Tag: new-music

Airbag - Live London 2025

Review: Airbag The Dome London – 26 April 2025

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig reviewLeave a comment

I can’t quite remember how I discovered Airbag many moons ago but when I did, early on in their career, I said to myself finally the rightful heirs to the Pink Floyd crown. They create sonic, sometimes barren, soundscapes that suddenly bursts into life with a rollicking riff or a Dave Gilmour inspired solo.  File them under Prog Rock!  To confuse matters it turns out there is another Airbag, an Argentine hard rock band whom seem to come to the for on internet searches – it fooled a few of my friends who checked out the wrong band 😊 until I told them to go to AirbagSound.com.

So a quick history lesson, Airbag were formed in Oslo in 2004 by school friends and their current mainstay line-up is Asle Tostrup (vocals/guitar), Bjørn Riis (lead guitars), and Henrik Bergan Fossum (drums).  Live they also have Jørgen Hagen (keyboards) and Anders Hovdan (bass). They have released the following LPs – check them out all mighty fine listens.

  • 2009      Identity (a compilation of previously released EPs)
  • 2011     All Rights Removed
  • 2013     The Greatest Show On Earth
  • 2016     Disconnected
  • 2020     A Day at the Beach
  • 2024     The Century of the Self

So finally after 20 odd years they made it to the UK and I was so looking forward to this evening.  Dressed all in black Airbag took the stage at 8:50 for an atmospheric 80 minute set interspersed with a splattering of songs from all their albums bar ‘Disconnected’.  They start with the pulsating bass drone of ‘Machines and Men’, and it’s repetitive chord sequence before it explodes into life.  They certainly know how to build a layered musical canvass. Excellent throbbing bass from Anders and guitar work from Bjørn.  Next comes ‘Redemption’ with another slow impressive build-up of bass and layered Korg synths.  Asle took a couple of songs to get the mix of his voice right (but more of that later) given it was lost during the loud parts where all instruments were at full tilt.

‘Never Coming Home’ is one of my personal favourites and is one of those songs that always makes the hairs on the back of my arm stand out! Atmospheric keyboard work from Jørgen, a lovely melody and aching guitar licks – plus great lyrics – what’s not to like.  ‘Dysphoria’ slow burns and showcases Asle’s vocals at their best when not fighting the other instruments and Bjørn’s virtuoso guitar work is excellent.  ‘Erase’ is punching bass lines, thumping drums, guitar licks and gripping vocals.

‘Megalomaniac’ commences with its irresistibly haunting repetitive guitar riff and vocals before busting into life with huge riffs and dynamic guitar solo.  All parts of the band working in total harmony – a joy to behold.

Airbag Set List (click on link to see YouTube videos)

  1. Machines and Men – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)
  2. Redemption – (The Greatest Show On Earth, 2013)
  3. Never Coming Home – (All Rights Removed, 2011)
  4. Dysphoria – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
  5. Erase – (The Century of the Self, 2024)
  6. Megalomaniac – (A Day at the Beach, 2020)

Encore:

  • Colours – (Identity, 2009)
  • Homesick I-III – (All Rights Removed, 2011)

The band leave the stage to rapturous applause from a fixated audience.  They are quickly back for an encore of ‘Colours’ and ‘Homesick’ – wow and both these were just fantastic.  Asle strums away on acoustic guitar before the synths and slow guitar kick in and the whole sound just flows slowly through you like a mist – ‘Colours’ is such a beautiful record. 

Airbag - London 2025

So in the end they only played at 80 minute set ☹ – they have such a wonderful rich back catalogue of work and so many classics not played.  I’m sure they could have snuck a couple more songs in?  The final song ‘Homesick’ is an opus epic a beautiful mix of melodic guitar backed by multiple rolling keyboard layers, deep bass and drum rhythms. A dark moody atmospheric piece with scorching guitar licks and evocative melodies that freely roams into ‘Wish You Were Here’ territory.

A couple of low points for me were the lighting and merchandise.  With the correct lighting and backdrop this would have made the gig even more spectacular.  It didn’t detract from the music but certainly didn’t add to it.  But that’s the trouble when you play in a smallish venue and have to use their rig.   Also, the merchandise (or what there was of it) wasn’t very inspiring and lacked imagination.  I’m sure they can come up with far better designs e.g. the ‘Identity’ cover.

The anticipation of a great evening’s music was certainly fulfilled and more.  I loved every minute of the gig and managed a brief chat with Asle and Bjørn as they were clearing up – top blokes!  An all-encompassing immersive experience from start to finish.

Please come back soon chaps 🙏🏻, else I’ll just have to go to Norway or the Netherlands for an away trip!

Marko [27 April 2025]

Review: GBH live at the 100 Club, London, 11 January 2025

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig reviewLeave a comment

Before I start the blog I’d like to thank John (their US tour manager) for getting me a backstage pass and to GBH for taking time out to chat with me during the day.  They are a lovely courteous bunch of fun loving Brummies 😊.  So the good news was I got to see the soundcheck for both GBH and their support act Split Dogs who were also golly good fun. And then off to the pub around the corner for a few jars with the band, hear some stories and back in time to watch the Split Dogs set.

The 100 club is still as dingy, divey and sweaty as always, apparently the gents was refurbed a while back but it’s seriously hard to tell!  Both bands used the house back line and basic lighting – well it’s bloody hard shifting gear down those steps at the back of the venue, plus less gear to be stolen 😊.

Support Band – Split Dogs

I’d never heard or Bristol’s Split Dogs before today but my interest was spiked during their soundcheck – they play Rock ‘n Roll with a punk attitude.  I’d describe the sound as Punk meets Status Quo on crack/steroids and as it turns out speaking with Mil after show he’s a massive Quo fan. I spotted more than a few quick Quo inspired riffs during their blistering in your face set.  In Harry they have an all-out in your face front man, she is a fucking force of nature.  Brilliant poses, facially expressive, aggressive, style in abundance – just look at the girl go (you can’t take your eyes off her).  Mil reminds me of a young Brian Setzer – loud guitars, tattoos and a “I don’t give a fuck” attitude. They are ably supported by the bass/drums laying the groove in support of Mil’s manic guitar. 

They seem to have had a few line-up changes but currently Split Dogs are Harry Martinez – vocals, Mil Martinez – guitar, Suez Boyle – bass, Chris – drums.

Split Dogs

This lot are going places – go catch them while they are still raw and eager. If you want to see them in action follow the links below:
Live 100 Club

Soundcheck 1 – 100 Club

Soundcheck 2 – 100 Club

GBH Review

GBH 1st played the 100 Club 44 years ago supporting Discharge.  In the intervening years not much has changed, GBH’s brand of hardcore metal-punk headbangers give you no respite throughout their 75 min set.  Highly charged riff driven powerhouse songs that grab the audience by the proverbial balls.  Those of you that know the 100 Club will know there is a pillar just in front of the stage middle and either side of the pillar small groups developed into mini mosh pits with studded leather clad Mohicans (or baldies) leaping about with gay abandon.  Die hard fanatical fans seeing their hero’s in action.  On numerous occasions the stage was ‘invaded’ by various fans just wanting to either sing or dance or in fact just use the stage as a launch pad for a quick bit of crowd surfing. The local bouncer intervened on a few occasions but towards the end Colin seemed to warm to it and was more than happy for the fans to sing the chorus’s on stage with him or to hand the mic over to the front row to shout the words. 

As always Colin’s lyrics are undecipherable on stage, but that matters not if you know the words anyway.  The band have been at it for so long it’s seamless to watch, a well drilled machine. Colin still looks the part as he battles constantly with the mike stand and generally looks angry throughout – a top front man.  Jock does his thing effortlessly, guitar and man in perfect harmony riff after riff (now that sounds like a good album title 🤔). Scott beats the shit out of the drums all night long as if his life depended on it and the back line interplay with Ross on bass really lays the sonic back beat to Jock’s powerhouse guitar riffs and solo’s.

Set List (click on the link to watch the YouTube videos)

  1. Diplomatic Immunity (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  2. Drugs Party in 526 (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  3. Sick Boy (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  4. Slit Your Own Throat (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  5. Am I Dead Yet? (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  6. Warpigs
  7. Maniac (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  8. Gunned Down  (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  9. I Am The Hunted (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  10. The Prayer of a Realist (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  11. Heavy Discipline (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  12. Boston Babies (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  13. Bellend Bop (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  14. I Never Asked For Any Of This (Momentum, 2017)
  15. Generals (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  16. No Survivors (Leather, Bristles, Studs and Acne, 1981)
  17. Fifty What? (Momentum, 2017)
  18. Momentum (Momentum, 2017)
  19. Give Me Fire (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  20. City Baby Attacked by Rats (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  21. City Baby’s Revenge (City Baby’s Revenge, 1984)
  22. Time Bomb (City Baby Attacked by Rats, 1982)
  23. Bomber – [Motorhead cover, 1979]

    Extra gift for you all – ‘Momentum‘ at the soundcheck…

So Birmingham’s GBH are the flag bearers of the 2nd wave of punk rock and probably the most famous of the movement.   They obviously have staying power, three of the originals are still in the band and Scott has been with them since 1994 which says a lot about their camaraderie.  They bond on stage each knowing their place and the interaction is very real.   The vast majority of their set comes from the 1981-84 heyday period with the addition of 3 tracks from 2017’s Momentum (my personal favourite is ‘I Never Asked For Any Of This’) plus an anarchic cover of Motörhead’s classic ‘Bomber’ to finish off their intense set.

GBH are: Colin Abrahall – vocals; ‘Jock’ (Colin Blyth) – guitar; Ross Lomas – bass; Scott Preece – drums.

I for one knew little about GBH before tonight, except for their name and iconic band pictures, especially from the early days.  So I listened to some of their stuff and liked both the old and new so another band in my catalogue to check out more and to watch live again. I really enjoyed watching them live as a newbie but for the diehards this was a massive deal.

In my experience having spent a few hours with the band during soundchecks, in the pub and backstage, they may have a ‘rock ard’ image but they are a wonderfully down to earth, not up their own backsides, set of blokes who still reside around their home turf of Birmingham.  It was a pleasure to meet them and see them in action.  A new fan to their ranks.

Marko [15 Jan 2024]

Review: The Tiger Lillies – Lessons in Nihilism @ Wilton’s Music Hall [27 Feb 2024]

On By markosgigarchiveIn gig review1 Comment

This is the 5th time I’ve seen The Tiger Lillies and once again have left with a smile on my face (only just mind as their ‘assistant’ David Hoyle was extremely irritating and added nothing to the music imho – but more of that later).

The music speaks for itself – vaudeville for the modern age, cabaret with a twist, avant garde Brechtian with eastern European gypsy leanings. Martyn Jacques is both the leader and writer of all the dystopian songs of love, death, drugs, hookers, colourful characters, dark macabre and seedy underbelly of life in the world of sub culture.  All those early years living above a whore house in Soho certainly did the trick (wink 😊).

Tonight the trio consist of:

  • Martyn Jacques: vocals, accordion, piano, ukulele
  • Adrian Stout: double bass, theremin, musical saw, jaw harp
  • Budi Butenop: drums, percussion

They are doing a short residency at Wilton’s Music Hall (20th Feb to 2nd March) in support of their new album ‘Lessons in Nihilism’ and played it in its entirety over two sets 19:30 – 20:20 and 20:40 – 21:30.  So more new twisted songs for the majority of the very diverse audience to engage with.

After every 2 or 3 songs the band sat down and we had to listen to a, thankfully relatively short, boring unfunny diatribe about politics, war, gender, and society from Blackpool’s very own David Hoyle.  Old queens never die they just get sadder I guess.  Even worse he bloody well sang a song assisted by Adrian on theremin.  Whatever the reason for having him on the bill is completely lost on me as it had nothing to do with the excellent music the band was playing and added nothing to the evening.  I’d rather have the band play more songs after all they have a huge back catalogue of excellent songs. 

As always the band were immaculately dressed suits, hats and grease-painted circus faces. Adrian and Budi had similar makeup accentuating their lines to almost Halloween skeletal appearance while Martyn had panda like face paint.  He wore a FCK PTN sticker (wonder what side he’s on 😊) on his bowler hat and cut and an imposing figure.  Occasional glimpses of his long pony tail flowing down his back during the quicker moments of accordion mayhem.

Most songs lead with the accordion with just a few guitar led ones such as the ghostly ‘Dying Clown’ accompanied by Adrian on theremin and Budi on washboard.  Unusual instruments of the day were Martyn’s 18” mini guitar in reverse (alas no pics) and Adrian playing the musical saw which had a wooden skull handle – top stuff!! Even the jaw harp made an appearance on one song.

‘Gone Wrong’ and ‘Come on Down’ are good old foot stomping gypsy based tunes.  Lots of sad melancholy soulful tunes too such as ‘Rest in Peace’ and ‘Time to Die’ are great vehicles for Martyn’s distinctive high falsetto voice.  ‘Disintegrate’ starts off Gypsy style then goes off into improvised Jazzy passages with the band giving it all they had.

The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall
The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall
The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall
The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall
The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall
The Tiger Lillies @ Wiltons Music Hall

I bought the CD and have been listening to it constantly while writing this piece.  It’s an excellent album, stark realism and great lyrics.  I highly recommend listening to it in the dark with a bottle or two of something by your side!

Set list

  1. Gone Wrong
  2. Bleached Earth
  3. Dying Clown
  4. Come on Down
  5. Time to Die
  6. Celebrity
  7. Disintegrate
  8. Blamed
  9. Rest in Peace
  10. No Sin
  11. Disease
  12. Kick a Baby (Urine Palace, 2007)
  13. Banging in the Nails (The Brothel to the Cemetery, 1998)

To finish off we had the excellent ‘Kick a Baby’ and ‘Banging in the Nails’ the latter of which had Budi doing a protracted drum solo which was rather good given his small drum kit.

It’s always a pleasure watching The Tiger Lillies – a truly one of a kind band and experience.  I was lucky enough to have my CD signed by the band as well as a few photos with them.  Thanks chaps keep it up.  Can’t wait till next time you are in London.

Marko [28 Feb 2024]