Reel Big Fish

Bristol Bierkeller, 29 February 2008

Support: Streetlight Manifesto, Sonic Boom Six

On a cold blustery Friday evening I found myself outside the Bristol Bierkeller, a venue that does nothing to promote its existence from a main road.

The inside has a sparse, functional atmosphere which I suppose is to be expected with such a Germanic name. Behind the bar were some of the deadliest looking cocktails I’d ever seen (florescent red ‘sex on the beach’ served from a black plastic dusbin anyone?) and somehow this touch of Ibiza didn’t quite fit in with the long heavy wooden benches, fortified with steel to hold the weight of music-crazed rock fans.

This was the setting for a ska-tastic night of partying. The mighty fish had returned to the UK and brought with them Streetlight Manifesto (a band formed from the ashes of Catch 22 – who have since reformed and released an album, but let’s not go there) and Mancunian band Sonic Boom Six who were first support.

I make no secret of the fact that I love RBF, have done since my heady days at uni, when I would happily skank until dawn night on night. I’ve often dubbed them the best live ska band for their sheer energy. But tonight was not their night.

I have to say I missed Sonic Boom due to the ungodly doors time of 6.30pm (WTF?) but I’ve seen them before and I’m sure the female lead had plenty of energy bouncing around the stage.

Streetlight Manifesto is an amazing band and if you get the chance to see them please do! I saw them at the Camden Underworld many moons ago and they were amazing – I’ve never seen so many people skank at one time – it certainly made for some bruised shins!

However it was a bit of a shame that they played so much of their new material at the Bristol gig. Their new stuff isn’t bad, it just ain’t as good as their early stuff. Despite this they exuded energy by the brass horn load and acted as a fitting support to the fish.

Now you could say I’m something of a die-hard RBF fan, I’ve seen them live six times and never felt let down by them…until now.

I wasn’t alone in feeling that they lacked the passion and the ‘fun’ that they always used to put into a performance on this occasion. The onstage banter wasn’t there, the interaction with the crowd was stilted and rehearsed and all in all they just looked a little tired.

They have been touring for over ten years and you could see it on their faces. Sure there were the old favourites – Beer still got everyone dancing – but the new album really isn’t all that.

All in all this meant it wasn’t a fantastic gig and unfortunately they’ve fallen from the top of my ‘best live band’ list. It is a sorry day when you have to say to one of your favourite bands "quit while you’re ahead" (or not too far behind) but unfortunately that day is today.

RIP RBF

Words: Angel

2/5