Music / Back On The Map
Review: Slapshot, The Exchange
Photography by Catherine McCarthy
“Happy Thanksgiving!” barked veteran frontman Jack ‘Choke’ Kelly a split second before he embarked into an opening four song salvo of blistering Bostonian hardcore, and while we don’t much celebrate that particular holiday around these parts, we’ve still got plenty to be thankful for. So often these reconstituted old time punk bands ship up to our shores, grudgingly ploughing through the back catalogue for a quick buck. But despite Kelly being the only original member left standing on the Exchange stage tonight, Slapshot weren’t here to simply go through the motions.
Kicking off with Back On The Map – the very first song from their very first song from their very first EP from way back in 1986 – the band paid homage to their mid-eighties East Coast hardcore beginnings, peppering their set with early gems from the off. You’re No Friend of Mine and I’ve Had Enough followed in short order, nicely beefed for the 21st century, with a mature bluster skilfully added to these snotty punk anthems of nearly 30 years ago.
is needed now More than ever
But it’s not all about the heritage run throughs – Slapshot have an album to plug, and the new stuff held up in its own right – none less than the breakneck I Told You So, a song that slotted so well among their older material that you couldn’t see the join.
And despite his clearly advanced years, Kelly showed no sign of slowing down. He bounced gleefully around the tall stage like your mate’s cool dad that you really wished was your dad, his cheeky chappy persona inviting us to be part of his gang, for just one night. He’s clearly still loving this childish punk rock nonsense, and his enthusiasm is infectious.
Where so many hardcore bands of today are too serious and too complicated, Slapshot go back to the source with their shoutalong mob choruses and their winning charm. They keep it simple, they keep it fun, and they melt the faces of the first five rows, and long may that continue – well, as long as their backs hold out…
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