Fresh venue with The Black Lips? Definitely. Unfortunately there was a slow start to the night when, to my surprise, none of the stack of three opening bands had any musical connection. But that issue was quickly forgotten with the arrival of the headlining act.
The MixUps took to the stage first. A young four piece band with a sound that reminds me of an American High school band from the Sixties. The bridge of their first song made me think they were good but unfortunately the feeling didn't last. They can put together a song or two, but it just seemed like they were at their best when no one was singing. Essentially young locals who are just trying to get their shit together and opening for The Black Lips is a solid step in the right direction.
On to the next one. The Bucky Rage definitely perked interest. One of them is wearing a black and white Mexican wrestling mask, two have bandanas tied around their faces like bandits, and the drummer, well, he's got nothing on his face but a smile. Likely fuelled on the Scottish national drink of Buckfast, or so the name would imply, Bucky Rage put on a show that was a cocktail of surf-rock and strong drink and aimed to utilise classic influences and take the piss out of them at the same time - listen to "Wiped Out" or "One Eyed Girl". Although not quite as musically pleasing as hoped, The Bucky Rage are entertaining nonetheless having a good time on stage. They're putting the F U back in fun.
While I was still unsatisfied and was growing impatiently sober waiting for The Black Lips, Castro step up to the plate. Difficult to tackle the review of this band without being an asshole, but honesty prevails at Bluesbunny. Anyways, you know that whiny, annoying, dye-my-hair black, eye-make up wearing, shitty tattoo bearing, emotional boy rock, that your sixteen year old daughter listens to far too much of? Yeah? Well these guys might be next band she charges on your credit card at a cost of 99p a song from iTunes. Still too expensive in my humble opinion. Not my style, but the style of far too many people these days. The real Castro resigned in February but, unfortunately this Newcastle group is still going. Luckily, I wasn't alone on this one, as another concert goer expressed his disliking for their music by providing the band's lead singer with a face full of pint. Alcohol abuse? Maybe. Maliciously humorous? Yes. To be frank, they suck. But, apparently sucking is marketable these days.
Finally some recognizable faces, and recognizable music, The Black Lips took to the stage. Once famous for their debauched shows, one of which - in 2007 in Mexico - featured a female fan masturbating on stage, The Black Lips have toned down their outlandish shows but haven't taken anything away from their sound. Bringing the new stuff out first, the band ripped into their recent single "O Katrina". It might not have very many lyrics aside its title, but that doesn't mean that this little ditty doesn't come with more gale force power than any hurricane. This one swooped up the eager audience into a furious slew of bodies and sent the message that it was time for the real music. "Dirty Hands" comes across with that hopelessly romantic side of garage punk and proves that the lads are likely gentlemen at heart, but this song does include smoking dope and tattoos so it is still somewhat tough. "Bad Kids" is an anthem to be sang loud and proud by today's rebels out for destruction and attention, and it is easy to see that the band get caught up in their own music as they sway with euphoria. Perhaps from pissing off many promoters and club owners The Black Lips kept most bodily fluids inside of themselves for a change, but still rocked out as hard as ever. Loud and simple chord progressions do it once again, and when served up with tons of intensity and enthusiasm the Black Lips made it easy to forget the opening acts.