The crown prince of vaudevillian punk rock, Timmy DeRella together with his band of misfits is back with a cracking new album ‘Trust Me This Is Going to Hurt’. To celebrate, the band are at The Water Rats in Kings Cross with a host of friends.
Glitter Kick have been on the scene a couple of years now and their debut album ‘Make the Rainbow Sing’ made decent waves when it came out in 2023. With killer guitar licks a plenty and Roxi’s energetic performance, the band sound like what The Go-Go’s should have been without all the 80s polish. Songs such as ‘Blow Jane’, the cunningly titled single ‘Single’ and ‘Soho Sophisticated’ stick with you long into the night. An excellent start to the evening.
Glitter Kick - Apr 25
Up next are The Phobics, celebrating their 26th year together with their third album ‘Gimme Cyanide’. If there was ever a bunch of apparently disparate characters to form a band, then The Phobics are it. Singer Tom Crossley has the appearance of a slightly bemused librarian whilst bassist Tony Moynihan looks like he would be more home at a Deep Purple gig. Nonetheless, from the opening blast of ‘My Best Friend has Died’ to the closing bars of ‘Path of Love’, the band produce an enjoyable punk rock racket mixing Stooges like riffs with the pop sensibilities of Buzzcocks.
The Phobics - Apr 25
The DeRellas have seen a number of lineup changes over the years including numerous singers. Timmy DeRellas’ decision to take centre stage along with his bass duties has made the band more cohesive, and in Timmy himself, a far more memorable and charismatic frontman. Forever dwarfed by his bass guitar, Timmy comes across as a mix of mischievous street urchin and music hall entertainer whilst engaging the darker sides of Stiv Bators and Alice Cooper.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
Opening with the title track from the new album ‘This is Going to Hurt’, the band make their intentions clear with Luca and Jez’s squealing guitars drilling into your cranium. ‘Fake It ‘Til You Make It’ is another slice of sleazy New York punk infused glam rock that starts fast and never slows down. ‘Freakshow’ takes us back to the early days of the band. The political sentiments of ‘Pressure Gonna Get You’ seem more than apt in today’s world.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
Best song title of the week is ‘Just Because I Smile, It Doesn’t Mean I Like You’ accompanied by more squealing guitars, Timmy’s guttural roar and a very hummable chorus. There’s an epic guitar solo from Luca to top it off. ‘Loveless Landslide of Love’ starts like the theme tune to one of those 70s police dramas where corruption was rife and chasing crooks always involved sliding across a car bonnet and driving through conveniently placed crates.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
‘If Your World Falls Apart’ from the new album continues the relentless momentum towards oblivion. The singalong glam rock of ‘High Rise Supersize’ is followed by the more reflective and laidback sound of ‘Our World Tomorrow’ (well as laidback as The DeRellas would ever be). ‘Empire Vultures’ opens with another incendiary riff whilst Timmy references a molotov culture. ‘Stick It To The Man’ is a welcome return to the band’s roots.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
Ensuring that the new album gets its dues tonight, the set finishes with the adrenaline rush of ‘A Shot of Feelings’ and the excellent ‘Night Time’. One of the best songs on the album, the whole band get to flex their musical chops as Timmy channel’s Iggy’s ‘I’m Bored’ at the song’s conclusion.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
One of my favourite London venues, The Water Rats has produced another memorable night of punk rock frolics. Excellent stuff from all involved.
The DeRellas - Apr 25
