Tuesday June 16 was a day to remember. It marked the beginning of summer vacation for this Seattle teacher and also marked the illustrious return of UK Subs, one of the few original punk bands still recording and touring today. This was a show NOT to be missed.
Founding member, front man, and mean harmonica player, Charlie Harper, was all over the stage. This is also a man who adores his audience, giving them ample opportunities to sing along as he leaned over the stage to shove the mic at them. He also seemed to enjoy a fan jumping onstage and singing along and also stopping to take a selfie.
Charlie was not the only band member with an active stage personae. Bass player Alvin Gibbs constantly moved from one side of the stage to the other, while guitar player Jet pivoted about as if the stage were on fire. Meanwhile drummer Jamie Oliver slammed away so hard he probably powered at least half the electricity generated to the stage. Or perhaps he was possessed by some rabid demon. All in all a very fun show. I was disappointed in the small turnout. I’d guess the club was about sixty percent capacity. But those in attendance knew the songs and there was never a time when someone wasn’t running in a circle pit. This was good old fashioned UK punk.
Preceding UK Subs was a Seattle band called Expired Logic. These guys played a more neo-hardcore than anything else and they were fun to watch, but I’m just not a fan of the screamo type vocals. The instruments churned out scorching, piercing sounds, which sounded great and Timmy – on vocals was a very dynamic performer. The rest of Expired Logic is, Globey – Guitar/Vocals, Eddie – Bass/Vocals, and Paul – Drums.
Kids On Fire preceded Expired Logic. I’d seen them once before and was very favorably impressed. They didn’t disappoint me this time either. Kids On Fire play a melodic pop punk music with twangy guitar sounds. Think Blink 182 meets Agent Orange. Lots of energy in their music.
The first band I had the pleasure of seeing this night (sadly I got there late and missed Ted Bunny) was Raw Dogs. I’d seen Raw Dogs last fall opening for Chop Tops and was impressed then. This time they blew me away. This band exerts so much energy on stage they must have to sleep for at least four days to power up again.
Skwerll (of Angie and the CarWrecks fame) is one of the best showmen in town, with his macabre makeup and sky high green paintbrush mohawk, he always plays barefoot and shirtless, and always climbs on top of his upright bass, or straddles it, never missing a lick. But as fascinating as Skwerll was, he was upstaged by frontman/singer H.J. Loveshaft DeVille. I never thought this was possible. He trounced about the stage non-stop, goading the audience to slam (and they were only too happy to comply). He also sported a sky high mohawk and macabre makeup, complete with fake blood. Guitarist Joey Bones was equally frightful. He also sported a mohawk, but one that was cropped short. Add blacked out eyes, a whitened face and fake scar running from his forehead to chin and shredded jeans. Only drummer Ian “Bam Stroker” looks “normal” — really the boy next door. He may as well have been a crazed monster for the fierce banging he gave to this band’s loud, grinding sound. Raw Dogs are a force to be reckoned with. Wild, party animals and fun to watch.
Another fun night of punk was had in Seattle and for you guys who missed it, wallow in self pity. You missed a great show.
– These UK Subs photos are property of Holly Homan, all rights reserved.
