London Astoria (Demolition Ball) King Blues Reviewed By : David Ellis

For what was largely a night doting on unashamed nostalgia, it was a pleasing irony and a reminder that life will go on that the best received band at the Astoria’s farewell gig were one playing the venue for the first time. Benefiting from being one of the bands on the advertised bill for the Demolition Ball, King Blues had a good number of their squat-dwelling faithful in the crowd. They were recognisable as the ones moshing and singing along with infectious zeal to the punk reggae band’s best known songs including album title track ‘Save the World, Get the Girl,’ and ‘Let’s Hang the Landlord,’ the latter of which must have brought back memories for those in the crowd who only came along for the fond farewell.

Revelling in their new six-piece format, King Blues’ outspoken and decidedly social conscious fusion of ska, punk, reggae and dub provided a massive sound and disorderly energy that is spectacular live. The frenetic pace of the six-song set was in part orchestrated, and equally held together, by the heavily intoned voice of frontman Jonny Fox, AKA Itch. He provides more than a passing impression of the awkward and emotive stage manner of punk hero Tim Armstrong. In terms of power of performance, the night was undoubtedly theirs, but they also garnered the night’s best piece of trivia too. The last ever song played live at the Astoria was a sing-a-long cover of Bob Marley’s ‘Three Little Birds’ and was led by King Blues’ guitarist Jamie Jazz, who has, it has to be remarked, an incredibly powerful voice - a fitting end or beginning, depending on how you view the glass.