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I saw the Test Tubes at the Middle East in Boston about 6 months ago and I saw GBH at the same place last night I have to say that these two bands are among the best punk bands to ever come out of Britain. I have seen other UK bands such as One Way System, Special Duties, UK Subs, and Stiff Little Fingers, but of all those bands, GBH and the Test Tubes most definitely put on the best shows. for a bunch of old "sods" they really kick butt. the other bands are all very good and I'd rate them right up there with GBH and the Test Tubes, but their live shows were nothing special. I got my butt kicked in the pit during the Test Tubes and GBH. after the Test Tubes show, I had about 6 bruises on my face and the GBH show was no better. they still kick so much butt after all these years and I hope they come back to America soon.
Review by: Greg McGregor
Went to see GBH in Toronto tonight at the El Macombo and they were snagged at the border coming into Canada...what happened ? Also, where did they go when they were refused into Canada ??? and what's the closest tour date along the Can-US border into NY State (IE Buffalo) ??
Review by: Ryan
We drove 2 1/2 hrs to Toronto last night, only to read a sign on the door of the club telling us that the band was denied access to the country by our wonderful border guards at our supposedly "free" border. Any word on this, and possible reschedules of the Toronto date? We were really disappointed, and now can't afford to get to see them at one of the other dates.
Review by: Chris Ledroit
I saw GBH in NYC on Saturday night. It was one Helluva show. I can almost die happy now. I plan on going to see them again the next time they play NY and if they play DC or Baltimore.
Billyclub was good too, better than I expected...they played UK82 which was great. The other 2 bands were ok...Blanks 77 was ok and the other one I didn't catch their name.
They didn't play it when I saw them, but 'Womb with a View' is one of my fav. songs, and I saw Colin get some kids on stage
and sang with him...one guy even did all of 'I feel alright'.
Review by: Jason Yaz
The album I picked up was "Journey to the Centre of Johnny Clarkes Head". I picked this one because I recognised "Banned From the Pubs" from several UK comps. and such. I was less than thrilled with the non-song tracks but I really like the songs so I will continue to pick up 1 every week or two when pay-day rolls around. (you know how that goes) It seems that all I do lately is by CD after CD. There seems to be a bit of a resurge of quite a bit of old Punk and Hard-core Records showing up on CD lately. It also helps to have a steady job and I also have only been in NY for 3 years, from a small town near New Orleans in the South. I have seen more shows in the last 3 years than the 10 years I was listening to punk at home. So on to GBH - I started listening to GBH in the Summer of 1984, and I have been waiting since then to see then live. Finally, last Saturday I got my chance. I can only say that it was well worth the wait. As I hoped, they spent the majority of the show on older stuff. Both City Babies and Generals and so on. I stood at the left corner of the stage and went back and forth a bit with the bass player and had Colin sticking the mic. in my face, which I enjoyed immensely . I had a blast and also discovered I am getting to old for the stage, I am going to have to stay in the back from now on. Another interesting bit, one of the opening bands had one of the old bass players from The Exploited, I had a chat with him but cant remember his name. I guess I should have had one less pint. I am planning a trip out to LA and now I am trying to rearrange to to see them again, I'll let you know.
Review by: Jeffrey Babin
Nigel-
In response to your post about the Coney Island High show,
Ticketmaster is selling tickets for this gig, so it seems like it's
official. It better be, as I've got a ticket already. I saw their show
at Life - half of it anyway, as they apparently went on at 9:30 and we
rolled in around 9:45, figuring that we were extremely early (it was a
four-band show that started at 7:30). Apparently, the club was having a
rave at 11:00, so things had to be wrapped up by 10:30. Bunch of
wankers. GBH were fantastic, however. It was the best I've ever heard
them, which was probably due to the fact that they appeared to be sober,
unlike the gigs in the mid-80s when they'd be filled to the gills.
"White Riot" was a nice touch, and extremely appropriate in light of the
mini-riot that erupted outside when one of the gargantuan bouncers popped
an irate girl. I'll never go to that place again, unless it's to chuck a
firebomb. Here's hoping that Coney Island High happens (oh yeah - Jock
announced it twice at the Life show - I just remembered) - I'd like to
hear "Time Bomb."
Cheers
Review by: Rich Squibbs