Neil Duncan reports on the recent micro-tour of Basingstoke's Geezapunx

THIS show was too sweet to miss, with a diverse selection of punk bands, playing at a really cool, snug venue and at the start of the weekend too.

First up, a brand new band from Slough called The Goody Gum Drops and playing as a duo for now, as they are still looking for a third member to play bass.

They were decidedly rough and ready - part skate-punk, part garage, but all enthusiasm. They played a fast, lively set to an enthusiastic crowd. They showed great promise.

Next up were Basingstoke’s Geezapunx, keen to show that once a punk, always a punk holds true for these old-school-punk enthusiasts.

It was really an ideal venue and ideal crowd for a good bit of fast, angry shouting with their catchy, sing-along songs. Technically not their best, but it was still a creditable performance.

Main support was provided by Rail 27 from Reading. The last few times I'd seen these guys, they played acoustic sets on account of their drummer being away at uni - this time, it was as a full band and the performance was so much better.

They played fast, powerful, angry ska-punk, quite different from the other bands, but complementing their styles nicely. It was a brilliant performance and certainly one of the best I have ever seen.

The headline band were Second in Line, mostly from Newbury, complete with a new drummer. These guys have been around for quite a while in various guises, so it was no surprise that they belted out a blistering performance.

They also have a strong skate-punk feel, where speed is pretty much king. As well as a lot of old favourites, they also have new material and it all went down very nicely with the well-lubricated crowd.

It was a super start to the weekend, so thanks to all the bands, to the promoter/spund-man and the management and staff of the venue for an awesome night.

Winchester - Railway Inn

ANOTHER day and another town and another show.

This one had been in the calendar from a long, since last November I believe, so there was a certain degree of anticipation.

First up were Radioactive Bones from Southampton, a stoner-rock band who specialize in long songs, very long guitar solos and an assortment of weird electronic noises.

A perfect band to have smoke with, but just missing the bean bags to lounge around on.

Next up, on the second day of their micro-tour were Geezapunx from Basingstoke, bringing with them a bit of grumpy old punk attitude and a whole host of fans shout at them.

The old lungs not being what they once were, were treated to some nice clear air and were thus able to belt out a very respectable torrent of musical mayhem and verbal abuse - anything less just would not do.

Main support was provided by Hancock, a female-fronted ultra fast punk band from Southampton. They do not play as often as I would like, not as often as a band of this quality should play, but when they do, it’s always pretty special.

They were a big hit with the crowd with a great selection of their own material and a couple of excellent well-chosen covers. Technically great as ever and ideal support for the headliners.

These were the mighty Ramonas, the all-female Ramones tribute band, who really are so much more than that pedestrian description.

They might come out imitating their heroes, but very quickly the songs and the performance seem very much like their own. One song runs into the next, punctuated only by a screamed, "1, 2, 3, 4!"

They played for well over an hour, and we were all left tired, sweaty and hoarse from singing along at the tops of our voices.

Damn fine show - thanks to all the bands, to the promoter, sound-guy and management and staff of the venue.

Neil Duncan, ISSUEPUNKZINE