The Skeptix - HITS Blackpool Winter Gardens 22nd July 2002
It’s been an awful long time since I last went to a Punk gig of any description. Twenty-five years to be precise.
Now, that’s not because I haven’t been going to gigs in the intervening years, I have. I love live music and go to gigs regularly. The first live gigs I ever went to were punk gigs and I remember clearly how full of energy and life they were.
And it’s not because I no longer like the music. Much of it sounds just as fresh today as it did when it was recorded.
Now, that’s not because I haven’t been going to gigs in the intervening years, I have. I love live music and go to gigs regularly. The first live gigs I ever went to were punk gigs and I remember clearly how full of energy and life they were.
And it’s not because I no longer like the music. Much of it sounds just as fresh today as it did when it was recorded.
No, what happened was that, whilst I liked the music, the look and the feel of the movement was not for me. I didn’t like the idea of piercing bits of my body and I haven’t got the patience to do the spiky hair thing. No, I fell into the arms of Heavy Metal and stayed there. The look appealed to me, little effort is required other than deciding which T-shirt to wear. Rock was and is far less stressful overall. I was just too lazy for Punk, I think.
For many years I thought it was wrong to like Punk if I liked Heavy Metal and I only played my Punk records in private. As I got older, I realised that that was just execrable bollocks. I liked what I liked and anyone who couldn’t deal with that could just FROAD!
For many years I thought it was wrong to like Punk if I liked Heavy Metal and I only played my Punk records in private. As I got older, I realised that that was just execrable bollocks. I liked what I liked and anyone who couldn’t deal with that could just FROAD!
So, we come to the present day. Here I am a confirmed rock music aficionado and I’m going to punk gigs again, just like when I was 15. What the hell is going on? Why am I doing this? Why would any self-respecting punk want to read anything written about punk by someone who likes Heavy Metal? Well, Sparky, you never know…
You see, it wasn’t what I expected either. Subconsciously, I really wanted to come away and say that rock gigs are better than punk, because rock musicians can sing, play their instruments and put on a show. But, it isn’t true. Everything about HITS was just superb. The organisation, the bands, the fans, everything.
You see, it wasn’t what I expected either. Subconsciously, I really wanted to come away and say that rock gigs are better than punk, because rock musicians can sing, play their instruments and put on a show. But, it isn’t true. Everything about HITS was just superb. The organisation, the bands, the fans, everything.
Some bands, I remembered from the first time around and I enjoyed them just as much now as I did then: The UK Subs, 999, The Vibrators, for example. Some bands I hated then and time hasn’t changed a goddamn thing, but I won’t get into that right now. Some were just pleasant surprises and I enjoyed them in spite of my preconceived notions and prejudices: Anti Nowhere League, The Dickies and DRI were amongst those who surprised me with their performances. There were others who were just so far and away better than anyone could ever have conceived, such as The Skeptix. Here is a bunch of guys that hasn’t played live in twenty years and they gave us an absolutely storming set, filled with intensity, emotion and balls. One of the best acts of the whole few days. Watch out for them in New Jersey because they’re coming to melt Asbury Park in a few weeks time!
However, wherever you have excellence, you must also balance that out with big old bunches of toss and there were some bands who just didn’t cut the mustard. Maybe they just had bad days, maybe they’re always crap, However, there were so many good bands on that it was a shame you couldn’t get to see them all. If I have one criticism, it is just that: there were too many bands and the days were too long for those of us who are no longer the spring chickens we were the first time around. If that is the only fault I can find, then I’d say it was pretty successful.
As for the bit about only rock bands playing the best live gigs… nah, I was just winding you up. The bands I saw played high quality live music and that is what is important. Call it what you like, I thought it rocked. Now where did I put that Skeptix CD?
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd July 2002
As for the bit about only rock bands playing the best live gigs… nah, I was just winding you up. The bands I saw played high quality live music and that is what is important. Call it what you like, I thought it rocked. Now where did I put that Skeptix CD?
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd July 2002