Cockney Rejects, Citizen Keyne, Insane Society, First Wave.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 17th October 2009.

Upbeat Promotions managed to secure a real coup tonight as they presented The Cockney Rejects to headline this old skool punk evening. 2009 sees the band celebrating their 30th anniversary, culminating with a show in December at The Circus Tavern, Essex. These second generation punks seldom play at small venues outside of London, and are fully booked around Europe and beyond. Bedford is indeed the place to be for punk fans young and old. Original members Jeff Turner and Mickey Geggus are joined by Tony Van Frater (bass) and Andrew Laing (drums). The turn out is huge and most are, to quote one local punk fan, "having it large!".

THE COCKNEY REJECTS hail from the rough streets in the East End of London. Proud and extremely passionate supporters of West Ham United football club, their lyrical material extols the virtues and feelings of being in a 'football tribe' during the late seventies and early eighties. When hooliganism was rife every Saturday afternoon, kicking a few opposing supporters where it hurt most never bothered them. In 1980, at the time of their arrival on the music scene and a memorable debut Top of The Pops appearance, their beloved West Ham were also winning the FA cup. Renowned throughout the land, the notorious Hammers thugs were nicknamed the ICF (Inter City Firm). Cheap day return rail travel had a lot to answer for. The Cockney Rejects sing so proudly of those days. A fatal stabbing and much else at an Arsenal v West Ham game I attended in May 1982 make them, even now, very hollow lyrics to listen to. However, those rose-tinted loveable 'Gorblimey guv' tunes are lapped up by the folks in attendance tonight.

A hotly anticipated gig by the local punks sees a cover of "Clockwork Skinhead", before The Rejects set about the serious business. The vocals are spat out with venom, even the odd intro, such as "This is a a song about those orrible old ****s the old bill"! With no off duty policemen in attendance, I suppose, it gets a terrific roar. The theme is set, "Here I go Again" is about being in trouble. "The Power and the Glory" and "Babylon" follow. The true spirit of The Rejects is seriously ignited with "We are The Firm". Although the band say little, they have done their Bedford research as they know that former European heavyweight boxer of the 70's Joe Bugner trained and grew up in this area. Ironic as the frontman is constantly 'sparring and jabbing' on stage. My riposte would be, Rejects, do you remember Mark Kaylor, class fighter and a true Hammer? "Someone Like You" is composed with apprenticeships (remember them?) in mind. 'Hooligan love' is epitomised by "War on the Terraces".

The top thirty single "Great Cockney Rip Off" is loudly cheered throughout. People pass through on stage, but the atmosphere tonight is good natured, nothing nasty occurs. With a song dedicated to the late Joe Strummer, the scene is set for a much called for encore. The Cockney Rejects indulge in plenty of West Ham praising (even though they lost today). Their true badge of pride sees them "Running down the Back Streets" to "Oi oi oi".

Main support comes from CITIZEN KEYNE, whose excellent new album is out now. Vocalist John Clarke leads his oi-punk mates in to a big shout out at the start. "Lies" begins strongly. "Way of life" is for all the people who, thanks to this government are "totally skint". "Boyband" is preceded by John's joke about a recently deceased pop star. Laughter fills the room. CK are on form tonight as "Boot Sale Tales" takes over. A down to earth band who have their heart in the right place. John states the facts "When you are a skinhead, when you are a punk, you get a lot of abuse aimed at you". "Bollox" is Citizen Keyne's response, while "Oi for England" should make you proud of your country. "Chavs" ends with the typical fake "bling, bling, bling". Citizen Keyne, with great vocals and power sound may be a band of the 21st century, but for me, they truly recreate the look, sound and feel of a typical late seventies punk band. Long may they continue and keep old people like me happy. Heartening and refreshing.

Support slots were taken, firstly, by INSANE SOCIETY, whose opening "Another Soldier" was both very real and extremely moving. They probably use the best quote of the evening, "Nostalgia ain't what it used to be"! "Paranoia" also impresses in a tight set.

FIRST WAVE are Leicester punks on a weekend out, nice people. I just hope they didn't mention Tony Sibson's name to The Cockney Rejects.