No strangers to Brighton, the fast and furious rock ‘n’ rollers His Lordship returned to The Hope & Ruin on Saturday with a brand new album, ‘Bored Animal’, under their belt and fresh from supporting Johnny Marr on his recent North American tour. They’ve also found time to put out some eclectic, electric covers on YouTube which can be seen here.
We spoke to James and Kris a couple of years ago to get their back story and to discuss the dynamics of the band. Read the interview here.
There was no support band tonight but special guest DJ Dave Best of Fujiya & Miyagi played a well received set before the trio jumped on stage unannounced and launched into ‘Old Romantic’, swiftly followed by ‘Bored Animal’ and ‘Marc-Andre Leclerc’ the three opening tracks from the latest album. These songs set the scene for the rest of the evening: it was pure punk rock ‘n’ roll energy with Kris Sonne beating out the rhythm, Dave Page providing solid bass lines and backing vocals and James Walbourne, all quiff and snarl, letting rip on fast and furious fuzzy guitar and wild vocals.
There were few, if any, words spoken between songs but Walbourne managed a quick “How ya doin’ Brighton?” before they launched into ‘Joyboy’ from the first album on which Page provided woo woo harmonies as Walbourne strutted and duck walked around the stage.
It was back to the new album for a garage rock ‘Weirdo In The Park’ with jagged guitar which clocked in well under two minutes before an abrupt ending. Next was the tale of biker ‘Derek E. Fudge’, a slow grind groove with drummer Sonne taking lead vocal with backup from his bandmates.
Walbourne was having teething problems with his new guitar pedal but proved he and his trusty Gibson SG were fighting fit as he spun around centre stage on the down and dirty blues of ‘The Way I Walk’. This was a real crowd pleaser with many singing along. ‘Rock Fall Echo Dust’ saw Page’s walking bass joined by drums and the three together sounded like a cross between The Clash and Vince Taylor. There was great synergy when Sonne beat out a clock tick Walbourne looked at his watch waiting to come back in.
With its 60s melody and punk delivery, ‘Johnny Got No Beef’ was pure Ramones and perennial favourite ‘The Repenter’ was a spaghetti western epic with all three coming together to harmonise the chorus leading to a glorious falsetto finish.
There was no time to rest as it was straight into the football chant energy of ‘12-12-21’ with the band playing their hearts out to big cheers. It was all change as Page took to the drums as Sonne delivered an important message (in Danish). Unleashed from behind his kit, he stalked the stage, knocking over mic stands as he preached to the crowd. Welbourne advised that the next song was inspired by a magic mushroom trip when he was 16 in, where else but, ‘I Am In Amsterdam’. The staccato delivery was flour to the floor rock ‘n’ roll energy, like a punk rock Chuck Berry.
A slightly slower pace and an important message came with ‘Jackie Works for the NHS’ with all three singing the chorus with passion that briefly slowed for a breakdown before returning to the chorus. Walbourne’s “Shout out to all NHS workers” was, of course, met with cheers and applause.
On ‘Gin And Fog’, dedicated to Shane McGowan, Welbourne moved to the front for an introductory solo, head down with sweat dripping from brow, his dramatic descending chords used to great effect. It was soon back to their trademark sound of full-throttle dangerous rock ‘n’ roll on ‘Downertown’, ‘Buzzkill’ and the final song ‘All Cranked Up’ which perfectly described the energy of the band and the joy of the crowd.
With the set over and the audience demanding more, they got as far as stage right for a quick huddle then resumed their positions for an electrifying take on rockabilly classic ‘Red Hot’ with Welbourne again recreating Chuck Berry’s duck walk. As they left the stage, the PA blared out Joe Turner’s ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’ and The Sonics’ ‘Strychnine’, two songs that I’m sure played a big part in the creation of this essential live band’s sound. A perfect end to a perfect night of fast, frenetic fun.
His Lordship, The Hope & Ruin
Saturday 15th November 2025.
