Reason to Leave / Sally Pepper

REASON TO LEAVE

Sally Pepper

The Blossoms, Stockport
Saturday 23rd September 2023


(Photo by Phukin Photos)


Reason to Leave have made a name for themselves across the DIY punk scene with a streamlined, conscious, and upbeat take on classic skate-punk. Tonight they team up with Horn & Hoof label-mate Sally Pepper and 77 Spears to celebrate the launch or their new Rise & Grind EP at Stockport institution the Blossoms. As an added bonus, Rejected and Abused join the party with The Hate, On the Brink, and Omega Tribe


It’s an unusually warm and sunny day in late September, with the city buzzing from their team’s 5-0 demolition of Disney faves Wrexham FC down at Edgeley Park. Making the walk from the station to the venue, there’s a celebratory feel in the air which seeps into the pub’s atmosphere ahead of the six band noisefest. 


The Hate, 77 Spears, and On the Brink warm-up the crowd with sweaty, in your face sets before Sally Pepper brings everyone up close and personal for a solo performance that offers honesty, emotion, and good-humour alongside a direct approach. Armed with the tried and trusted pairing of an acoustic guitar and a defiant spirit, Sally treats the crowd to a display of folk-punk that echoes the protest songs of yesteryear whilst communicating a modern message of inclusion, acceptance, and personal growth. It’s a warm and intimate set, with favourites such as Cliffs and Clickbait shaking a groove on big, open chords and spikey tempos. Sally invites The Blossoms crowd to provide backing vocals on an anti-government protest song, with hearty chants of ‘fuck the tories’ thrown back in call and response fashion. Closing out the set, Classic Me lays bare feelings of disappointment with oneself and to others against an anthemic yet angsty chord progression. Many have been there, but knowing we’re not alone makes the world seem a more hopeful place.


(Photo by Phukin Photos)


Balloons fly and the lights start to flash as Reason to Leave pick up their instruments and blast their high-energy noise at the crowd. It’s a relentless opening, with double-time drums and grinding yet melodic bass providing the foundation for Ronnie’s soaring guitar and Mike’s urgent, rhythmic vocal stylings. Mixing new songs amongst cuts from their earlier Waste of Time EP, the band blast through their set in slick fashion and include a bombastic cover of State (Jimmy something?) that hits hard. With the crowd onside, not even a bass-amp malfunction can cut the energy as drummer Prav drops a hip-hop groove for Mike to spit lyrics from Bloody Hands over. Back to full power, No Way gets the room bouncing and joining in the gang vocals across the chorus. Edge of a Knife speeds along on a skate-punk groove with Dead to Me adding vocal harmonies to the caustic vibes. It’s energetic, it’s fun, and it has a message. The 30-minute set shoots by and the band are enjoying the moment, with bassist Mart displaying some crowd-pleasing moments of fretboard dexterity. It doesn’t seem long enough though as power chords subside and cymbals settle at the end of their set, but the job is done and RTL take their leave. 


(Photo by Phukin Photos)


The party continues with the atmospheric post-punk sound of Omega Tribe closing out an evening of great entertainment. Thanks to all the bands for hitting their groove, thanks to the audience for being all-in, and thanks to The Blossoms for hosting the shindig.



Horn & Hoof Records

https://hornandhoof.co.uk/


Rejected and Abused

https://m.facebook.com/groups/169722329730065/


Phukin Photos

https://m.facebook.com/PhukinPhotos/



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