Prong/October File/In The Hills

The Cellar, Southampton

First time at The Cellar in Southampton, it’s just across the road from the Guildhall. It boasts a nice stage in a long room, the drinks are a bit pricey but there was a pretty good vibe about the place.

In The Hills –1–2–3–4–5–6

In The Hills – kicked us in the nuts yet again second gig in and they have landed a support with Prong. Their Crowbar-esqe sound pummelled the Cellar to bits. Frontman Choff relentlessly prowls the stage, engaging with the audience and ensuring that a few more fans are added to the In The Hills fanbase.

October File –1–2–3–4

October File took to the stage and were determined to finish what ITH had started. Full on breakbeats and good riffage but I didn’t enjoy being kicked in the shoulder to get out of the way so the bassist could jump across to the large shelf that runs the length of the venue and do his poses. Heavy Metal with a touch of legendary punks Killing Joke thrown in.

When Prong walk on stage they are greeted with resounding cheers, front man Tommy Victor has the Beg to Differ album cover thrust in his face and gives the fan who did it a thumbs up as they are touring the classic album. The fan turned to me and said “I’ve waited 25 years to see these guys and only found out last week that they were playing on my doorstep!” The wait is worth it! Prong proved that they are still a band to be reckoned with and deliver a ferocious set. They play the whole of Beg to Differ and encore with classics from Cleansing and Rude Awakening that demand you dive in the pit and get messy. Finishing off the encore with the fantastic Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck and then coming out again for one more extra encore shows that they enjoyed the gig as much as Southampton did.

Prong –1–2–3–4–5–6

Excellent show, hope there is more to come at The Cellar bar!

Set list
For Dear Life
Steady Decline
Beg To Differ
Lost and Found
Your Fear
Take It In Hand
Intermenstrual D.S.B
Right To Nothing
Prime Cut
Just The Same
Third From The Sun
Encore
Another Worldly Device
Revenge…Best Served Cold
Rude Awakenings
Who’s Fist Is This Anyway
Snap Your Fingers Snap Your Neck
Encore 2
Eternal Heat

Words and pictures Dan O’Gara.