The Dry Retch, Spam Javelin, MRI and Liv Fairclough Gig Review - 22 October 2021

Last nights jollifications were brought to you by The Last Stop Sounds hosted by the amazing Outpost Liverpool under the Funhouse banner, and what a jolly evening of entertainment it was too.

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the city and came across a busker Liv Fairclough Incredible voice, with a gift to express herself perfectly. After a little chat with her, subsequently speaking to the Funhouse/Last Stop crew we went about getting her on to open the night's proceedings. Liv integrated herself well with a great set of her own tunes accompanying her powerful voice with some great acoustic guitar playing. Her strong sense of humour and wry choice of song subjects kept it all rolling forward. ‘This ones a love song’ she announces before launching into a sweet and wistful lament. Liv then explains the next song with ‘this ones not a love song, but it’s about the same person’ before launching into a full on musical attack with the chorus ‘F U C K you in every conceivable non-sexual way’.There are some amazing talents out there on the street, always worth a listen, and it's important to give local talent an opportunity.

Next up, another band that has been around for a while, and a band i'd not had the pleasure of seeing, I give you MRI, Richie Dave and Ben. In their words, shouty rock n roll punk, in mine, a superb outfit that mixes styles of rock, with loud fast rhythms, complimenting each other to deliver, in my opinion, a bit of a unique sound. Damn good band with exceptional musicians.

All the way from North Wales, Spam Javelin stepped up to give their usual raucous, in ya face fuck off punk rock. Old school punk, with some vicious lyrics, super fast lead guitar, linked perfectly with drum and bass. Bloody good band these, who aren't afraid to throw it at the audience at full belt. I’ve always heard a hint of anarchic space rockers Hawkwind in Spam Javelins eclectic style, many have looked at me puzzled and called me mad but tonight they launch into a hyper aggressive version of that bands ‘Urban Guerrilla’ either to prove me right or shut me up.

Finally, they who are The DRY RETCH, our resident bunch of misfits spewing forth their noise with speedy aplomb. A blistering set from the Retch tonight, with searing vocals and tremendous musicianship. Their set is full of showstoppers like ’12,000 miles’ from you and ‘Pray for Rain’. The sharp rhythm guitars and bass sitting ontop of what must be one of the most thunderous set of drums I’ve come across in years are supplemented by soaring psych like lead guitar and all gathered in by harsh vocals in a tsunami of noise that can take your breath away.