The Green Dore Store is already packed, with a palpable sense of good-natured excitement as SOURCE arrives for this long sold-out show by local heroes DITZ. It is the first night of a two-night run, which is part of a European Tour celebrating the release of new live album ‘On The Baiou’ on Alcopop! Records.
We catch a very well received set by London band Handcuff, who play a joyous mix of Fugazi-style hardcore and Riot Grrl bands such as Mambo Taxi and Bikini Kill. Every face in the crowd is smiling as they play and the dancing truly begins. Very good going for a support band we had not heard of! A mental note is made to check out Bandcamp and their debut EP later which includes ‘Holiday’ and ‘Nice Guy’ from this opening set.
After setting up in an atmosphere of relaxed bonhomie, our boys take to the stage and launch into ‘Ded Würst’ as Cal appears looking like Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, with red hair and smeared lipstick, dressed in a suit under green lights.
“This song hates life,” says Cal before launching into ‘Summer Of The Shark’. Phoebe of the Lambrini Girls then loudly cries for “Gayboy” with the band happily obliging as Cal takes his mic out for one of many trips into the audience.
In a week in which this writer has already been lucky enough to witness performances by Goat and Black Lips our boys are holding their own. Tonight, Caleb’s bass sounds are particularly absorbing and ferocious. Not to be out done, Sam hits back, as he always has, with his heavyweight drumming prowess and at points the pair achieve a sound equivalent to live old-school d’n’b.
Tonight’s performance however is full of restraint and dynamic nuance. That same kind of nonchalant passive aggressive restraint that makes the menace and the fury of say the Bad Seeds all the more forceful.
It’s exciting to hear several brand new tracks, unleashed without fanfare, lurking in the set. First comes ’18 Wheeler’, but particularly impressive is ‘Senor Siniestro’ which combines Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ with a furious tempo change explosion of noise and power.
As the set reaches its end this is the first time this particular audience member does not cry out for that Peaches cover. It is not that we don’t love it, it’s just that we’re truly and deeply satisfied by tonight’s set. There is no need for the cover. DITZ have the power, and the set is glorious enough, for SOURCE to be beaming from ear to ear. Still, it would be rude not to sing along to ‘that’ chorus in the encore phase of the show, before album closer ‘No Thanks, I’m Full’ brings proceedings to an epic close. It’s enough to make us jealous of anyone with a ticket for Friday’s show.
Ultimately, we leave knowing that our heroes have slain Doctor Robotnik with ease. The sonic champions have completed this level and are ready to go up. We can’t wait to go along with them for that ride.
Lout Promotions Present DITZ
The Green Door Store, Thursday 27th April 2023
Words by Nick McAllister
Photos by Cris Watkins: Punk In Focus
