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The night was opened
up by local, South Shields band "Stuffed". These guys were fun
to watch and really warmed up the audience for the headliners, with good
punk riffs and humorous lyrics, reminiscent of The Toy Dolls.
They did a raucous version of the 'classic' Muppet tune "Manama-na"
(you try spelling it) and a cover of the TD's version of "Nelly The
Elephant", with the guest vocals of Changes One's aficionado, Mr.
Ian Tunstall.
After the recent news that the Wildhearts are reforming with their
original line up, former member, guitar-slinger Jef unleashes his new
band, "Plan A" onto the ever eager Geordie rock scene. Jef
takes on the role of lead vocals and guitar, with old school mate Paul
Bate "Pitbull" helping out with more guitar and extra vocals.
On Bass, Nick Peckham (formerly of The Vibrator, Big Boy Tomato and
Sugar Snatch) and making up the power quintet on drums, the
effervescent, Gary Mills.
"Plan A" took the stage and cranked up the volume delivering
slices of pure punk driven rock n roll. Likened to the Ramones style
with a cheeky twist of quirkiness. These guys really knew how to get the
rock n roll juices flowing, with tasty morsels like "Moving
Along" and "Cheeky".
They managed to coax the locals into singing along with the anthemic
L.I.C. and who could forget their touching ode to Melinda Messenger -
Monkey Face. (As they sang, "nice t*ts, shame about the
face").
After about an hour of rock n roll fun, their parting gesture, to show
how multi-talented they are, they all swapped instruments (Yes, even the
drummer) and performed a reggae style ending of "Monkey Face".
They then proceeded to save the roadies the trouble of clearing the
stage by dismantling the set around them and leaving a "Plan
A" converted and very happy crowd.
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