Summer Sunday! Time for a Punk Lunch! No.6

Morgellons / Stone Heroes / Penny Blood at The Prince Albert, Brighton

SUNDAY, 12 JUNE 2022 FROM 14:00-17:00

“It’s always a great feeling when a gig leaves you wanting more rather than less.” – Ian Bourn, Scene Sussex

Punk Lunch was back. Three top bands – Morgellons/Stone Heroes/Penny Blood at The Albert, Brighton. They came, they played, they rocked!

note: Please click on pics to enlarge

Morgellons

Morgellons: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

No! not that rare medical skin condition, but a Punk outfit claiming to get under the skin of the 21st century! Morgellons

The original members, Vincent and Mark, have known each other for some time and remained the constant as the band has gone through a few line up changes. Today at The Prince Albert we had the latest line up from this outfit. A new band for me and so was looking forward to seeing them live.

This four piece fire it up and drop a balls to the wall sound and a full on impact. Vince Mahon’s vocals slide almost effortlessly whilst delivering over the howling guitar, drum and bass.

Morgellons have hidden musical levels, they are addictive and bring a layer of enjoyable punkish sophistication to their music. It is really hard to ignore. Stunning material.

It’s a warm Sunday afternoon so everyone is pretty content to socialise outside between the sets and wander in to check out the bands as they play. The audience didn’t hang about returning and they piled in once the band sparked it up.

The addition of a guest vocalist added an almost retro sound for Subterranean Homesick Beast – I said to my friend “Cramps”. “Yep” came the reply. Spot on guys, spot on.

Morgellons: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Live, Morgellons, well they are a pretty impressive unit, playing tight, fast punk and rock with an edge. Its all very powerful and probably one of the best bands to go and see playing this style.

Morgellons: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

It was a 30 minute set made up songs including: Monochrome Soul opening up the set, The Black Dog, the awesome Trash City Army (so good to hear this live!), C’Ville, Subterranean Homesick Beast and closed the set with a cauterising Last Exit and Red Scab. A short set but I don’t think anyone felt short-changed! They sound really good. The music from Morgellons really speaks for itself and that’s what we really want! A great time was had by all, and I’ll be seeing them in the future again I hope.

The guys seemed to have loyal group of friends who have supported them, some were here this afternoon as they moved to the front of the venue and danced about for the last few songs. Vince also put up a huge thanks to Andy Cavendish for all of his hard work in putting these afternoons together. A large round of applause was put up for Andy. That was a great thing to do, and well done to the crowd for their spontaneity. And great to meet you Vince, thanks for the chat – always appreciated.

Morgellons can be found on Facebook.

Stone Heroes

Stone Heroes: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Female fronted ‘Post punk pop rockers’ Stone Heroes formed in 2012. The guys have been gigging clubs, pubs and festivals ever since. They have released critically welcomed EP’s and an album, Keepers of the Light and The Collection.

Stone Heroes: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They are always in the process of writing and the Stone Heroes are back with a new, since I last saw them, strong line up. I last saw the band when they were supporting Duncan Reid in Brighton. The band will always throw up a few surprises with their varied mix of original songs. You get an intriguing combination of Janine’s powerful voice, melodic guitars and powerhouse drums and bass with influences ranging from Penetration to Patti Smith, the Doors to the Damned. All of those influences are easily spotted. Its brilliantly done! Stone Heroes was a song originally done by Penetration.

They do have some great glam-stompin’ and some harder-rockin’ songs as well. They will always change things up and catch you off guard and I love that about these guys.

The stage at The Prince Albert was busy! So many musicians and their instruments up there. A great set got underway as all of those instruments fired up to produce a top sound. They played their set well and everyone was damn tight and Fleagle gazed into the spotlight inches in front of his face, then broke his gaze and set off out into the crowd.

Stone Heroes: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Janine is an absolute firecracker up there on stage, she introduced some hilarious moments and banter, some nonsense stuff all with a laugh and a smile, but then she would put that great voice back to work.

Some of the songs played at this Punk Lunch included Last Post, Smile and Stay Alive, No Roses and the splendid Fade Away.

I have to say it was wonderful to see up on the stage Janine Ray – vocals. She has had it rough the last few months and it was a joy to see her back on a stage and giving it plenty, she seemed to be having a great time. Sending you a ton of love Janine.

Stone Heroes: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

These guys make you feel like old friends, well I guess some of us are, and great to see: Louise King – Rhythm Guitar, Dave Leak – Lead Guitar, and of course the irrepressible guitar playin’ mega star Fleagle – err on Guitar. A superb little set that rocked along perfectly.  So good to see you all again and chat in the sunshine après le gig!

It’s the bands 10th anniversary this year and they will be out and about playing in the second half of the year celebrating! You really must go see them, it would be rude not to.

Stone Heroes are on Facebook and on the WWW here.

Penny Blood

Penny Blood: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

“Penny Blood was a term applied to 19th century British fiction publications, usually lurid serial stories, much like our own tales of titillation and turmoil”.

Penny Blood: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They are a fairly new outfit, and of course the dreaded pandemic meant they couldn’t get out and play. They list as their Influences, Ramones, Motorhead, Killing Joke, The Damned, Bob Mould, Nirvana, The Cure, The Cult, Arctic Monkeys. Seeing them live you can see exactly where they are getting some of it from! A great sound capturing the style and output of those bands.

The guys put out a storming set of material. Jim wearing, as usual, a stunning shirt and sporting his trusty guitar. He really does a great job fronting this new band.

They shook the Albert with some top playing and top tunes, Superbad kicked things off, also Slanderous and Moon Boy were in there. We had and the cracking Do it Again and Revolution were also served up and the set ended with the rockin’ The Odd Couple.

Penny Blood: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Jim is a great front man – stunning smack in the face guitar work and topped off with great vocals, which I thought had a passing hint of a clash style today, but still very much Jim.  They played it hard, they played fast and heavy, they played it loud. Yep these guys can put down some seriously good rock and roll! They shook the Albert into life on A Sunday afternoon! A perfect entrée for a Sunday Lunch. The set was interspersed with some hilarious in band banter, especially around the new material. The new bass player put down some great lines. Brilliant – they came together and nailed it.

I have to congratulate the drummer this afternoon. As always Dave just smashed it up! I thought the kit was going to collapse at one stage!

Penny Blood: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I had seen Jim in Penny Blood since his previous band, Pig City Angels, which I also loved, folded – so it was so good to see him again up there with a great line up and an extended repertoire of fine rocking tunes. Well played Penny Blood!

Penny Blood are on Facebook here.

Rock’n’Roll / Punk was never meant to be too technical and the important thing is that everyone, the audience, bar staff and musicians, all had a great time.

It’s always a great feeling when a gig leaves you wanting more rather than less.

A Huuuge shout out to Andy C and  An Alternative Gathering

This event was another Punk Sunday Lunch, and was organised by An Alternative Gathering. I will not miss the next one! Cant wait.

“I can highly recommend giving one of these “Punk Sunday lunch” a try. Even if you are not one for standing in front of the stage or standing next to a speaker, you could still walk away having had a brilliant afternoon” – Ian Bourn – Scene Sussex.

Words: Ian Bourn. Photos: Ian Bourn.

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