Words and Photos RBY
Imperfect Youth from Wrexham were around in the 80s and had a number of singles out then. After a long hiatus they came back a few years ago. Their sound is very 80s punk, melodic, hardcore and catchy. There’s lots of chunky riffs and some great guitar work. This version of the band featuring some younger additions who lock drums and bass together tightly to provide a tidy rhythm section that really thumps along and lets rather good vocal performance growl out. Tight, a lot of fun, a mix of covers and originals and really well played.
Peter and and the Lovehearts gives you Peter Hart from Those Naughty Lumps and some local talent including the drummer from the Dry Retch and bassist from Three From Above. In some ways musically it doesn’t fall far from the Lumps tree though definitely a heavier rockier sound. Peter Hart maintains some impish banter with the audience, well, basically he spends a lot of time insulting the audience ‘Popular Peter they call me’, all in fun and received in the spirit its given. It does add to the entertainment as does a few Naughty Lumps coves (including of course Iggy Pops Jacket). This band are having a good time and want you to have a good time too.
This is the second time I’ve seen Biteback with their latest lineup including their new Thin Lizzy style twin guitar attack (Editor: A joke?) and this time its through a big PA and the line has a few gigs under their belt. Tight as ever and thanks to the extra guitar we have a bigger sound and some room for some nifty guitar lead work. There’s even a ‘surprise’ guest with ex bassist Johnny Two Strings making a brief appearance on vocals. We’ve mentioned the truly classic One Eyed City track before but how many punk bands go off on an amped up Sea Shanty about Whiskey (Galore) or hit as many musical reference points as Biteback. To me, this is a band that are all about the song, they still keep a punky sound going but each song is a bit different from the last or the next and they have no chance of becoming generic sounding.
Lets dance, its Broken 3 Ways, and the crowd dances. The high velocity Ska punk masters hit it up from the off with fast, toe tapping, head nodding, arms starting to wave around, leg moving ah sod it I’m dancing, tune after tune. There’s nothing out of place with this band and in a band filled with exemplary musicians, I’ve always noted the phenomenal lead guitar work that fleshes out the bands melodies. Lead by powerful twin lead vocalists that bounce between singing to blasts of twin trumpets (trumpets are this reviewers favourite brass instrument). Its political but never at the expense of the tunes, its aggressive but extremely groovy They deliver and on into the night they go, a pretty unstoppable music machine.
Links:
Broken 3 Ways
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/broken3ways
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/broken3wayska
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Broken3wayska
Bandcamp: https://broken3waysmusic.bandcamp.com/
Biteback
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100050366169014
Bandcamp: https://bitebackpunk.bandcamp.com
Peter and and the Lovehearts
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61570017046682
Imperfect Youth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/100090174579273