The King Blues are a band with one hell of a history, setting up shop way back in 2004, a hiatus in 2012 and a reformation in 2015, the rollercoaster of The King Blues and frontman Itch’s career is not one to just glance over. However in amongst the breakups, The King Blues have released over seven EPs and albums that are simply blissful punk-rock at its finest. On their first return to Brighton in around six years, Itch and the boys are set to play one of the most lively, beautifully written sets The Haunt has seen in an awfully long time.

Opening things is Millie Manders, and the punk vibes are immediately present. A psychotic combination of pure anger mixed with aspects of jazz and transient saxophone solos, Millie’s music brings funk, punk and everything in between, definitely making her an act to watch. Similarly, Riskee And The Ridicule take to the stage next and through some almost animatronic movements and incomprehensibly heavy riffs, this crowd are already incredibly riled up! Both of these supports are sublime and really emphasise the sense of community that punk music is able to create more than any other genre. The room is already bonding nicely as friends and strangers alike bounce around to the beautifully angsty tunes.

The time we’re waiting for now approaches and within a matter of seconds of entering the stage, Itch’s control over the audience is incredible, before saying a word he toys with the crowd via a manner of cheering antics. He opens the set with a spoken word rendition of ‘What If Punk Never Happened’ and sets the tone for the evening, the song is an emotional realisation of the importance of music and standing up for yourself against the establishment. The crowd scream each lyric back at Itch, matching the sound of his microphone as though we were at a protest march. A fantastic start that is only set to continue.

The set begins to really kick in with the first aspects of traditional punk showing through with ‘Set The World On Fire’, and the crowd begin to thrash around the room in a manner that the eye blurs. Itch notes at the end of the track that he sees a lot of potential for change within this room and that it is the young generation who hold the key for uprising. Despite his punky attitude, Itch continues to mention that his main philosophy in life is love, emphasised only further by then bursting into the feel good vibes of ‘I Got Love’. It is clear that just from glancing around that the entire room are aligned in a similar manner, there is no hate present here, just acceptance and love.

Surprisingly, even though Itch’s weapon of choice for a large proportion of the set is just a ukulele, he is a monolith of punk more so than almost any heavy band I’ve seen. Not only this though, but he demonstrates his skills through a multitude of instrumental talents whether it be piano, harmonica or simply vocal strength and intricacies, he is an all around musician with one hell of a poetic mind.

Later appearances of both old and new fan favourite tracks such as the new ‘The Bullingdon Boys’ and ‘Off With Their Heads’ make more than welcoming appearances and send the crowd into yet another loving frenzy of chanting and mosh pits. It is the final track of the evening ‘Save The World, Get The Girl’ however that has the largest response and offers a terrific closure to the show. The song’s message is rung clearly throughout the room and the crowd erupt into one final chorus of movement and cheering. A fantastic closure to a fantastic evening, you can see many smiles coming out of the venue.

Overall, despite the band’s 2011 album preaching Punk & Poetry, I would argue that instead Itch has made myself, and the rest of tonight’s crowd, realise that punk IS poetry. The genre is by no means dead, and bands such as The King Blues are still waving the flag stronger than ever. The world is in need of a definite change of mindset, and I can be sure that tonight’s set will have sparked more than a few people to take action wherever possible. Punk isn't all about anarchy and vandalism, it holds a far deeper message of love, acceptance and tolerance, and that is why the world needs more bands like The King Blues emerging from the underground to spread the message.
Ben Walker

Website: kingbluesofficial.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thekingblues
Twitter: twitter.com/itchsspeeches