Concert Review: Bad for Education at The Wine Cellar, 6 Aug 2021

Love is a burning thing! Bad For Education are a tight Hard-Pop Punk four-piece band and in an inspired bit of misdirection they start with Ring of Fire! They are showcasing brand-new album Eyes on the Sky and they are about to blast off.

William Walker is the enabler of this band, lead singer and rhythm guitarist. Michael Dowling lead guitar, Jacob Kendall bass and Jordan Neal drums.

Stupid Feelings is the real start, also the first song on the album. They have some of the vibrant charged sound of the Beserkeley label Power Pop purveyors.

Again and Again. Simple punchy melodies. Walker has a good voice with an understated delivery, a sensibility similar to Joey Ramone. The music is then an ensemble wall of sound which relates it back to Goldstar studios and Phil Spector.

They increase the speed of the rhythm riffs with Couch and Tom Peep. Closer to the original British Punk. Played fast whilst retaining the melody.

Pulling Punches. Ringing guitars and some of the quirky nature of Peter Perret’s singing when he was with the Only Ones.

Then there a solo showcase for Walker. Two songs with an acoustic guitar and he switches into singer-songwriter mode. The voice stands out without needing to be overwrought.

Sleep demonstrates this and instantly reminds me of an obscure Smiths buried classic of the same title.

Tales is better still. Observational lyrics with the feel of Morrissey or more acceptably these days, the Kinks Ray Davies. Before they became American stadium Rockers.

Their own personal influences are of course more recent. A good version of the Strokes’ Someday. Bratty snarling vocals. They also manage some of the ambience of the Arctic Monkeys.

If you combine those two touchstones you probably do get to Basket Case from Green Day. They go to town on this one. Do you have time to listen to me whine? / I am paranoid.   

Their last album track tonight is Cindy Wastetime. You can’t help hearing some of the legends of New Zealand Power Pop and Punk. Dave Dobbyns’ Dudes and Toy Love. Walker tells me his father managed the iconic Gluepot Pub venue, over that time when great music from here and overseas was pouring out.

The Sons of Dad Rock. Soon on Netflix, maybe…

Bad Bishop

They call themselves filthy Grunge Rock and they are Westies. Alex Smith vocals and guitar, Denholm Cox bass and Tim Carter drums.

That could be all the review you need. They are loose with the fans and with themselves but they are a tight disciplined trio when they play and they whip through ten songs in thirty minutes. Of playing time and excluding banter.

Remember Me is a single on Spotify. Good honest working-class Pub Rock with a scorching guitar solo.

It Follows starts with a guitar shudder and tribal drums. The drum and bass engine is the secret to their tight, cohesive and judiciously explosive sound.

A Good Man is their most recent song. Indie Rock and they also tap into the classic early Dave Dobbyn Pub Band sound. They even get the audience to join in on a da-da-da-da singalong refrain echoing Bliss. The outro is a bit heavier Edgar Winter Group guitar flash.

Money is where your bit of filth comes in. My Daddy was a preacher. Rockabilly fuzz and grunge touching on the Cramps. The singer is stopping short of full Lux Interior howling.

For Someone Else they call slow, meaning it’s more Power Pop.

Close with their other available single Nothing at All. A good solid Kiwi Pub Rock outfit.

Goodspace

They are a four-piece band but tonight with some necessary rearranging they play as a duo. Jeff Chan guitar and voice and Callum Lee bass. And a drum machine.

Their opening number sounds like Seventies Pop but from there the tone changes.

Quiet minimalist melodies with a warm bass throb. Dramatic flourishes from the 12-string acoustic guitar. Brief and colourful. That is donotsleep, off their second EP Under the Loquat Tree.

Similar sounds on Time Chasing and Braces. All can be heard on two EPs they have out on streaming platforms.

Have not heard them full-size, but with this configuration they have the sound of cult Punk-era Welsh trio Young Marble Giants down pat. The drum machine seals the deal. I’m also a fan of a twelve string.

Quiet and ominous wrapped in nice melody. A pleasant voice which delivers edgy Folk lyrics.

The Good, the Bad and the Bad. Not Ugly at all. Many friends here tonight to support some seriously good young musicians.

Rev Orange Peel

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