‘THE GODFATHERS’ PLAYED ‘16 TONELADAS’ (EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC REPORT)

1980s Britrockers ‘The Godfathers’ thrashed the crowd into a dance-floor frenzy last Thursday at ‘16 Toneladas’. Playing their charting 1988 LP ‘Birth, School, Work, Death’ in its entirety along with other favourites made for a really fun night. There was no empty filler or wavering lulls. A tight, high energy, guitar-driven sonic wave revved fans from the start. The chanting chorus of ‘How Low is Low’ embodied the band’s knack for melodic hooks. ‘Cause I Said So’ channeled that rebellious defiance that defined the band early on. Their songs were all so damn catchy that fans shouted the choruses in unison over and over again. One of the many high-points was the title track ‘Birth School Work Death’. This blew open the doors. By late set, moshing erupted in a euphoria with the music.

OCD tipped their hat to their punk side. They paid homage to America icon with Johnny Cash Blues. That 2/4 rockabilly country beat was taken to a new cow-punk level. They closed with a few recognised encores: The Beastie Boys ‘You Got To Fight for Your Right’ and The Ramones ‘I Can’t Sleep Tonight’.

Lead singer Peter Coyne had a reserved demure but as soon as he sang his voice was a raw rage with intensity of the lyrics he sang. He was punching the air and crashed his tambourine in time to his words. Intense eye contact kept him reading the crowd and egging them on to engage with the music.

More than once, the band was served shots from the fans. At one point, Coyne handed off his microphone to a fan. He was an older man in a suit, most probably harking back to the persona of a former mod. This local expressed thanks to the band for making it to Valencia. A common sentiment that this show was very special for fan who had never likely had a chance to see them before. A gratitude felt throughout packed venue.

The band: Jon Priestley: bass, Billy Duncanson: drums, Richie Simpson and Paul Humphreys: guitar, made for a formable sound with frontman Peter Coyne on vocals. Magnificent musicianship matched with showmanship as they slung their instruments, while working some really tasty solos too. Above all they were truly having fun judging by their spontaneity, expression and interaction. The Godfather brought the goods to Valencia and knew how to deliver them too.

Report by Phillip Solomonson

Article copyright ‘24/7 Valencia’

Photos copyright Phillip Solomonson/ ‘24/7 Valencia’

Set List:

This is War

She Gives Me Love

OCD

How Low is Low

Lay That Money Down

Johnny Cash Blues

Birth, School, Work, Death

If Only I Had Time