Down through the back streets behind Piccadilly train station, emanating from the rickety old Star & Garter pub on the corner of a crossroads will, on this spring evening be the noisy strains of one of four young and excited punk rock bands playing the second night of a UK tour hoping to spotlight a handful of the UK’s most promising acts. It’s organised by the fledgling Dislocate Promotions and sponsored by Death Skateboards but due to Lightyear and Jesse James playing the Uni tonight it seems like the city’s punk throng would rather be practising their dance moves to some more familiar grooves.

But whatever, despite the poor turnout every band still gives it their all. And judging by the sheer hyperactivity between the first two bands you begin to wonder what they’ve been doing all day. Captain Everything’s vocalist – a cross-between Fat Mike and that singer from Sum 41 – proceeds to jump around the stage suitably to their speedy punk rock racket, throwing maniacal grins and sudden changes of expression, bringing a smile to the faces of those present. Apparently one of the few people here actually sold his Lightyear ticket to see them play and it’s no small wonder why. Keep a look out for these.

Up next are Fire Apple Red who’s Jamie Theakston-look-a-like vocalist also continues with the venting of excess energy by throwing himself around the stage and pulling stupid faces like a hyper little kid who’s just come out of school. Musically they toss up a mixture of screamy punk rock and aggressive hardcore bringing to mind elements of F-Minus, but so enthralled are you by the antics of the vocalist that the music becomes merely an accompaniment to his unpredictable tomfoolery. The highlight of their set has to be where he jumps down from the stage and pulls the wholly original act of singing facing the stage and pretending to be a rowdy member of the crowd, throwing ‘devil’ signs and water over their guitarist before getting back onstage! Class!

Bolton’s Appease follow this up but, try as they might, fail to come anywhere near the brilliance of Fire Apple Red. Their South African-born frontman looks a little like Kris Roe from the Ataris but musically they tend to focus on more of an emo vibe that’d appeal to fans of Kids Near Water et al. They are redeemed, however, with a punk rock cover of the Home and Away theme tune. Even though I can’t stand it now – the last series was much better!

Finishing off tonight’s shenanigans are Route 215. Their frontman isn’t as hyperactive as the others but he does sport some cool tattoos. And he looks a bit Swedish. Don’t ask me why. However, they do throw out some marvellous choons all at breakneck speed and with some rather nifty basslines too! So it’s not surprising to find Captain Everything and Fire Apple Red’s vocalist’s getting rid of some leftover energy before their tedious drive back to London.

To the average punk kid tonight’s line-up just looked like a bunch of local punk bands. But to those present they discovered much more than that, and had a wicked night as a result. So the moral of the review is: support the underground kids!

Fire Apple Red and Captain Everything are featured on a low-cost / high quality punk compilation put together by Dislocate so check out their website for details.