DRONGOS FOR EUROPE
CRASHED OUT
Academy 2, Birmingham
Sunday 14th September 2008
Apologies to the support band Drongos For Europe (and
Crashed Out) who were just finishing their last number as
I walked in the venue and was ordering a pint by the bar.
But could you really blame me for not arriving earlier,
especially with a £3.40 tab for a plastic glass of Carling.
The Academy 2 was comfortably full despite the rip-off
of punks, a smattering of skins, and a load of straights on
this Sunday night. As I walked amongst kids with pink
Adicts shirts for the evenin. There was a minibus here from
Bristol (alright Peds) and I suspect a few more from
outside the Birmingham area who had travelled religiously
to feed their addiction. However it wasn't too long before
the devotees and the curious such as myself in the
audience tonight, got what they really came for!
Bouncing on stage to the theme of Beethoven's Ninth the Adicts have
taken the image of Alex (Clockwork Orange) and substituted the sinister
clockwork eye for a cheeky beaming smile. Lead singer Monkey's face
reflected the Adicts outlook on music perfectly. Greasepaint and garish colour clashes with
ribbons and bows and no strings attached. First and foremost the Adicts are a fun band!
They conjure up an escapist 60 minutes worth of punk entertainment that will drag you away
from the grim reality of today's knife crime and recession hit Britain. They create a circus like
atmosphere around themselves on stage, which touches even the most discordant punter.
Its also a fuckin' relief to witness, as punk can be so bleak and black these days. Theres not
a snarl to be seen, but just a good time to be had. And I gotta admit we ALL need that more
so than ever before. You can see why the Californians have adopted them as their own. I
suspect this kinda fun loving bubble the band create night in night out on tour is right up the
American showbiz alley. However Birmingham on the last date of their UK leg of their current
Euro tour was a hard nut to crack, for the first half hour at least. You could almost see the
smile on Monkeys face start to look slightly worn as all the hard work, sweat and smudged
max factor in the world wasn't getting the immediate enthusiastic reaction they are normally
accustomed to stateside. But bands this good and with a colourful stage show of the
burlesque, it was just a matter of time before even the hard to please Brummies were won
over and singing along!
Monkey asked "can anyone remember the last time we played Birmingham?" And no-one
could from the silent response he got. I was too embaressed to shout ...Golden Eagle
December 5th 1982 on the 'Chinese Takeaway' tour. So I decided to keep stum and buy
another pint. But who cares anyway? They were here and now 26 years later probably
playing with more bluster the same songs all be it with a few newer inclusions thrown in. They
dont look too ancient either as they kick off a set full of anthems with show opener and a
particular fave of mine 'Joker In The Pack' that saw a stream of playing cards (courtesy of
Monkey) hit the audience. The first it has to be said of many projectiles and stage props to be
implemented or exploded in tonight's performance. The Adicts are a tight outfit and set the
pace for the rest of the evening. Their backdrop of addictive music ranging from powerful
punk to commercial loony tunes. The carnival idiocy and boozy brashness of the Adicts is a
delicate cosh on the head for lovers of oi polloi mob madness. They give us the highly
memorable 'Steamroller', their glitteresque chart hit 'Bad Boy' and even the gritty 'Numbers'
as balloons, crazy spray and streamers were hitting the academy crowd from all angles.
Vocalist Monkey makes compulsive viewing, decked out for the first couple of numbers in a
massive dayglo bell ringing hat that looked like he just robbed off the set of the new Joker
movie. Grinning through layers of makeup he looked almost like a weird version of Alex
Harvey but hes way more agile and impulsive to watch and has the instinctive understanding
of showmanship that distinguishes the gifted natural from choreographed professionalism.
By now with Bowler hat on he orchestrates the show like a master magician and is backed by
the white clockwork orange clad Kid on drums and Mel on bass who provide the solid rhythm
section, while Pete and Scruff on guitars have the necessary expertise to move between
twinkling tunes and power chord mayhem. The harmless fun continued with songs like the
rowdy crowd fave 'Vive La Revolution' a spirited ode to permanent rebellion, complete with
hand claps and the sound of rampant revelry makes for catchy embellishments.
As umbrellas were unfolded and with streamers exploding, you sometimes forget this is a
punk gig. But they do not cross the boundaries of a prop reliant act which can sometimes look
quite sad. Most memorable moment of the set however had to be during 'Bad Girl' when a
load of female fans joined the band on stage for a full on singalong. One of the girls bought
on her young daughter complete with full Monkey styled face makeup. And not missing a
glorious photo opportunity (pity I did) the like-able Monkey picks up the star struck young girl
in his arms and lets her serenade with him on the chorus. A touching moment she'll probably
remember for the rest of her life no doubt. I doubt even popular bands like Rancid could
evoke such a heart warming reaction which was evident in the little girls face. Lets face it
would you want Lars Friederikson picking up your kid lol. But its obvious for all to see that the
Adicts have that kinda broad appeal.
Pity I had to leave before the set finished as my last train back to darksville was at a
ridiculously early time. But for the first time I left the Academy 2 not seething from extortionate
lager prices or the expensive £17 entrance fee, but with a slight grin on my face which was
definitely put there and inspired by the Adicts!!!!
PETER DON'T CARE
CRASHED OUT
Academy 2, Birmingham
Sunday 14th September 2008
Apologies to the support band Drongos For Europe (and
Crashed Out) who were just finishing their last number as
I walked in the venue and was ordering a pint by the bar.
But could you really blame me for not arriving earlier,
especially with a £3.40 tab for a plastic glass of Carling.
The Academy 2 was comfortably full despite the rip-off
of punks, a smattering of skins, and a load of straights on
this Sunday night. As I walked amongst kids with pink
Adicts shirts for the evenin. There was a minibus here from
Bristol (alright Peds) and I suspect a few more from
outside the Birmingham area who had travelled religiously
to feed their addiction. However it wasn't too long before
the devotees and the curious such as myself in the
audience tonight, got what they really came for!
Bouncing on stage to the theme of Beethoven's Ninth the Adicts have
taken the image of Alex (Clockwork Orange) and substituted the sinister
clockwork eye for a cheeky beaming smile. Lead singer Monkey's face
reflected the Adicts outlook on music perfectly. Greasepaint and garish colour clashes with
ribbons and bows and no strings attached. First and foremost the Adicts are a fun band!
They conjure up an escapist 60 minutes worth of punk entertainment that will drag you away
from the grim reality of today's knife crime and recession hit Britain. They create a circus like
atmosphere around themselves on stage, which touches even the most discordant punter.
Its also a fuckin' relief to witness, as punk can be so bleak and black these days. Theres not
a snarl to be seen, but just a good time to be had. And I gotta admit we ALL need that more
so than ever before. You can see why the Californians have adopted them as their own. I
suspect this kinda fun loving bubble the band create night in night out on tour is right up the
American showbiz alley. However Birmingham on the last date of their UK leg of their current
Euro tour was a hard nut to crack, for the first half hour at least. You could almost see the
smile on Monkeys face start to look slightly worn as all the hard work, sweat and smudged
max factor in the world wasn't getting the immediate enthusiastic reaction they are normally
accustomed to stateside. But bands this good and with a colourful stage show of the
burlesque, it was just a matter of time before even the hard to please Brummies were won
over and singing along!
Monkey asked "can anyone remember the last time we played Birmingham?" And no-one
could from the silent response he got. I was too embaressed to shout ...Golden Eagle
December 5th 1982 on the 'Chinese Takeaway' tour. So I decided to keep stum and buy
another pint. But who cares anyway? They were here and now 26 years later probably
playing with more bluster the same songs all be it with a few newer inclusions thrown in. They
dont look too ancient either as they kick off a set full of anthems with show opener and a
particular fave of mine 'Joker In The Pack' that saw a stream of playing cards (courtesy of
Monkey) hit the audience. The first it has to be said of many projectiles and stage props to be
implemented or exploded in tonight's performance. The Adicts are a tight outfit and set the
pace for the rest of the evening. Their backdrop of addictive music ranging from powerful
punk to commercial loony tunes. The carnival idiocy and boozy brashness of the Adicts is a
delicate cosh on the head for lovers of oi polloi mob madness. They give us the highly
memorable 'Steamroller', their glitteresque chart hit 'Bad Boy' and even the gritty 'Numbers'
as balloons, crazy spray and streamers were hitting the academy crowd from all angles.
Vocalist Monkey makes compulsive viewing, decked out for the first couple of numbers in a
massive dayglo bell ringing hat that looked like he just robbed off the set of the new Joker
movie. Grinning through layers of makeup he looked almost like a weird version of Alex
Harvey but hes way more agile and impulsive to watch and has the instinctive understanding
of showmanship that distinguishes the gifted natural from choreographed professionalism.
By now with Bowler hat on he orchestrates the show like a master magician and is backed by
the white clockwork orange clad Kid on drums and Mel on bass who provide the solid rhythm
section, while Pete and Scruff on guitars have the necessary expertise to move between
twinkling tunes and power chord mayhem. The harmless fun continued with songs like the
rowdy crowd fave 'Vive La Revolution' a spirited ode to permanent rebellion, complete with
hand claps and the sound of rampant revelry makes for catchy embellishments.
As umbrellas were unfolded and with streamers exploding, you sometimes forget this is a
punk gig. But they do not cross the boundaries of a prop reliant act which can sometimes look
quite sad. Most memorable moment of the set however had to be during 'Bad Girl' when a
load of female fans joined the band on stage for a full on singalong. One of the girls bought
on her young daughter complete with full Monkey styled face makeup. And not missing a
glorious photo opportunity (pity I did) the like-able Monkey picks up the star struck young girl
in his arms and lets her serenade with him on the chorus. A touching moment she'll probably
remember for the rest of her life no doubt. I doubt even popular bands like Rancid could
evoke such a heart warming reaction which was evident in the little girls face. Lets face it
would you want Lars Friederikson picking up your kid lol. But its obvious for all to see that the
Adicts have that kinda broad appeal.
Pity I had to leave before the set finished as my last train back to darksville was at a
ridiculously early time. But for the first time I left the Academy 2 not seething from extortionate
lager prices or the expensive £17 entrance fee, but with a slight grin on my face which was
definitely put there and inspired by the Adicts!!!!
PETER DON'T CARE
