It was third time lucky for me, finally managing to catch a performance of 'The Fluids', a band I have been hearing a lot of good rumours about, performing at "Whiteciderfest" , an event featuring a collection of favourite local bands all in one show, which on this occasion also featured; 'Lockersludge', 'Pizzatramp', '51st STATE',' SiCKPiG', 'Bad Credentials' and I could see from the very start of their performance exactly what all the excitement is about. ' The Fluids', Morvan, Elliot, Josh and Jordan, whose broad ranging influences include; The Damned, Circle Jerks, Jack Off Jill, X-ray Spex, Nina Hagen, The Slits, The Clash, The Germs, Black Flag, Throbbing Gristle, Bikini Kill, Babes In Toyland and Goblin, to name a few, are reflected in their sound, which they describe as "slime" and aside from their obvious musical talents, it's their ability to excite their audience into a frantic, fun filled, frenzy that is, I think, a big part of their popularity.
They were only the second band on of the evening and normally a degree of restrained enthusiasm might be expected from the crowd, not the case where 'The Fluids' are concerned. A healthy sized band of clearly loyal followers , who knew their material, launched into action from the opening notes of their set which began with a couple of tracks from their four track EP 'Spit, Piss and Shit', beginning with 'Cityscape Influenza' and keeping the momentum going by following swiftly with 'Solly was a Sad One', next some crowd tested newer material, 'Cigarette Song' and 'Graveyard Masquerade' which also went down a storm, even during the slower, 'Slow Song' there was no drop in the crowds enthusiasm. There was, for a brief moment, the temporary loss of vocalist/guitarist Elliot's pick, to the amusement of both the band and crowd, luckily it was rapidly found and they continued with 'Who R we?', then two more tracks from the EP, the title track, 'Spit, Piss and Shit', a huge crowd favourite and the catchy 'Consumerist Whore' which also went down a storm with everyone joining in on the chorus. The well delivered set ended with an interesting and excellent choice of cover, 'Suck my Left One' by Washington's punk pioneers, Bikini Kill.
Punk Rock has been with us for forty years and I can remember people mindlessly spouting "Punk is dead "thirty years ago but as long as there are young punk bands like 'The Fluids', punk will remain fresh and alive and hopefully around for another forty years, one thing is for sure, they are a hard act to follow, I've seen bigger bands that just don't have what these guys have got!! 'The Fluids' are currently working on their debut full length, in the meanwhile, their four track EP 'Spit, Piss and Shit' is available to listen to at; https://thefluidsofficial.bandcamp.com/releases