Psychobilly Forum ~ View topic - Derby Halloween All-dayer

So a few of us 'non-travelling Mancs' decided to shake off the flu and make the trek down to Derby for the Halloween all-dayer. After an EPIC drive that saw us take in Leeds, Newark and many other 'sights' in the East Midlands (fucking AA routefinder!! Evil or Very Mad

), we arrived in Derby a bit later than anticipated, but in time to catch nearly all the bands. Anyway, here's my account of the day (sorry to Las Pistolas, but we got there too late to catch your set).

A Sailor's Grave - 6/10 What they do, they do OK, but what they do I don't like. They weren't BAD, and have come on leaps and bounds as a band, but they aren't going to change the world.

The Speedkings - 7/10 Again, a case of good at what they do, but what they do isn't my bag at all. But a good solid set of fast and heavy punkabilly that saw the first pit action of the day.

The Go-Katz - 7/10 Solid set of mostly covers. Played well, but I think people would rather see a few more originals than Lily Allen covers. Always good to see Billy and Howard the boys though, and it was a solid set that was well recieved.

There was then a break for an hour which was a great idea - we all trouped off for food and I had the most undercooked chips i've ever had in my life which left me crippled with indigestion for an hour, and after a bit of a mingle and a catch-up with some familiar faces and some shopping at the Bedlam crew's excellent record stall, it was on with the show!

Graveyard Johnnys - 8/10 A fucking GREAT set from the Chepstow boys as always, and probably the first time a lot of this crowd had seen them. The new stuff sounds amazing, they had the biggest crowd and the biggest pit of the day and absolutely tore the place a new one. Extra points for the Bo Diddley cover. Cool as fuck Cool

My only worry now is how the band will change when Liam leaves the band as he's such an integral part of the band's sound and dynamic. The future's bright for these lads though, and I don't think it'll be too long before they're headlining gigs like these Cool

Reckless Ones - 7/10 A surprisingly good set from this Minneapolis trio - very Voice of America era Quakes-esque hard American rockabilly that got the audience jumping and probably made them a few new fans. Although its not my usual sort of thing, I'd definitely go and see them again, and its good to see the US producing bands of this ilk again, rather than the usual horrorbilly dross that seems to come over to these shores.

The Hangmen - 9/10 One of the best Hangmen shows I've seen in a LONG time. Played hard. Played nasty. Plain offensive. Absolutely fucking brilliant. Burnt bibles and moonshine littered the stage and the floor as the Teeside terrors absolutely DESTROYED Derby! An amazing set of venomous evil psychobilly played with all the hateful piss and vinegar you'd expect. Band of the day for me.

Wigsville Spliffs - 7/10 The midlands rockabilly stalwarts ended the night. People seemed to get into them, but after the Hangmen, to my ears it just sounded soft and safe. Don't get me wrong, they played GREAT and on another night I'd have probably gotten into it a lot more, but they struggled to follow the excellent set before them and we left halfway through. They also lose points for the fact that they mentioned the Kl*bf**t between EVERY fucking song as well. If John Curd got royalties everytime one of these bands mentioned it, he'd be fucking Richard Branson rich!

Anyway, all in all, it was a really good evening! A really well-ran gig with a good turn out (well over a hundred through the door), a really receptive crowd, some great bands, a good venue with excellent promoters. Pretty much faultless! My arms are bruised and cut and my muscles ache this morning, but its always the sign of a good gig Razz

Good to see some familiar faces as well, and a good handful of folk off this board.

Well done and cheers to the boys who put this on, you did yerselves proud Cool

n00b Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Derby

Cheers for the review, If everyone who came left this happy then thats all that matters to us, I certainly enjoyed myself. All the bands were great and friendly, the Bedlam crew were great chaps to have a beer and a chat with. Think there is a very strong chance we are going to do it again next year. So if anyone wants to give us your thoughts, who would you like to see next year, what could we do better, any bands who would like to get on next years bill etc, get in touch.

n00b Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Derby

Cheers for the review, If everyone who came left this happy then thats all that matters to us, I certainly enjoyed myself. All the bands were great and friendly, the Bedlam crew were great chaps to have a beer and a chat with. Think there is a very strong chance we are going to do it again next year. So if anyone wants to give us your thoughts, who would you like to see next year, what could we do better, any bands who would like to get on next years bill etc, get in touch.

I'd like to see the Hyperjax on the next one - I hear their bass players some hot shit Razz

Guest

n00b Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Derby

I would actually really love to have the Hyperjax on next years lineup.

Pictures....???

n00b Joined: 18 Oct 2009 Posts: 71 Location: Derby

I'm glad someone got pics, I looked through mine this morning and all of them had suffered due to the fact I had too many shandy's.

Reckless ones also get the award for campest bands of the night, but agree they were really nice guys to talk too, and a great band to watch. yeah the guys have been totally screwed over by the tour booker, he is a guy that has let me down way too many times and I will certainly never work with again.

A Sailor's Grave:

Speed Kings:

Go Katz:

Graveyard Johnnys:

Reckless Ones:

Hangmen:

Cheers for the reviews fellas. The pictures as well.

Guest

Cool pictures & great reviews, sorry I couldn't have been there!

Cuntmaster Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 4677

GYJ set was stonking for me, so tight & really energised. Loved Cherrylene & you cant judge a book... brilliant!! this new jazz breaks thing they do is mint as well, even if it does confuse some of the dancing men!

Reckless Ones really not to my taste found the whole set a bit weird sounding, but then i'm not big on quakes either.

Speed Kings on top form, good dose of speedrock - hard punkabilly? not so sure, he he. look forward to hearing the album.

Go Katz boring for me, was like rockabilly karaoke.