| The Sabrejets Terri Hooley The Empire, BELFAST. 30.7.11 'Pick Of The Pops' was on BBC Radio 2 yesterday afternoon, hosted by the cheesy as ever and surprisingly still alive ancient DJ Tony Blackburn. This weekend of all weekends the programme was covering the top 20 of this very week back in 1979 (a magnificent year). And hearing all those old tunes brought into sharp perspective just how many years have actually passed by since The Outcasts were a vital band within the punk scene I was part of. And It depressed me a bit! I did consider giving the gig a miss because of this low, but you'll be glad to know after a few moments of reflection and a bit of 'fuck it' attitude, I was soon back to my normal timewarped state of mind and I already had my new T-Rex 'Slider' t-shirt and brothel creepers ready to go. Talking of ancient DJ's Terri Hooley was master of ceremonies here tonight, as well as controlling the decks, he played a great selection of punk, ska, reggae tunes with a little 'Nouvelle Vague' thrown in for good measure. This particular 'Outcasts are back' show was one I thought I'd never see. And if the truth be told, I haven't exactly been waiting with baited breath for the past three decades on it happening. Now if it had been a Rudi gig, that would've been a different story entirely. I was never that big a fan of The Outcasts in their heyday, and I'm still not! Plus those new 2011 just published "we're still mean and moody press shots" are scary, but for all the wrong reasons. These three comeback (of sorts) gigs, minus original guitarist Colin (Getty) Gettgood are the result of an offer too good to refuse, from the people behind the Rebellion festival, yeah! So what if it can be seen as $hame Academy +2 (as I've heard this reform called by certain people on more than one ocassion). Because I saw this line up provide the entertainment at Greg Cowans ulp!... 50th birthday party a year ago. And for such a short notice knee's up, they were actually pretty damn good! The setlist that night made up of Outcasts standards, mixed with a number of punk 45 classics, was brilliant craic! But tonight it was going to be balls to the wall vintage marmite (you love it or hate it) Belfast punk rock. So would it be just as appealing without the previous tried and tested juxtaposition? I don't know!? The bands line up then was Greg Cowan (vocals), Martin Cowan (rhythm guitar), Raymond Falls (drums), plus honorary Outcast Brian Young (lead Guitar) and Petesy Burns (bass). Thats the same onstage personel due here tonight. The more observant of you may have already spotted that ex Rudi and Sabrejets frontman Brian Young is doing a double shift here tonight. Playing in both a supporting and headlining band. Special guests Belfast's own greaser kings The Sabrejets could've easily filled The Empire on their own. Such is their high position in the modern day rockabilly pecking order. And with a new five star album 'Sinsational' just released, they're taking care of business in fine style. Along with 'Big Phil the Bear' as their head of merchandising how could they fail lol. Tonight The Sabrejets were on their usual top form. The band have been together too long now for any messing around. They have a complete deck of rockin' songs to their credit. Fer instance 'Too Fast To Live', 'I Dig Dames', 'Wild For Kicks', 'Sworn To Fun' etc etc etc. However their reworked covers of 'Blitzkrieg Bop' and 'I Fought The Law' had the whole place punching the air and singing along. They displayed a level of showmanship sharpened like a switchblade razors edge, by years of constant road-dog gigging, and performing in a class way above the level of most bands treading the boards both locally (and thanks to todays technology) globally! Somebody in The Outcasts camp obviously made a faux pas and forgot how good they are live. Because this was probably the best Sabrejets performance I've seen...they were on fire! Not what you want from your support act on an important night like this. Even though I'd been making enquiries, little news had been forthcoming from anyone concerning the previous nights way more hardcore punky bill featuring Stiff Little Busker, Running Riot, The Defects and The Outcasts. That took place at the Playhouse in the seaside town of Portrush. However I did hear it was a good night and the venue was very hot! But slim pickings on the actual band performances info front? Which I found strange after all the hype leading up to the show. The ante was now raised extremely high (as if the pressure of a comeback wasn't a big enough of a head fuck already). The burning question on everyones lips was could The Outcasts 2011 step up to the mark and face the challenge ahead? Surprisingly the answer is yes!!! They gave it their all and they were actually very good indeed. Greg was revelling in his position as frontman, throwing Iggy shapes wrapped around his mic and posing for the photographers with the Cowan pout and wit being used to full effect. The other band members didn't put a foot wrong, they were note perfect, disciplined and well drilled throughout the 18 song setlist. Which consisted of everything you'd want to hear played live at an Outcasts show. Punk anthems like 'Nowhere Left To Run', 'Mania', 'Ghetto Blaster', 'You're A Disease', 'Teenage Rebel' and '7 Deadly Sins (a song so good, both bands played it). Funniest moment of the night was during 'Cops' when a rather shall we say XXL guy's glasses fell off, and all the potential heart attacks leaping around stopped, so they could search for them. In the old days the punks would've trampled all over that guy and his glasses without mercy. I think the crowd really needed a breather and this was the perfect excuse to get their blood pressure back down lol. It was a great night! The Outcasts lived up to their status and did the legend justice. Unfortunately for the band, they chose The Sabrejets as the opening act, and they stole their show. And with it sadly The Outcasts moment of hometown glory and triumph! They'll still be one of the main draws though at 'Rebellion 2011 this weekend regardless, and rightly so! Don't miss them!, it might be your one and only chance. Off to see The Stranglers next Saturday night at Feile an Phobail. Joe Donnelly - Belfast 31st July 2011 |
