The King Blues + Louise Distras + Sickoftheriot @ The Asylum, 27th January, 2017
Opening the show this evening was never going to be easy due to the very early stage time, however hand-chosen Birmingham punk three piece Sickoftheriot rose to the occasion and entertained the ever growing crowd.
Next up was main tour support Louise Distras, who was absolutely excellent at getting the crowd ready for the evening ahead. Backed by a full female band, Distras was highly entertaining with catchy and lively punk songs that engaged the almost full room. She’s definitely an act to check out in the future, and I’ll be sure to attend her next trip to Birmingham.
In these troubling times we’re facing, it’s perhaps unsurprising that The King Blues songs seem more relevant than ever before. With only Itch as an original member, these songs sound more reenergised and exciting than they perhaps did upon the band reuniting early last year. After another solo section from Itch within the middle of the show, dressed in a full suit, the band then return to perform an hour and a half hour set spanning both the past of the band and perhaps more importantly the future.
Earlier in the day that band had announced new record ‘The Gospel Truth’ off of which the band performed ‘Heart of a Lion’ and ‘Bullington Boys’. Whether the band can make an impact in the mainstream as perhaps they did on their first incarnation will remain to be seen, however the passion and love shown in this room this evening hints towards a very bright and rewarding future.
Set List
What If Punk Never Happened
Let’s Hang The Landlord
Set The World On Fire
I Want You
We Ain’t Never Done
The Streets Are Ours
Underneath This Lamppost Light
Shooting Fascists
Out Of Luck
Poems and Songs
My Boulder
Starting Fires
Heart of a Lion
I Got Love
Headbutt
Bullington Boys
Hold On Tight
Modern Life Has Let Me Down
Mr Music Man
Tear Us Apart
When the Revolution Comes
If I Had A Coin
Off With Their Heads
Save The World, Get The Girl
Reviewer – Dan Earl
Photographer – Steve Kilmister