Friday 02 September 2022 and I saw two bands at The Outpost Not just any 2 bands I might add, but bands that totally blew the socks off to a sell out crowd. Punters from all over squeezed in to a packed-out room, stiflingly hot, sweaty and expectant to what was about to take place.
Biteback, a local 3-piece outfit from Wirral, headed by the legendary Hocky, a man whose presence in the punk scene has been as prolific as punk itself, step up on stage and immediately launch into a set designed to rip your eardrums apart and assault your chest with bone shattering punkiness.
Hocky on vocals and lead doing what he does best spewing forth the original punk ethos of anti-authority, anarchy and chaos. Tune after tune with the occasional banter in-between. The chemistry between him and John on bass is clear to see, perfect timing throughout, nonstop noise from both. John on bass pulled out all the stops for this gig, tight, heavy, hard string work. Pounding bass lines with some backing vocals thrown in to the mix. Not forgetting Phil on drums, he brings experience and amazing talent keeping the other two in check, the beating heart of the band.
I have seen Biteback play countless times, seen different line-ups, and even had the honour of guesting on bass with them a few times, however, I think this was probably the heaviest and loudest I’ve seen them play. It was tremendous to say the least, special shout out to John whose bass playing was taken to another level, the sound was rich, deep and thunderous. A great set by a great band.
The headline band needs no real introduction. One of the “original” punk bands from way back in 1976 from London, numerous singles, 12” albums, and possibly one of the most prolific charting punk bands in the genre’s history. Wherever you see a punk, you will doubtless see a 999 patch on the jacket, or 999 t shirt.
Having seen these a few times, I already knew what was in store, tight, professional musicians with talent matched by few. Nick and Guy up front, Arthur with his usual huge stage presence on bass, and a guesting on drums Tony from the Dinner ladies, I’ll get to him later!
So, where do you start with this lot? it’s easy to spout off about how good they were, but it needs to be said, that sometimes there is no substitute for experience and unbridled talent. Classic after classic, including Homicide, Emergency, Nasty Nasty to name but a few, had the dripping wet sweaty crowd dancing their socks off. Little chats with the crowd between songs, laughter, jokes and of course the obligatory piss taking of the older punks thrown in to the mix.
We all have favourite gigs, and this is most definitely one of them. Speaking of the crowd, it always makes me smile to see a wider age range of people singing along to the songs, laughing and joining in, alongside the older gig goers, I think it fair to say, it’s one of the reasons why this music has stayed the course and is still as relevant today as it was back then, when we see the youth of today embracing it.
Tony on drums, he was asked to step in as the usual drummer was unable to play and he had one run through with the band in the afternoon, and he absolutely smashed it, grinning throughout the whole set, not putting a stroke wrong, worth mentioning.
Words: Johnny Reay, Photos: Johnny Reay/Adrian Wharton/Richie Yates
Links:
999 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/999Offical
999 Web: https://www.nineninenine.net/?fbclid=IwAR0qT465kwClseNCaavf07Twu8fbS8r11eEpOuboe0RIuq2SkwmgQzu4Zi8
Biteback Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BITE-BACK-1569109506696866
Biteback Bandcamp: https://bitebackpunk.bandcamp.com/release
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