It was a busy old night at the Barn and one that always lives up to the expectations, this time headlined by Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons who make a much anticipated appearance having had to pull out a previous event at the last minute.
SECOND HAND CITIZENS
Tonight was an important gig for local lads Second Hand Citizens as their frontman made his first return to the stage since having been hit by a car, the lack of gigs meant they may have been a bit rough around the edges but it’s all part of the appeal and their DIY punk attitude.
Upon request of vocalist Ritchie I have to “describe them as sh*t” but with an impending support slot for the legendry Vibrators to prepare for they found time to air a new track, a tongue in cheek dig at bands that sing about themselves whilst using other descriptions of bodily functions to describe their own band.
It was then back to their more serious side though as last song, the catchy “Pompey Punks”, was dedicated to a friend of the band who had passed away before ending the track on a rendition of the Pompey Chimes.
THE SICK LIVERS
Hailing from South Wales the Sick Livers were up for a party, their singer looking like a punk Elvis as the rest of the band blasted through several “glunk rock” songs in the first of two bands that were new discoveries for yours truly.
The bass player may have been standing in for an absent member, but this didn’t stop the Sick Livers being pretty tight as they performed tracks from their debut album “Motors, Women, Drugs, Booze & Killing” and before you knew it the Sick Livers had brought their sweaty and energetic set to a close.
THE HIP PRIESTS
It wouldn’t be a punk night if everything went smoothly and so it was the Hip Priests who were hit with technical problems, but it only caused a brief delay and soon enough Nottingham’s sleazy rock n roll brothers in arms really got the night going.
Having taken to the road with the Sick Livers these two groups together are a force to be reckoned with, the Hip Priests themselves likely to appeal to fans of the Stooges and Johnny Thunders but the solos by guitarist Austin Rocket giving them a garage rock element that will also make the ears of metal fans stand up and take note.
PUSSYCAT AND THE DIRTY JOHNSONS
I may have already been blown away by the penultimate act but Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons always put on a great show with their superb psychobilly tunes such as “Trouble with the Devil” and “The Devils Sideburns” making for a top end to the evening.
Although Pussycat occasionally added a secondary guitar it was the quality of the riffs and drum fills that meant it went almost unnoticed that this three-piece were missing a bass player. This meant Pussycat could put the guitar down and spend the best part of the gig focussing on her vocals whilst prowling the front rows of the crowd as main guitarist Jake and Drummer Alex Page (ex Dragster, Vice Squad) provided a solid backline.
Sharing the same record label as other Barn favourites Dirt Box Disco and Dragster, let’s hope Pussycat and the Dirty Johnson also make a return to the Milton Arms in the not too distant future and even though the punks drank the bar dry, I for one look forward to doing it all again next month.
Great night provided by great people, thanks for listening.
Mr Teeth
