Ska Punk isn’t dead, and it’s taken over a brewery. Signature Brew in Walthamstow is making a name for itself by holding unexpected small shows stretching from Psychobilly to Celtic punk in the centre of their industrial warehouse, and tonight we’re celebrating Sonic Boom Six, legendarily fiery genre-smashing mainstays of the UK DIY scene, at the launch of their new album Regeneration. One of the best parts about the UK DIY punk scene is the lack separation between the bands and the crowd: at least half the band are spotted wandering between the huge stainless steel vats of craft beer during the support acts, keeping their heads down and preparing for a short but spectacular set.
Sonic Boom Six
“It’s the first gig of the year!” Vocalist Laila K is all smiles and energy, and pauses briefly between flinging herself around the stage like Sonic. “This is a gig like no other! I don’t think we’ve ever had an album launch before…” Considering the strength of their back catalogue, this is surprising. Opener Piggy In The Middle swerves from punching chorus into dreamy bridge, led by churning, heavy bass, and Meanwhile Back In The Real World causes a huge rush from the taproom onto the dance floor. It’s a tune crammed with sped-up classic ska clips and jumps and rabble-rousing energy via frenetic guitar. Guitarist and co-vocalist Barney Boom leads leads us in full-on, full-body jumping for Future Shock, and their apocalyptic bass returns countered by static cymbals. A show in an industrial space absolutely works for the band’s unflinching take on the world. “Scream for me, London,” shouts Boom and we roar to a video game bass buildup.
Sonic Boom Six
Sonic Boom Six’s power comes from the way they’ve embraced so many diverse influences. As they put it themselves, they are the Kids Of The Multiculture. No Man No Right slips between reggae and feminist affirmation, bringing the kind of political party energy that’s needed on a Friday night. The opening shout to Virus sparks the biggest and most ferocious pit that can be contained in the cramped dance floor. Boom slams across the stage while K posed, frozen, listening for our breathless screams in response until the song dissolves into a Limp Bizkit singalong. Live, What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger has a vast dub energy, and by Sound Of A Revolution the pit has expanded to suck us all in. Sonic Boom Six have a core of steel under the sweet vocals and basslines like rum-soaked earthquakes.
Sonic Boom Six
There’s a total and refreshing honesty in Sonic Boom Six’s shows, and despite their strongly held political views this honesty never translates into po-faced moralising. “This is the tune which inspired me to be a performer,” explains Boom, “Hip hop music is my first love, it’s why I’m here.” They launch into an absolutely joyful cover of Kriss Kross’ Jump, and you have to embrace the massive, unironic love they hold for the music they grew up with. A cheeky smile slips across Boom’s face. “This isn’t the only song about jumping I know,” he says slyly and suddenly they’re onto an update of House Of Pain’s Jump Around. We’re in a life affirming retro dance party and we embrace how right this feels. Suddenly, we fall silent. With just acoustic guitar and voice, Sonic Boom Six rework Sunny Side Of The Street into a touching moment loaded with openness and experience. For a few seconds we really feel united by the sweetness and optimism they conjure. K beams. “I’m not gonna introduce this next song, let’s just play it!” From across their support bands, Sonic Boom Six have conjured a full brass section for Bigger Than Punk Rock, a reimagining that’s so happily anarchic in its grassroots energy. Drum flurries and the extra brass dimension adds a glitter and richness to create a triumphal finish. It becomes a manifesto, a final thought to take us into the rain and the commute back to reality, because, for an hour or so, we were part of something much bigger than punk rock or ourselves.
Review of Sonic Boom Six live at Signature Brew, London on 1st March 2024 by Kate Allvey.
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