Esperanza and Rudebeard – Live in Paisley

For the second time is as many weeks, I found myself in the sweatbox that is intimate venue, The Bungalow in Paisley. This time for an evening of high octane ska/ska punk courtesy of “Pirate Ska” band Rudebeard (aka Smell Yer Ska) and the now legendary Esperanza. If it was hot and sweaty when I arrived, things were going to reach furnace status when the skanking began…

You can be sure that Dr Marten and Mr Perry would have been rubbing their hands in glee at the site of their iconic products adorning probably 90% of the gathered throng. You could be mistaken for thinking they may have been sponsoring the event, along with the ever popular libation, Buckfast as favoured by both bands from the stage…

Rudebeard – “a bunch of guid cunts”

Rudebeard were first to take the stage, their first gig in aeons (since February 2020 to be precise), and with Rod having a rare Friday night off, the band were ready to party. I’m reliably informed they had started the party at around 3.30 that afternoon. And party they most certainly did, despite being a trumpet player down due to a “trumpet related injury”.

If you don’t know of Rudebeard, let me try to explain Rod to you. He is to ska punk what Tony from Terrorvision is to poppy rock music. A boundless ball of energy, he didn’t stop bouncing all night, using every inch of the stage, and the dancefloor, putting everything into his performance. The rest of the band weren’t far behind. Despite being unable to play her trumpet, Ali banged her tambourine with gusto, providing a foil to Rod, even fencing with drumsticks at one point. As expected from a band that boasts a background including Newtown Grunts, Amphetameanies, Capone & the Bullets and Joe Viterbo (amongst others), the set was both slick and highly entertaining, treating us to their unique brand of off the wall NSFW ska.

I don’t think I’ve ever heard a band use the c word so often during a performance. But as Rod reminded us, in Glenrothes (and many other places in the central belt), the word “cunt” is interchangeable – “He’s a guid cunt”, “that guy’s a nasty cunt”. A term of endearment and an insult… Anyway. Rudebeard were the proverbial “bunch of guid cunts” tonight. Looking forward to the new EP coming soon…

Returning Heroes – Esperanza

Like returning heroes, Esperanza took their applause and launched into their set of familiar tunes and songs, inspiring a sea of bobbing heads as the adoring crowd skanked as if their lives depended on it, welcoming them back with open arms and hearts as if they’d never been away. There is something about ska music that just lifts the spirit, the sprightly offbeat rhythms and vitality, the exhilarating beats and vigorous bounce of the bass just make you want to move your feet and dance. And Esperanza do it all with aplomb. Despite me lingering at the back near the bar and imbibing Heineken 0.0 I couldn’t help but move my feet and bounce along to the rhythm.

With addictively danceable songs like Forget It, As Day Turns Into Night and One Man Down, replete with great lyrics and eminently relatable themes of fun and camaraderie, you’re onto a winner from the off, Standing at the back watching the band and the crowd gel as one, both parties trying to outdo each other in their enthusiasm and enjoyment of the gig, a knowing smile crept over my face. As they closed with the wonderful Weirdo, I couldn’t help relating to the lyrics “why don’t you stay for a while anyway”, some nights you just want the music to go on and on. However, the band had thrown everything including the kitchen sink into their performance, and and despite looking visibly drained, there was a look of relieved elation across their faces having returned to the fold in such a triumphant manner.

Esperanza – Facebook – Bandcamp

Rudebeard – Facebook – Bandcamp

(Sorry – nae pictures – too busy enjoying the music…)