It was a dark and stormy night: Oi Oi!

It was a dark and stormy Tuesday night – and we weren’t a multitude at the Hare and Hounds for our Rock for Rights gig. Indeed, I felt so happy when one or two people walked through the door that I wanted to go over and welcome them personally; thankfully, I didn’t, as that might have seemed a little unnerving. But. And despite. There might not have been too many people there but there was a truly positive energy in that room, thanks to the three wonderful bands and to our  skilled and luvved up deejays, Mattie, Melon and Dave, who kept the positivity going throughout. On top of that, every single person that came along and everybody who helped out – including the guys at the H&H themselves, who couldn’t have been more helpful and friendly.

The first band of the evening, Wiarwan, our very own West Midlands West Coast trio, played a mellow but often euphoric set – with a real sense of social concern. For example, ‘Go Grab a Gun’ is a song about an army doctor court-martialled for his opposition to the Iraq war – and ‘Bubble’, which, frankly, is just spectacular and just carried me away to some serene and beautiful place of the imagination.

Hare and Hounds sound guy to theycamewithweapons during soundcheck: “So you sing quite softly?” “No, we scream!” And with such style! theycamewithweapons are another trio but they make such an insane and wonderful noise – I’m not quite sure how – but it was pure power and impact. Music from another dimension!

We then were honoured by activist Faye, who read for us her own poem written for the thousands and millions killed because of the arms trade. Perhaps Faye will publish the poem so we can see it here in the blog…

And finally our star turn – all the way from Italy – Devocka played like their lives depended on it; real muscular power, a dynamic sound and a very powerful front man who put EVERYTHING into his performance. This was hypnotic showmanship of the highest order with the driving music of a closely knit band driving hard behind him. The singing was in Italian, but through the sheer power of the performance, I felt I just knew what he was saying – Devocka have some new fans in Birmingham, that’s for sure.

It was a really great and positive night (Oi Oi to lovely Abi!) and I say let’s do this again now we’ve had a practice – but bigger! And I wouldn’t hesitate in having the same three bands next time – you guys just rock on every level! Find out for yourselves:

• Wiarwan
• theycamewithweapons
• Devocka