Street Voice UK

Having had a gruling day at work and then making my way to Halfords to pick up my bike I found myself running out of time. I quickly showered, got dressed and put make-up on then found the bus to the train station was cancelled! I decided to leg it to the train station which must have been a sight as I had a short skirt, boots and bright pink fishnets on!

Making it to the train station with a few seconds to spare I boarded the train to find it had broken down! 20 minutes cursing West Mids Railway the train spun into life and off we went! No more mishaps until we got to Birmingham and then stuck in that long tunnel for another 15 minutes!

On arrival at the Sunflower Lounge open act Mega Fishy Four had started their set. I didn’t know what to expect as I’m not a fan of tribute acts. These are a tribute to indie rock band ‘Mega City Four’. As I snapped away with my camera I was getting more and more into their set. This four-piece captured what Mega City Four were all about and the audience were thinking the same way!

If many of you remember back to the 80’s and early 90’s the venues were small but rammed full with lots of sweaty bodies and watching Mega Fishy Four tear through their set reminded me of those times. I was lapping it up like everyone else!

Honestly if you were a fan of Mega City Four and those indie / rock meets punk bands then you’ll enjoy these guys. Couldn’t find any fault really as the sound was also bang on!

After a small break it was time for the band I’d come to see – Dealing With Damage. What can I say about their set? DWD had a lot to live up due to how good the opening band were and they didn’t disappoint either!

From the opening track DWD set out to deliver the goods and between the four members I thought they did a blinder of a set which reminded me of Fugazi meets Dag Nasty! In fact I thought the set they delivered really captured what they had achieved in the studio. Not many bands can do that as too many rely on studio trickery!

Edd Wenn and co really stood out as a band to go and see!

No punk by numbers here!

Edd Wenn still showing what a wicked front man and guitarist he is! Not getting Andy Myers who really added to the DWD with his amazing guitar sound which complimented some excellent bass riffs from Paul Grier who’s one of the best bassists I’d seen in a fair while! Keeping all this in time was drummer James Sherry who really having a great time beating the shit out of those skins!

They’re one of the few bands who really keep punk on the map. Great studio band and an even better live band!

I’d never heard of Midway Still before and I wondered if it was worth them going after the great set that Dealing With Damaged delivered.

From the time the band hit the stage I was left in no doubt there was a very cool punk band who were going to raise the standard even higher!

Midway Still were amazing!

Paul Thompson the vocalist and guitarist took it to another level and had an outstanding performance which left me wondering why how this band never crossed my radar?

Russell Lee on bass is clearly in a league of his own and delievered some great bass riffs and with drummer Dec Kelly on drums the band really captured the audience!

What amazed me was finding out Midway Still only started rehearsing for this tour hyst two weeks ago! Damn! I wouldn’t have guessed that from the performance they put in!

Thanks to James Sherry for sorting this out for me – Always good to see him.

Lovely getting to meet Clare (Thanks for the cider) and Ed and I also believe the chap I was talking to with James was Neil Cox – Top man! Also good to chat to Dan of Mega Fishy Four.

Sadly this gig was over and one of the best gigs I’d been to in years!

Lets just hope there’s more as the Sunflower Lounge is the small venue with a huge heart. Loved being there. The atmosphere was great from start to finish!

Words / Photos: Kathleen Riot