GIG REVIEW: Slalom D + Great Silence + Ugly Criers @ Trillians, Newcastle, Sunday 7 December 2025
Formed in Sunderland in 2018, Slalom D have become one of the best-loved bands on the North East punk circuit thanks to their working class authenticity.
Named after an extra strong lager which was popular among local punks, they have deservedly progressed from gigs in pubs to a main stage appearance at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool this year.
But they are proud of their roots, still playing the venues where they cut their teeth and honed their trade, hence this landmark 100th gig being at Trillians rock bar, their Newcastle home away from home.
They’re headlining one of the first-Sunday-of-the-month showcases put on by local promoters North East Cosmonaut Circus, who provide a place for punk, alternative and indie acts to play.
Slalom D have had a few line-up changes during their existence. Original singer Craig Macbeth sadly passed away when they had just one single to their name, a setback which would have finished most bands.
Not the D. They regrouped, found a new vocalist, Fiona Duncan, and ploughed on making loud, proud political punk rock. They released debut album Happy Skies (reviewed here) in 2021, and follow-up Waltz Into Anarchy (reviewed here) two years later.
They’re not ones to stand still and dwell on past achievements, however, preferring to push on and challenge themselves and their audience. Album number three is in the can, hopefully for a 2026 release, and half a dozen of its tracks got an airing here tonight as part of a bludgeoning headline set.
It’s the first time I’ve seen this line-up, with Anthony Bircham on guitar and newest recruit Lisa Lindstedt, the wife of bassist Tony, on keys. Founding drummer Iain Murray completes the five-piece; he’s a keen fella, having already played a gig today with his other band, Monkey’s Blood, before taking to the stage.
He shows no signs of fatigue, but I bet he slept well this night! They start with regular opener No Pasaran, with the antifa anthem setting out their political views from the off, and if that wasn’t clear enough there’s a great new song called Fascist Epidemic in the set too.
Cold, one of the highlights of Waltz Into Anarchy, is next, and it’s a sign of their intent that only three of its tracks made the cut (the title track and Red being the others). Similarly, only the excellent single Final Girl is included from the debut album.
The other new songs which got an airing were Cosmic Light, Varla, White Rose and the wonderful Harbour Walls, a heartfelt celebration of their hometown which was released this summer, and which might just be their best song yet.
There’s no room in the set for old favourites like Chelsea Bonfire or Step Out Of Line, but they finish with traditional closer, Jerusalem, which is as powerful as ever, and leaves us wanting more from this most likeable of bands.
No review would be complete without a mention of the bands who preceded the headliners, and the two tonight were particularly impressive. The openers were Ugly Criers, a Sunderland three-piece who are playing just their second gig.
There’s quite a scene in Sunderland at the minute, with Diaz Brothers, Tearjerker, Black Rain and Dead Wet Things, among others, joining bands like Loaded 44, Hi-Fi Spitfires and Loudmouth in carrying the baton passed on by The Toy Dolls, Red Alert, and Leatherface.
Ugly Criers are guitarist Greg Robson, who’s been making punk music for over 30 years, and relative newcomers Luke Garnham on bass and Nina Mackie on drums. They’ve only released one song, Kick Down The Ladder, which you can hear on Bandcamp HERE, but their debut album is due to be released by Little Rocket Records next year.
It’s the first time I’ve heard let alone seen them, and their half-hour set of melodic hardcore slips down nicely. Robson’s gruff vocals remind me of Hot Water Music, and, dare I say it, Leatherface, and I look forward to hearing their album.
Following in their footsteps are a band who’ve had to travel considerably further than 10 miles to get here, Great Silence, who are from various parts of the north west.
They’re slightly more established, with a self-titled seven-song EP under their belt (also on Little Rocket – check out their roster HERE), and I snap up a copy from the merch table after their set, as I loved their gritty take on melodic punk rock.
Three of the four-piece contribute vocals, and their sound is full of riffs and hooks, powered by the most frantic drumming I’ve seen in a long time.
Again, they’re completely new to me, so I don’t know any of their own songs, but they do play one I recognise: a raucous cover of The Way It Is by ’80s pop-rock band Bruce Hornsby And The Range. I promise you’ve never heard it sound like this!
They’ve got a new EP on the way shortly, and I’d recommend it if you like your punk served loud and gruff! In the meantime, check out the Great Silence EP HERE.
