Ex-, 2 Sevens and Buzzbomb – live in Glasgow

Second gig of the weekend, and another first for me, this time around, for whatever reason, it was the first time I’d managed to catch Glasgow’s 2 Sevens live, on a triple bill also featuring Ex- and Buzzbomb.

Currently riding high following the release of their recent EP, 13 (count ’em!), Ex- are always a pleasure to witness live, Colin Meek with current line up, Scott on drums, Dave on bass and Tam on Guitar producing an always sublime selection of first wave of punk influenced guitar band sounds, alongside thought provoking and contemplative lyrics, Meek being a prolific and talented writer also having a wheen of books to his name too. The band played a superb assemblage of songs from across their 13 releases, showcasing tracks from the latest EP, including Copycat and You Think You Know Someone, as well as including a new song, and playing crowd pleasing set highlights like the mighty You’re Doing My Head In.

One of the highlights of a gig like this is the sense of camaraderie, between bands taking the opportunity to catch up with people who you haven’t seen for a while. To be honest, this is often one of the things I struggle with at gigs like this, social anxiety building up before I even set foot in the venue, comfortable while lost in the music but panic setting in when, heaven forbid, I might actually need to talk to people. This time though, that was not an issue and it was a pleasure to see and spend time shooting the breeze with some cracking folk.

2 Sevens lived up to the live reputation they’ve built up, their melodic punk harmonies really hitting the mark. Fittingly John, before playing a note, paid tribute and dedicated the whole set to Harvey, a shocking recent loss to the punk scene that has hit many hard. RIP Paul “Harvey” McGurn. Maybe that was inspiration to spur the band on, but whatever the reason, it was a pleasure to finally hear the dynamic, hook laden songs from Back on Track played live, the way they should be heard. Kenny is an ideal frontman, a real charismatic showman, striking rock star poses throughout the set and trading banter with the rest of the guys in the band, blaming his steamed up glasses for a bit of a false start at one point. His guitars seem to have got off lightly on this occasion too…

Buzzbomb finished the night off in style creating their usual high velocity whirlwind of psychobilly tinged punk rock. Hardly time for a breath between songs, the trio pummelled the crowd with their bruising high octane foot to the floor incendiary rock, their fierce tempo and burning energy increasing the intense atmosphere as if the venue wasn’t already like a tin hut in the Sahara. Kickstarting the onslaught with Blood & Whiskey from the epic Sixty Miles of Bad Road album, it was pedal to the metal full throttle from then on in, taking in songs from across their albums from Eight the Hard Way’s Sustainable Damage up to the likes of their opening song and Turnstile from their last album, taking in their cover of Dead Boys Sonic Reducer along the way. I don’t know about them, but I was fucked by the end of it…

But not fucked enough to realise the night wasn’t quite over. Maybe it was the lager, but my social anxiety really took a back seat as I approached someone I was sure I’d last seen on the platform of St George’s Cross underground the night before after Lambrini Girls. Sure enough, my summation was correct, they’d made an unplanned trip into the 13th Note that night and decided to take a chance on the gig. Suffice to say, I’m pretty sure my gig pal Fraser and I left the night’s merriments with a couple of new friends. That’s what music is all about, bringing people together.

Cheers to all the bands and all the amazing people involved in making this another cracking night of music and friendship.