Street Voice UK

The Chats tore Birmingham a new one last night. From the opening moments there was no messing around and this Australian three-piece set out to deliver and they certainly delivered in style. Number by number they tore into every song in the manner the Ramones used to when they were touring. There was no gassing between the songs and the crowd went mental at this no nonsense punk rock outfit!

What really did grab my attention in how the Chats appeal to ages right across the board. I thought they were going to appeal mainly to a much younger crowd but that isn’t the case. The age differences were vast and thats so fucking cool!

This was the first time I’d seen the Chats and I hope it wont be my last time as these guys really put a smile on a lot of peoples faces including my own. For a hour I felt like a teenage punk experiencing a superb band for the first time! And that’s a good thing on so many levels.

Eamon Sandwith the vocalist and bassist really did a superb job in winning over the crowd along with Josh Hardy the guitarist and drummer Matt Boggis who make up one of the most powerful three-pieces I’ve ever heard!

If the Chats come to your town it’d be a mistake not seeing them play!

The main support band tonight were hardcore punk band The Chisel. despite only going three years this London based bandhave been making a name for themselves. After hearing a copy of their album I was expecting a lot and the band didn’t disappoint!

From the moment they hit the stage I was grabbed by the intesity of their set. Solid hardcore punk through and through. At times they reminded me of Gundog but with a harder edge. Lots of the crowd loved what they heard and by the way people were moshing I was half expecting the floor to give way!

Sadly their set was only thirty minutes but it was thirty minutes I’ll never forget!

A band certainly worth checking out!

Opening up tonight at the Institute were an American three-piece outfit called Guantanamo Baywatch which were a pleasant suprise to me! Imagine the Cramps, Beach Boys and the Ramones with a sixties garage feel and that’s just how Guantanamo Baywatch sound!

A fair few in the audience loved what they heard – I did too! Sheer bliss hearing some cool rock n roll from a band that obviously love what they’re doing!

For 30 minutes we were treated to some of the best rock n roll in years!

I hope to hear more from this band in the future – They deserve to be huge!

Thanks to James Sherry at Division and the Chats for guesting me. As I said earlier a superb gig from start to finish!

Words – Kathleen Riot

Images: Various Sources