London Gig 2002

"Bored Teenagers 2" Gig at The Garage, London, Saturday 2nd March 2002

UXB/The Zips/Knife Edge/The Negatives

This was UXB's first gig in over 20 years! The set list:

1. DON’T WALK AWAY

2. IN THE Q

3. CRAZY TODAY

4. MR FIXIT

5. WAITING FOR THE WEEKEND

6. OVER THE WALL

7. IMAGINATION

8. GO!

9. 2 STEPS

10. 48 HOURS

Still explosive after 20 years! (left-right) Mark, Dom, Col, Mick.

UXB kick off the proceedings in scintillating style.

Dom and Col after the gig.

Thanks to Merv Bennett for supplying the above photos.

Review of the gig by Des McNamara (originally appeared on ukrocknet.com)...

This gig was a Detour Records showcase featuring four of their original late '70's to early '80's punk bands, all of which have appeared on the compilation album 'Bored Teenagers Volume 2'.

The bands were restricted to half hour ‘taster’ sets because of the 23.30 finish and no band was billed as a headline act, the running order being decided by drawing lots.

First up was Cannock (Staffordshire) based punk/dub reggae four piece U.X.B. Comprising of Dom Roche on lead vocals, Mark Read on guitar, Col Bennett on bass and backing vocals and Mick Turner on drums and vocals the band have a sound which is very much in the style of The Ruts and The Clash. Being noticeably pumped up for this gig they crashed into their first number with a highly charged Dom Roche standing on the monitors and challenging the audience as he sang 'Don't Walk Away'. The sound was tight and solid as they continued with 'In The Q' and 'Crazy Today' before playing the fast paced but melodic 'Waiting for the Weekend' which was outstanding and featured the clever duel vocals of Dom and Mick. U.X.B were now firing on all cylinders and got the crowd bopping to the manic 'Go!' and 'Over the Wall' before slowing the pace down with the reggae dub rhythms of '2 Steps'. The set ended with a blistering version of '48 Hours', much to the appreciation of the audience, and also to Detour Records owner Dizzy Holmes who, on the strength of tonight’s performance has offered a deal which is expected to culminate in the release of a CD Album for the band in the near future.

Following on were The Zips from Glasgow, hitting hard with a tight collection of powerpop/new wave material and opening up their strong set with a track from 'Bored Teenagers 2' called 'I'm in Love'. The band continued with some very solid numbers but the tracks that really shone out were 'Eurotic' and 'Victim', which sounded very much like 'The Boys'. The Zips ended their very popular set with the catchy 'Don't be Pushed Around'.

Third on tonight’s bill is Leeds band Knife Edge featuring Mark Sweeney on vocals, Tim Knowles on guitar, Charley Peace on bass, and Edge (Martin Edgerton) on drums. Before you argue about Edge not being original with his name because of U2's guitarist, well he claims he had it first and I wouldn't like to disagree as he’s one brick shit-house of a man. He also appeared on stage with bald pate and makeup darkened eyes ‘Uncle Fester’ style, very alarming! The back of his leather jacket also proclaims him to be 'Bad to the Bone’ and I wouldn’t disagree with that either! The set comprised of some fast, sharp tunes that sounded very much like the Stooges, and gave vocalist Mark Sweeney the chance to cavort around using every inch of the stage to throw himself around 'Iggy Pop' style both on and off the stage. It was discovered after the gig that he had broken several toes due to his antics but not once did this show during the performance. As to whether this was due to an adrenaline rush or the quantity of amber nectar he had consumed remains unclear. What a trooper! The cream of the bands set were 'Boys are Boys', 'I Don't Like You' and 'Say You Will'. Knife Edge finished their razor sharp set with a great version of 'I'm A Believer' which sounded like 'The Monkees' on speed!

Last but not least tonight were The Negatives. One happy little family of Negs that includes Mic (Neg) on vocals, Wayne & Ric (Neg) on guitars, Mark (Neg) on bass and Tino (Neg) on drums. These guys are in your face from the word go with their brand of punk/OI, Mohicans and bondage trousers being ‘de rigour’! They smashed into their first number and told the whole of North London just where they had come from with a "We're From ‘Bradford', that’s ‘BRADFORD’, no not from ‘London’, not from ‘Leeds’ or ‘Manchester’ and no we don't shop in ‘Camden’, we come from ‘B-R-A-D-F-O-R-D’!". Although they played at 100 miles an hour, never letting up as they tried to grab the crowd and throttle them with their brand of explosive punk this was no crash bang wallop set though, it was a tight performance kept together with Tino's fine technical drumming. The songs that stood out in The Negatives slot were 'Love Is Not Real', 'Good Time' and 'Stakeout'.

When all four bands had finished their sets, the audience was still baying for more. It was at this point that the performers decided to do an encore which included all four bands going back on stage together to do a cover of the Sex Pistols number 'Pretty Vacant' which ended the night in superb style and it has to be said that from start to finish this was a great gig!

It seems that all of the bands enjoyed the night so much and got on so well, no prima-donna’s here, after all this is punk rock, they have all decided to gig together again. The idea is that each of the bands will play on their home turf, with the home band headlining and the others providing the support. I have been told that plans are already in motion for these gigs, but no dates are yet confirmed. If you have a chance of getting to one these gigs I thoroughly recommend it.