INTRODUCING: Chubby and The Gang

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They definitely have a punk/rock fuelled heart coupled with fury in there, and, oh yes, the sense of fun is there also. A superb display in Resident Records and an upcoming gig in Brighton at The Green Door Store.

Introducing: Chubby and The Gang

London punk five-piece Chubby and the Gang have recently announced their signing to Partisan Records  who have Fontaines DC, Laura Marling, Fela Kuti, and IDLES in their stable. They have  shared a new song ‘Union Dues‘, originally written/recorded alongside their acclaimed 2020 debut LP Speed Kills. In addition, the group has shared a new Looney Tunes-meets-West London video for Speed Kills highlight ‘All Along the Uxbridge Road‘. Eagle-eyed viewers will clock famed West London venue Bush Hall in the video and the band were excited to be dropping into Resident Records in Brighton for an in-store performance and a meet and greet session for their new album The Mutts Nutts.

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The band, fronted by local electrician Charlie Manning, Chubby and the Gang have been leading a pack of bands coming out of a new wave of British Hardcore. Underneath an unrelentingly fun concoction of hardcore, pub rock, doo wop, and blues, Speed Kills boasts songs of deep substance and political conscience with a precise sense of time and place and this is continued in the second album.

Chubby and The Gang: Charlie Manning photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Chubby And The Gang: The Band.

Chubby and The Gang are presently made up as follows: Charlie Manning Walker (aka Chubby Charles – vox and harmonica) backed by Tom ‘Razor’ Hardwick (guitar), Meg Brooks Mills (Bass), Ethan Stahl (guitar) and Joe McMahon (aka the Gang – Drums).

Charlie Manning Walker

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Guitars

Ethan Stahl

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

And

Tom ‘Razor’ Hardwick

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

On bass guitar:

Meg Brooks Mills

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Man at The Back:

Joe McMahon

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Resident Records

Chubby and The Gang dropped into Resident Records early September 2021. Lockdowns had been eased and anticipating the store to be busy we got there early to ensure a good spot! The guys packed themselves into a corner of the store and prepared to launch into a set I wasnt really expecting! They were loud! I think the Resident staff would have had to redress some of the shelving due to the vibrations! I was due to visit Lewes later and I am pretty damn sure they could hear these guys from there!

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Chubby And The Gang setlist:

Chubby And The Gang Rule OK?
The Mutt’s Nuts *
Can’t Tell Me Nothing
On The Meter *
Beat That Drum *
Pressure*
Coming Up Tough *
Lightning Don’t Strike Twice *
Someone’s Gunna Die *
Speed Kills
Pariah Radio
All Along The Uxbridge Road

The band signed a copy of their new album and the tracks indicated with a * are from that new album. (thanks guys – lovin’ it)

Back to Resident…

The 30 minute set made up of some 12 tracks was duly delivered! It was full all buzz-sawing loud hook laden riffs, the thumping bass and drums powered us along like a rock and roller-coaster ride and all delivered with an almost Ramones – esque  speed and intensity. There was tension there tonight as Charlie blasted through the set, he didn’t have much room to manoeuvre and still managed to deliver a pile driving tour de force. There is ferocity in their sound and in some of their lyrics. They definitely have a punk/rock fuelled heart coupled with fury in there, and, oh yes, the sense of fun is there also. I, and the packed in Resident Records crowd, loved it.

(Click on each image to enlarge)

Speaking to the guys after the set they cited influences including Ramones, Dr. Feelgood, and Johnny Thunders. And yes you can hear those influences breaking the surface from time to time but these guys are more, so much more than that. This sound is heavier and more gutsy than anything I have heard in a while. Brilliantly delivered set that just flew by!

Chubby and The Gang: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

GIG ALERT!

Keep an eye out for these guys! They are loud, polished and damn good fun! They are due back in Brighton, dropping their full set in at The Green Door Store on Sat 4th December. Seriously well worth checking them out. Tix available from The Green Door Store from here!

And Finally…

Chubby and The Gang have a space on the internet and you can find them here.

Resident Records can be found here, sign up and keep up with latest releases and in-store performances.

The Green Door Store can be found here.

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

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