WHAT a super line-up for Basingstoke band Stupid’s 15th birthday show.
It kicked off with the irrepressible Wonderbeers. These guys are the perfect Friday-night band - the working week is over and it’s time to let your hair down and have a good time.
Fast, catchy, fun songs, delivered in true geeser-punk style. A lot of people were joining in, because they do have that "sing-along" quality. It was a fantastic start to the evening.
Next up were a band I had never seen before, Sweet Jonny from Brighton. They are a bit of a ‘rock’n’roll’ band I guess. Certainly a bit more mainstream.
Actually, they had a dash of everything, so managed a fair bit of variety in their songs. I believe that this is their first time in Basingstoke, so perhaps they were a little nervous? Not really heavy or fast enough for me though.
Oh my goodness it was The Fail next, playing what was probably their final show – this could probably only have gone one of two ways.
I was delighted that it was the ‘smashed it’ way, the ‘aced it’ way – I have seen a lot of great performances by this band, but this was probably their best. Everything was just right and the crowd was pretty much part of the show. A textbook example of how to be a fantastic punk band.
So I felt that the next band, All Action Hero were going to have their work cut out for them. They were returning to the scene after a brief hiatus, so I wondered – had they got rusty and lost it?
Again, the answer was clear as we were treated to a blistering set, with all their great songs delivered so well. We were even treated to a piñata which was destroyed in short order, spilling its goodies all over the floor. Brilliant.
The crowd (if they weren’t before) were now fully fired up for headliners and birthday boys Stup!d. The venue had really filled up by now and the atmosphere was very positive. The guys also delivered a top performance for the crowd and it really was a fantastic climax to a splendid evening. What a great way to celebrate so many years in a band.
So thanks to all the bands, to the promoter and the management and staff of the venue, for a five star Friday night.
Neil Duncan, ISSUEPUNKZINE
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