 
Another sunshine filled evening in Wales. As I
approach Newport’s historical Le Pub, I
am greeted by a white van and half a dozen muso
types waiting next to a mountain of equipment.
It’s over an hour since Le Pub was due to
open for set up and sound checks and band of the
month, Sorry and the SInatras are using their
time wisely: pre-drinks in the pub. Well, with
exception of mohawked drummer Lenny Thomas as
he took a much loved disco nap in the mini tour
bus. Fashionably late, Le Pub’s keyholder
opens the doors and set up hurriedly ensues in
the small yet perfectly crafted venue, sound check
gets underway and Dave Kerr shows off his cherry-popping
tattoo placed on his left arm; his tour-too which
matches the so-new-they-look-fake tattoos branding
a plethora of body parts, from hands to heads,
on his band mates’ bodies.
Obsessive Compulsive mesmerized the ever growing
crowd with their wild hair styles which would
put to shame any Thai backpacker’s hostel.
Aside from this Mancunian foursome, who filled
the hole in the UK music scene with their mid
to late 90’s vibes, there really is nowt
like them around at the moment; even with the
Hole revival. To be honest I wasn’t convinced
by Obsessive Compulsive until Spitting Medicine
snarled in. To be honest I’m still not,
but all is not lost. For me it was drummer Dani
who stole the show with his nonchalant style.
Presented modestly before us was a percussionist
whose drum sticks are merely an extension of his
finger tips; sporting his talent as mid-beat he
listlessly brushes a blonde dreadlock out of his
face and continues drumming with one hand.
“Hello. I said hello!” commands Scott
Sorry as he and his band of noir-clad punks take
to the stage. “How are ya? I said how the
fuck are you?” Apparently the mob of punks
were slightly more tepid than hot to rock, but
that was soon flipped when Scott Sorry and his
quartet of slightly mental men started; not one
single body was left stationary, even if only
a head nod or toe tap was induced. , Although
a toe tap or head nod is the stamp of approval
from many, Sorry and The Sinatras deserved a far
more demonstrative display of rock out love than
this. Luckily, the front row females were more
than happy to throw some gigantic shapes as the
set list progressed.
Treading the delicate line between genius and
stupidity is all in a day’s work for the
classic Anglo American punk rockers whose on stage
repartee was on the money and completely hilarious.
With a blonde dude leading audience interaction
added to Richard David Jones’ declaration
of his Welsh roots, equalled the equation for
perfect banter. Black and Blue lent us some epic
riffs with an anthemic chorus broadcasting the
die hard mantra: “Nothings gonna kill you
faster than rock n roll.” What we had in
front of us was the epitome of honest punk complete
with effervescent licks and surges of rhythm pulsating
through every body. Compelling a wave of dance
grooves throughout the delinquent posse as it
passed.
Latest single, Hated Heart caused more than a
stir as it left each and every one of us elated
with its smile from ear to ear tune-age. Not even
the most hardened arm-crossed nodder could keep
still to punk this delicious. Despite Lenny Thomas
looking on the verge of a disco nap, he played
so fervently on his Kermit the Frog esque green
glitter drum kit that you could literally see
his plug stretched ear lobes shaking with every
beat.
The tune of the tour-toos came in the form of
So Far From Home, from latest album Highball Roller,
was a three cheers effigy and inspiration for
the band of brothers family tattoos.
For old school song, Bastards and Young, Scott
Sorry surrendered the mic to new boy Rich Jones.
While the sound changed, the SATS’ character
and passion was kept in check; he may be new to
the Sorry and the Sinatras’ game but boy,
is he good. So good in fact that as the band exited
the stage chants of ‘Richard’ serenaded
the rogues who, for the past hour, had entertained
us so.
Stacked to the rafters with high octane riffs,
Sorry and The Sinatras delivered high octane punk
rock that is as infectious as it is commanding.
“The only that can stop Sorry and the Sinatras
is a fucking volcano” - Scott Sorry. He’s
not far wrong.
Highball Roller is out not on Undergroove Records.
Obsessive Compulsive 2.5/5
Sorry and the SInatras 5/5
Review By Jessica Acreman
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