A storming lineup of bands from across the land played this year’s Bristol Punx Picnic, taking in Easton’s iconic Chelsea in and the Exchange, Old Market. It was the first picnic produced by newish team, Bristol Skum Collective, of which Kiss Me, Killer’s Cat is a founding member along with punk gig legend, Craig.
Friday 30 August saw scrumpy-soaked local heroes Cydernide explode all over an elbow-crowded Chelsea Inn, following on from Wales’ riotous Social Experiment. Alcohol Licks brought some dubby ska-infused tunes with the Migraines gave punks a heavy dose of what they were looking for. You can’t beat a rammed Chelsea for the true spirit of punk.
Saturday 31 August saw Bristol Punx Picnic move to less frenetic surroundings of the Exchange, Old Market, which has over the past few years become one of Bristol top-drawer music venues.
Kiss Me, Killer kicked off with their new-look set and newish lineup, with our singer Cat dispensing with her Telecaster for many of the songs to give an even gustier vocal performance. Despite being first one, many gig-goers had already arrived so we had a good crowd. Hook-laden newer tune Ego Lyra Cycle man is already a fan favourite!
Next up London’s lovely Werecats took to the stage with their catchy garage punk tunes really hitting the spot. I bought another Werecats tshirt as my daughter, 9, pinched my other one. Tch!
The Menstrual Cramps are firm favourites on the scene now, one minute playing underground spaces, the next filing support slots with Kate Nash. They didn’t disappoint at the punx picnic with their greatest hits developed with snarling swagger, even in the absence of the popular Beth, who has sadly had to leave the band.
Anarcho-ska merchants got the crowd dancing with their usual infectious mix of fiddle and trumpet-adorned punk rock action before Contempt served up their slice of old-school anarcho-punk track with real power and verve.
Another band that’s really hit the heights over the past two to three years is Welsh hardcore rockers, Pizza Tramp. They must sell for t-shirts than anybody. You seem to see someone wearing their garments in any town in the UK just now. Anyway, despite Jimbobs jokey antics this is a well-oiled hardcore machine with powerful drumming and bass that injects any room with incredibly energy. Me, I finally bought a Pizza Tramp t-shirt.
Bristol streetpunk legends Disorder didn’t disappoint with Taf’s latest lineup delivering a heavy dose of no-nonsense bass-heavy rumble before London’s anarchistwood brought their unique blend of rock’n’roll mayhem and circus sideshow to the Exchange stage. Can’t get enough of their track, ‘Bomb in a Luggage Rack’. Fuk, featuring Gabba from Choas UK, closed processing with a tight hardcore set of incredible forces and brutality. What an end to a great punx picnic.
I took a bunch of footage of the bands and made a YouTube clip for your viewing pleasure. See here:
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