Round the corner from Deptford Bridge stands the legendary Birds Nest. This small unassuming pub, home to a gaggle of friendly locals and their dog, who I’ve had the pleasure of meeting on numerous occasions, is an absolute gem and cornerstone of the London punk scene. My tipple is the ever awkward real ale which, this evening, is bottled and various and I start off with a Bombardier. Tonight is courtesy of Pus Promos’ Andy Howells, and yet again he’s managed to put on an incredible line-up, all for free.
In no time at all, Dicky Swaffles is on stage, armed only with his guitar. The self proclaimed “northerner” strums out a series of punk covers, ranging from Aqua’s Barbie Girl and Wannabe by the Spice Girls to NOFX’s Bob and other skate punk favourites. He is warmly received by us “southerners”, even taking a few requests, and does a great job of warming everyone up.
Next up are the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. This lively four-piece from Camberley play good solid hardcore punk, with a hint ska thrown in for good measure, and are right at home in this line-up. Their anarchic energy, style and commitment to the DIY punk ethos has rightfully earned them support slots for legendary bands such as Sham 69 and the UK Subs and their performance tonight is good frenzied fun. The band also brought with them an inexhaustible supply of Buckfast (it gets you fuckedfast), which made the rounds on stage with the bands throughout the rest of the night.
I leave to get some fresh, albeit muggy air. Picnic benches are strewn outside, all overlooking the decaying carcass of a dilapidated Routemaster; the number 30 to “nowhere”, and I sit and chat punk over another pint while Luvdump are setting up. This blistering crack-rock-steady outfit from Bury St Edmunds are no strangers to Deptford and play a raucous chaotic mix of hardcore punk and fiendishly fast ska. The singer joins in with the people dancing at the front and at one point the crowd decide to mob the bass player and hoist him into the air. Gigs at the Nest are always intimate affairs; I fondly recall getting stabbed in the shoulder by the slide of the Hostiles trombone on a particularly long glist. This is what gigs should be like.
I manage to sink one last ale, chatting to new friends and congratulating band members, before Thee Infidels make their way to the stage. The aggressive crack-rock-steady four piece from Frankfurt are in the UK on an intrepid whirlwind four day tour, ending at the Nest. They play a fantastic set of resilient, triumphant tunes with socially conscious lyrics and shout along choruses, reminiscent of the Infested and early Choking Victim. Despite a cancellation in Bolton the previous night, forcing an unscheduled detour via a gig in Derby, the band are in high spirits, and it’s more than just the Buckfast. They receive a warm and enthusiastic reception and are definitely a high point of the evening, leaving everyone watching wanting more. I doubt this will be their last visit to Deptford and I can’t wait to see them again soon.
I must admit, by now I’m getting tired and I sheepishly order a water from the bar in preparation for the final voluntary assault on every single muscle in my body. Fresh from a two week UK tour with staggering genrefucks Beat the Red Light, somehow the JUNK still have it in them to drive all the way from Brighton and headline the Nest. They dish out mean angry skacore, together with horn driven punk without any of the clichés, and are on exceptionally tight form starting with a new track “Left For Dead”. Their energy is infectious and spreads through the audience like wildfire, turning the pit into a maelstrom of flinging limbs, punching fists and the odd stray shoe. Despite being down a sax and a trumpet player, the band hardly fit on the 6 inch high stage; the brass tonight is all courtesy of Laura on trombone. Halfway through the set the bass drum calls it quits, but lead vocalist Jake averts a lull, grabbing a guitar and performing a stripped down solo number while the repairs are made. After the ad hoc but impressive interlude, the JUNK don’t hold back, furiously rattling through most of the tracks from their latest release on Bad Mood Records and Twelve Step Plan. After 45 minutes of relentless skanking, shouting, occasional pit brawling and slipping up in beer, the JUNK end their set on a high with sing along favourite “Far From Here”.
Shattered, I pick up a copy of The JUNK’s latest album Problem. Reaction. Solution. along with LUVDUMP’s Information is Power, thank Andy for the night and stumble onto the night bus home. Gig well done.
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