"I HAVE SEEN THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, AND IT IS GOOD"*
CUT CAMERON FESTIVAL PUNK ALL DAYER review.
As anyone who reads ZERO HOUR on anything resembling a regular basis will know, there aren't many gig reviews here, and when there is, its usually just to moan about 'this or that' which went wrong during the evening in question. Plus, your super-duper stagger away ZERO HOUR is of the general opinion that gig reviews (like many interviews) aren't really that interesting in themselves, unless the gig (or interview) in question is an eventful, standout one, for whatever reason. Funnily enough, a bit like the one featured here for instance. Except, for once I've got nothing but good things to say about this gig.
The gig in question was an all dayer featuring around twenty odd bands situated on stages on two floors. Called 'Anarchists against the cuts', the gig took place at a pub that looked apt, being a mock Castle called The Winchester Arms, it happened on the weekend of the 29th of January in the Somerset (for strangers to the A303 and map illiterates) town Taunton, Somerset.
In the lead up to the gig I was a bit apprehensive about the size of the large line-up, I was a bit worried that I might find myself stuck in that Dante-esque level of musical hell reserved for unlucky Punk Rock fans, stuck listening to bands they can't bear on the best of days (I'm sure we've all been there, or had a glimpse of it, however briefly) after all-it's not too often that one can be expected to like all the bands on a line-up. So, it would be an under statement to say that I was a bit worried that I might be stuck in a seemingly never ending gig with bad bands playing life stretching age long sets of sound-alike tunes.
Yet, I could not have been so more, or utterly and happily wrong, in every case, and have been so pleased about it.
It wasn't just the big line-up of so many bands (which in itself was no mean feat) that made the day what it was. The organisers had also thought of just about everything else, as well as the great music, there was also a large selection of great, free home made food from the lovely cooks of The BRISTOL VEGANS who cooked up a great range of different foods, meanwhile, there were stalls that also offered various books, Pamphlets and leaflets for people to read while they were eating.
Not only that, there was even a space given over where free footwear and clothing was available.
Back to the music though, The size of the band list alone makes a straight 'so-and-so played first with a set of blah blah' approach to reviewing the day a bad idea, so I'm just going to go with a 'from top of my head' writing style
So here goes.... Watching the bands at the upstairs stage from my decent vantage point at the side I was able to watch the bands comfortably without my line of sight being ruined by people standing in front of my short arse legs, so I was able to see each band almost unhindered and was (luckily) also in a good place as far as the sound was concerned, getting the best of the sound
Of the bands themselves, the sheer range of different, individual styles just of the bands alone would of made the gig worth attending, the wide variety played by the bands kept the music interesting all day, with every taste catered for.
So many bands played that day that I don't want to try and name them all here because I don't wish to accidentally leave any out, or review ones I didn't really see, nor do I want to get any bands unfairly mixed up for obvious reasons, because they all deserve the same proverbial slap on the back for jobs well done, along with everyone else involved. I also had to make a decision about what stage to watch, either that or spend half the gig running up and down the stairs trying to catch as much of every band as possible.
I only wish I could give a correct version of the amended line-up to give the bands their dues, instead Ive just reprinted a line-up list that is pretty spot on as far as the bands upstairs goes, but its best to just know the names of these young bands for future reference, knowing that they are all good bands. Although I can't remember the names of the bands I saw, it would only be fair to mention the ones I do remember the names of, for various reasons, all of them for good reasons. They were ANARCHO FOLKO, SPANNER, VIRUS, FIREPIT COLLECTIVE and 51st STATE (watch for them in the future). Sorry though, but well done to all the bands who deserved a mention but who's names I forgot or didn't get the names of so left out. You deserve better!
Every band that day were honest to God good ones, and even better, the gig didn't need the added attraction of a bunch of old farts propping up the line-up just to pull the punters in. It's a credit to the organisers that unlike many of the gigs we see nowadays, this one wasn't dependent on 'old fart headliners' to hold the gig together. The only 'old' band on the bill were the re-formed VIRUS who, to their credit played half way down the bill during the day and didn't grandstand in any way.
The gig, organised by OLD HAT/ANONYMOUS PRODUCTIONS (who did a sterling job) was as I said, on two floors and had bands playing all day on both stages, there were so many good bands that I had trouble knowing where to go next, go to the upstairs stage or the downstairs one?
I didn't want to miss any of the bands because the quality of music on both stages was so good, but I had to make a decision and decided to concentrate on the bands upstairs, going downstairs when possible, (such as when the great '51st STATE' band played) and I wasn't disappointed for one moment.
The various bands themselves played almost every different style that's associated with what can be considered part of the 'punk' genre, from straight-on shouty Hardcore to Oi ,'normal' Punk, Folk, Acoustic, Ska and even 60's style Garage/Surf Punk.
Hearing so many great bands made me remember whats it feels like being a kiddie at Christmas again, I really didn't expect to see so many bands, Little less enjoy them all! I didn't know where to turn next, there were so many.
Initially, I have to admit that before I left London for the gig I did had have some pre-gig niggling doubts that some -meaning lots of) the bands may not be good enough to be able to pass muster, what with it being a long day an all.
But I am pleased to say that I could not of been more wrong.
It has to be said, that musically Taunton hasn't historically been considered a happening center of the live music scene, and that could of once been the case. That was until three young men decided to create a much needed live Punk and music scene for the Taunton and surrounding areas. And, in just three years, off their own backs what they have achieved is nothing less than brilliant, (so I was told by a number of people, telling me"we owe them" and that "if it wasn't for them there wouldn't be a live scene in Taunton" etc. etc. (if you read that bit chaps ignore it because I'd hate to let it get to your ego). Basically they are Punk Rock. And what it should all be about,Independence not Corporatism, they are an example.
Good on them and I hope they do well, they deserve it.Ten out of ten is my verdict.
The rest is and will be, history.
*Quote by Butthead from 'Beavis and...'
CUT CAMERON FESTIVAL PUNK ALL DAYER review.
As anyone who reads ZERO HOUR on anything resembling a regular basis will know, there aren't many gig reviews here, and when there is, its usually just to moan about 'this or that' which went wrong during the evening in question. Plus, your super-duper stagger away ZERO HOUR is of the general opinion that gig reviews (like many interviews) aren't really that interesting in themselves, unless the gig (or interview) in question is an eventful, standout one, for whatever reason. Funnily enough, a bit like the one featured here for instance. Except, for once I've got nothing but good things to say about this gig.
The gig in question was an all dayer featuring around twenty odd bands situated on stages on two floors. Called 'Anarchists against the cuts', the gig took place at a pub that looked apt, being a mock Castle called The Winchester Arms, it happened on the weekend of the 29th of January in the Somerset (for strangers to the A303 and map illiterates) town Taunton, Somerset.
Yet, I could not have been so more, or utterly and happily wrong, in every case, and have been so pleased about it.
It wasn't just the big line-up of so many bands (which in itself was no mean feat) that made the day what it was. The organisers had also thought of just about everything else, as well as the great music, there was also a large selection of great, free home made food from the lovely cooks of The BRISTOL VEGANS who cooked up a great range of different foods, meanwhile, there were stalls that also offered various books, Pamphlets and leaflets for people to read while they were eating.
Not only that, there was even a space given over where free footwear and clothing was available.
Back to the music though, The size of the band list alone makes a straight 'so-and-so played first with a set of blah blah' approach to reviewing the day a bad idea, so I'm just going to go with a 'from top of my head' writing style
So here goes.... Watching the bands at the upstairs stage from my decent vantage point at the side I was able to watch the bands comfortably without my line of sight being ruined by people standing in front of my short arse legs, so I was able to see each band almost unhindered and was (luckily) also in a good place as far as the sound was concerned, getting the best of the sound
Of the bands themselves, the sheer range of different, individual styles just of the bands alone would of made the gig worth attending, the wide variety played by the bands kept the music interesting all day, with every taste catered for.
So many bands played that day that I don't want to try and name them all here because I don't wish to accidentally leave any out, or review ones I didn't really see, nor do I want to get any bands unfairly mixed up for obvious reasons, because they all deserve the same proverbial slap on the back for jobs well done, along with everyone else involved. I also had to make a decision about what stage to watch, either that or spend half the gig running up and down the stairs trying to catch as much of every band as possible.
 |
| UNAMENDED LINE UP LIST |
Every band that day were honest to God good ones, and even better, the gig didn't need the added attraction of a bunch of old farts propping up the line-up just to pull the punters in. It's a credit to the organisers that unlike many of the gigs we see nowadays, this one wasn't dependent on 'old fart headliners' to hold the gig together. The only 'old' band on the bill were the re-formed VIRUS who, to their credit played half way down the bill during the day and didn't grandstand in any way.
The gig, organised by OLD HAT/ANONYMOUS PRODUCTIONS (who did a sterling job) was as I said, on two floors and had bands playing all day on both stages, there were so many good bands that I had trouble knowing where to go next, go to the upstairs stage or the downstairs one?
I didn't want to miss any of the bands because the quality of music on both stages was so good, but I had to make a decision and decided to concentrate on the bands upstairs, going downstairs when possible, (such as when the great '51st STATE' band played) and I wasn't disappointed for one moment.
The various bands themselves played almost every different style that's associated with what can be considered part of the 'punk' genre, from straight-on shouty Hardcore to Oi ,'normal' Punk, Folk, Acoustic, Ska and even 60's style Garage/Surf Punk.
Hearing so many great bands made me remember whats it feels like being a kiddie at Christmas again, I really didn't expect to see so many bands, Little less enjoy them all! I didn't know where to turn next, there were so many.
Initially, I have to admit that before I left London for the gig I did had have some pre-gig niggling doubts that some -meaning lots of) the bands may not be good enough to be able to pass muster, what with it being a long day an all.
But I am pleased to say that I could not of been more wrong.
It has to be said, that musically Taunton hasn't historically been considered a happening center of the live music scene, and that could of once been the case. That was until three young men decided to create a much needed live Punk and music scene for the Taunton and surrounding areas. And, in just three years, off their own backs what they have achieved is nothing less than brilliant, (so I was told by a number of people, telling me"we owe them" and that "if it wasn't for them there wouldn't be a live scene in Taunton" etc. etc. (if you read that bit chaps ignore it because I'd hate to let it get to your ego). Basically they are Punk Rock. And what it should all be about,Independence not Corporatism, they are an example.
Good on them and I hope they do well, they deserve it.Ten out of ten is my verdict.
The rest is and will be, history.
*Quote by Butthead from 'Beavis and...'
1 comment:
I had a brilliant week end , Punk as it should be !.
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