Punk rock revival at Bradford Road bar

The spirit of 1977 is living on in Batley, where gig bookers are putting on an incredible series of punk shows with some of the scene’s most iconic bands.
Punk revival: Check out the dates for punk bands at Brooklands in Batley.Punk revival: Check out the dates for punk bands at Brooklands in Batley.
Punk revival: Check out the dates for punk bands at Brooklands in Batley.

Between March and September, some of the country’s loudest punk bands will be playing at Brooklands on the first Friday of the month.

The shows start on Friday March 5 with Absolute Dissent – West Yorkshire’s own tribute to industrial post-punk pioneers Killing Joke.

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Since forming in 1978, Killing Joke have made 15 albums and influenced countless hard rock bands, from Marylin Manson and Metallica to Foo Fighters and Faith No More.

They famously fell out with Nirvana over claims that the riff from the Seattle trio’s single Come As You Are bore a striking similarity to Killing Joke’s 1984 track Eighties.

Absolute Dissent’s tribute will be followed by Vice Squad, who will headline the Bradford Road bar on Friday April 5.

Fronted by the iconic Beki Bondage, the band could be found on the front covers of the NME and Melody Maker in the early-1980s and reformed in 1997 after a 12 year split.

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In May, Sham 69 – one of the most influential bands of the era and founding fathers of the oi! punk scene – will headline.

A month later, the Members will top the bill with their line-up which features Rat Scabies, best known for being the drummer in the Damned.

Then in July, the legendary UK Subs will perform at Brooklands, as they take their career into its 38th year. Finally, the equally long-serving 999 will play the venue in September.

Support at all shows will come from local bands and Local Rebellion DJs will also play. Tickets cost £8 on the door, or £6 from www.skiddle.com.

And if you’re still after more punk rock, the o2 Academy in Leeds will host the Stranglers and Stiff Little Fingers in March, and the Misfits in April.

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