Worthing Rocks at AudioActive

ST///LL: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

ST///LL / SCARE TAXI / HISSY & THE FITS – Audioactive 30/05/2026

ST///LL

Headlining tonight was a local outfit, ST///LL. I immediately remembered the vocalist as I had seen him a few years ago with a previous outfit, The Last Cry, who were at Chalk in Brighton supporting Toyah.

ST///LL are, from their Facebook page…Andrew B/rch…Chr/s Carey…Mark B/rch

ST///LL: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

ST///LL features a guitarist, a bass player and a highly charged frontman, featuring a well utilised drum machine and a backing track filling in with atmospheric, almost industrial, backing sounds between the songs from the performance tonight.

ST///LL put down the longest set of the night comprising of some 9 songs. They know how to put together a tune, laden with riffs and thumping bass lines. Put that together with a most charismatic frontman and you have ST///LL. They had pulled in a sizeable crowd tonight, and many of those gathered around the stage seemed to know the words and joined in, and others were dancing at the front.

The guys put down quite a heavy punky sound as they opened up with a previous single release Empty Room and followed with Darkened Eyes. The already mentioned back track filling the venue with low rumbles and effects between the songs. A shift of gears is inevitable, but the drift from song to song and performance from Andrew certainly elevates the heart rate.

ST///LL: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

ST///LL are distinguished by some driving bass playing, and some unique jagged guitar riffs and textures, and the almost metronomic drum machine. It’s all quite tense, atmospheric and dark, a perfect setting for frontman Andrew to display his presence, power and at times a raw vulnerability. We were given The Light and Coming Home.

Their sound is quite unique, reminding me in parts of a Joy Division, late Depeche Mode, New Order vibe. Put it together and you get an idea of what ST///LL deliver. And, they do it rather well!

Andrew layers his persona and vocals together for a mesmerising performance which can be haunting at times. They work hard tonight and generate their unique own sound but they capture those heady tunes of the goth and punk alternative scenes.

Ghosts, Scars and finally closing with She Walks In Shadows.

ST///LL: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

ST///LL were dark, all dressed in black, and yet we had that stage presence set against some volatile, well-crafted and at times emotional music.

A VIDEO – LIVE

ST///LL are on Facebook here: 

Scare Taxi

Scare Taxi: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Ok, hands up! Time to own up to being a massive Scare Taxi fan! Sadly, however I haven’t seen them in a while. I think the last time we met up was when they supported Gene Loves Jezebel, so tonight was special for me, starting with a hug from Alexander and Tara outside the venue. Both, as always, looking immaculate, smiling and chatting.

Scare Taxi: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Scare Taxi debuted at The Wedding Present’s ‘Edge of the Sea Festival’ and have played with Electric Six, Membranes, S*M*A*S*H, Art Brut & The Ramonas. They are can be seen fairly often on the local Brighton/Hove/Worthing circuit.

Scare Taxi: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Scare Taxi took to the stage and immediately set about to deliver their trademark high action and full throttle set from the off! What do you get from Scare Taxi? You get an overload of style, a face full of high energy and rocking good tunes!

Two members make up Scare Taxi, Alexander on guitars, looking damn cool and vocals. Tara lays it all down on the bass front and vocals. You put these two together and you get a true wall of sound that will get you fizzing! And of course their guest drummer! There is power and energy under the bonnet of the Scare Taxi.

Scare Taxi: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The set fired off with If It Bothers You, Animal Heart and Perfectly Cruel. Three songs in and Scare Taxi set about giving us one helluva ride. Alex came forward inviting the crowd to come closer, and we did. The first three songs were delivered fast and furious, they crowd now closer seemed to fuel Scare Taxi with a nitro boost as we were delivered two more tracks, two previous single releases, Gimme Sensation, El Lobo Solitario and then Fly at breakneck speed!

Scare Taxi: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Bassist Tara Harley is working out plenty of bass punch lines from her huge bass. Its loud and balls to the wall gutsy stuff. She and Boag alternate lead vocals throughout the set. When Tara takes over it leaves Alex free to pull of some audaciously fab rock poses and struts.

Alex is the focal point for the band, he fills the stage with lively guitar antics and dancing. He doesn’t stop. He is tricky to photograph as he doesn’t stand or even keep still for a second, or a 1/200^th of a second! When he hits it, stand well back! It is a killer set, no fillers and defined by lots of nodding and looks of intense focus.

Get Up Get Off, and Lunacy came our way as the set was coming to a close. The rocking guitar opened, along with guest drummer, and Tara on bass and shared vocals with another previous single release, Personality Junkyard. This performance is from the heart

Scare Taxi – NEWS!

Exciting news from the Scare Taxi rank! The guys have a new single out called Perfectly Cruel. This song is a banger, we all got a sneak peek of it earlier as it was the third track from the set tonight. Tonight was a real treat, three previous single releases played for us and then a brand new single! The new single, about to be released, includes a special video!

Scare Taxi as always were a joy to watch as they filled their set with a fabulous trashy, punk, mod and rock infused set. These guys are a Must See!  They really are a most satisfying band to see live.

A VIDEO: SCARE TAXI LIVE

Hail the Scare Taxi here on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScareTaxi

HISSY & THE FITS

Hissy & The Fits: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Awesome! These guys had some energy! They rolled out onto the stage, and well, they just let it rip!

They easily blend and mix up music blends from those early 70s classic punk outfits and 90s alt-rock bands with emo elements and indie. It’s all wrapped up and served with attitude!

Hissy & The Fits: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

A powerful 30 Minutes set ensued. All tunes were self-penned and included Don’t Give Up, Sneak Attack, with a stunning opening from Alex slot on the guitar.

Their songs are very much in the high-energy vein. Hissy and The Fits had an actual drummer, he put down some great fills, we had a mix of true raw guitar, a thumping bass line, and the now trademark soaring vocals from Helena heavy with attitude. Their sound is instantly engaging.

They have an album out What Do You Need? And tonight we were given some tracks from it, Leaving Soon (latest single release), Agony, Seasick and more. Great songs and well delivered live on stage for the crowd.

Loved it! And if you think punk has had its day, think again HISSY & THE FITS may make you want to think again! A strong professional performance with some class musicianship and vocals. Some of those guitar riffs, along with the guitar rock poses, would easily tear your face off!

Hissy & The Fits: photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

They are on Instagram and you can find them on FaceBook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083272514006,

Thanks to
ST///LL / SCARE TAXI / HISSY & THE FITS and AudioActive

AudioActive: AudioActive’s creative hub in the heart of Worthing’s high street with a stage for live performances. They have lots of event on and its always worth checking out what is on here: https://www.facebook.com/audioactiveworthing.  They have their own pop up bar for events. On site there are music making facilities including rehearsal rooms, a recording suite and even meeting spaces to hire upstairs.

Words, Videos and Photos for Scene Sussex by Ian “The Lens” Bourn.

No AI or filters used, it’s pure and straight down “the lens”!

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All original pictures / video – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ SCENE SUSSEX – Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2026.

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