I haven't written here in a while! Only three weeks left for my trip to Tokyo and I can't focus on other thing! :D
Well, "Pump It Up! A Power Pop Weekender" took place last weekend at The Finsbury Pub in North London. Apart from the bands I usually see in the weekends (Los Pepes, Lucy & The Rats, More Kicks, Randy Savages...), I'd like to mention the debut show of The Speedways on Sunday. After only a couple of rehearsals, these guys played like if they have been playing together for years!
More Kicks played after them. Their first single is already out and they are touring in Germany right now! Catch them if you have the chance (SO36 in Berlin on Wednesday night with The Briefs and StrgZ. Then a special surprise in Berlin on Thursday and KOMET Musik Bar in Hamburg on Friday. Next London gig Garageland at the Lock Tavern on 10 August!).
 |
| More Kicks |
Regarding Saturday, I was excited to see Baby Shakes again as I'm a big fan of them. The set was quite similar as the one they played in April for Dirty Water. Songs from last album, some from previous recordings plus I wanna be loved of Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers and Heart of the City of Nick Lowe. What a good taste they have!!!
 |
| Baby Shakes |
Also Faz Waltz played in London a few months ago. Their thing is not so power-pop but it's close to glam music as you can hear on their riffs and sound. So glam music fans (me! :D ) were more than happy for this three piece band in this festival.
Barracudas! They are celebrating 40th anniversary this year. After seeing them last time (3 years ago...? in The Pipeline) and feel disappointment, this time everyone got satisfied with the gig. The same with Protex. Even though they are one of my favorite power-pop bands from the old days, I hadn't heard good opinions about their show... And I'm not a big fan of the album recorded last year. However I felt the show energetic and they didn't miss some of their classics. Not too bad!
 |
| Dirty Fences |
Anyway, this is what I think about the last show on Sunday: Dirty Fences were the BEST of the festival. This guys were something like "The Gizmos meet Ramones". Energy and rock'n'roll!!!!! I'd pay for experience that show again!
And that's all about my favorite ones (finally I wrote more than I thought!). Thanks to all the bands and special thanks Mauro and Simon. Hope you do it next year once again!!!
(Pics by ZigPix and Penelope York).
