- Vandals w/ audio karate + Tsunami Bomb

I hadn’t heard of either of the supports; according to hardcore george from his interview with The Vandals they are small American bands who have been brought along because they are on Kung Fu Records which Joe and Warren from The Vandals own.

First up were Tsunami Bomb; they had a female singer which made a refreshing change, and she was brilliant; reminiscent of Tilt. She had a stunningly strong voice which really suited their dynamic punk with hardcore influences style. They were a treat to watch and I was transfixed, as was most of the audience – although I’m not sure if they were staring because of the music or the fact that the singer was fit…

Audio Karate were basically boring, predictable So-Cal pop-punk. I don’t really have much to say about them apart from a bit of nifty guitar work redeemed them mid-set, then it all went downhill again… Most of my time during this band was spent watching some guy who was combing his ‘afro’ for the majority of the night!

After the brilliant start and mediocre middle of this gig I was really looking forward to The Vandals, so was hardcore george – he loves them because they got him drunk, give him a beer and he’s anyone’s friend!

They were stonking, for want of a better word! They have everything you want in a punk band, energy, stage presence, fun and brilliant music deftly played. A beautiful slice of HC punk… The most memorable moments however were at the end when Warren Fitzgerald who was on guitar took over singing duties – this man is a legend or should be. It was pure madness and he had me in stitches, from shouting wanker at the next person who walked out of the gents, to taking the piss out of kissing couples, to doing a Cheeky Girls impression – the people in the front row had a great view of his backside. And it just didn’t stop, they left us with that ‘so long farewell’ song from The Sound Of Music which would usually annoy the hell out of me but was brilliant done by them…and any band that can pull off any songs from The Sound Of Music deserves maximum respect i.e. Me First And The Gimme Gimmes and The Mighty Vandals. Fantastic night…