Orchard, Active Minds and Graham Watson formed a line-up, compered by poet Graham Rhodes, for a night of DIY Punk Delight at Scarborough’s Westover Club.

Dubbed ‘The Return of The Westy Warrior’, this packed and pumping gig might equally have been named the Return of the Sweaty Warrior; though I’m unclear as to the exact identity of the warrior in question, and if it’s Graham Watson, then he was, as per usual, notable only for his absence*.

*(Anyone who has been to their gigs or read a Graham Watson review before will be aware that there is no actual Graham; and that, in fact, we are all Graham. But more on that later).

If sweat, energy and humour are the trademarks of a great DIY gig then tonight’s players epitomised these qualities. The upstairs of the Westover club once again played host to a line up of fresh and engaging local original bands, with introductions and links from the incomparable performance poet Graham Rhodes, whose spirited poems encapsulate the punk ethos and punctuate the space between bands with aplomb.

Two-piece Orchard launched in with some of the most dance-worthy punkish-rock-defying-neat-categorisation that I’ve heard, possibly ever, and I’m instantly enthralled by their dynamic. I’ve been waiting some time to catch them and now I can’t wait to see them again. It tells you plenty when the first band up get a swathe of dancers thronging at the front of the crowd within moments. As well as their infectiously rhythmic playing, their between-song banter is warm and full of charm; drummer Rosie talks about having just started Morris dancing but being the youngest by a country mile, whilst guitarist Joel’s humourous comments create ripples of mirth between songs. Then they absolutely rip into pulsating sucker-punches of songs, almost surprising themselves with the speed they run at.

There’s a connecting thread between Orchard and Active Minds and it isn’t simply that they’re both two-piece outfits; it’s the committed energy and contradictorily controlled frenzies of their playing. With Active Minds – brothers Bobs and Set, internationally-known veterans unassumingly relishing being part of their local scene – there is a muscle memory to their playing that somehow drives the intensity up even further; they’re in the zone and it’s magnetic. This gravitational pull has a sizeable mosh pit amicably bouncing off each other in this compact space; and whilst this driving set is focused forward with no gaps for chat, there are moments when you catch a smile on the faces of one or other brother and a glimpse into just how much they love what they do, love being in this moment, with this crowd. Their anthemic songs are layered and could make you believe that there were at least double the amount of players onstage; it’s full and all-encompassing sound delivered with sheer passion. On the cusp of their forty year anniversary, it’s heartening to hear tracks like We’re Still Angry delivered with such necessary vehemence and ever more relevance.

Whilst wary of leaning into ‘in-jokes’ for this review, it is notable that Graham Watson fans in it for the long haul will be starting to engage in running themes; whether it is the omnipresent non-existence of Graham (as per the line in compere Graham Rhodes’ poem, “We are all Graham Watson”) or the array of branded workwear acquired by lead singer, Ruben – never from his actual job, of course. Elliott raises a storm on guitar and additional vocals, while Reese’s basslines and Sam’s drums form the solid foundation for the fun to be built on. There is a brief guest spot, with Charlie Hunter from Pleasure Centre joining on guitar. Amidst subtle theatricality to their attire and performance, the set is infused with funny stories, skits, and, from time to time, a trumpet. Anyone who has had their chips snaffled by a thieving gull or faced a family gathering in less than sober fashion can relate, and the occasional little ‘scene’ provides hilarity. But the songcraft and the playing – there’s no messing around there, and for a band who are, by my reckoning, only five or six gigs in, this four piece have rapidly glued it all together and built momentum. Even if their main man never deigns to show up.

Upcoming:
Orchard play again with Jenkem Revolt and Shreds at the Westover Club, Scarborough, on 8th March, then at Scarborough Film Festival on 21st March, where they join Graham Watson and Grandads Don’t Indicate, after the screening of documentary ‘Dead Mint’: check out www.scarboroughfilmfestival.co.uk for details.

Graham Watson are then playing on 28th March at the Solidarity Social event, ‘A Pint and a Pogo’, Railway Club, Scarborough, 7.30pm, along with 6 DJ’s playing top punk tunes. Free entry, raffle and collection inside, proceeds raised on the night will support the Rainbow Centre.

And then they’re part of an epic line up for 5th April at the Crescent Lounge, Scarborough, as part of We Shall Overcome, raising funds for The Rainbow Centre (donations of non-perishable food, sanitary products and second-hand clothing are the ‘entry fee’). 4pm til 1am with poetry, music and DJ.

Active Minds are playing on a line-up with The Restarts, Slalom D and Bear Away at Scarborough’s Corporation Club on 28th March but that is, so we hear, SOLD OUT.

Keep an eye on Yorkshire Coast Gigs for more details as these dates approach.