UK SUBS
10th December 1999
Rio's
Bradford
England
It was just over a year since I'd seen the Subs play the Rio, and only Charlie was still
there from that line up. This is a big venue with a large stage and dance floor. With no
support band the band kick off about 10, but I'm still stuck in the world's slowest curry
house round the corner. Should have gone to the one the band went to earlier.
We get there about four songs in, the line up is the same as the night before, Charlie,
Nicky, Alvin and Tommy. The crowd is the usual mix of mental pogo-ing at the front and
restrained support from further back.
A few stage divers join the fun and the band cracks on, seemingly enjoying the big stage.
This line-up delivers the songs with more emotion and detail than last years, though with
maybe a bit less pace. Every song stands out and it's hard pick out highlights.
Before you know it, Alvin kicks into the intro to Warhead, and gets the expected reaction
from the crowd, but not from Nicky who climbs up a lighting gantry on the right of the
stage and hangs out with his back at some bizarre angle. He then plays the whole song
hanging upside down!
When the band go off after the main set we have to wait a while for the encore but it
comes, and it's too much for the crowd. First one gets up on stage and another and
another. Before you know it the UK Subs has 20 backing singers and dancers, not exactly
Hot Gossip, but… Charlie struggles to keep the vocals going and Nicky takes a step
back from his mike, tough there are plenty of volunteers to take over. The set is played
out with two very respectable looking types belting out the songs.
Richard Henderson
20th December 1999