Review & Photography by Judi

Having spent 10 years as a three piece tribute band - Going Underground –the addition of Herb on the Sax and Stevo on Bass, to the original line up of Chris (Steeley) on drums (who has an inside leg measurement of 31" even though he claims 32"! [you really had to be there for that to make sense but for those of us who were... told you!!!]) and Gouldy (Ian) on guitar and vocals have together undergone a metamorphosis to the Killertones - with less emphasis on the mod scene they now have stronger leanings to the self proclaimed "psycho-skapunk style" playing old school ska, punk and psychobilly and are heavily influenced by the UK Ska, Goth and Psychobilly scene.

The band started a little late but it was worth the wait. They launched into the Damned song New Rose with an enthusiasm that pulled everyone in right from the start. They followed that with "I predict a riot" and Rat race. By this time I think we all knew what we were in for! And an excellent rendition of "Message to you" – which has always been one of my favourites so my feet forced me up and onto the dance floor.

There was an enthusiastic response from the audience right from the start and it didn’t take people long to get up dancing. They played the kind of songs that you don’t have to get drunk to get up and dance to! And although the audience were predominantly older (I’ll be kind and say we were on average over 30!) there were younger members of the audience and they were also getting up dancing – I guess the style of music that the Killertones were playing really has a timeless appeal! The band did appear to come with their own fan club, with quite a few people wearing their tee-shirts – though they did miss a trick there as they didn’t seem to be selling them on the night!

The Killertones were loud and fast and really seemed to be enjoying themselves up there. The enthusiasm with which they began the first set was maintained throughout and there was even some additional vigour after they had had a rest in the break!

There was not a lot of chat from the band, just music, music and more music! Is it me? But 15 songs per set (plus a two song encore) seems quite generous and if it had been a pay to get in type gig I would have felt I had got real value for money! I have seen them before and I am sure there was a bit more chat there! And to be fair Gouldy said right at the start that he was knackered – jet lag if I remember rightly so I guess that was the reason.

The room was a good size and the sound quality (which so often sadly ruins an entire gig) was pretty good and was generally well set up. However, there were times when I could see that Stevo was singing... but I certainly couldn't hear him! And occasionally the excellent sax playing wasn't loud enough either (or is that the other instruments were too loud – depends on how you look at it really!) but when you could hear it, Herb's playing was always spot on and lifted the songs brilliantly!

Possibly the highlight of the night for me was the three song combo of "Special Brew", "Too Much Too Young" And "No More Heroes".

You have probably noticed that most of the songs I have mentioned have been songs from the 80s – But that isn't all that the Killertones are about – some of the more... "modern songs" played included "Also", "Basketcase" and "Take me out" (apparently ALL cover bands have to play this – its the rules!).

Maybe its because I was a teenager when the majority of the punk and ska songs they played first came out?... Maybe its because I have some fond memories of Smiths discos back in the ol' home town?... Or maybe it was the company I was with?... But I have to tell you, I had an absolute blast at this gig! And I can tell you, I wasn't alone in my enjoyment. People were up dancing for the majority of songs and certainly for the second set the floor was mostly full! Always a good sign! And the only negative things I heard from any one in my wandering round the room was that they didn’t play... (Insert favourite song that wasn't on the play list!), but there is only so much time and so many songs within the genre so there is always going to be someone who says "You didn't play my favourite".

As for the "Pizza and a movie" rating... as long as you like this sort of music, definitely forget the film and go and see the band - but get a pizza on the way home.

The Killertones are a work in progress and are moving more towards playing their own music, which is all heavily influenced by the "psycho-skapunk style". They will be supporting Dread Zone at the 12 Bar, Swindon on 7^th March and will be playing all their own stuff. I would say it would be worth making the effort to go along and judge them for yourself. 

Jx