BRISTOL: The Thunderbolt

Thursday 12th September, 2024

7:30pm

Event information

FOLK DEVILS
Named after Stanley Cohen’s book on youth subcultures “Folk Devils and Moral Panics”, this highly underrated British band was formed by Co. Durham native Ian Lowery (formerly of The Wall and Ski Patrol) in late 1983 with a line up that consisted of Mark Whiteley (Bass), Kris Jozajtis (Guitar) and Alan Cole (Drums).

Throughout their short lifespan, the band released several acclaimed independent singles including 1984’s “Hank Turns Blue” and “Beautiful Monster”, 1985’s intense “Fire And Chrome” EP, and recorded three sessions for BBC Radio’s John Peel Show. By early 1984, their heady brew of swampy rock on a bed of bastardized blues had created a vehicle for Lowery’s increasingly misanthropic worldview. A well-honed gutter poet since the early days of punk, Ian developed an idiosyncratic style, fusing a natural gift for sly wordplay and a well-turned snarky phrase with his often vitriolic and poignant lyrics channeled through an explosive onstage persona.

By 1985, their sound was becoming sharp, ominous, brooding and urgent, and had taken shape with the help of producer Richard Mazda, with whom they collaborated several times. The band gigged constantly, most memorably sharing bills with the likes of The Fall, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Gun Club, The Membranes and Spacemen 3. They also toured extensively throughout Europe and were featured prominently in the UK music press. Sadly, by early 1986 frustration within their ranks had created a point of no return, and the band imploded. Ian Lowery passed away in 2001, age 45.

Kris and Mark reformed the band with former Folk Devils cohorts Dave Hodgson, John Hamilton and Nick Clift in 2016 with an idea to play occasional re-union shows which they did until 2020’s Covid lockdown forced them to shelve their plans. The new line-up of the band did however release the acclaimed “Forever” EP that year featuring two brand new songs — “Forever” and “My Slum Soul”. 2024 has given them the chance to re-group and celebrate 40 years of mischief and mayhem. This is a band still at the top of their game. Better the devil you know!

Support - KEELEY
Keeley, fronted by singer, guitarist, songwriter and enigmatic Dubliner Keeley Moss, released their debut album “Floating Above Everything Else” on Dimple Discs in 2023.
The debut album is brimming with songs that showcase the breadth of KEELEY’s songwriting, bristling with lush harmonies, muscular beats and inventive atmospherics, weaving gleefully between indie-rock sub- genres and further establishing Keeley Moss as one of Ireland's most creative songwriters.
"The songs range from golden shimmery atmospherics to punchy power tunes, born from darkness and loss, and elevated to a celebration" - Miki Berenyi (Lush, Piroshka)
"A Top 100 Album Of 2023" - Louder Than War

FUBAR

Fubar (ˈfuːˌbɑː(ɹ)) n.

1.Collective name for a group of musical creatures, often seen frequenting the West Country.

2.Loud rock noise, can cause crowd euphoria.

3.Probable cause for outbreaks of spontaneous dancing.

There's also a reduced priced ticket for those of you who wish to attend both this gig and TV Smith, the following day, Friday 13th September, see ticket link for options