Back

Photo by Craig Young

U.K. Subs / Undisputed Heavyweight Champions
The Breakroom
October 5, 2001
Seattle, WA

During the 1980s the U.K. Subs played about three times here in Seattle. Now in the 1990s Charlie Harper and crew have seemed to play Seattle one or two times a year. With the return of Nicky Garratt and Alvin Gibbs to the line-up in 1997, The Subs seemed rejuvenated, poised, and ready to storm the club circuit for many years to come.

This night was no different except that bass player and drummer were different. Gibbs could not make this tour and was replaced by Bri Slutcher and a young guy from California on drums named Jason Willer.

Tonight the opening act Undisputed Heavyweight Champions picked the pace up with very tight hardcore that impressed both eP's editor Craig and myself. I own their CD, and it did not move me that much. But seeing them live changed my interest in them. If you are into good hardcore [hey, and who isn't. -ed.], they are a band to catch.

The U.K. Subs came out to a roaring crowd to light up the night. Charlie, well into his Fifties, still can kick it out. He has more energy then any musician his age. The Subs blasted through a set of early classics like "Countdown," "Endangered Species," and "I Live In a Car," along with songs from the more recent records, giving the crowd a good mix of old and new. These recent songs are from a three week writing binge that Charlie and Nicky went on in 1997. I guess the magic is still there.

I have only been to three U.K. Subs shows with Nicky on guitar. Bouncing around, diving real low into the splits and then snapping himself straight up, the man has the energy of someone half his age. Nicky also ties together the early songs he was apart of. Others have played in his place, but none of them can bring out the early Subs sound as well as he can. I have never been to a bad U.K. subs show, and no matter which band Charlie has with him, the listener is guaranteed their money's worth.

-Steve Weatherholt

Back