Trash Talk, Le Pub, Newport

Things had been a bit quiet on the Trash Talk front lately, but, with the release of new album 'No Peace' the Sacramento quartet are back in the UK to remind us this side of the Atlantic exactly what they’re made of.

Kicking proceedings off at Le Pub were locals Astroid Boys. The Cardiff rap collective do a decent job of building anticipation with their high energy hip hop. While their set is polished, with the live drums adding an extra dimension to the show, the vocal delivery lacks any real potency or clarity. Energetic and loud, but without focus.

As Trash Talk take to the stage a sense of nervous excitement falls over the sold out Le Pub, with the audience jostling for pole position to witness the onslaught that is about to come. In hindsight getting close to the stage is all but redundant, with frontman Lee Spielman launching himself back out into the crowd for almost every other song, climbing on to merch tables, prowling up and down the bar counter and literally swinging from the rafters at various points of the evening.

Old favourites from all four Trash Talk albums is on display, with the 'No Peace' songs showing no signs of the band losing any of their intensity or potency. Due to the chaotic, anarchic nature of their live shows people often forget the quality of Trash Talk’s performances. While bodies seethe across the venue the band barely skipped a beat, hammering home track after track with impressive precision.

Trash Talk’s less than cerebral brand of punk may not be to everyone’s tastes, but as a live band you’re unlikely to see a more appropriate example of organised chaos anywhere else.

Tags: Trash Talk, Reviews, Live Reviews