Point Blank Magazine Georgian Theatre Stockton August 2023
Review Point Blank Magazine sept 2021
The Don Memorial Museum Last Post Bar - Thornaby
http://nevolume.co.uk/wp-content/plugins/pdfjs-viewer-shortcode/pdfjs/web/viewer.php?file=http%3A%2F%2Fnevolume.co.uk%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F03%2F53rd-Edition-Final.pdf&download=true&print=true&openfile=false#page=14
Party for Barney Review
Butlins Review Minehead The Great Alternative Festival January 29th 2020
Snide Remarks are now almost ready to take to the introducing stage, the crowd has thinned a bit and maybe being that it is 7pm the call for food has gotten the better of most.
Having had a very
long journey down from the Middlesbrough area the night before and a stomach
bug, this however didn’t dampen any of the enthusiasm and need to entertain the crowd, lead singer
Barry Walker as always straight into his deliverance of their 70’s style punk
rock songs with a modern feel, energy is one thing that is not lacking with all
the band, a really heavy full on Bass line, drumming that falls into the
category of almost animal proportions this set against the wonderfully
technical lead guitar makes for a tight sound, songs that you can dance to,
songs like “Apologies” that you can bounce to and songs like “Millionaire” and
“Dead Pop Stars” that just scream punk rock, all in all the crowd warmed to and
enjoyed every minute of the crowd prowling front mans sweaty all energy
performance.
Tonight’s main stages
see the first clashes of the weekend. Choices to be made. Glen Matlock/Jeramiah
Ferrari, The Adicts/The Undertones, The Members/Hung Like Hanratty. We
understand why it’s necessary but that doesn’t make it any easier. Deciding to try and see half a set by
everyone, a plan that quickly goes tits up, we start with Glen Matlock and Earl
Slick.
Gig Review At The Don Military Bar Stockton on Tees
Review by Zeitgeist - (The Rocker )
http://nevolume.co.uk/music/reviews/album-reviews/review-snide-remarks-life-is-hell-album/?fbclid=IwAR0KSkputAAisTpbLnZwfjXzFJa6ReCWkHiSZzz8ZLk1_DwQV2xAa7a1YJ4
To say punk band Snide Remarks have been an unlucky band
would be quite the understatement. Through a combination of multiple breakups,
line-up switches and just plain bad luck, the band never managed to release
anything official from their founding in 1982 until their 30th anniversary,
which was essentially a recording of them live in the studio. They would
finally manage to release their actual debut album, ‘Reserekted [sic]’, in
2014, but this, the follow-up titled ‘Life is Hell’, would tragically be their
final album with guitarist and founding member Keith Bernard, who passed away
between the recording of the album and its final release.
That all said, it’s hard not to respect ‘Life is Hell’ as a
fun blast of old school punk. You don’t need not be a punk expert to recognise
the band’s authenticity and commitment to their sound, with obvious influence
from the likes of Sex Pistols and The Anti-Nowhere League showing just how old
school the band are.
The guitar playing screams ‘70s punk in a way which is
almost refreshing to hear today, with the production being such a flawless
recreation of that era that it is hard to believe the album is not a long lost
‘70s recording.
While no one could possibly mistake the members of Snide
Remarks as great musicians on a technical level, their enthusiasm bleeds
through with every note, with Barry Walker’s unmistakably Northern-accented
vocals sounding incredibly enjoyable to any with a love of punk.
While it’s not a bad album collectively, the best songs on
the record, like ‘Millionaires’ and ‘God Has Got Your Number’, come across as
decent while other tracks like ‘Village of the Damned’ stand out more because
the recordings feel slightly awkward during section transitions.
‘Life is Hell’, at times, comes across as being slightly out
of time – but maybe that’s what they were going for, especially when the punk
ethos of the ‘70s brought about so many great records and artists.
Ultimately, nothing really breaks ‘Life is Hell’ and it is a
fun listen for those who like old school punk.
You can purchase ‘Life is Hell’ at any Snide Remarks gig or
you can listen to ‘Life is Hell’ now on Spotify. Amazon etc
SNIDE REMARKS - LIFE IS HELL- (Review by Dave Fungelpunk 2019 )
There is no bullshit with Snide Remarks, they are what they
are and play their brand of music in good old punk tradition. They come from Teeside, twat out some good
tuneage and have shared a stage with all the usual bands. They have served a good apprenticeship, I am
wondering if this is the time to step things up and move things on to the next
level (wherever that is). I am, for some
unknown reason, expectant of a good earthy do here, I may be granted such
offerings or I may get served up some real docile and pointless crap - either
way, by the end of this review you will know the score.
'Simon Says; is as honest as the day is long, rolls with a
good earthy effect and has a suggestion of some old snotty punkism that
somehow, still turns me on. The pace is
middling, the angle slightly slanted, the arrangement solid enough. The mix gets the best out of the band and
displays each component well. This isn't
a testicle-twatting start, it isn't a genuine 'in the face' classic but for me,
it is a firm foundation played in a way that captures an old-school vibe as
well as many facets the scene was, and still is, built on. 'Don't Come Back' is the better song of the
opening brace and shows sees the band come together and produce an easily
digestible ditty that I have played many times and...enjoyed. The vocal style is distinctive, the musical
escort determined to keep things tidy, melodic and not overly fussy. The opening bars subtly suggest something
Pistolonian without the overlays, the initial verse is well within itself and
the chorus cut is put forth with a liquid lilt that shows the band producing
the goods with well-versed ease. It is
more than obvious that we are dealing with buggers here who have been in it for
the long term and there will be no change anytime soon.
'Millionaires' is perhaps the best song on the CD, a real
sharp-eyed piece that exposes a contradiction many of us are guilty of and why
the world is perhaps topsy-fuckin'-turvy.
The reasons for this being a favoured track are manifold, I like
sarcasm, sharp acidic wit and when it gets across a very pertinent point via a
fuckin' fine tune then all the better.
The chorus is a certain cracker that the pogoing populace should lap up
and agree with. If it creates deeper
thought then the song will be a 100% success - it certainly gets my vote and as
usual, gets me re-examining my input, output and the overall idiot tilted
balance. 'Social Animal' is a mean
driven song, keeps the opening verse within the cage of care and struts along
with stated vocals before poking the tuneful todge through the restraining bars
and giving it a rather swift, uplifting waggle.
The musical member proffered doesn't penetrate any new orifices or
rupture any eavesdropping rings but gives a fair sonic sensation while sporting
a decent sense of rhythm and throwing in a few raw rock and roll touches to
keep the necessary neurones alert.
'Punk Rock Mafia' is a song I find a trifle bland with no
sincere snagging zeniths and no blatantly obvious hooks to get duly ensnared
by. The song is mid-paced, has a
sniping sharpness that somehow gets lost and if only this effort would have
bared more teeth and made its point with a certain vulgarity I think all would
have been more favourable within my words.
Having shown my ill-favour with the general gist of the song I can't
fault the application and the production levels - one must be fair tha'
knows. 'Village Of The Damned' is a far
more complete song with shifts and sensations executed with great aplomb and
showing a band that are capable of more than what they offered during the
previous expulsion. An anthemic mockery
opens, a groovy glammed guitar follows, a strutting verse is executed and a
sweetly undulated chorus is nicely entered.
The smooth segues continue as a great sing-a-long inclusion comes
calling upon a great hook and some raucous backing vocals and suddenly...we are
done. I think this one is another
pinnacle in the package - onwards.
'Dead Pop Stars' is a cold matter of fact lesson that chugs
along and gets things done with very little concern. The approach is to keep it honest,
simplistic and against the abysmal shit we are fed via the radio, a radio that
is best left switched off or tuned to Radio 4 for me. In truth, over the years, the music industry
has proven itself to be one big ball of corrupting filth and what is deem a hit
or a shit counts for sweet fuck all.
Pull the plug, get off yer arse and go find some gutter tunes - I remain
60/40 here! 'I Don't Care' is right up
the bands street, a snotty shit out and full of old style fruity 'fuck it'
attitude straight from the early days to the present time via Boys who are far
from Dead! It is a cover as you may well
have guessed, done with very little variation on the theme but definitely one
for the nostalgia nuts - I am happy to leave this assessment there.
'Mine Tonight' takes us into the run in, it is a slow
starting song that gradually spirals upward with a sub-crescendo appeal akin to
a firework lighting up the sky of silence and producing a myriad of tuned
explosions. The lyrical content is
verbal spillage from a wannabe charmer who uses his limited persuasive
techniques in the hope of winning the affections of a lady. It is an almost comical jaunt, filled with
undying love-tinted self-belief and done by a bloke who can't believe his luck
- I think it is the overall innocence that wins my favour - the ruddy cracked
sods. 'God Has Got Your Number' is a
cute tickle, a serious little thought provoker that gets one pondering the
possibilities of being watched all the time and having ones every move
assessed. We are all sussed, you better
watch out you wayward rapscallions. The
song here is given strength via the loutish back hollers, the well-brandished
strings and the slapped and sorted skins - it makes for a ditty that I can't
help singing along to.
'Punks Unite' is a very honest holler, thoroughly well-meant
and a tidy reminder to all in these very fractured times. The tub thump that initially calls is
straight from the terrace, full of boisterous and demanding spirit and of a
very, very pertinent slant. In this age
of division we need to hitch up our trousers, focus our rage and put the wind
up the ruling authorities rather than killing time partying and keeping things
'mild'. A straight forward clobber
clout, there is sometimes every need for such an outburst. 'Life Is Hell' chases, stays within the
parameters of the bands style and rips up the substrate with a sub-unruly
fiasco that is tidied up, given good riffage and splattered forth with unending
gusto. 'Oi's are thrown in to add beef,
the twists and turns and general energy do the business and the frontman gobs
off with the usual recognisable fervid tones.
Not a bad un' this but outshone by the finalising full stop known as
'Apologies'. Here the band come into
their own and find an emotive texturisation on which they glide to ideal
success. The tale is touching, simply
but perfectly put. The jealously
culminates in a tragedy, the 'sorry' is way too late, the pang in the heart is all
too tangible. The pill taken is
bittersweet, from something so wonderful something quite horrific is had, the
band create a situation that really touches a nerve - tis a grand way to end a fair and up-front CD.
Snide Remarks have done well here with a tidily packaged
product that has many gratifying moments to consider further. The band roll their rhythmic dice, have a
distinct sound and once again, have further depths to call upon that will thus
put this effort into the shadows. A
couple of songs really do give hint of great strides about to be taken, I hope
they take pride in this piece of work and don't rest on their laurels - as per,
Fungalpunk is pushing with passion!
Alternative Aycliffe Radio - May 2019
Life is Hell Album Review - May 2019 Skrutt Magazine Review Sweden
http://www.skruttmagazine.se/?fbclid=IwAR2wK-YQM-OGpoz8rqwYF2As3yCXjD9PCKSQH0yy9SZYlyvsqcoAqH3-np8
Funny with this group when I had a contact with the singer
Baz so it appeared that his girlfriend was Swedish and came from Uddevalla
where I also come from and was born the same year as me. Talk about the world
being small! In addition to a Boys cover, all original songs that Snide Remarks
gives us. It is a very nice form of punk rock that makes me happy. I'm going to
think of Toy Dolls, Sham 69 and Sex Pistols at the same time so you understand
that it's a pretty melodious music in the genre punk that's about. Easy to sing
along with and I think it is a lot of singing in their concerts because it
really is music that feels genuine and
as if it is made with great love for punk rock. So liberating music and the
only thing I know is that I don't want to work but I would like to go to a
concert with Snide Remarks. Hope they can get a bigger audience because I
really like to listen to them! 7/5-2019
Party for Barney - April 2019
Gig Review: 999 + Support at The Georgian Theatre, Stockton
– 19/01/2018
STEVE WHITE
Snide Remarks at The Georgian Theatre Stockton
Photography by Shahla White
Four bands for a tenner – what a
bargain.
Tonight’s proceedings open with Kickback Generation’s
politically-charged angry punk rock shouting out against today’s
austerity-driven capitalist society. Songs are thrashed out with soaring punk
guitar, some cracking riffs, and thumping rhythms. Best of all, it all stays
tuneful. Blisteringly fast, forceful and angry but never shouty, Kickback
Generation wear their influences with pride: there are hints of The Clash, UK
Subs and a whole host of great bands from ‘77/’78 pop up. There’s even a bit of
buzzsaw guitar and that’s no bad thing.
The Hangmen knock us about with their full-on psychobilly
rock ‘n’ roll. They’re loud and they’re fast and their songs are not about the
niceties of life – tales of murder, hell and death are thrown out over a
backdrop of rumbling double bass and pounding drums. From full-on punk to heavy
blues, it’s all delivered with real kick-ass energy.
Snide Remarks hit you
with a full-on sonic assault that’s both solid punk rock and great entertainment.
While bass, guitar and drums hold it all together in a somewhat cool manner,
singer Baz stays still for barely a second. Leaping around the stage, leaping
off the stage, in the crowd, in your face, there’s no chance of your mind
wandering onto anything else. This is banging singalong punk rock covering
everything from social ills and losing your loved one to the joys of the
weekend. Top stuff.
You know you’re going to have a good time when 999 play.
Delivering a set that covers their 40+ year career, it’s full of those distinct
guitar riffs from Guy Days and the unmistakable vocals of Nick Cash. The flat
out breakneck speed of ‘Nasty Nasty’, ‘Hit Me’ and ‘I’m Alive’ mixed up with
the almost poppy singalong punk of songs such as ‘Little Red Riding Hood’,
‘Biggest Prize In Sport’ and ‘Boys In The Gang’, and add in the classics
‘Feelin’ Alright With The Crew’, ‘Emergency’ and ‘Homicide’, and this was a set
of top class tunes from one of the original ’76 punk bands.
-----------------------
STP Records Gig Manchester Star n Garter
January 2012!
Photo By... STP Records.
A long day in the cold meant I turned up to this gig a bit tired, with muddy boots and with a chill in my bones only a good dose of Cognac would shift. Thankfully this was an early start and an early finish and thoughts of a warm bed didn't seem that far away. Ooooh man!Arriving in more than fine time despite the busy day it was no surprise at the faces and disgraces who I encountered hanging around in the doorway. Sam and Babs of the STP triumvirate were on door duties, that rockin' lass Katie from Pedigree Skum was hovering before her set, Stu himself was mooching with only a T-shirt protecting his ample body from the elements and Tim 'Punk4Life' Davies came out of hibernation and chatted away. One surprise though was a vision I didn't expect - that of Arthur Billingsley also known as Arturo Bassick and frontman of that exceptional (and too often overlooked band) The Lurkers. Where has this dude been? A good catch up was had, chits and chats with many more faces taken and a beer downed before the first band were up, at it and delivering to what was a decent crowd.
Pedagree Skum are a band who play it very retro and change their direction many times throughout the set and so keep one intrigued. The opening songs today were a reflection of this but alas were absolutely hammered by a dreadful sound that saw feedback creep in and slight befuddlement rein. Vocally the start was a strain as the sonics were just not right and front lass Katie was given a rough old ride although she got on with it and kept it as raw and real as you like. Add to this I felt the band started in a somewhat under-rehearsed style and they did seem quite slack in parts and not really flowing as they should. As the set progressed however more uniformity was had and the lead lady started moving more and displaying a sanguinity one would expect from someone so colourful and attentive to her looks. The range of styles was good and the band are obviously trying to push themselves in many directions and throughout the second half of the outpouring gained a good degree of success. Songs regarding alcoholism and domestic violence as well as a ditty about statistics (Standard Deviation) all displayed a thought behind the product and at the end of the offering my verdict had improved. Decent band who are trying and with a bit more tweaking, twanging and overall 'ooomph' will progress into a feisty machine for sure. As usual - watch this space.
Destination Venus have been on a self inflicted hiatus and I hadn't witnessed these guys in action for nigh on 7 years. This was their first performance back into the punk rock pit and man what a fuckin' good do it was. From first to last the melody was high, the rhythm attractive and the energy levels controlled and yet visually busy. The man at the fore sang in tune, with great passion and star jumped, jigged and pow powed his way to glory with his fellow musical minstrels creating some fruity pop punk rock and roll that was an utter, utter joy. The band looked as though they were feeling lucky and certainly didn't hang around whilst delivering one wham bam number after another. They let it go, rattling along and exuding a noise that defied the shitty sound system and with songs of many flavours Destination Venus really stamped forth the fact they are back with a bang. And again - watch this space...man!
The Snide Bit...
Snide Remarks are a band I know nothing about so this review is as embryonic and virginal as it seems and although initial instincts can be misleading I can only scribble down what I feel and about the sonic rush that hit me. Looking at the band individually the guitar player kept a stern look upon is face, made sure things were kept powered up, riffed and without too much complication and stayed pretty static throughout whereas the bassist moved a little more, maintained some good rhythm and filled in any vacancies within the acoustic void that snuck in here and there. A good duo for sure with a steady sticks man at the back and a sanguine singer at the front all contributing to a good powerful package that just seemed to get better and better with each noise laden thrust. Leaping from the stage the vocal voodoo man went forth to spread his melodic magic and did so with gusto, spirit and in yer face insistence (and there ain't nowt wrong with that). The band left on the stage ploughed on and kept the ship stable and were soon rejoined by their now perspiring partner. A few more forays into the crowd by the front gob, a couple of water based assaults and we were done with a ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ to close. Impression made - yes very solid indeed.
An Arthur Bliss, a wag of the chin and back up for the most anticipated band of the night - Loaded 44. The band came, bared their acoustic arses and were raped quite appallingly by the sound system and so at three quarters way through I left them to it. The two songs I used as a yardstick were the epic 'Drop That Bomb' and 'Say Nothing' both of which are choice offerings but tonight were polluted innocents ruined by acoustics hell-bent on destruction. Throughout this was a nightmare and I felt sorely let down and as a result I do need to catch up with this lot real soon. I won't hammer on, the in house PA was a new un' and teething problems are par for the course so there I shall leave it - disappointed and desiring another fix. Bastard!
So another STP show and although not the ending I wanted the gig was as per usual of high quality. 4 good bands for 4 golden nuggets at a venue that is always welcoming and filled with noisy memories. The crowd tonight was pretty decent too with some real reliables turning up and contributing to what is a solid core to build upon. The show must go on and in what steadier hands could it continue than those of Stu Taylor - this wandering bugger appreciates it and long may it thrive.
review by Fungalpunk/OMD (29 January 2012)
Fungalpunk.co.uk
Review by Scott Fatpunk- SCARBROUGH
23th Feb.2013 - Stockton Punk Fest at The Georgian Theatre (Night for Nigsi)
Next up was SNIDE REMARKS, first time i'd ever seen them but they were great!, very energetic frontman!, proper loud blaring punk rock!...really good stage presence, great set with a few classic covers thrown in!, great band!! :)
http://www.facebook.com/scott.fatpunk/info?ref=ts
“NORTH EAST MUSIC LIVE- Totally, Utterly, one of the best nights EVER! AFRAID TO SLEEP, SNIDE REMARKS & THE LAST FAKERS were all amazing and made for one of the best nights we have had to date! If you missed last night at The Princess Alice then you missed a stormer ”
Cracking night at The Eagle Last Night , one of the most energitic punk bands i have seen in a very long time. nice one. The Report were class aswell. ta ”
'GARY PHILIPSON, TFM RADIO”
Somehow it is already a time travel, as the CD turns its
rounds, because I believe, the audience might lie particularly beyond 35 years
. But that is also okay each generation have their soundtrack, even if it is
tragic sometimes, but I know quite a few people that feel the need
to be reminded of Retro scenes .
Who need exactly this kind of sound, who will absolutely
like SNIDE REMARKS.
Sebastian Walkenhorst
© by Ox-fanzine/edition #120 (June/July 2015)
Thanks guys you really put our venue on the music map and put on a great Show
Brad -Cowpen Club Billingham
GIG Pre-view The Fuckwits - Snide Remarks - The Amazing Space Frogs at The Railway Tavern Darlington 16th Feb
Darlington
Punk Rockers are in for a treat this month as The Railway Tavern is set to host
to an array of punk
Rock pioneers on Friday 16th February 2018 . Sheffield band, The Fuckwits, will be taking to the stage alongside Teesside’s
Own Snide
Remarks and The Amazing Spacefrogs for an energetic evening
Rock pioneers on Friday 16th February 2018 . Sheffield band, The Fuckwits, will be taking to the stage alongside Teesside’s
filled with
raw riffs and blistering beats. .Punk-reggae four-piece, The Fuckwits,
formed in the
steel city of Sheffield back in 2005. Their success was imminent, as
the release
of their EPs, ‘Aural Graffiti ‘and ‘Wish You Were Here?’, were closely
followed by a
string of countrywide gigs throughout 2005 and 2006. The next few
years saw the
band writing and recording mounds of new material, leading to the
release of
their debut album in 2010. The Fuckwits have since signed a record deal
with
Headcheck Records, leading to the release of their second critically acclaimed
album,
‘Ideology’. 13 years down the line, they show no sign of slowing down
Drawing
influence from such greats as The Clash and The Specials, the band has
taken to the
stage alongside the likes of Stiff Little Fingers and The Damned, to
name a few.
The task of warming the stage will fall to Teesside bands Snide
Remarks and
The Amazing Spacefrogs who are both seminal acts in the North
East punk
movement. Between them, the pair have played hundreds of gig
throughout
the UK alongside iconic bands, with their music firmly remaining
in the hearts
of many. Gig revellers are warned to prepare for decibels and lot
of them. The
event will take place on Friday 16th February at Darlington’s
Railway Tavern.
And it’s free
entry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resurekted - copy and paste
Darlington Railway Tavern Feb 2018
Skegness Butlins Great Alternative Festival 2016
Sunday 9th October 2016
Snide remarks - Emerging from the chemical maelstrom of Teesside in 1982, Snide Remarks are renowned for their energetic rock ‘n’ roll performances fused with a hint of glam and shot through with classic punk.
After reforming in 2007 and following riotous gigs with 999, The Members GBH, and XSLF they are about to kick off the coffin lid and emerge into the light
Check out the on-going saga of one of the UK’s hidden gems….
Dundee PunkOberfest - 2017
