This past Saturday I ventured over to Blondies at 205a Lower Clapton Road for Still In Love‘s album launch show for Recovery Language which was released at the start of September on Church Road Records. Supporting them at this show was Wits End and South Wales Metallic Hardcore band Asidhara.

This was my first ever trip to Blondies Bar so figuring out the best route was a bit of work. As I came out of Clapton Station I found myself walking south to spot a quiant little bar, a hidden gem if you will.

I walked up to the doorman to check in but it wasn’t until I entered the premises that I thought WOAH! I looked around the bar taking in the ambiance, only a few days prior this place was emblazened with their halloween decorations which you could easily spot from the outside.

This years theme being Castle Grayskull from He-Man and The Masters of the Universe.

I had arrived a tad early, probably about 20 minutes before Wits End were due to play their set so I headed to the bar with my brother. I was intrigued by the options they had from the Blondies Brewery where they had either their lager or IPA from what I could see at the taps.

I knew that I would be trying both throughout the night so first I decided to go with their IPA. However, what most stunned me was the price. Baring in mind this was a Saturday night in London so when it came to pay it worked out that it was only £5 a pint! Which is a steal in my opinion for a London bar.

With my pint in hand, my brother and I moved to stand right in front of the stage ready for Wits End.

(Stage is probably the wrong word for it to be honest as it was a floor show; and what I didn’t mention before was that as we walked into the venue the drum kit and other equipment was all set up in the corner by the front door).

The venue was more than likely a quarter full when Wits End took the stage for their set. With a calm and collected demeaner whilst setting up, that swiftly changed for vocalist Tom Howard. It’s tough to play to a small crowd especially when there is no movement but, he brought his energy levels turned up; jumping around the floor, side to side. He definitely had a favourite side to move though, after continuously bumping my brother (who stood there with a stunned look was just like, “oof, me again hey”). To be fair apologising with a little pat on the shoulder each time.

After not knowing much about them prior to the show, I would say I was incredibly suprised by what they brought. I found myself nodding along to each of their tracks and getting the groove. So of course since then I have had their demo playing on stream. They finished up their set with a cover from Killing Time, an 80’s NYHC band which a few people sang along to.

You can tell that there is a place in the UK Hardcore scene for Wits End and I can’t wait to see more from them in the future.

Up next were Asidhara, a five piece metallic hardcore band from South Wales fronted by Chuck Bradford. This was Asidhara’s first ever London show and having recently released their self titled album on the 1st October, a few days prior to the show it seemed I was in for a treat. I had given the new album a listen quite a few times in the previous days so I was looking forward to hearing their new material and they didn’t dissapoint!

With Blondies now basically full to the brim Asidhara lit up their set for those in attendance. With them playing most of their new self titled album and even giving everyone there more of a surprise with some new NEW material.

There were a few moments during the set which got everyone smiling and laughing. The first being when they were about to start one of their tracks, a few late comers had to walk past the band to get into the venue. This was when Chuck humourously waved the microphone to them, a fair point to disrupting your set.

The next being halfway through their set, it seemed a part of the additonal drums they brought in were not attached properly, so this had to be sorted quite swiftly.

Asidhara are definitely a band worth checking out if you haven’t done so yet! I caught up with the band after their set so you can expect to see something involving them very soon.

With that metallic hardcore crossover vibe the south wales band are going to be a force to be reckoned with, within the hardcore scene. Crossover is definitely on the up.

Asidhara’s self titled album is available on all streaming sites and also available for purchase via The Coming Strife Records here.

If you want to give them some support, grab yourself some merch from the bands bandcamp. They’ve got some sick new designs over there: https://asidhara.bandcamp.com/merch

Now it was time for who we were all there to watch, STILL IN LOVE.

Still In Love are a five piece hardcore band basing themselves out of London and fronted by Nick Worthington (previously of Dead Swans), Adrian Cecil, Curtis Ward, Mark Ringrose & Marc Richards (Mophead).

Nick brought the energy to the front of the stage straight away. As soon as they started their set with Tell The Truth he was in the face of the crowd! I also didn’t expect to have someone stage dive off the bar from behind me when the drop came in, that was new.

Each and every song was being sang along to as they made their way through Recovery Language from start to finish. Even a few members of the crowd were having the microphone in their face for the shout alongs.

A definite favourite of mine from the album is Preserve & Cherish (featuring Sam Carter of Architects), and when this was played the place went nuts! Two steppers and heavy moshing at the front of the crowd (even though you could barely move) also had Nick getting involved in the pit.

There was a slight intermission towards the end of the set. When Nick spoke about the atrosities that we are facing in this world and those in the middle east. Giving a hard message before getting straight into The State of Things. The lyrics in The State of Things got me shouting from the soul. The lyricicsm of this track just hits you. It feels like a message that we should all get behind, especially with all the shit in the world right now. Just give that track a listen and you’ll know exactly what I mean by how it feels.

Before their final track of the night was played, Pillar of Strength. It was announced that Mophead had to leave as soon as they were finished to get back home to South Wales. This was because he got his dates mixed up and had a half marathon to do that next morning! For his sake I hope he wasn’t shattered doing it the next day.

Before their final track of the night was played Nick sent out a message to a good friend of his Jonny Saville. Jonny tragically lost his battle with cancer not so long ago. Pillar of Strength is an ode to him. When he started the track you could tell that Nick was coming from the heart.

When they finished their set and were packing up there were a couple of guys stood near me shouting for “one more song” on repeat. With a bewildered look on his face Nick turned around and asked “which track do you want”. Thankful for the additional song it would be between their tracks Small Organ & Sober from the EP Withdrawal Symptons Pt. 2.

When a decision was made that we would end the night with Sober, everyone near the front got involved with the pit, even my brother a little. This ended my night on a high, I had such an enjoyable time at this show and being at this venue for the first time. It just goes to show you these small intimate shows are amazing! The entire bands stage presence was astounding and I can’t wait to catch them again soon.

Recovery Language is available on all streaming sites and also available for purchase via Church Road Records here. Give it a whirl I know you won’t be disappointed!

Still In Love are opening the show for Defeater at The Dome, London prior to the Common Threads tour on Friday 24th October.

If you don’t have a ticket for that, you can catch them on tour throughout the UK with Gideon, Grove Street and Xile next January. Tickets via Avocado Bookings are available via the link here.

If you want to give them some support, grab yourself some merch from the bands bigcartel: https://stillinlove.bigcartel.com/

I want to personally thank all the bands for the show, Wits End, Asidhara and of course Still In Love. Of course not forgetting to thank Blondies Bar for putting the show on! Make sure you check out their site for listings and get yourself down there for their own brewed! Visit the website here: https://blondiesbar.co.uk/

So, until next time I’ll catch you in the pit!

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