The Chats / O2 Academy / Bristol

We headed down to Bristol, to check out The Chats on their 2023 “Get Fucked” UK tour promoting their latest album of the same name.

First up on the stage at 8 were three piece US alt rock band Guantanamo Baywatch from Portland Oregon. I’d not heard them before, and what a wonderful treat this was with drummer Chris Scott powering out the beats while bassist Chevelle Wiseman effortless jammed along with Singer and guitarist Jason Powell adding the punch. The sound is heavily influenced by the surf riffs of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s with an even mix of sung tracks and infectious instrumental tracks. I love a bit of psychobilly, and I felt right at home here. Shades of bands like The Cramps too – heavenly. Mid-set, they did a cover of 1957 track Diana by Paul Anka. It reminded me so much of the version done by The Misfits on their album “Project 1950’s”.

The early crowd were loving it too and bouncing along to every track. The set went so quick and I’d have loved to hear more.

A change round and next up at 9 we have London based punks The Chisel who formed in 2000 from a crew of members, with long-term associations to the London punk scene. In recent months I’ve covered a number of punk bands, from Glaswegians Piss Bath, Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, Total Chaos and IDLES.

This set tonight from The Chisel, blew me away ! It was hardcore, old school visceral punk with influences from the Oi! And hardcore scenes…. Anti-establishment, angry and raw…. Just the way punk should be for me. The rhythm was deep and loud, making the speakers create pulses of air towards you. Callum Graham prowls the stage delivering with passionate anger.

The effect on the crowd was evidence, as the intensity and noise levels rose in equal measure. Over way to soon, it was a set that left you panting and your chest pounding. More !

The O2 was bursting now, with an interesting mix of fans from old school spiked haired punks to lads in shorts and Hawaiian shirts in shades. At 10 on the dot, the lights drop and The Chats walk out to a simple set, with a banner at the back with the words “Get Fucked” emblazoned on it, the title of their latest album, but also a metaphor for the bands attitude.

Formed in 2016 on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia the bands name comes from the phrase "that's chat" (slang for something gross/disgusting). The band’s current line up is Eamon Sandwith (bass and vocals), Matt Boggis (drums) and Josh Hardy (guitar). Playing their own style of music they call “Shed Rock” it’s been liked to the style of bands like King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard.

Known for their quirky look and straight talking songs about Australian culture, they shot to popular attention with their hit Smoko.

Coming on at 10 and curfew at 11, they did us proud cramming in a whopping 24 tracks, starting off with the fantastic Nambored from 2017’s “Get This In Ya”. The atmosphere was good natured and packed with energy, the crowd embracing every moment. It would be easy from their light hearted videos to package The Chats as some kind of teen trend, but live the experience is very different. Musically they are connected and deliver a wall of sound and a very grown up punk experience, but with a sense of fun at it’s heart. They take that ‘fuck you’ punk style and add their very own unique Australian attitude. (Indeed there are some amazing punk bands in Australia ranging from Amyl and the Sniffers through to The Shit Tinnies).

Their lyrics and subject matter is global in it’s understanding. After a long day at work, a night out with friends and beers, listening to tracks like Ticket Inspector, Paid Late, Smoko and Price of Smokes hit a chord wherever you are !

The set was half older tracks and half from their latest album, with the new material going down a treat with the crowd. Highlights live from the new album for me were tracks like Dead on Site, Out on the Street and Paid Late.

The pace of the show was relentless, packing in so many songs in less than an hour, the intensity levels of the performance never dropped once, giving the audience no time to breathe. As the set drew towards an end we get a brilliant cover of the KISS classic Rock and Roll All Nite before the iconic Smoko (Get this In Ya 2017), and Better than You (High Risk Behaviour 2020).

We end of a high with Pub Feed from 2020’s “High Risk Behaviour”. After the intensity of the last hour, the venue is literally steaming now and crowd are still going strong, bouncing and surfing, and beer flying.

The Chats were effortless, and delivered a stunning performance at the O2. What made the night, was the brilliant selection of supports. First up the softer rockabilly surf tones of Guantanamo Baywatch (whata band name !), they the hardcore raw energy of The Chisel, before The Chats blew the house down. Just brilliant, from first riff to last

Set List

Nambored (Get this In Ya 2017)

Billy Backwash’s Day (High Risk Behaviour 2020)

Dead on Site (Get Fucked 2022)

6L GTR (Get Fucked 2022)

Ross River (High Risk Behaviour 2020)

Emperor of the Beach (Get Fucked 2022)

Out on the Street (Get Fucked 2022)

The Kids Need Guns (High Risk Behaviour 2020)

Stinker (High Risk Behaviour 2020)

Drunk and Disorderly (High Risk Behaviour 2020)

Southport Superman (Get Fucked 2022)