The Crash Landings/Acid Attack

February 3, 2023 Off By Jon

Chaplin’s Cellar Bar, Boscombe

It’s Friday night, down in the Cellar Bar in Boscombe as we celebrate the Ten Year ‘career’ of Bournemouth’s “The Crash Landings”. I can still recall one of their earliest shows supporting (if memory serves me well the UK Subs. A few line-up amendments but they’re still at it, and thankfully still making great music. Ably assisting them as support tonight are 80’s Pompey “3rd Wave Punx” Acid Attack. These guys know their way around a stage and still deliver a performance of high-octane, pure 80’s Punk Rock.

They open with “Warsaw”. I don’t think it’s Joy Division-inspired but who knows?! “Fallout Zone” follows as they gently grow into their set. Despite minimal floor space Jacko (vox) is pulling every shape in the book! The band are also enjoying a near-perfect sound from in-house maestro Connie, who has pitched it just about perfectly. Oldie “Nothing Doing” still sounds fresh while “Alone Inside” I’m guessing is about 80’s desolation. “Collapse of a System” is probably as relevant today as it was circa ’80-’84. Keeping time in the engine room is Hipshaker’s very own Dave Clark (Drums) who hits to a steady beat.

Acid Attack 1–2–3–4

Andi (Guitar) and Mick (Bass) are no less important, jockeying for any space available on this tiny stage! ‘Pen Pusher’ is a mid-set highlight while “Work Ethic” one imagines was written from the same angle. “Animal Sound” precedes the now familiar “Suburbia’s Dream” which is their strongest number and set finale. I like how the band finishes (or so we think) and then reprises the song once more.

Having seen the band at least three times I have to say that tonight’s performance is by far their best. A great sound complimented a band who have played their dues, split and reformed and are happy to return to what they do best. Playing outside of their native Pompey they appear undaunted – confident even. I hope they stick with it and maybe there’s new material on the horizon…..

And so to the main event. Ten whole years have passed and TCL are still one of Dorset’s main players in our small Punk Scene, and for that, we are truly grateful. When original singer Si (Foulkes) departed for the bright lights of the “Arch Rivals” I questioned whether they would indeed carry on or try to fill those boots. Thankfully they took their time and Ben Varley took his place in the band where he has been ever since. The only other change came in the form of the stick man.

I can’t recall the original drummer’s name but one of Bournemouth’s hardest-working drummers, one Steve Higgins (The Decatonics/Kill the Colossi) has comfortably taken over the stool. So, with Seb (Bass/Lead Vocals) doing the introductions they open with the brutally honest “Getting My Results”, delivered to a packed house. “Always Remember” from Riot Songs follows and sets the pace early. Ben (Guitar/Vocals) takes over vocal duties on ‘Gold’, making it his own while “Come On” shows the first fruits of the guitar chemistry between Ben and Ant (Guitar/Vocals) and Conrad Barr( The Soundman) spotted from our sound desk position. “Fightback” quite rightly sees an early airing, frenetic in its delivery – it’s a live favourite of mine. Steve’s (drums) power-hitting hasn’t gone unnoticed either, nestled in the tiny alcove at the rear as he is.

The Crash Landings 1–2–3–4

Tonight sees the debut of new material, beginning with the self-aware “Neck Tattoo”. Often derided in another era, it’s the tale of a now familiar form of expression and fashion. The “Duke of New York/What Goes Around” mash-up is another example of the band mixing things up vocally with Seb and Ben sharing vocal duties. “Halloween” is a good excuse for one or two punters to start dancing while “We Stand as One” is as anthemic as it is enjoyable – no one in here has an excuse for not joining in! “One Step Forward” is another new number, preceding the direct “Colour of the Collar” which is delivered with anthemic fervour! “Top Boy” and “Casual Racist” again are new to me, but with these types of titles, one can make their own mind up about lyrical direction. These four chaps end a confident set with “Falling Apart” which on tonight’s evidence wont be happening anytime soon. They are even rewarded with a full-on mosh pit down the front! I’ll even forgive them for not playing my favourite track “Billy’s Got Tourette’s”!

So, ten years down the line and TCL are still going strong; still pushing boundaries and not showing any signs of repetition. As one of Bournemouth’s Premier Punk acts it’s great to see they are still writing relevant songs and nowhere near throwing in the towel, where others may have fallen by the wayside (Post Covid). They may be some way off the dizzying heights that fellow locals The Mistakes have reached, but I feel they have enough in their canon to push further and expand their profile. Surely album number three can’t be too far away now? The future is bright but it is in their hands…

Set lists
The Crash Landings
Getting My Results
Always Remember
Gold
Come On!
Fightback
Neck Tattoo
Duke of New York/What Goes Around
Sister
Halloween
We Stand as One
One Step Forward
Colour of the Collar
Riot Song
Top Boy
Casual Racist
Falling Apart

Acid Attack
Warsaw
Fallout Zone
Nothing Done
Alone Inside
Collapse of a System
Oak Hearted Sons
(I Wanna Be) Me
Ton Up Thunder
Pen Pusher
Work Ethic
Animal Sound
Suburbia’s Dream

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