This would be a very special night. This would be a night
that I didn’t ever expect to happen. This would be a night that in all
likelihood could never happen again. Tonight London punks Jesse James were
playing a one off gig at The Borderline near Tottenham Court Road.
For those who don’t Jesse James were part of a scene
involving the like of 4ft Fingers, Captain Everything, Lightyear and Fletcher
in the early part of the millennium. This was around the same time I was
discovering underground punk rock and very much grew up on their music. All
three Jesse James Album – Punk Soul Brothers, Mission and The Assassination of
Jesse James all still receive regular plays on my stereo. Sadly they called it
a day after the release of The Assassination Of never to be heard from again. That
was until Slam Dunk announced that Jesse James would be playing the festival
this year and I fan-girled more than I ever have in my life. At Slam Dunk they
played a fantastic set and I assumed that would be that. I was so happy to be
wrong. Shortly after the festival they announced the show at The Borderline and
I quickly snapped up a ticket.
There was also support announced, another band from that era
of UK punk rock, Vanilla Pod from Kings Lynn. I have to admit I wasn’t
particularly knowledgeable on Vanilla Pod, I was aware of them from back in the
day but never really gave them a proper listen and I absolutely no idea that
were still together. When the five piece took to the stage it was clear straight
away they were here to have a great time. The Borderline crowd quickly gathered
to see them, many of whom were friends from bands who played with them a decade
ago. Vanilla Pod’s skate punk sound was fantastic. The pounding drums, rumbling
bass lines and aggressive guitars accompanied lead singer Rob’s vocals
wonderfully. He spent the majority of the set pacing the front of crowd on the
floor smiling as he sung some fantastic lyrics. I have discovered that next
year will be Vanilla Pod’s twentieth anniversary as a band and are planning on
doing something special. I will be looking out for that.
Up next it was the moment myself and the rest of the now
almost full Borderline had been waiting for. It was Jesse James time! Coming on
to the theme song to 70’s cop show Hawaii Five-0 I looked around the floor to
see a lot of excited faces. When the six members of Jesse James took to the
stage you could see they were also excited to play tonight. The great thing about
reunion shows is that the bands play a set full greatest hits rather than a set
full of newer songs people don’t know so well from a new album they are
promoting. Jesse James played like they had been playing constantly since 2007
when they went separate ways. Every song they played sounded note perfect and
was played with such enthusiasm. Obviously the band had aged but the energy and
passion for the songs were still there. From the first song to the last the
crowd were in great voice singing along to every song and dancing along
joyfully. Jesse James most popular song Shoes drew a massive sing-along for the
Chorus. The whole set was a highlight for me but standout tracks for me were
Shoes (obviously), Growin’ Up, First Day On A Brand New Planet and Where Do I
Belong. Guitarist Rich Warren that the gig hear and now was where he belonged
and I believe many other people in the room felt the same. The band loved that
so many people in the room were in old school Jesse James shirts and also
showed that despite their time away they were in touch with the current UK punk
scene with bass player Donagh O’Leary pointing out people in Random Hand, JB
Conspiracy and one particularly handsome chap in an Anti Vigilante tee-shirt.
They announced that they were about to play their final song of the night which
drew a massive chant of JESSE JAMES! that really touched the band. Throughout
the final song Freefall the crowd really went for it. People got on stage, some
of the band got in the crowd to join in the dancing, some folk started sat on
the floor in a line and did “row the boat” before finally we all took part in a
circle pit to round up the night.
This truly had been a great night; it was great to see Jesse
James back even if it was just for one night. So many great times were
remembered and some more memories were added. On my way home I thought some
more about Jesse James and that era of punk rock and got thought, how fantastic
would it be for all of those bands from the P-Rock days got together and put on
a festival. It would be the actual best day ever! Someone please make this
happen!
Now Listening To Freefall by Jesse James
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