The Launching of SUB29

Launching the SUB (thank you PW)


It was long awaited and let’s be honest, long overdue. Not since the Capitol Theatre, now buried underneath the Capitol shopping centre, has Cardiff had a venue worthy of the bigger acts which can attract 800 punters at full capacity. SUB29 came together through the courageous endeavours of Jason Phillips and Steve Bines, well known locally for their hedonistic “festival in a club” venture known as Tantrum Promotions. Tantrum brought the “alternative” people of Cardiff such gems as the Blowout Festival and Party in the Park, showcasing the local talents of some of the best acts to be found in the UK right here in Wales. Artists have included the wonderful world of Sicknote, much more than just a band, Cakehole Presley with their outstanding songwriting abilities akin to some of the biggest acts known all over the world, Staedler and Waldorf, currently gearing up for an American tour, and many more including Whistling Biscuits, Dirty Revolution, The Physicists, and so on. Their tendrils have also extended further afield to draw in artists such as Stanton Warriors, LX Patterson of the Orb, the mighty Dreadzone and their offshoot Dreadzone Sound System, Utah Saints and Alabama 3. In attendance at the launch of SUB29 was the Alabama man himself, local boy Larry Love who had chartered an EasyJet from Nelson to Cardiff to judge which of the evening’s performers would support them on their SUB29 debut on December 1st.

Perhaps it was with this in mind that the dynamic and completely skint duo Bines and Phillips launched the first night at SUB for the Tantrum faithful, with a line up which could rival any other in the land where undiscovered, genuine talent is concerned.

Hosted by the Queen Street legend Ninja, resplendent and striking dressed in white from neck to ankle, Sicknote opened the night, and I have it on good authority that, in true Sicknote style, it very nearly didn’t happen due to Johan Flapsandwich spilling a glass of Lambrini (class!) into his already used and abused applemac laptop only the night before. He could be seen right of stage frantically transferring Sicknote tracks from a back up source to a borrowed lappy, and with seconds to spare, managed to make it onto the stage at 5.30 p.m. to start the night’s shenanigans. Their set sounded crisp out front and hit its peak when they were joined on stage by the Sicknote Child Labour Team, sporting placards declaring “Death Before Employment” before they’ve even learned to spell “recession”.

Dan Dunne and the Reels followed. What can you say? Dan Dunne et al are a very accomplished, happy go bouncy folky blues combo who get the feet a tapping. They played a very nifty set, to be followed by Whistling Biscuits who cleared the dance floor save for the Biscuit dedicated who clamoured at least 20 feet back from front of stage.

Cakehole Presley, one of the hardest working bands around and still doing the circuit, belted out some diamonds including Gotta Know Your Name, Grab a Rock, and the beautifully penned Skipping Clouds. Punters got up close and personal and reveled in the delight that is the Cakehole sound, swaying from side to side, beaming grins from ear to ear.
I
t would be unjust not to mention an incredible set by the valley duo Clay Statues. How a bassist and a drummer can slam a sound so massive from a twosome is beyond belief, and these guys can write a lyric too. Favourite darlings of all venues Rhondda-like and indeed of the Workhouse Festival in Welshpool, Doz screamed his way through a blinding array of numbers familiar to those who know them, a revelation to those who don’t, as Mavis (Matt Davies) banged the drums like an anorexic on a gallon of Sunny Delight! These boys deserve support and recognition, which will undoubtedly come over the next year or two. Matt also appeared on drums with the Physicists, Cardiff’s 3 feisty chicks and a male drummer set – up, famed in the area for their amphetamine-like songs reminiscent of 1978 punk, including Sleaze Campaign and Gratuitous Solo.

The Welsh Billy Bragg (how many times has he been called that and how much does he hate it?) Cosmo closed the show and managed to get the remaining die hard punters kicking their legs in the air and singing along to his own brand of anarcho - acoustic ditties, and was then joined on stage by many of the previous acts, including Larry Love, to improvise and freestyle for what seemed like an eternity, but no-one seemed to want it to end.

It’s hard to find fault with a shindig organized by the Tantrum Duo, especially when they offer free CD’s of all the bands that appeared on the night. There is always a party vibe, always a feeling of belonging, a collective finger up to the authorities who would surely love to stop them doing what they do, but the truth is SUB29 needs a crowd. With what looks like a tough financial time ahead, only the paying public can determine whether or not Cardiff’s newest live act venue takes the Principality by storm, and hopefully attracts travelers from further afield to attend what has the potential to put Cardiff on the map alongside the London and Manchester scene, or will the apathy Cardiff and South Wales has become famous for see Sub29 sink without a trace?

Penny Wainwright.
Freelance Opportunistic Journo.