I had no intention of reviewing this gig because, really, how many times can I say that I enjoy what ‘The Dreadnoughts’ bring to the table? However as I witnessed their lead singer, a man who’s flown in from the U.S.A to be here, dance around a cabbage I felt inspired to write this peice and document this joyful, if not slightly cult-like behaviour. This is the sort of thing that if you don’t witness it for yourself you may never imagine actually happening, and in a world so very full of bad news I think a little bit of whatever this is is entirely needed. Plus, I really should tell you about the new single they’ve released.
So let’s start at the beginning shall we. A lot of these shanty loving cider fans had come in pre-warmed up fresh from a pre-gig gathering hosted by some local musicians, I believe a man named ‘Mexican Dave’ was largely responsible for this. What’s this got to do with cabbages you say? Absolutely nothing ofcourse, but people loved it nonetheless.
Here’s where it gets vegetabley. The opening act was none other than ‘The Surfin Turnips’. Known as a “West Country Renaissance Folk-Punk group, specialising in Scrumpy, Sea songs and West Country pride songs”, and hailed, touchingly by the other bands as the original Cider Punk band. There really could be no one better to kick of the evening known as the ‘CYDER-OCALYPSE’. The band consists of Jamer Turnip (Guitar), Matt Pants (Drums), Titch Wilson (Bass) and Ian O’Star (Accordion). There was another character on stage who’s name I couldn’t tell you but whose antics didn’t go unnoticed. Some sort of continual costume change, marraca playing accompaniment. They played their usual classics, each one swift but funny. Songs such as ‘Oh Apple Tree’, ‘Whip Jamboree’ and ‘The Bright Lights of Chipping Sodbury’ were among the set list. With their infectious enthusiasm for vegetables and traditional folk strangeness it wasn’t long before they had the entire room, linked arm in arm and circleing a man weilding a cabbage.
Next up was the infamous ‘Skimmity Hitchers’ known for their own brand “blend of razor sharp parodies and original material, raucous stage show, spontaneous audience interaction, cheeky banter and general cider shenanigans”. The band is Drum Chedder (Drums), Magners O’Magnersson (Double Bass), Brian Ferret (Guitar) Led by Tatty Smart (Vocals) a.k.a Kev who I believe is responsible for keeping this niche community thriving through the various events he curates and all the hard work he does. The band keep everyone laughing, drinking and dancing to songs such as ‘Pint of Cider’ and ‘West Country Holiday’. At some point during every set they unleash a badger apon the crowd. Atleast they volunteer as audience member and dress them up as ‘Baz the Badger’. I think it might have been Mexican Dave this time. It’s charming, strange and light hearted as most of the evening has been.
Then ‘The Dreadnoughts’ took over the stage and declared world war 3. That’s when it really kicked off, the evening that is, not the war.
The band known for their Polka-Punk, cider infused Shanties have come back somewhat politically charged and in this current climate it’s not hard to see why.
People follow this band around from all over the world because they never fail to make everyone lose their minds, to sweat more than you think is possible and to have a darn good time of it. Amongst the chaos of the evening there was all sorts of band swap overs, we had ‘Dreadnoughts’ Nick on the Accordion with ‘Skimmity Hitchers’, we had Jamers join Nick and co for Bristol classic ‘Turbo Island’, we even had two members of ‘The Longest Johns’ show up and help round out the show singing ‘Leave Her Johnny Leave Her’. I’d like to fully explain to you who was on stage however even without the extra guests this band is an ever evolving powerhouse, with many changing parts so I’ll give a brief run-down.
Frontman Nick Smyth, is an unstoppable force as ever and battled through a failing guitar strap atleast three times seemingly without missing a note before he was handed a replacement. Pauly Shore is majestic creature in himself, I have never seen an accordion player get so much air, whatever he is he must continue to be it. The other members are truly coming into their own, they were relatively new the first time I saw this line up and it’s abundantly clear how well they have bonded into this cohesive unit. Ofcourse held together by the OG on Drums Marco Bieri who’s plays so unwavering and intentionally that the drums are enough to set the tone and carry you through whatever historical, nautical, cider soaked voyage the band aim to take you on. These guys have some new music coming out I will get you a review up shortly.
