What can I say? Frankly, MILBURN are one of the best acts I've been to see during my time here in London. Without giving away my age here, that's a lot of gigs over a long time. Does this sound over-the-top? Perhaps, but am I bothered?
All the components were there for a superb gig. The support band, "Action Plan" put on a Stella performance, producing some great bouncy punk that really got the crowd revved up. They weren't too derivative either, so watch this space with these youngsters.
The venue was packed solid with spotty pissed-up teenagers, the majority of whom I'm assuming were mates of MILBURN, shipped down from Sheffield especially for the gig. Some people on the night commented that this was a bad thing if the band needs to hire rent-a-crowd. I'd argue that Milburn simply have a large following of devoted fans, because they are ace.
It was rowdy, it was rammed, it was electric - how many sardines can you fit into a tin? Everyone was in a great mood, the atmosphere was lively - even before the main act began I was totally covered in beer...
STOP PRESS. SHEFFIELD-BASED MILBURN PREPARE TO TAKE CAMDEN BARFLY BY STORM.
Enter Milburn, who opened with a fantastically jumpy punk and ska/rockabilly number. The crowd went ballistic... until it became evident that Joe Carnall's (vocals, bass) microphone wasn't working. So no vocals. The sound engineer had near carnage on his hands so he sorted out the minor setback pronto and the show got back on the road. The crowd placated, everyone was pogo-ing in unison, like one glorious, sweaty entity.
It was fantastic, the songs were brilliant. They are Mod-Punk to a T, coming across as totally authentic. Think The Specials, The Jam, and The Clash, but all sung with flattened vowels, and you're on the right tracks. There were feet, bodies, and beer flying through the air, and Milburn were lapping it up.
STOP PRESS (AGAIN). WATER WAS REPORTEDLY STOLEN FROM STAGE AND THROWN INTO CROWD. REPORTS WERE THAT IT WAS STILL, NOT SPARKLING.
Large numbers of kids were scrambling onto the stage and diving off back into the frenetic mosh pit. There was no way I was going to crowd surf/stage dive - the last time I did that was in '94 - but I felt compelled to lob a pint of lager into the mosh pit (worry not, plastic glasses folks). Rather than get beaten up for it, I was applauded, after which a further tirade of beer and water was sent hurtling through the air. We got drenched.
It was exhilarating to see an original, energetic set performed with such raucousness, with a genuine group of fans who were so completely into Milburn that they would travel across the country en-masse to support their band - knowing all the words and dragging everyone present into the spirit of it, whether they liked it or not. And if not, you'd just get covered in lager and crowd-surfed on.
"The book you're reading is upside down!!!!" was the cry. Their songs are witty, sardonic, and plain amusing. Carnall's delivery is done in a matter of fact, cheeky chappie sort of way, and (thankfully) completely in his regional South Yorkshire accent, as is right and proper.
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Well into the set, and the crowd were still going mental, half of them had invaded the stage and were either dancing at the side, falling backwards into the mosh pit, or diving off like lemmings. "Can I have a bit of space?" Carnall shouted into the pit-o-teens, "Get back yer bastards, I'll break yer legs!"
Noticeably, the room was lit up by hundreds of mobile camera-phones. One kid surfed up to the front, thrust his Nokia 6123-whatever right into Carnall's face, took some pics, and then fell back into the crowd. Milburn were completely un-phased by all this commotion - it was an outright joyful spectacle of legs, arms, feet, plastic glasses, camera flashes, and hurtling teenagers.
STOP PRESS. BOUNCER MANHANDLES DRUNKEN TEENAGER FROM STAGE TO PREVENT UNTIMELY STAGE DIVE.
All was going well until two arse-hole bouncers who thought they were babysitters got involved, and started throwing their weight around on stage - grabbing the offenders by the proverbials and hurling them (the teenagers) back into the crowd.
The more sterner of the two then stood directly in front of the band with his arms folded - I mean, for fucks sake! I'm sure the fans didn't pay good money to see some meathead Schwarzenager-wannabie with a face like a slapped arse throwing a spanner in the works. Tossers.
I wouldn't mind, but while the bouncers were up on stage playing at Fame Academy, some thieving git tried to nick my bag - there were plenty of dodgy looking geezers who were blatantly doing the rounds (not suprising, there were plenty of easy pickings) - so it was reassuring to see security getting their priorities right.
Anyhow, Milburn carried on regardless. If I was in their position I would probably have thrown a proper hissy fit, so respect where its due.
To say this gig was eventful is a bit of an understatement. It was an electric, charismatic and fabulous performance.
Milburn have recently finished touring with their mates, the Arctic Monkeys - so what are their plans after all that?
"Well," Carnell grinned, "We're doing it ourselves now." Obviously!
And with that he was ushered away, and I went to wring the beer out of my hair.
(You can currently download some free tracks from Milburn's official website www.milburnmusic.com)
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