UK SUBS, The Tendons, Liam Vernon.

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 4th June 2008.

Upbeat Promotions co-promoter Mojo is celebrating his ?? birthday (!), and in honour of the day he brings back to the venue original punk pioneers UK SUBS, led, of course, by the legendary Charlie Harper. This time they feature second generation 'Sub' bass player Alvin Gibbs. Although it's a Wednesday, the party atmosphere is high, and large quantities of alcohol are flowing copiously! The bar is doing a very busy trade. As the evergreen Mr Harper makes his way on stage, I am reminded of an old saying: "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"!

He's an amazing gentleman, as he belies his sixty plus years. His blond hair (or is it a wig?) dazzles off the lights as he knocks back can after can of lager! The room is full of punks of all ages, both male and female. It's also good to see so many various band members in attendance, namely Sick On The Bus, Dun 2 Def, Bleeders, Dilinquents, and many, many more. They have all come to pay homage to this musical master craftsman. The mosh pit just acts like a magnet to these punk fuelled fans as the popular old songs come thick and fast. Charlie says little, preferring to let his vast back catalogue do all the talking. He does dedicate "Tomorrow's Girls" "to all the women at the front of the audience". "Teenage" and "Stranglehold" are played out to deafening cheers, but the loudest occurs when birthday 'boy' Mojo joins the Subs to lend some shared vocal duties on "Warhead". For the fans tonight the show could go on forever, but there has to be a curfew. But not before Uk Subs play two encores, of which "Party in Paris" and "C.I.D." glean the most applause. One thing is for certain, the spirit of punk will certainly never die while Charlie Harper is still pogoing!

For a lot of the younger musicians in the audience tonight, THE TENDONS are very much a local inspiration to them all. In fact, except for vocalist Jon's wedding night gig last October, this is the band's first level 2 show for over a couple of years. But it's like they have never been away, as all the much loved tasteless favourites are aired and reprised. There is to be no gentle easing in as the lads open up with "Life's Shit", quickly followed by "Trendy Wankers"! With his tongue firmly in cheek (although I'm not sure which one!), Jon's witty intro chat to each song is both hilarious and revealing. But what The Tendons specialise in most is fast passionate punk at a super-charged pace. Loved by everybody in the venue, it's great to see them back at their very best.

Opening the evening is LIAM VERNON, who acoustically performs covers of traditional Irish songs. However, his rendition of Cock Sparrers "England Belongs To Me" brings a lump to some peoples throats. But for this reviewer, his finest moment is his rendition of "The Fields of Athenry", but please do not remind him of his G string!