– Inspector Frost - the man with the sharp pen.

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24/9 2004 - Klubben, Fryshuset, Stockholm. Kl.19:30.

DISCHARGE (ENG)
DISFEAR (SWE)
COCKROACH CLAN (NO)

Well, well, well what's it going to be then, eh?

This time Kjell had brought in the classic English band Discharge to headline his Punk-night at Fryshuset. On the same bill was Sweden's Disfear and Norway's Cockroach Clan, with the latter starting the proceedings of the evening. I've never heard this band before, and I must admit that some of their songs were really good. A nice surprise.

Next on were Disfear, and I hadn't heard them before either but this was clearly not my cup of tea at all. Metal sounding riffs and a singer prancing about on stage pretending he was fronting a boy band. The crowd seemed to enjoy it anyhow and that's the main thing. Never mind a boring old Inspectors opinion.

Top of the bill was the legendary Discharge now fronted by the singer from Varukers, and as far as I could tell he did a good job too. My only real complaint was that the sound was a bit low, as I expected to be blown away. That didn't happen though. Now I'm not a fan of Discharge at all, but I still managed to go to the gig. Sad to say not many others did. It was a bigger crowd than the last gig Kjell put up but still a piss poor turn-out for one of the really influential Punk bands from the early 80's. No matter my personal views, that is just a fact!

Now how come people don't turn up to the shows? No money? Well that's hardly an excuse as it was pay day, and even the layabouts get some welfare then. Didn't know about it? That could be one reason as advertising can be a problem, but this time all Sweden's major newspapers had info about the gig. The only acceptable thing then might be short notice, but come on. All you kids are on the net and you must have your sources on where to pick up info somewhere. And when you do spread it through the grapevine, write it in every guestbook and so on.

For crying out loud: Discharge must be the crusties wet dream, and still there were probably more skins and ex-skins there than those loveable smelly hippie punks. Not that it was many skins there either, mind you. I just can't get my head around it. Still, it's their loss (and financially Kjells loss too unfortunally). The ones who missed the gig should be sorry as it was a good night out. They should also have in mind that if you support a scene it is crucial to show up at gigs etcetera. If you don't promoters may not want to take the risk, or will be able to afford to bring your personal favourite band here to Sweden. So, like the old chestnut goes: Support the ones who support you. End of chat.

/Inspector Frost

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