Photo's: http://punk.webzdarma.cz
UK SUBS
20th January 2000
Palace Akropolis
Prague 3
Czech republic
It's minus 5 degrees outside, sleety snow falling and a wind sharp enough to shave you as
we arrive at the Akropolis at around 7.00pm. So what better way to warm things up than a
hefty dose of the Subs on a bleak but unfortunately typical winter evening in Prague.
They always seem to come here in the Winter though. Last year around this time they played
the Rock Cafe although it was Charlie and well, Subs for the Subs. Great show played note
for note, but……
We hit the bar for a couple of brews and take it in. Mohawks abound, a handful of skater
types, punk rock fans young and old and the few serious nutters which you can count on
like clockwork to be here and to mash the place up. No comment.
Not much either to say about the two support bands. Hardcore by numbers to which the Czech
language lends itself quite well but interest dwindles after about the first fifteen
minutes of each and the atmosphere feels like its saving itself solely for the Subs even
if the other guys bring a few loyal supporters with them.
A couple of the Subs crew start
setting up the kit with various people running past with guitars and amps as I start in
the direction of the balcony when all of a sudden I do a double take. Fuck me its Pete
Shelley from the Buzzcocks what's he doing here ? I take a moment to regain my composure
and then my companion informs me that Pete Shelley its not and that Alvin Gibbs it is, but
odds on he could play the bassline to „ Ever fallen in love" if you asked him
to. Needless to say I don't and we retire to the balcony getting a decent vantage point as
the Subs stride on. They crash into „C.I.D." and after about 20 seconds its
apparent what was missing the
last and only time I´d seen the Subs before….
Nicky Garratt. It's the reason I listen
to all types of music at home but frequent punk rock gigs as often as possible. Its
energy. He´s up on the monitors, He´s scissor kicking the air but most of all he´s
enjoying himself and that fuels the rest of the band and in turn us the audience.
Charlie´s on form too clutching the mike stand and spitting out his words to "Go
Home", "Squat 96" and "Emotional Blackmail" amongst twenty other
classics. The biggest audience singalong of the evening is of course for
"Warhead" though my personal favorite is "Endangered Species" six
songs in, even if the soundmix started to get a little muddy afterwards. Nicky and Alvin
find themselves unlikely babe-magnets throughout the gig attracting a couple of Czech
beauties to dance punk rock tango for a few of the numbers. Charlie's the one who gets the
kiss at the end of the set however before they all storm back on to encore with
"Rockers"," Limo Life" and "Party in Paris" with, it has to
be said superb drumming holding it all together. I collar Nicky at the end of the show to
get a set list and we chat quickly about the New Red Archives web site, his Burt Bacharach
covers band and cookery books! Nice bloke, Great band and a pounding gig. Thanks a million
and I´m sure I speak for the rest of audience when I say "Come back next Year",
but how about in the summer, eh ?
Loz Stabler
21st January 2000