“Who here likes pop punk?” asks Austin Sparkman.
Mumbles of approval, and more than a few groans.
“Well, who likes Oi!?”
A much louder cheer.
“Yeah, when you grow up, you realise that Oi! is just pop-punk for adults?”
Haywire’s frontman is in brilliant, shit-stirring form, whether that means jovially winding up the more po-faced fans or openly challenging the UK government with calls for a crowd to turn up at the Old Bailey to protest the trial of the Filton 25. It’s truly great stuff, helped no end by the sound of Boston Boot Boys, Poser Disposer and Like A Train. The crowd respond in kind, going duly over the top. Haywire, indeed. (SL)