GRIPPER / Vicious Bishop – Druid’s Arms, Penrith. 17th Feb ’24.
Gripper are from Penrith so probably know each and every audience member’s first name and if not they’ll probably know them to nod to in the street. Tonight it is cold outside but boiling hot inside the pub and there is not room to swing the proverbial cat. The band have a settled line-up of Gordon on guitar, Mike on bass & Barry on the drums.
The set is now a familiar offering with the added fun of three new songs as Mike was proud to point out pre-showtime. ‘Call me’ Gordon is the banter/focal point of the band as he also takes all the vocal duties. I suppose you could term the band as ‘street punk’ but within that broad genre the subject matter of the songs is varied & humorous. Songs from a recently released EP are featured as are fan favourites ‘Pre-op Pete, I want you, Flat cap Hero’ & set ender ‘Windy Miller’s a psycho killer’.
There was a trained nurse on standby to administer to the needs of Mike if necessary (according to Gripper’s gig rider); luckily Michael was able to soldier on! They encored with a cowpunk version of ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ and the audience went home happily singing along.
Support was supplied by Lancaster’s Vicious Bishop, who culture ex-members of Toy Dolls & Radio Stars in their ranks, decent stuff with some reggae overtones, let’s face it – the bands were here to entertain, t’was a Saturday night and even Gripper’s aborted intro to Barry’s new song was greeted with love.
But for me the sweetest bit of the evening was when the set had finished and Gordon was turning his amp off he went to ‘fist-pump’ Barry who was still sat at his kit; now these boys have known each other for most of their lives and have survived most things that life has thrown at them in this; Barry hesitated, looked quizzically at him then accepted the offer with a grin – celebrating a job well done indeed!
Roving Reporter : COLYN POWERS.
DeClunk 