The Warriors + The Dilinquents + Rebel City Radio - 25th July 2008
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going. That motto would surely apply to the old gents of old skool oi-punk band The Warriors. Formed out of the remnants of first generation oi punks Last Resort, the band are keeping this particular flame alight. It's ironic to reflect that it was in July 1981 that premier oi legends 4-Skins almost single handedly gave this 'bastard' son of punk the disgraced name that it has never fully recovered from, as the infamous Southall gig went down as the total nadir of oi.
Oi conjured up skinheads, boots and braces, and more worryingly football hooliganism starring the oi crews favourite team West Ham, and the infamous thugs who called themselves 'the inter city firm'. Tonight a few of the old 'boys' turn up for old times sake, but although the band give it maximum effort, it's a set that is tired and dying long before the close. With a few reminders of their past, it's former Gonads frontman Garry Bushell that receives the most flak. A man that The Warriors openly accuse of "selling his soul to The Sun".
Of the rest, "Unite the Scene" is all about the band and followers of oi together. "Compromise your Beliefs" is a bang up to date new song, while the old geezers in attendance are fed an old favourite with "Johnny Bardon". The ironically entitled "Last Resort" is tonight described by the band as a song about "a shit seaside town"! The "Bad Guys" are just that, and the much shouted for encore sees the inflation ravaged "£8 a Week" get a time warped airing. The song gets a singalong crowd reaction, while The Warriors round the evening off with another airing of "Johnny Bardon" because apparently they had not rehearsed any more material!
Supporting are, firstly, Dilinquents lads Richard and Jason together with pal Ben. They fill in literally at the last minute to cover for absentees The Juvies. It's an acoustic set that cuts through the blues, country and punk borders. Although at times it seems slightly surreal for some of the old punks in attendance, it is good to see a varied set of covers from this talented trio.
Birmingham quartet Rebel City Radio are a cranked up loud and fast punk band who extract some crowd reaction with "Murphy's Law" and invite a stage invasion at their close.