really a covers band but we throw two or three lesser known covers in there alongside Blitzkrieg Bop because we know a punk audience will just love it.
And then it was over....as quick as it began.....after weeks of excitement, concern, a poor rehearsal on Thursday followed by a good one Friday....the highlight of our lives was done.
The feeling though as we broke the stuff down to clear the stage, to have people who had never heard us pat us all on the backs, shake our hands, tell us how brilliant we were was a feeling I'll take to my grave....
The UK Subs were absolutely awesome. Meaty, punchy, proper British hardcore punk rock, played with an almost mindblowingly good aptitude, and attitude. Charlie Harper's 68 now, and how the hell he continues to blow crowds away like that is one of the great things in British music for me....long may he continue.
We wandered into their dressing room before our departure to shake hands, wish them well, and thank them for their support of us and spent another half hour (at least) chatting to them...Charlie giving our guitarist advice on a new amp, Jamie talking about their rigorous schedule and how his double bass drum didn't feel on form (I thought he sounded immense throughout).
A dream come true.
The end.
Dream come true this for us....we've had 8 rehearsals now since picking up our instruments after about a decade out. This was our 4th gig and a dream come true for us all given that we've been following Charlie Harper and the UK Subs from when we were in our teens (now in our 40s)....
Tried to explain it best to my kids....it's the equivalent to them being asked to do a support slot for The Killers in 20 years time.
So...we arrived at The Witchwood in Ashton Under Lyne, a venerable old live music venue on the outskirts of Manchester. I've played there twice in previous bands. It's proven to be a launch pad for many of the famous bands to come out of the UK. And it's a fantastic venue...a great real ale pub attached to just the most perfect, smaller, live music venue.
We got there at the same time as the UK Subs. I made a beeline for Jamie (drums), then gave Jet (guitar) a hand getting his equipment on stage. I have to say, what an absolutely belting bunch of fellows. Without question the most pleasant, and amicable band I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. Neither the two guys above, nor Alvin (bass), and Charlie Harper, could chat enough with us....Jamie and I spent probably half an hour chatting about drums generally, and his 26" Slingerland bass which was just a fucking thing of beauty.
All things having been set up, we were on stage for 9pm...the place had just about filled up....I love punk rock crowds in particular because they're always immensely keen to hear the supporting bands, as well as the main event.
The gig itself went like an absolute dream. Not a single off note, every fill made, not timing issues...just absolutely belting...after a couple of songs we noted that the guys from the Subs had come out of their dressing room to give their support to......to see one of the most revered members of Britain's punk rock scene whistling and clapping us after each song........best moment of my life. Bar none.
The crowd...well we were slightly concerned that our music didn't have the gritty edge which they'd get from the Subs....but after three or four songs we noticed the mosh pit/dance floor/whatever at the front of stage had filled up with mohicaned and spiked, heads bouncing around, and it just spurred us on to play even better.
The crowd asked for an encore....we turned to the Subs just side of stage by now and asked if we had time....thumbs up from them....and we rocked out to Blitzkrieg Bop at lightning speed...we're not really a covers band but we throw two or three lesser known covers in there alongside Blitzkrieg Bop because we know a punk audience will just love it.
And then it was over....as quick as it began.....after weeks of excitement, concern, a poor rehearsal on Thursday followed by a good one Friday....the highlight of our lives was done.
The feeling though as we broke the stuff down to clear the stage, to have people who had never heard us pat us all on the backs, shake our hands, tell us how brilliant we were was a feeling I'll take to my grave....
The UK Subs were absolutely awesome. Meaty, punchy, proper British hardcore punk rock, played with an almost mindblowingly good aptitude, and attitude. Charlie Harper's 68 now, and how the hell he continues to blow crowds away like that is one of the great things in British music for me....long may he continue.
We wandered into their dressing room before our departure to shake hands, wish them well, and thank them for their support of us and spent another half hour (at least) chatting to them...Charlie giving our guitarist advice on a new amp, Jamie talking about their rigorous schedule and how his double bass drum didn't feel on form (I thought he sounded immense throughout).
A dream come true.
The end.