Ska Punk Soul Noise

For the first time in my life in Kenisia, I didn’t feel like the oldest person at the gig! Yes, kids, it was the B.O.B. (Bath, Oakland, Bremen) Festival. This gig was held at the Porter Butt in Bath.

First up were Don’t. A female fronted punk band who had a nice loud set. The back bar was full as was the front bar. Part of the difficulty was dragging the old punks to the back bar to hear the bands but it all worked out somehow. Then panic set in. Word got round that the Setbacks drummer, Chris had a migrane and wouldn’t be able to play. The other lads must have given him a good pep talk because a few minutes before we were going to take their slot, they announced they were going to play! Yay! It gave me a few extra minutes to write a set list! I love the Setbacks and it had been a while since I had seen them play. They did a smashing job and played two of my favourite songs: You, and I Don’t Know. Great set.

Kenisia took the stage next and played a good 40 minutes of punk ska soul noise mayhem to a packed house of old and young punks. Thanks to the lads who came to see us at the Ski Lodge in Yeovil and invited me to a skank on the floor in front of the stage. A wicked time was had by all. As I write this, Phil is preparing to put up one of the German bands tonight at his humble abode after they tear up the stage in town. Eep! Two people were sadly missed at the show that night – Lynz and Vince. They are huge supporters of the punk rock and music scene in general and we know they wanted to be there. We will see them both on Thursday at the Junction in Bristol (12 April) when we will be reunited with Catch It Kebabs. Yay again!

Lastly, Citizen Fish took to the stage and had everyone on their feet. They played a crazy set and seemed to have as good a time as the rest of us were. Mint.

A couple of weekends ago, the Kenisia crew headed north after a great night in Bristol at the Junction with Anonymous Tip. We played the weekend with the mighty Catch It Kebabs and a fantastical time was had by all!

Saturday, 24th March found us in Barnsley, in search of food and footie scores before the gig. We found what we were looking for and ventured back to The Arches for a grand night of entertainment. First on were the lovely Make It Better Later, with a lovely violinist and a drummer with an interesting Irish/American/Nothern England accent. The played a smashing set. Next was Kenisia, with a slight delay due to my costume change – Phil could be heard all the way in Leeds, shouting ‘Get on with it!!’. We did get on with it and went down a treat, we were told. We made friends with a bald, madman named Bob who is currently stalking one of our crew. It’s not a bad thing though. Then came the Catch It Kebabs, whom we hadn’t played a show with in a long time. They were amazing as always. Dave is one of the most entertaining frontmen I’ve ever seen. It’s hard not to smile and dance along when he’s on stage. The rest of the Kebab crew are brilliant musicians and equally entertaining to watch.

At the end of the night we sent our trombone player to bed and the rest of us went in search of drink and merriment. We found it in a basement pub (the name escapes me) and then we wandered to another club with bassist/vocalist Jamie. I was a bit worried when I saw the rest of my crew being led off with Dave as I stood in a queue of a very load and buzzing club. It turned out to be a pleasant experience, from what I can remember of it. The night ended with Steve and I watching Southpark at Jamie’s, drunk and slowly sinking into unconsciousness. The next morning the Kenisia crew were all reunited and headed for Manchester.

Manchester was as lovely as ever. The sun was shining, we weren’t too hungover and had a wander round before the evening’s festivities. I saw a few bands earlier in the day and then went in search of my crew for a pint in some sort of secret-society pub not far from the Retro Bar where the gig was. We saw our new chums Make It Better Later and were excited to take the stage ourselves. The last time we played the Retro Bar we had to be towed to the gig and just barely made it in time to play! We had a good time even though I had a bit of difficulty with the Pimp Handstand. It all worked out in the end. The Kebabs played a stellar set as usual and at the end of the night hugs all round and we headed back to Bristol and Bath.

It was a great weekend and we are really looking forward to our next gig with the Kebabs on Thursday 12 April at the Junction. I only hope our Steve knows what he’s getting into as he’s agreed to put them up after the gig. As Nelson Munce would say, HA HA!

Despite the chaos on the M5 due to an accident we managed to make it to Cheltenham via the back roads. Si did manage to get lost when we got to Cheltenham but that’s what happens when you let Phil do the navigating.

Fandangle weren’t so lucky and got stuck on the M5, but they made the most of it spraying a few extra stars on their van and having a traffic jam bear hunt (one of them dressed in a bear suit). The baseball bat used to chase the bear also came in handy when Adam had to scare off a few chavs that were taking a little bit to much of an interest in their van.

Was a fun night and made more so by the fact our estranged drummer Tom came along to see us. It was the first time he’s got to see us since he went on his sabbatical. Was a bit weird for him being on ‘other side’ but he did enjoy himself and him and Stu were deep in drummer talk later in the evening.

Fandangle were great fun. The next time we play with them is the 30th in Braunton which is my Birthday and they’ve promised it will be a good-un so looking forward to that.

I’m afraid to say that our gig this Saturday has been cancelled. The guys at University of Warwick’s Punk Soc send their apologies. Two of the five bands pulled out in the last couple of days and they felt it was better to reschedule a really good gig rather than put on a not so good gig now.

Hopefully the show will be re-scheduled for some time in May so watch this space.

Last night saw us take a a trip to Londinium for the first time in a while. In fact it was Stu’s first London show with us. We were supporting Monkey, a Californian Ska band making their first trip to the UK, and MU330 frontman Dan Potthast who is doing an acoustic tour at the mo. Also playing were local boys Mumrah (the good one not the indie one).

It were a bit quiet which was a shame as it was a really good show. Mumrah rocked, we weren’t to shabby, Dan Potthast did an amazing acoustic set in the bar and Monkey were great fun. Despite the turnout all the bands made the best of it and I those who came down had a good time. I certainly did despite a bastard of a hangover. Looking forward to seeing the Mumrah guys again in Coventry next week which should be a great show.

Saw this excellent bit of Ad Jamming near my home in Bedminster and thought I’d share it with you. :)