Brighton Punk Picnic 2: A Delicious Sunday afternoon!

The Witchdoktors: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Witchdoktors bring it: supercharged hypnosonic rock’n’roll. Skinny Milk bring it: heavy percussion/razored riffs. Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion bring it: withTequila!

Sunday 28 November 2021: The Prince Albert Event by An Alternative Gathering:

Witchdoktors / Skinny Milk / Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion

It was a bitterly cold Sunday afternoon, and the doors of the Prince Albert were about to be pushed open for an afternoon of punk, rock and a helping of Garage. l think this event was pretty close to a sell out, and instead of sitting around watching repeats of Murder She Wrote or an Attenborough nature programme, it was time to get up, get out and enjoy three super bands.

The Witchdoktors: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The mighty WitchDoktors had rolled into town, arriving in their supercharged Hypnosonic rock’n’roll mobile, with a new set of wheels! The Prince Albert in Brighton was gonna shiver and shake this afternoon.

WitchDoktors band

PLANET ANDY: Lead Holler, Gretsch ‘n’ Gibson Geetars, loud attire
BIG T: Gibson ‘n’ Gretsch Geetars, B.Vox, Gob Iron, shades
LEE DAIRY PAGE: Bass, smiles, shades and hat.
MR COLFAR: Drum kits. Wild wild wild youth.

The Witchdoktors: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Singer Andy Last, armed with his silver Gretsch, has a shed load of energy, charisma and charm. And he leads from the front!

The WitchDoktors have tuned and tweaked to perfection their shows. They grab their audience and, they almost make you feel you are part of the band and performance. They love their audiences and it shows.The audience loves them right back! I had a feeling this was going to be “a ballad free zone”. I wasn’t wrong! No slowies or “fillers” just pure in your face joyous rock and roll. Again, I can confirm there is not a weak spot this afternoon in their set.

The Witchdoktors: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The well put together set belted along nicely, the guys clearly wanting to get as much in as possible. The set included a couple tracks from the wonderful Voodoo Eye album. What we were being served with was sheer bloody class as were handed out a fast paced Voodoo Eye as Tony slides his pick down his guitar stings. Also Jackhammer seemed to take on a life of its own as it bumped into the crowd. A perfect mix of trashy 60’s garage and heads down 70’s punk snarl was making its mark!

The Witchdoktors: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Set:

Movie Star, Tie Me Up, No Pain No Gain, Jackhammer, Candystar (new song), New Set Of Wheels, Spanner In The Works (new song), Voodoo Eye, Brothers, Neck Tattoo, Before The War (new song),

Encore: Neat Neat Neat (Damned cover)

Click on image to enlarge photo

The Witchdoktors are exciting to watch. They never let up. I have seen the guys a few times now, and always leave you wanting more. These guys are the real deal with a fistful of great songs. The band give you a show that is dirty, raw and and delivered by an amp blasting out a fist full of attitude! They are some of the nicest guys out there. The set is full of fiery tunes but always interlaced with hilarious band banter, or chat with the audience. Hell, just go see them play! Doktors Orders! ( err yes, that’s with a K)

The Witchdoktors are on Facebook.

All washed down with a glass of Skinny Milk

SKINNY MILK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Skinny Milk – back out there and seriously kicking it hard – naturally. I have been a huge fan of these two since day one and have been lucky enough to get to know them and they have been so gracious to allow me to photo them. These guys should be on your radar if you like it loud and fast. Great to see them as Skinny Milk, as their other incarnation as Top Left Club is seriously getting noticed.

SKINNY MILK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Skinny Milk are two musicians Johnny Hart on Bass and vocals and Tim Cox on drums. They are from Brighton and are favourites here at Scene Sussex. They are an exciting band to watch. Outside you think there is a full band playing, when you step inside its just two of them. Let me tell you they create an awesome racket. Some fine songs and also some releases of their music and the possibility of an album coming up very soon!

SKINNY MILK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

SKINNY MILK: SET LIST

Alright, Take It All, C’mon, What Will Be, Blood, Here It Comes, Shadowplay, Rat King, Under Your Skin, Creature.

Seriously lovin’ the new material guys and so good to hear C’mon and Creature again – damn its been ages!

SKINNY MILK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

SKINNY MILK have been ripping it large since January around 2016, I think I was at their first gig!  Both these guys have been incredibly active in the DIY punk scene in Brighton.They have put out a selection of EP releases and cassettes of their singles.

Their bombardment of heavy percussion and razored riffs drenched in reverb vocals is so powerful. They hava an established and growing fanbase – oh yes, they harness the power of a nuclear power plant and create a level of noise that is almost eye watering but it is dangerously catchy.

SKINNY MILK: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

So, if you like it loud with loads of guitars, bass and kicking drums with lots of hair thrown in then Skinny Milk are good for you. Tops Off! Shorts on!! Skinny Milk are in the house!

Skinny Milk are on Facebook

Time for a starter? Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Now, regular readers will be aware of my love for these guys. Their music is great, theri banter is hilarious and between that and a gulping down of Tequila shots, they always put on a top set of classics.

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

“When the surf is down these guitar slingers and bongo bashers head for the seedier side of the 60’s to plunder the vaults of rock’n’roll to play you their favourite garage, psychedelic bubblegum tunes!“. Despite their constant hilarious self deprecation, these guys are good, real good. They will entertain you.

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Brighton garage punk troubadors, Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion features members from Surfin’ Lungs, Los Fantasticos, The Squadron Leaders and The Delmonte 3. Clive – will always have a story, usually revolving around his tambourine, no, that’s not a euphemism! He claimed the recent one, pictured above, was purchased from Ebay and was purportedly once the said item of a certain Liam Gallagher. OK Clive – we believe you!

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Great to see young Will back behind a kit after so long. He really is a top class drummer.Last time I saw these guys they were all suitable attired in Christmas regalia, not tonight and Steven was up front middle powering out his bass and vocals. The vocals are swapped amongst the band and they are all really rather good at it.

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Pic by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion: Setlist (almost)

Thunderin’ Guitars, Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White, Psycho (The Sonics) The Letter Quick Joey Small, Little Bit O’ Soul, Primitive also California Sun, and the wonderful Ramblin’ Rose.

I recall an earlier set someone remarked how good it was to hear a Ramones cover for Little Bit O’ Sole and California Sun, still makes me chuckle! Also mentioned with fair regularity was the gig with The Bellrays featuring Dusty Watson (The Sonics), and so we get told that story every time Psycho is played, just in case ya missed it last time – keep on reminding us. It was a special Albert moment. I love it when they do mention it because I can then roll out the photo!

Thee Sherbert Peardrop Explosion and Dusty Watson

I love this outfit. The will make you smile and give your ears a tequila soaked massage of the highest order. Catch the Sherberts if you can, always great songs and a warm sense of humour will transport you through their set. They really are rather good and, as I say, they will leave you smiling and that right foot tapping. Well played guys!

Thee Sherbet Peardrop Explosion are on Facebook

And Finally:

A Huuuge shout out to An Alternative Gathering

This event was the second Punk Sunday Lunch, and was organised by An Alternative Gathering. I missed the first one. I will not miss the 3rd, taking place in January! Cant wait.

More pics and words on Brighton and Hove News – words by Richie Nice, pics by me! Check it out here.

Like what we do here? Give us a follow on Twitter and Instagram, and we have a Facebook page also. We work hard with the artists, the venues and the crowd to bring you the best photos and reviews across the area. Keep Music LIVE! Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook.

Please note all original images / video are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists/promoters/venues want copies of the images – or more if available – please just get in touch.

All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2021.

Got an event coming up? Need some gig photography, promo shots, previews or reviews? – please get in touch! See you down the front – come and say “hi!”