Southampton’s The Novatones hopped along the coast to Brighton’s Prince Albert to play Modern Age Music’s night last week. It felt more like a spiritual homecoming than a gig.
At times, they hit upon the energy of ‘Oi’, but they never lose sight of a great pop hook. ‘Guns and Dynamite’ fires like early The View meets The Strypes. Meanwhle, ‘She’s Out’ has the effortless angst of The Rifles with pop hooks of Little Man Tate.
As a music scene grows, so does its content intellectually and experimentally. So, when a band like The Novatones comes alone., especially with the aged sentiment of ‘Living For The Weekend’, the excitement just floods back. Rip it up and start again!
On ‘Avenue Road’, they have hit upon a set closer for years to come. The hard edged Motown of The Jam meets the humble escapism of The Enemy’s classic debut album. When punk gets this injection of heart and romance its impossible not to fall into the arms of your best mate and live forever.
*Image courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/rhonamurphyphotography/