This was Dean of Slit Records first promotion at Whittles and after the gigs he's put on at Jackson's pit next door I certainly knew it would be a better place in every way for both punters and Dean.
I got there a bit early to have a chat with some faces I only get to see at gigs and I met up with my mate Bartek who i'd not seen for a while. Only a few weeks ago I had purchased a new camera and this was my first chance to see what it's really capable of.
The first band to play were Geoffrey Oi!Cott and as their name suggests they are a Yorkshire based Oi band obsessed with cricket. This was my first chance to see these guys live and after hearing several of their songs it was obvious their music is a blend of comedy and Oi. Freddy Skintoft their singer paraded around the stage clad in an England cricket top and whilst singing 'Geoff's Big Bat' he pushed the straight bat often associated with his hero Geoffrey Boycott towards the crowd. Their music was very catchy and was well appreciated by me and a decent crowd. One thing I must say about these guys though is that I think any band that bases it's music around comedy can become tiresome after several viewings.

Geoffrey Oi!Cott

Next up were a band i've lost count of how many times i've seen, Flat Back Four. With two tracks on the new Punk4life compilation (Home Sweet Home) and a great new five track EP (Once More Unto The Breach) of their own, these guys really are a great live band. With Gray only being a temporary replacement on bass and Kev due to leave soon I just hope their replacements can do the band justice. Tommy also got from behind his drums and said a few words which proved to punters that drummers do actually have the power of speech.
The set Flat Back Four played was if i'm being totally honest not up to their usual high standards. There were still high points in their set though which I thought were 'The Thatto Heath Song' which with it's singalong chorus of "My mum's a prostitute" always gets the crowd joining in and 'Psalm 23' which I consider to be their finest song rounding off their set.

Flat Back Four

Headlining were Fleetwood's Pink Hearse. I had seen this all girl punk outfit just twice previously, first in February last year on their home patch, where I thought they were awful and lastly in February this year at The Star & Garter in Manchester. The last time I saw them they were excellent and tonight they proved they weren't just one gig wonders. You only get better by playing live in front of an audience and their improvement has been massive. Now on stage they not only look good as a band, they look confident too. The crowd really liked them and I thought they were the best band on the night. The highlights of their set were 'Bones' and 'Have It All'. I'm sure as long as they keep the new songs coming they won't be short of offers of gigs.

It was a good gig and and i'm sure Dean will do well with the bands he puts on there. The sound in Whittles is good, the beer isn't overpriced, there are regulars and the gig was free. None of this could be said about Jackson's Pit which hopefully disolves into the mists of time.

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