The UK Subs, Dun 2 Def, Henry and the Bleeders, The Dilinquents .

Lev 2 Esquires Bedford. 16th June 2007.

Yes folks, its thirty years since the raw sounds of punk blew away the turgid overblown rock dinosaurs of the time, and brought in fast fresh music which has never really gone out of fashion. To celebrate this, One For The Underground presented the legendary U.K. Subs, starring the inimitable Charlie Harper, one of the true punk survivors.

This was the U.K. SUBS first appearance at Esquires since May 2000, and punk fans of all ages are here to witness this amazing gentleman. Sixty plus years of age and yet his boundless energy bears out the hallmark of the punk DIY ethic of "always putting on a show"!
While the young support bands are playing, Charlie sits by the merchandise stall gently nodding his head in approval as he also greets his fans. Although unfortunately not looking in the best of health, once he's on stage he is a man transformed (even possessed!) as he is at his zenith in front of a crowd. Many here weren't even born when the U.K. Subs were a staple part of TV's Top Of The Pops. In short, a larger than life figure whose whole life has revolved around the familiar shout of "1-2-3-4"!
The Subs open strongly with the spiky singalong 'C.I.D.', while the following song gives Charlie a chance to demonstrate his ability on the harmonica for an old blues tune. As well as the old classics that are being pined for by the crowd, '96' is a new song that proves that the 'old boy' has still got a strong song writing ability. He even has a reassuring word for the older 'geezers' in the audience, telling them it's best to leave the dancing to the younger element "Its a bit too much for the old ones!" Charlie ruefully admits as he launches into 'Emotional blackmail'. With his 'pukey' green hair (or wig!?) with a bluey hue, and a trusty pint of lager close at hand, its time to unleash the old favourites 'Police state', 'Tomorrows girls', 'Stranglehold' etc, and even if the sight of a man just shy of his pension and bus pass singing 'Teenage' is rather surreal (or comical!), it's what the public wants. 'Party in Paris' forms part of a trilogy for the U.K.Subs encore. A set full of good memories, and at the close of the gig Charlie is only too happy to signs autographs and have his picture taken. I pause to ponder that the reason why (as The Exploited once sang) punks not dead is because of gentlemen such as Mr Charlie Harper.

Support slots were firstly THE DILINQUENTS (sic), whose top song was the raucous 'Graverobbin' in the USA'. The excellent and popular HENRY AND THE BLEEDERS took a break from their extensive giggin' schedule to play in front of their home supporters and got everybody dancing and jollied up while Dun 2 Def prove that old skool punk is still alive and kickin' with the brilliant 'Don't Give up the Rifle' and the brand new 'We Know What we Want'.