The upside of the outrageous drinks prices in the Winter Gardens is that I cut down how much alcohol I downed on day one, so it’s with a clear head that I approach day two.
After yesterday’s glut of must-see bands, there’s only a handful I don’t want to miss today, so where better to start than the RIS stage, where R.P.C are opening the days proceedings.
They’re completely new to me, and a little research reveals they’re are an Irish punk band based in Bristol and Brighton, who were formed during the pandemic.
Their sound is dance and thrash-infused hardcore/skate punk, and they have a couple of EPs to their name. They make a pleasant enough racket, but after a few songs I decide to seek out something else.
Down in the Arena, Spleen have just started their set. The three-piece are a young Italian indie-punk band, whose sound has more than a hint of early ’90s grunge, and I like them a lot.
They released their debut album Gush on Contempo Records a couple of months ago, and I immediately add it to my playlist on my streaming service of choice.
It’s back to RIS next for Thronk!, a band I’ve been recommended by a friend, Welsh artist Colin Scott (aka colcreamcrop), whose health sadly prevents him being here this weekend.
Self-described as DIY punk chancers, the three-piece from Newport remind me of a cross between Pizzatramp and Wonk Unit, and they’ve got a song called There’s No A.I.in Team, so they’ll do for me. Check them out on Bandcamp HERE.
Next up are one of the bands I want to see today, Fantazmaz. They were due to play at one of my local venues, The Doll at The Black Bull in Gateshead, a few weeks ago, but had to postpone because one of their members, drummer-for-hire Jamie Oliver, was touring elsewhere.
They’ll be rescheduling that date, so this is the first chance I’ve had to see the band, who (Jamie apart) are from Brazil but based in London. They released their self-titled debut album (reviewed here) in the summer and I can’t wait to see their incendiary live show.
It’s worth the wait, as they’re a great live act, with their pacey hardcore slipping down a treat, even in the Casbah, with diminutive frontwoman Thami owning the big stage. Check out their album on Bandcamp HERE
As we head back into the horseshow we’re drawn to the Pavilion, where Malad are going down a storm. I’ve never heard of them, but they’re a Dutch five-piece who play a fast-paced blend of streetpunk, laced with hardcore energy.
They are excellent, probably the find of the festival so far, and I’m so impressed that I stay for the rest of their set, missing the start of rising stars Split Dogs down in the Empress.
Sadly, they’ve only got cassette copies of their self-titled debut album, which are no use to me, as I no longer have anything to play tapes on. Bandcamp is going to make some money out of me on the next Bandcamp Friday, I can tell you. Do check out Malad HERE, they’re tremendous.
Down in the ballroom, word has obviously spread about how good Split Dogs are. The Bristol punk rock ‘n’ rollers only made their Rebellion debut two years ago, but they’ve packed the place out, and it’s just past 2.30pm. Our vantage point on the balcony is ideal to watch frontperson Harry strutting her stuff like a young Tina Turner, dressed in a shimmering silver outfit and boots with a heel that could do you serious damage.
They mix glam-flavoured songs like And What? and Monster Truck from their last album Here To Destroy (reviewed here) with tracks from forthcoming third offering Nice ‘N’ Rough, and they go down a storm. If they maintain their current rate of progress – they only formed in 2023 – watch them rise up the bill here, maybe all the way to the top. If somehow you’ve never heard of them, check them out HERE.
Staying in the Ballroom, we watch the start of The Hotknives, an ’80s ska band from Horsham in Sussex who were cult favourites before splitting in 1993. They reformed in ’94 and have been a going concern ever since, albeit with none of the original members. The current line-up does include singing bassist Mark Carew (also of Long Tall Texans) and keyboardist Bosky from the ’94 line-up, and they appear to be having a blast with a set of skank-along classics.
I’m not familiar enough with their music, so decide to head to the Casbah to catch another band who’ve been recommended to me, Unrivalled. They’re an oi! band from Cornwall formed by ex-Arch Rivals frontman Mike Brands in 2024, and they’re completely new to me. I figure that if I like Riot City radio, who also feature ex-members of Arch Rivals, I’ll also like Unrivalled, and that’s not far off the mark, despite the shitty sound and the fact I don’t know any of their songs. They don’t appear to be on Bandcamp, so it’s another one to search for on the streaming app I think.
Riskee & the Ridicule have become firm Rebellion favourites since their debut in 2019, and for the third year in a row they’re given a main stage slot and absolutely smash it. The Kent five-piece’s grime-punk blends hardcore music with rap-style vocals, and they’re a stunning live act, with frontman Scott one of those energised figures you can’t take your eyes off.
They somehow beat the ban (see my review of day one) to play a fringe gig at Bootleg Social last night, but there’s no signs of a hangover as they wheel out classics like Bodybag, Banger and Kaboom!, as well as throwing in a new song, Ghetto Blaster, before ending with crowd-pleaser Accelerate. They’re another band who will surely rise to the very top of the bill.
After such an adrenalin rush, it’s time to calm things down a bit, so we adjourn to the Spanish Hall stage, where Yorkshire ska band Random Hand are playing an almost acoustic set a couple of hours before their full set. It’s very different to their usual high-octane show and pulls a good crowd. They’re even smartly dressed, so you can relax and watch their set without worrying that their guitarist is going to pop out of his usual attire – a very brief pair of shorts!
Goldblade have been Rebellion regulars for years, but have been missing for the last few, so it seems appropriate that they’re back for the 30th anniversary. Frontman John Robb seems delighted to be back, and spends almost as much time among the crowd as he does on stage, which gives security kittens. Their set, including songs like Strictly Hardcore and Jukebox Generation, is as good as ever, but we miss the end, so we can catch the start of Random Hand‘s main set in the Casbah.
We don’t stay for the whole thing, however, as Ferocious Dog are making their last-ever Rebellion appearance in the Ballroom. The place is rammed as Red Ken and his folk-punk band attack their set with gusto, kicking off with Haul Away Joe and ploughing through the likes of Gallows Justice and Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya. Their hour on stage flies by, and it’s hard to believe we’ll never see them here again, as they continue their farewell tour of the UK.
There’s a new stage this year, the Conference Circle, which is set up once the Literary Stage is done for the day, so we head up there to catch some of Guitar Gangsters. It’s a big space, with plenty of seats at the back for the less able, and once we find the sweet spot for sound we enjoy the half dozen songs we hear, including two new songs, So Far So Good and Fake, both from a new album which is in the works.
Sadly, we can’t stay, as we’ve got one of those unfortunate clashes which happen every year, so it’s down to the Opera House for a sit down at The Bar Stool Preachers acoustic set. They’re late on, as the previous act over-ran by 10 minutes, but crack on and make the most of what could be their last Rebellion appearance for a while (see yesterday’s review).
There’s an entirely different vibe to their acoustic set, even if they do push the definition of ‘acoustic’ to its limits! The wonderful Lighthouse Keeper gets its obligatory airing, they cover Suicide Girls by Cock Sparrer, and Love The Love is perhaps the highlight of a set packed with them. The format demonstrates the musicianship of the band, and showcases the vocal talent of frontman TJ (and guitarist Ebonie, whose backing vox are a revelation!).
It’s an emotional show, but there’s no time to get sentimental, as we need to be down in the Casbah for the return of Booze & Glory. They’ve pulled a massive crowd, and the first thing you notice is their backdrop paying tribute to Lou Koller, frontman of NYC hardcore legends Sick Of It All, who recently lost his battle with cancer.
That’s particularly poignant, as B&G frontman Marek recently won his own battle with the disease. The latest line-up is very different to the one I saw at my first Rebellion in 2012, with Marek the only original member, but they still play a rousing brand of singalong oi!
Their set is packed with modern oi! classics like Leave the Kids Alone, Blood From A Stone, Swingin’ Hammers, London Skinhead Crew and the brilliant Only Fools Get Caught, which will be in my head for days. Forget the fact B&G are no longer UK-based; if you get the chance go to see them, you won’t regret it.
Staying in the Casbah, it’s time to roll back the years with The Boys, who were formed in 1976, which was year zero for punk rock in the UK. They made two classic albums, and the current line-up still features two original members in guitarist Matt Dangerfield and Casino Steel on organ.
Their melodic sound – closer to power-pop than ‘punk’ – slips down a treat as they wheel out classics like Brickfield Nights and First Time (for me, one of the best punk singles of all, though nowadays they wouldn’t get away with a song about losing your virginity!).
From an old band close to my heart to one I’ve heard good things about but never seen: Deaf Devils were another band who were due to play a venue near me, but had to cancel when their van broke down in Scotland.
They’re from Spain and call themselves a death punk/action-rock band, led by a ‘she-devil’ called Lucyfer who’s another one of those captivating vocalists who you can’t take your eyes off.
I don’t know a single song by them, but they’re hugely entertaining, and they play their last couple of numbers in the middle of the crowd, complete with a hastily-dismantled and reassembled drumkit, with Lucyfer held aloft by the crowd. I hope to see them again, at closer quarters, as they look and sound like enormous fun.
Bar Stool Preachers frontman TJ asked his band’s fans to go and see Bite Me Bambi in the Arena, but he would, wouldn’t he? He’s married to the lead singer, Tahlena. He’s true to his word, and most of BSP are among the crowd as BMB take the stage.
They’re from Orange County, California, and play an infectious brand of ska-punk, with Tahlena proving she’s just as much a bundle of energy onstage as TJ. I don’t know their stuff, other than their cover of The Offspring’s Want You Bad, which works surprisingly well as a ska-punk song. Another band to add to the ‘check ’em out further’ list.
The night is almost over, but not quite, as I pay a quick visit to the Casbah to catch a bit of The Business. I thought we’d seen the last of the ’80s London oi! stalwarts when frontman Micky Fitz died in 2016, and Rebellion paid its tribute to him in 2019, with the band playing with guest singers.
Recent years have seen members of the classic line-up reunite for a few shows, and here they’re joined by Roi Pearce from the Last Resort and Trevor Taylor from Crown Court for a run through the likes of Real Enemy, Smash The Discos and Harry May. Surprise, surprise, the rattly sound does them no favours, even though there’s a big crowd in, so it’s time to head back to the B&B, with punk anthems of my youth running through my head.
I’ve seen 19 bands today, two less than yesterday, with eight of them new to me. My legs, my back and my voice ache, but am I ready to do it all again tomorrow? You betcha.
Friday’s 6 of the best (in no particular order): Spleen, Malad, Split Dogs, Riskee & the Ridicule, Bar Stool Preachers acoustic, Booze & Glory.
