Link 80

On arriving at the venue and making my way upstairs to the cramped space that is the second floor of the Foundry, it’s clear just how far the scene’s progressed recently. It’s another almost sell-out crowd and the anticipation for tonight’s show is instantly noticeable. People are happy, enjoying themselves and talking with each other; there’s almost a community feel to the show. And that’s a very good thing.

First up tonight are Birmingham’s ska-punk heroes Cod Locker. Playing an energetic mix of bouncy ska beats and infectious pop-punk choruses, Cod Locker prove once again, despite their youthfulness that they’re a fearsome force on the Birmingham ska scene. Taking influences from bands such as Less than Jake, Catch 22 and the Mad Caddies, comparisons between the bands are recognisable straight away. Songs like “Clive”, “Tipping Cows” and “Pigeon Face” are catchy slices of up-beat ska goodness. The crowd are dancing straight away, and it’s a fun-filled atmosphere that descends around the venue. Cod Locker continue to go from strength to strength with each gig and are definitely a band to check out if you live anywhere near Birmingham!

Just how good are this band? I’d say about 10…out of 10! Farse are definitely the best British ska-core band I have ever seen. There’s not one bad song in their set; each track is a roller-coaster ride through skank-inducing melodies to throat wrenching hardcore, stopping at fast-paced, no-nonsense punk on the way. “Firing Line” is a perfect example of the band’s diversity and highlights such as “Another Cliché” and “Shoes a Lady” have earned Farse extremely complimentary -and justified- comparisons with CapDown. They’ve recently released a new 6-track EP which is a must have for fans of bands such as Link 80, Big D and the above mentioned CapDown. Check out www.farse.co.uk for more details, and trust me, it’s worth it.

What do you get if you cross Strife with Less than Jake? No, this isn’t some kind of crummy joke, the answer’s 5 Knuckle Shuffle! Take all the raargh of the NYHC legends and mix it up with the melodies and dancability of Florida’s finest and you’re left with a sound that’s close to 5 Knuckle. They’re a tight live band, although the passion’s somewhat lacking and there’s far too little interaction with the audience. Having said that, tonight was an awesome display of the band’s rip-roaring, balls-out hardcore. They’ve got the talent, aggression and the songs to take them a long way. Definitely a band to check out.

And so onto tonight’s headliners, East Bay's Link 80. Mixing all the anger and power of punk with the laid back grooves of ska and reggae, Link 80 take ska-core to a new level. Live, they’re close enough to perfect, putting on a tight, energetic and above all fun show. It’s clear that the band are all enjoying themselves and it’s great to watch singer Ryan hurl himself across the tiny stage. Playing tracks that span their entire career, Link 80 play an almost faultless set list. Classics such as “Verbal Kint” are mixed up with new material and tracks from their latest full length “The Struggle Continues”. The crowd loves it of course and a friendly pit soon emerges. All in all, this was a classic gig; the band hang out with fans after the show, people leave happy and fulfilled…Birmingham needs more gigs like this.