By DJ Astrocreep
A local gig sees me take in the Invisible Wind Factory for the first time ever, which almost feels like a crime against music, considering the work the owners have done in previous venues. Being slightly out of town into the docks makes for a slightly different trip than usual and the venue is actually great, once you get past the queuing issues. With a couple of supports to get us in the mood before The Chats come on, it should be a good old fashioned punk rock show, with plenty of bark to add to the musical bite.
Our first support are London punks Rifle, our first five piece of the night, who seem to have as much footing in the old mod scene as the punk, with a touch of Californian style hardcore thrown into the mix. They’re certainly enjoyable enough, quite tight and well rehearsed, taking full advantage of the slot they’ve given. They go down well with the busying room, who are quick to appreciate their efforts, with their singer even catching a can of some alcohol in the penultimate song, downing it in two giant gulps during their set closer. They have the potential to push further into the ÜK punk scene and beyond, judging by this performance and should take this experience to now start climbing the rungs.
Fellow Aussie punk newcomers The Prize have joined The Chats for a lot of their dates and it’s easy to hear why soon after they take to the stage. Led from the rear by drummer and co-vocalist Maggy Luyten, the five piece make a considerable din for quite an affable punk rock quintet. Three guitars may seem a lot for a punk band, but the way they take turns to harmonize and lead shows a good level of rehearsal, trust and knowledge of each other, while the rhythm section more than stands its ground alongside the three.
It’s very likeable stuff and the catchy choruses soon have myself and others singing along as the songs go on. Their 30 minute set is a good build up with what’s to come, delivering some very good melodic punk and a great bridge from our first support to headliner.
So, our headline band. Definitely not my usual prog show. No 13 songs across thee hours of music tonight. Tonight is all about the short, sharp shock of raucous pub punk and The Chats know best to deliver it. Using all the energy of their youth yet churning out songs with the ease and fluidity of an act far more established, we get an almost lightning strike of 25 songs in a blistering 52 minutes of absolute carnage.
The band are smack on form and clearly loving life playing in Liverpool for the first time to a rammed 1500 capacity crowd. The basic structure of their songs belies the beauty of just how tight the band is. It would be easy enough to be sloppy and let standards lag when you’re playing such busy shows, but the talented trio absolutely smash it out of the ball park once more. It’s actually great to see them taking such control of the stage now, having seen them on their first UK tour a few years previously and almost seemingly a touch afraid and playing at a bit more of a relaxed pace then compared to their frenetic pace now.
There’s barely time to breath between songs, never mind to talk too much, as we are assaulted by wave after wave of sonic attack. Whether it’s first massive crowd pleaser ‘6L GTR’ a few songs in or the finishing quartet of ‘Smoko’, ‘Better Than You’, ‘Rock and Roll All Nite’ and ‘Pub Feed’, there’s an electricity that runs through the crowd. The biggest songs do provoke an excellent response and it’s clear that the love goes both ways. The pit is there from the get go and there is just such a passion pouring out in the best natured type of way.
A superb show.
- The Chats return to the ÜK in the summer, playing the Reading Festival on Friday 22 August and the Leeds Festival on Saturday 23 August.
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