Finial Review of the Hog and Hosper by Johnny H of Ubder Rock

 SO THIS IS THE LAST REVIEW FROM UBER ROCK ON THE GBH GIG. IT BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE. I AM SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT I HAVE DONE HERE AND THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT MADE IT POSSIBLE.

GBH - Pontypool, Hog And Hosper - 3rd May 2013 Print E-mail Written by Johnny H Thursday, 16 May 2013 03:00 “And now the end is near….” GuntysThe first of two nights of Punkfest 2013 here at the Hog And Hosper, this is the most fitting swansong for a venue I’ve grown to love over the last few years. That’s partly because I’ve never actually seen GBH before other than in the cavernous surroundings of the Olympia in Blackpool where it was like an unaired punk rock edition of Name That Tune trying to pinpoint the songs being cranked out thanks to that venue’s infamous aircraft hanger sound, and of course it’s also because this is the last but one gig before we wave bye bye to the Hog. So as I lift a can of Stella in celebration of The Guntys taking to the stage/raised floor area, nothing other than truly happy memories of encounters with the likes of Ricky Warwick, LA Guns, Dirt Box Disco, Diamond Head and Scabies & James fill my horse head. So what better way to send the venue off into the sunset in true style than with two nights of punk rock debauchery? Thankfully this is something that Abertillery trio The Guntys specialise in, and their brief set, leaning ever more towards the politically charged end of things, is filled with disenchanted anthems such as ‘When The Brick Stops Swinging’ and ‘Height of Stupidity’, Both dedicated to Tory prime ministers old and new had the already filling dance floor screaming along. It is their set climax where they are joined onstage by This System Kills frontman Pig for a run through of Anti Pasti’s ‘No Maggie Thatcher And No Government’ that almost brings the roof down though. Fuck ‘Ding Dong’ this is the true anti-Thatcher song delivered by people who really do mean every word of it. Vendettas 2 Hailing from the Rhondda just a few Valleys away, The Vendettas are too young to remember John Major never mind Horrible Hilda, so their furious take on punk rock is more about the music rather than the politics. Think what Phil Campbell’s grandchildren might sound like playing Zeke covers, and you won’t be a million miles away. ‘Heartbreaker’ whilst being introduced as a slowie dedicated to the couples in the house is the exact opposite, ripping the skin from your face with its intensity. Likewise ‘Dirty Secret’ and ‘Killing Machine’ (dedicated to the band’s beloved Cardiff City) seek and destroy all comers sending the crowd into an early climax of beer soaked sweat drenched fun. Fellow Uber scribe Darrel Sutton had warned me not to miss these purveyors of filthy dirty ’Bad Taste’ rock ‘n’ roll, and he was once again bang on the button. So to paraphrase old Squidward McPoopshute, make sure you too check out The Vendettas because they are “fucking choice!” BlatoideaThese types of multiple band line ups always tend to throw up one surprise package and tonight that honour falls to Blatoidea, who deliver a set of stinging Sicilian streetpunk by way of London town. Looking almost exactly like the eighties version of tonight’s headliners the quartet even had someone near me complaining that after paying £10 he would have expected one original member to be in GBH, and the comparisons don’t stop there either, as tracks from their ‘Infected’ album like ‘Alive’ speed past in two minute blasts of punk rock fury ala the Midland maniacs in their prime. Singer/guitarist Manu might conduct his stage banter in a second language but at times he actually reminds me of a ‘Total 13’ era Nicke Borg, which is a comparison that I don’t normally give away lightly. Okay they might have overstayed their welcome a bit playing a set of songs that no one other than the few clued in people stage front really knew but the impression they left had punks flooding to the merch stand to pick up CDs and T-shirts, myself included. Whilst I’m on the subject of T-shirts I really do have to mention that when I pay £10 for a shirt I don’t expect to get it home to find it is an iron on transfer. But that’s exactly what the GBH ‘Perfume And Piss’ shirt I picked up tonight was, and what was otherwise as perfect a headline set as I’ll see this year this really left sour taste in my mouth I can tell you. GBH ColAnyway back to the gig and kicking off with ‘Unique’ from the aforementioned Hellcat released return to form; Colin, Jock, Ross and Scott were certainly on a mission tonight, that being to mix the old with the new and send the Hog off with a gig that will be remembered for many years to come by those of us lucky to be in attendance. Of the old we got all of the ‘Leather Bristles Studs And Ache’ EP in its entirety and almost in its expanded Captain Oi CD version sequence too albeit for a ferocious run through of ‘No Survivors’, Big Women’, ‘Sick Boy’, ‘Give Me Fire’ and ‘Hellhole’ before ‘City Baby Attacked By Rats’, and ‘City Babies Revenge’ were called back to close the set with Stooges fave ‘I Feel Alright’. The other newbie of the main set ‘Kids Get Down‘ gets dedicated to Blatoidea, with Colin not missing the band’s striking resemble to his band’s younger selves, whilst the recently deceased Jeff Hanneman also picked up an earlier song dedication. It’s this link to thrash metal that actually got me into GBH in the mid eighties, when for nights on end me and my mates would sit and watch the VHS of ‘Live At Stoke-On-Trent 1983’ on constant loop, marvelling at just how intense four guys could be on a stage. Losing none of that intensity here tonight the set closing blast of ‘Maniac’ is a schoolboy ending for yours truly, finally sending everyone out into the street well past the witching hour. If tonight really was the final curtain for the Hog And Hosper as a live venue then Sam and her crew have left most of us at URHQ with many happy memories of what can be done with a relatively small venue and a lot of ambition, however it also paints the harsh picture of reality of what punter apathy and the current economic climate can mean when you are trying to run a business. Unfortunately I couldn’t make the second night of this two day send off (which was headlined by Vice Squad) but this was the perfect way for me to say goodbye to a venue that really did do it their way. To visit the GBH store on Amazon - The Punk Singles 1981-84

http://www.uberrock.co.uk/gig-reviews/9-may-gigs/8091-gbh-pontypool-hog-and-hosper-3rd-may-2013.html

First day of a new start

So that was it. A party of all parties to close the pub and we drank it dry. I am now recovering, I have the shakes so please excuse me. Today I will be chilling out. I will need to clean the Pub as there are empty cans and glasses everywhere and there is someone coming to have a look at the place tomorrow. The pub will be going up for auction next month so we are staying here until 25th May and then moving into our new place which is in the middle of nowhere. Its not far from our friends and its close to where Wayne's Mom is. The new place has 3 bedrooms so the kids have a room as well when they come over to visit. We will need to invest in a new car as well so we can all, kids and fur kids, go out on day trips. Thats what Im looking forward to mainly, going out for trips and not having to worry about rushing back if there is a problem at the pub. I have spoken to a few Landladies that have come out of the Trade recently and thay say that they do miss the Social part of it but not the worry. We have checked out the local Pubs and they are within wlaking distance. The Hunters Moon is the nearest, The Skirrid is a 10 minute drive away and The Walnut Tree about 15 mins drive. Very important to check out the local!! The house has its on acre of land and we can put a little fence up so the woo's can have a run around. Offas Dkye also starts at the bottom of the garden and the views are spectacular. Our neighours are Sheep to the left and horses to the right. I would like to get into writing abit more as well if possible and earn some money that way. I need to take it easy. I still havent really recovered from my Op as you can never switch off when you run your own business. I was short on cash when I had to pay HMRC and they said I should have made provisions. Sorry HMRC I didnt know I was going to get seriously ill. I do apologise for getting off my arse and starting a Business. Oh well, time to rest, but first I am going hopping with my Mom. Waynes gone to see the kids in Bristol so I am having a relaxing day withmy folks. Catch you later http://intotheble.gtmachine.track.clicksure.com -->

Easter Week planned

So whats coming up at The Hog this Easter weekend? Well we are starting to do Live Music on a Thursday night  as Karaoke seems to be doing its rounds to much these days and after 4 years on a Thursday Night, we thought we would give Live Music a chance.
So opening up for us this week are Cardiff Based Bete Noir promising us an evening of Punk and Grunge. Yet again The Hog brings you something new and exciting and not just the run of the mill stuff that seems to be churned out these days. Oh the hum drum of being stuck in the same vein week in and out would bore anyone with a music brain stupid. So we try and bring the best of the best to you to listen and tap your feet to,.
Are we blowing our trumpet? Well why not? We have spent 4 years building the reputation of being one of the most exciting small venues in South Wales. But don't take my word for it ask the bands and our regular gig goers. We need them and to keep things fresh we like to be more diverse then, say, well.. you know.

Friday sees the return of Metalers ISOLATION with special guests Iridium and Red Exit Girl. They went down a storm last year so we had to have them back, especially as it's little Trev's Birthday. He is promising some very interesting costumes this Friday which will be in competition with our friends from Isolation. I shall take as many pictures as I can!!

Saturday we see the debut gig of Guns & Roses, yes thats the correct name folks!!! Tickets are selling well already so get down early. Also Jen is celebrating her actual birthday this week as well. We had a Private Party here last week for her but we decided she is much nicer then the Queen and is entitled to two birthdays.

Sunday, now if the weather is nice and it isnt peeing down with snow, we will be doing a BBQ.
This week I will be mainly baking cakes and making Easter pressies for the others halves little ones, ok thats my excuse. I love baking. The New Rock n Roll eh?


See you at the bar.
Sam,Wayne and Team

GBH

Okay me bad, I haven't updated The Hog blog for some time, but if you are a regular visitor to The Hog, you will know why. We have had the most amazing last few weeks. Do you remember the blog I wrote a fair few months ago about bringing CBGB's to Pontypool? well it happened, and if love punk you will love The Hog. Our first big gig was on Feb 23rd with GBH. It was a great night, the band walked in to The Hog with everyone screaming, not at them, but at the TV. It was THE Rugby match between Wales v England, we made it and GBH sighed relief (lol) the band were down to earth and no airs or graces I didn't feel as I had to watch my P's and Q's with them. I say this because when we had LA Guns here last time, I felt they looked down their noses at us, well  not the band but sure their Tour Manager did. Nothing was good enough.

Anyway enough of last year (glad to see the back of it and some people!)

First up were local band Hobgoblin with our mate Chris on drums. The lead singer looked a little bit like Rat Scabies. Sadly being  on the door all night I didnt get a chance to see their whole set but I could hear them, and they sounded AMAZING!! The whoops and cheers that came from the room confirmed that everyone was indeed having a great time. I htink Chris really enjoyed being part of the whole GBH night! Well he was certainly dancing in the mosh pit later on.

Next band were The Vile, Rat sings lead in this band and also plays in Discharge who are confirmed to play The Hog on March 23rd. I cant really coment on the band as I could see them! like I said, stuck on door!

Anyway, GBH were amazing! It was wonderful to see so many people who had traveled to see them. And we had a laugh. Loved it when Luca 'Stage dived', the stage is about two inches off the ground. Bless him x
Its nice getting a great new crowd and building up a new scene which we are getting a great rep for. More to come folks!

 THE VILE

THE VILE

RAT (THE VILE)

THE VILE

GBH

GBH

GBH

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROSS PONTY

Getting upto date and How Bands can get a Gig here

Hi guys and Girls. 

Well I haven't been great at keeping this Blog up to date, shame on me lol. Its been all go at The Hog lately. We have had some fab acts since I last wrote, including Sham 69 and LA Guns.

We are going to be going through a few changes over the next month or so and are looking to re brand. Don't worry, you will still be seeing your favourite bands at The Hog so that wont change. I am just looking to re launch The Hog in a fun and funky way. Its exciting times for all the Team here so keep your eyes peeled on the website and on this Blog ( yes I will keep it up to date more often)

I have also been really busy booking bands into the middle of next year. I have had loads of emails and calls off bands for gigs which is great, but can I politely ask bands to provide a link to a website with a Biog and demos so we can see what you have to offer. Don't forget your selling a service and with any service you need to provide credentials. I know you may be thinking ' Who the hell does she think she is?' but believe me, I ran a very successful Blondie Tribute band for 17 years and the main thing was providing a potential customer with a great marketing package to promote the band. At first this consisted of an A2 glossy poster an A4 promo card, a biog and a DVD consisting of video, audio and images. All in all this costed £5 to me but reaped great rewards and we were gigging on average 3 times a week. I also put a digital package together where I would email customers/clients back and direct them to a website with all the same info on.

Your promotional material speaks volumes about how you, as a band come across. If your promo material looks professional, your band comes across professional.

Also, do yourself and the venues a favour when it comes to being booked by every pub in the same area. Leave yourselves enough time each side of the bookings so you don't saturate the area. IE play here this week, the pub down the road the following week. Its tough out there at the moment and neither you, the band, or the venue you are playing at will reap any rewards. What will simply happen is that your audience will get complacent with 'oh we will give them a miss as they are playing up the road in a couple of weeks.' This will result in falling audience attendance which will result in your gigs being cancelled as the venues simply wont be able to cover your fee. I hope this makes sense to the FAQ that I have put for bands on the Hog website. I have had to put terms and conditions when bands are booked to play here. I'm not being a bitch ( although I don't take offence to being called one) I'm simply being a business woman and protecting well.... my business and even yours.

Well here endeth the lesson, as they say. Its something I have been trying to explain for sometime and I hope it has come across in a well written manner rather then a nutty shouty woman.