CND BENEFIT GIG. CONTINENTAL BALLROOM, SUNDERLAND. BLOD, 4MORE, HI SPEED HEROES, I BREATHE FIRST, MILAN STATION.

An exceptionally good turnout by a fair section of gig goers. Something I wasn’t expecting as the last few gigs here have attracted mainly punks and skins. Tonight, however, a strange underground movement who like to be known as “Headbangers “graced” the ballroom. Well known for their apathy & their non support towards local bands & gigs. We were truly honoured by their presence. Some were rumoured to be students or sixth formers, stange indeed. I suspect a number of them didn’t give a shit about the bands on show, but its still uplifting to know that they forked out the 70p in support of the CND. The continental is ideal for local bands, and if any wearside H.M. bands had decided to move their asses they could’ve been on the bill too. Right that’s off me chest, we’ll start on the evenings entertainment. First up were the High Speed Heroes. Since their appearance on “CHECK IT OUT BAND SPECIAL” there have been a number of line up changes, in fact no one seems to know who is in the band and who isn’t. On bass tonight (former bassist Anth Dunn left to form a Rockabilly Skiffle band) was a mysterious character who goes under the weird name of Reg, who proved to be a capable stand in and played merrily along with the other two founder members – John Collinson (G+V) and Jim Tate (The potatoe kid) – drums and lager. They made an impact with 2 new songs, which I didn’t catch the name of, but everything sounded impressive on first hearing. An obvious departure from the original more pop orientated material, especially in the drum department, where Jim seemed far happier beating the shit out of his hanging toms, something he shyed away from in his earlier Hi Speed days. Johns amp was very loud, and it was difficult to make out a lot of his guitar work, still, it wasn’t bad considering they never had a sound check. It was a short set but one of their oldies provided a climax, a near perfect rendition of Billy your ready, their track on the book centre LP. This finally got the cats grooving, all 8 of them. Still, no mean feat for an 8.30 slot. Next band on were a different kettle of goat. A bunch of drunken bums called I Breathe First, parading their new singer, a trendy hipster known as Hud. No fucking about with this lot. They launched into’Between 2 Buildings’, a powerful and melodic dittie driven on by the beat crazed Marty Yule. Despite the appalling sound, the drummer played well and didn’t drop his sticks once. The bass player on the other hand did more than drop a drumstick. i.e. his body. A crescendo of flaying limbs & bass strings flying gracefully through the air. Sheer poetry. Attempts to revitalise the demented bassist failed miserably. Lead guitarist Dave Irwin finally resorted to kicking the drunken bastard all over the dance floor; alas another fruitless attempt. Tjhis lad could show Lemmy a thing or two, no messin’. The band continued however, bass player propped up.