Radical Dance Faction - Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, 19/1/2019
by Helen Tipping
published: 11 / 3 / 2019
intro
Helen Tipping enjoys an upbeat set at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge to promote their new album 'Daydream Dystopia' from punk/dub/ska group Radical Dance Faction.
I head out for my first gig of the year on a cold Saturday night in January. I don’t really feel like going out – it’s cold and I would prefer to stay at home, in the company of my cats, in the warm. Saturday night TV, however, usually manages to drive me out – tonight is no exception. We are off to see Radical Dance Faction, a punk/dub/ska band that have been going since the mid-80s. They have been through various incarnations. Only vocalist Chris Bowsher remains of the original line-up. Bowsher is in a good mood and keeps it together, unlike a previous gig at Bearded Theory festival, when he was particularly down. There is no going off on rants, and the tunes are as upbeat as they can be with Radical Dance Faction. There is a fair bit of chatting going on at the back, so we gravitate towards the front and eventually find ourselves dancing – far more enjoyable than standing at the back being grumpy towards the minority of talkers. Radical Dance Faction brought a new album out in November 2018, following a Kickstarter campaign in October. Called 'Daydream Dystopia', the album was recorded with Youth from Killing Joke. As well as new material, it featured some older numbers, most noticeably ‘Surplus People’, which they play as the last song in the encore tonight. They also play ‘What Man Made of Stone’, a new tune from the new album, whereas many of the other tracks are old tracks given a rework and a new lease of life. It felt odd seeing them in the confines of the Trades Club, rather than in a field somewhere at a festival, like my previous experiences. It was a good gig though, with an interesting light show, and the DJs before and after were enjoyable. I was sorry to have missed the support band, Buff, but they are playing Bearded Theory later in the year, so I’ll try and catch them there.
Also at Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
Band Links:-
https://en-gb.facebook.com/rdfradicaldancefaction/https://twitter.com/radicaldancefac
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_Dance_Faction
Picture Gallery:-
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Beat Featuring Ranking Jnr - Sala Jerusalem, Valencia, 18/2/2024
Sami Sumner - Interview
Starless - Interview
Near Jazz Experience - Interview
The Church - Interview with Steve Kilbey
Editorial - May 2024
Dodson and Fogg - Movement In The Exterior World/Music For Strange and Mysterious Stories
Zombies - Interview
Robin Trower - Interview
previous editions
Comet Gain - Kulturbolaget, Malmo, 15/3/2003Film - 9 Songs
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EP
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Volunteered - Interview
Pony Collaboration - Interview
Richie Havens - Richard P. Havens, 1983
Jenny Wilson - Interview
Fara - Profile
Chills - The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps
most viewed reviews
current edition
Lewis 'Burner' Pugh - Bullets for BreadSmalltown Tigers - Crush On You
David Cross Band - Ice Blue Silver Sky
Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes - Dark Rainbow
All The Bees - All The Bees
My Life Story - Loving You is Killing Me
Inutili - A Love Supreme
Erlend Apneseth Trio with Maja S.K. Ratkje - Collage
Sone Institute - The Narrow Gate and the Stone Clock
Ty Segall - Three Bells
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart