Its not often that a gig takes place with a line up that only I would dream of. My favourite anti fascist band reforming, Jimbob returning to his Carter USM day’s with a retrospect of singles, b-sides and obscure album tracks. Add some great punk bands, a bit of comedy and the UK’s finest unsigned reggae artist and you really have got a gig of wet dream proportions. Well, for me anyway. And so, I managed to convince the missus to join me for an all day gig in tribute to the Clash’s Joe Strummer at the beach side venue of the Concorde2 in Brighton.

We arrived in a dull and damp Brighton and headed towards the venue. The plan was to pop into the gig to witness “Brighton's 50 strong samba band Carnival Collective” opening the days entertainment and then nip off to check out the pier etc. However, we missed the Samba band and after checking out the Venue (nice bar, lots of ol’ skool punks etc), decided to return in time for the final four bands of the day – Andy Baron & The Believers (“superb roots reggae”), Jimbob (“half of Carter USM”), Abdoujaparov (“featuring Fruitbat, the other half of Carter”) and The Blaggers AKA (“legendary anti fascists with new singer Olaf”).

After a stroll through the lanes, a few pints in the hotel (£1.50 a pint, result!) and an ice cream on the pier (I know its November and raining and the ice cream did taste kinda dusty, but I do like to be beside the seaside), we made the dingy walk towards the Concorde. After nearly being squashed by several souped up Vauxhaull Novas racing each other along the promenade, we entered the beer soaked venue, which was by now wall-to-wall with Mohican-haired punks and Phil Daniels wannabes. After a whole day of oi-tastic punk rock it was time for the crowd to take a breather from pogoing as the rather chilled Andy Baron and his Believers were about to take to the stage. Sporting long dreadlocks, Andy welcomed the crowd in a brogue London accent that suddenly transformed into a beautifully dubbed out vocal that changed the vibe of the gig immediately with its heavenly tones. The opening tune 'Ice Cream Love' had the crowd bopping along and the band worked through a surprisingly well received repetoire, the pinnacle of which was a dubtastic cover of Radiohead’s Creep. Never before has such an angst-ridden anthem of self-loathing been so effortlessly converted into a lighthearted piece of pop, but damn did it sound good.

Next up was Jimbob (of Carter USM and Jims Super Stereoworld). Armed only with an acoustic guitar and a bottle of Becks, he braved the unfamiliar crowd and surroundings, launching into a selection of songs from his “ten years in the business”. I wont go into details as we already have several reviews on this site praising the genius of this man. Nevertheless, it was a great set that featured many Carter classics including ‘A Prince In A Paupers Grave’ and ‘GI Blues’ alongside the JSSW anthem ‘Touchy Feely’ and new tune ‘The Day I Became A Victim’ (a definite grower). Add to all this an epic rendition of ‘The Impossible Dream’ and you certainly have the recipe for a set that is as close to perfect as I could possibly imagine. Time to head to the bar before Abdou’ grace the stage as sobriety at this stage is certainly not an option.

Abdoujaparov, the band fronted by the other half of Carter USM (Les ‘Fruitbat’ Carter), are rather drunk. Worried that they will be unable to make it through the set without sounding crap/passing out/vomiting, Fruity and the lads play a typically great set with only the occasional lost verse and slurred chord. After the reggae and acoustica, Abdou’ get the place rocking in a punk fashion which inspires the mosh to turn into a mini-arena of violence that has many of the Abdou fans edging to the sides and soon an exclusion zone appears around one very wasted space cadet who tries to kick anything within reach. Luckily the happy vibes of Abdou win through and the crowd warm to their drunken but lighthearted onstage antics. Highlights of the set included 'Maria's umbrella' and the 'Abdoujaparov Theme' which featured guest vocals from Fruitbats girlfriend Chrissie. 

After an interlude from our host Attila (accompanied on guitar by actor Steve North who played Colin in London’s Burning – very strange!), it was time for a bit of direct-action-punk. The Blaggers AKA, (formely Blaggers ITA) had recently reformed after the death of previous frontman Matty Blag who died of an overdose in 2001. They first caught my eye when I saw them performing ‘Abandon Ship’ on The Word in 1993 and I was in attendance at their last gig at the New Cross Venue back in ’97. The band had blown me away on many occasions with their harsh but unique brand of Oi!, Punk and electronica and their regular gigs at the Venue often involved a crazed Matty Blagg climbing onto the dangerously high balcony above and landing on the sparse crowd. Now with new singer Olaf, the band appeared in a brand new light – Olaf is tall and thin with glasses and his English is quite broken, compared to Matty who was short and stout. However, vocally Olaf is spot on and sounds eerily like Matty when recreating Blagger classics such as 'Ten Dead Men' and 'Young Blaggers'. Sadly though, the old tunes are few and far between and the extreme politics of the band leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth when a song is dedicated to a deceased member of the Irish Republican Army. Still, my spirits are lifted as Blaggers exit the stage and the DJ whacks on the tune he’s been gagging to play all night – the Clash’s White Man In Hammersmith Palais’, which has never sounded so fucking amazing.