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ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT
Last seen at Reading playing the Main Stage Rocket From The Crypt are back where they belong – in an intimate environment where their explosive brand of punk ‘n’ roll is best enjoyed. Chunky rhythmic guitars are the premise, augmented by honking sax & searing leads, and coupled with their showmanship, style and unique onstage presence RFTC ensure that when it comes to quality songs & an entertaining live show they won’t be left hanging ‘on a rope’. Ahem. RFTC have just released their 9th album ‘Group Sounds’ via Vagrant Records and, thanks to their re-inventive musical formula, look set to raise new standards when it comes to intense rocking punk music. profiled
REEL BIG FISH
Famed for their poppy ska & skankin’ melodies Reel Big Fish are the ska-punkers reel big catch of the day. In the words of guitarist Aaron: “The main thing is the energy, that crazy frantic energy.” Essential to see purely for their cover of A-ha’s ‘Take On Me’. [profile to come]
GOOD RIDDANCE
Good Riddance are back to blast us with their awesome melodic hardcore, they’re a band to really stomp your heart out to. profiled
SNUFF
Cover versions of well-known TV theme tunes. A singing drummer. Really bad jokes. Just a few things you can expect from cockney ‘erberts Snuff. This group of individuals are something of a legend in the punk rock fraternity and influenced many of the scene’s current stars. Last time they played the Evening Session tent was heaving & the atmosphere looks set to continue this time around.profiled
MAD CADDIES
The Mad Caddies have revolutionised modern punk rock with their pirate-themed ditties as well as the usual super-tuneful blasts of ska-punk toons. Rockabilly, reggae, jazz, surf, country & swing are all styles that find their way into the frivolous psyche of the Caddies & with the aid of those thunderous horns & roaring guitars bursting through the mix the SS Caddy aint takin’ no prisoners.profiled
28 DAYS
Bouncing straight outta sunny Australia is some of the most enjoyable poppy hardcore this side of Pennywise in the form of 28 Days. They’re influenced by such luminaries as Refused & CIV and although not falling strictly into a HC or punk mould they’ve been best described as “a hardcore band that’ve had too much fun, sun and good times!” They’ve been back & forth from Oz to Europe like a bleedin yo-yo and have gained an enviable fanbase as a result. Check ‘em out & see what the fuss is about.profiled
DROPKICK MURPHYS
Take 4 Irish-American hard-as-nails friends, add equal doses of English punk, NY hardcore & Irish folk, shake well with copious amounts of Guinness & whisky and the end result is one loud, raucous & often chaotic band called the Dropkick Murphys. Ask anyone who’s witnessed the ferocity & ardent loyalty that’s present at a DM show and they’ll tell it’s something you just have to see to believe. Their rabble-rousing sing-a-long classics have resulted in a cult following of like-minded working-class fans where the environment of their live show is one of a bagpipe-driven brawl that invokes a friendly solidarity between the band & fans[profile to come]
IGNITE
Ignite are a band that fans of American hardcore should be well-versed with. If you’re not then you certainly will as they look set to rise to the top of the raging hardcore-punk ladder thanks to their recent major label debut ‘A Place Called Home’. Last time they toured the UK [with Agnostic Front] their bassist took over on vocal duties due to their vocalist’s passport problems but now we can witness the band in all their brutal fury. Strong political & social views are what ignites the flame in their punchy hardcore style & through a massive underground following their set looks to be one of the most intense & enjoyable beatdown sessions of the day.[profile to come]
CAPDOWN
If you’re looking for fast-paced frantically-played ska punk on this fine weekend afternoon then look no further than Blighty’s very own Capdown. Unbelievably tight & adrenaline fuelled you look set to lose at least 5 pounds if you feel brave enough to get down & boogie with these guys. Along with Lightyear & King Prawn the UK’s been producing some downright amazing ska-punk & Capdown churn out the most emotive, energy-filled, sweat-soaked ska-core the UK has ever seen. You’d be an absolute fool of the highest order if you choose to miss ‘em.profiled
SHELTER Shelter are a last-minute addition to the Reading bill, replacing Snapcase who, yet again have cancelled a tour of Europe! It’s an ironic replacement considering that when Shelter released last year’s ‘When 20 Summer’s Pass’ album it was supposed to be their parting shot, a final ‘swan-song’ with no touring schedule. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for us, frontman Ray Cappo had recorded some of the best songs in his career, literally forcing him to tour it. Ray Cappo has gained a legion of devoted fans & a tonne of respect through his part in spearheading the straightedge ideology in punk & hardcore over the years but luckily he also knows how to write a good tune or two as well.profiled
SAVE FERRIS
Yes! Yes! Yes! Save Ferris have finally made it over to our fair isle to swing our hips & get us grooving to their low-down energy-sapping music. But what is about Save Ferris that’s so captivating, that makes you go all goose-bumpy at the mere thought of their skankin’ toons? Maybe it’s their vocalist Monique’s spine-tingly, deep, inimitable sultry voice together with the energy, power & sheer strength of the their music which forces a smile on your face & makes you pogo like a loony on too many blue smarties. They look to be showcasing some new material including the song ‘Rock It’, dedicated to all their fans who give ‘em support. Go on. You know you want to.[to be profiled]
LINEA 77
This year should see the meteoric rise of computer-programming Italian quartet Linea 77. If it doesn’t then there’s something terribly wrong! Ten times heavier than all the other acts on this stage, Linea are set to unleash their meaty slabs of mammoth-sized riffs & post-hardcore dual vocal delivery on the unsuspecting Reading crowd. Latest album ‘Ketchup Suicide’ saw the band open up a new dimension of jumpy hardcore metal & in a genre that’s became stale with nu-metal clones it looks like Linea’s time has arrived. [profile to come]
KIDS NEAR WATER
The excellent Kids Near Water’s rapid ascension in the UK emo scene has been truly phenomenal. Having formed in April 2000 from the ashes of Clinch & Cameron they have been stirring up an unprecedented buzz which has seen them touring with the likes of Elliot & Vanilla Pod. Drawing up comparisons from such acts as Jawbox, The Get-up Kids & 12 Hour Turn on their debut 6-track EP ‘Extendedplayerone’ their appearance on the CJ stage will surely give them the exposure they so rightly deserve. profiled
