PUNK ROCK CHAOS 2 - WAGON & HORSES

If anyone needed confirmation that the punk scene in Birmingham is very much alive and kicking you needed to look no further than the Wagon and Horses in Digbeth last Saturday night. An evening headlined  Punk Rock Chaos 2 put together by the Angry Itch boys featuring six bands for a mere £5.  Here's a few short lines... 

 

Got to admit I’d only seen two of the bands before so it was bit into the unknown with the other four who I knew very little about. 

First of these were Complete Dysfunction, who have been going since May this year and reminded me a little bit of some of the early 80’s punk bands.  They completed a set of catchy protests songs ending with the excellent Gary Critchley Has Been Released.   The Knobbers were a great surprise.  Quite a young band, their in your face hardcore sound belied their youth and they were well received by an appreciative audience.  Waste of Organs also ripped through a set of catchy punk songs including thee thought provoking We Took Maddie about the tabloids treatment of the McCann’s.  Mangled were a recent addition to the bill and have a harder sound (not surprising considering they share a drummer with GBH).  They have a massive stage presence and the set included a cover of Peter and the Test Tube Babies’ Transvestite.  All of the above definitely worth checking out again.
 
Earlier in the night organisers Angry Itch blasted through a set that included all the tracks off their recent Scratch It Til It Bleeds ep and finished off with a brand new song, only written a few  days before with a sing along chorus that promises more great things to come from these Brummie punks.  Watch this space as I really think great things are destined for this band – remember where you heard it first! 
 
Finally it was the turn of headliners Rotunda, taking the stage after midnight (and after yours truly had downed several more pints than intended!)   With Louis's no nonsense heads down approach and a set full of classics they were the perfect end to another brilliant night of punk rock in Digbeth. 
 
Thanks to John and the Angry Itch guys for putting on a great nights entertainment at the Wagon & Horses.  I urge you all to support the local punk scene with regular gigs at the Wagon and Horses as well as the nearby Adam and Eve and other venues across the local area.