Rocking it in Worthing! 4 Bands very much LIVE!

Charles Dickens pub – Worthing

TOT presents – LIVID, DRIVE BY KILLS, SLACKRR and DUNCE – all live and loud at The Charles Dickens in Worthing. An extraordinary night of rock, goth and a helping of Pop Punk/Melodic Punk. Whats not to like?

A night of rock! Charles Dickens in Worthing 11/04/2025

TOT presents – LIVID, DRIVE BY KILLS, SLACKRR and DUNCE – all live and loud.

The Charles Dickens pub in Worthing, a great family pub, has been gradually increasing its live music events. Large bar area and outside seating it has become a local favourite. It has also a downstairs live performance area, with its own bar. It features pretty good acoustics and facilities, and seems to be trying to replace Bar 42, and doing a pretty good job. The music nights are becoming increasingly popular and selling out more frequently.

There’s no barrier between you and the bands tonight, no flashy effects, and thankfully no smoke machines.  What we got was honest, in your face, unapologetic music bouncing of the off brick walls. The acoustics were surprisingly sharp, and the gathered crowd and musicians, clearly buzzing from the off, all came together and added to the electric atmosphere.

Click on smaller images to enlarge

Drive-by Kills: “Brighton HorrorGrunge, Noisegaze, Grungy Misery vs Queer Ballads”.

Drive By Kills – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The band is comprised with Carrie on Vox and guitars, Spence on guitars and on bass we have Hazel, David is at the back on drums.

A busy outfit and have an upcoming gig with my pals The Healthy Junkies at The Prince Albert on 19^th April. Later in the year they have a gig at a great venue, The Water Rats in London and in October (4^th) taking part in a big fundraiser at Daltons in Brighton, an Alternative Gathering event. So lots of opportunities to go see  Drive-by Kills.

Carrie is a powerhouse in every sense of the word. She is armed with a guitar and an extraordinary vocal, she effortlessly moved between smooth, emotive verses and ferocious choruses that kept the crowd fed. She has a power and a passion that she brings to every lyric. Whether it was the dark, introspective tones of Misery Porn or the sheer defiance of Sweet Pushover, she delivered each track with conviction and emotional weight. She is backed by a solid crew of musicians who bring it all together. Put it all together and you have the signs of a very class act, Drive By Kills.

The ability of Drive-by Kills to mix that vulnerability with a touch of musical aggression, melody with muscle, is what makes them so compelling. We get a well controlled performance! Very, very impressive. Their set was a hugely enjoyable 30 minutes.

Drive By Kills – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Drive By Kills are on facebook here

Slackrr

Slackrr – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Slackrr

Slackrr – Pop Punk/Melodic Punk from Southampton UK. Another fairly local band who have been real busy of late. They seem to be constantly touring, even when vocalist and guitar player, Scott was in a wheel chair. They have recently featured in Kerrang, various BBC Radio programmes, Takedown Festival, Isle of Wight Festival 2025 and the big one, Rebellion 2025! Steve sings and hammers his guitar in a way that could level a city.

Slackrr – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

On bass, Cait, was a totally rock-solid performance, her constant low-end rumble adding depth and 100% power to the set. I have not seen these guys before but we have a bassist who doesn’t just keep the rhythm — she seems to actually own it. Her chemistry with the drummer, Louis, is undeniable, and together they laid down a foundation that let the songs breathe and punch in all the right places. Put the rocker Steve up front and you have a trio who do it all with style and flair turned up to 11.

Some absolute bangers served up by this trio and included Reflections, Holding On and We Are.

The raw energy and power delivered tonight is something quite exceptional.  A real standout moment came with the live performance of their new single release Never Forget and a crowd pleaser Playing With Fire. What a song to finish the set, and boy, what a set. These guys will leave you with ringing ears, a racing heart, and a renewed belief in the power of raw, honest rock ‘n’ roll. And let’s not forget those shades.

Slackrr – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Slackrr delivered an on point set, they sang, they played and bounced all over the place. They provided a blast!

Slackrr can be found on Facebook here! Go check em out!

Livid

Livid – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Livid, a young outfit. If vocal and guitar based, slightly dreamy but also kick in the pants rock float your boat, you will enjoy their performance. I do want to see them again.

The band are powerful and every bit as good as they look. You get the feeling that every ounce of their collective soul is put into not only the rocking  vibes and sound, but also looking the part too, they all had a great stage aura. Musically I loved the stripped-down ethics from Livid, with Lynn in charge and up front, its all layered with some rather ace guitar playing from Jake, bass is handled by Lyra and tucked away at the back we have Sam on drums. A killer vocal wrapping itself around the crowd it was a splendid goth/rock touch put together by these guys.

Loads of energy, at times maybe a bit raw around the edges, but I love that and I wanted to move, to have myself a little bop. Job done really well. Pounding beats, immense hooks, That’s Livid for ya!

The musical ability of all the band is exemplary, some extraordinary drum patterns and fills, mixed in with a powerful bass line, with such a young band, this performance proves the guys have all gelled together very well into a tight unit.

Livid – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Some top tunes included in their set opening with System, and also Wanted, Excuses and Teenangel.

Loads of energy, at times maybe a bit raw around the edges, but I love that and I wanted to move, to have myself a little bop. Job done really well. Pounding beats, immense hooks, That’s Livid for ya!

This performance proves the guys have all gelled together very well into a tight unit.

Livid – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Well played to the bands I saw, sorry to Dunce as I just missed you. Next time hopefully!

TOT presents – Live Music Promoters at the heart of local grass roots music, showcasing punk, metal, electronica.

““support original live grassroots music. No AI, no karaoke. Riffs but no tariffs!””. Find them on Facebook here https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083193887876&locale=en_GB

Thanks to Drive By Kills, SLACKrrr and Livid. Also thanks to TOT Presents team and the staff of the Charles Dickens.