01/06/2026
Another review of the gig on Sat- this one from Reservoir Droogs - have a read!
The Termites with The Gallowgate Murders and Aftrshocks - Audio (Glasgow) 30/05/26 Shrunken Head Promotions.
Some people might be under the impression that there was an element of luck involved in the success of The Termites returning to play a sold out gig in Glasgow after their many years of what can now be called an extended hiatus.
They might say the stars had aligned or that it was a combination of it being the right time or the right place, but that wouldn't factor in that this was the result of a lot of hard work.
From the choosing of bands who would complement the event, to the relentless efforts to get the word out by Shrunken Head Promotions, to a keen consideration of value for money when thinking about the cost of a ticket, there was a lot going on that drove this towards being a wildly positive success.
So full kudos to everyone who put their shoulder to the wheel.
Aftrshocks from Dundee started the night off like a molotov cocktail exploding across a riot shield.
Protest punk isn't going anywhere, because unfortunately we, as a virus on this beautiful planet, can't seem to get our s**t together and leave hate, conflict, inequality, and all the stupid inane bulls**t that blights so much, in our rear view mirror.
The trio were screaming common sense defiance into the maw of our ignorance, and while those of use who are long of tooth have heard it all before, there's a power, a vibrancy, a solid sense of authenticity, applied to the framing of their songs.
If Crass were at one end of a rope, and the Dead Kennedys at the other, then Aftrshocks would hold the middle ground. It's not that they sound like either band in particular, but more so that they've absorbed a lot from them and then added more to it. Oi Poloi would make for another handy reference point.
Good stuff, as the thrashing young uns down the front would no doubt agree.
Next up was a gear change with The Gallowgate Murders who more than lived up to their reputation as a band that could host a ceilidh in one of the circles of hell.
There were a lot of rock bands in the seventies that dabbled in pairing electric guitars with a mandolin and whistle while indulging in some folk meanderings, but forget them, because what the Gallowgate Murders do is more about providing the soundtrack to Tam o' Shanter on the lash with Hieronymus Bosch.
It's hellishly good.
They're more Download or Hellfest than Sunday afternoon folk club.
And if they appeared on one of the big metal festival stages at some point in the future it certainly wouldn't be a surprise. It doesn't take much effort to imagine that there's a very good chance of them reaching for that prize and taking a firm grip on it.
And then with everyone suitably warmed up, and it was so warm that the walls started sweating (Or maybe the roof of Audio had a leak, but something was dripping on us) it was cometh the hour, cometh the men.
The Termites have been building up to this.
A private show in front of friends was followed by a hometown headlining show at a castle, and each step they took was ultimately leading to Glasgow.
This was where they would stand or fall.
All the should we, could we, thoughts that would have spiralled through their heads when thinking about reforming would be put to bed if they delivered at this show.
And they were firmly put to bed.
Not that there was any doubt that this would be the case. They confidently knew they could do it. So much so that they had decided to record this one for a future live album release.
Now that's ballsy.
Two gigs into a return to the fray and they decide that they would underline their comeback with a live recording of their third gig.
Seriously, who does that?
Maybe the confidence comes from knowing that they can tear the roof off a venue, and the dipping of their toes back into playing live had reminded them of that, but regardless, all their self belief was warranted.
Having personally seen them a number of times over many years this was without a shadow of a doubt the most incendiary gig of theirs that I've witnessed.
They were relentless. Right from the start they peeled away and left rubber on the road.
It was an all accelerator and no brakes performance.
Is this psychobilly though?
Well that's still there at the core of them.
With Bally, one of the best rocknroll guitarists I've seen, driving their sound the 'Billy is always going to be the bones that everything else hangs, on, but when the punk Paganini that is Johnny Fiddles joined the band, and paired his talents to the ongoing evolution of Ewin Murray as a musician, they broke out from the 'pure psychobilly' mold and haven't looked back since.
And now with Dougie of The Three 'n' Eights on bass all the pieces have slotted into place.
The impression is that we are know seeing the potential of The Termites being fully realised.
Kenny out front is in now in full on lead the charge mode, and that only comes from having complete confidence in the abilities of this band of brothers.
If the live recording captures a fraction of the power of the band on the night then it's going to be pretty special.
Who knows what's going to come next.
There's no doubt further dates are going to be announced, and new material is currently being knocked into shape, but beyond that the future is unwritten.
If you get the opportunity you should grab this tiger by the tail and hang on for dear life.
31/05/2026
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