Italia 90 at the Vic

Its 9:30 on a Wednesday night in Hoxton and I’ve just been released from the clink that is my job at a bottle shop, with £13 to my name I hear of a free gig that I can make it to as long as I’m up for a 25 minute run to the Victoria in Dalston, where the headliners are none other than the four piece punk platoon that is Italia 90. Being a recent fan of their music I was more than willing to throw my head around and let their yammer hit my ears.

I bolted off in search of the Vic. Then upon my arrival, to combat my windswept barnet I spat in my hands and ran them through my bleach burnt hair, and I was fresh as a daisy. The quirky East London pub was an interesting setting for a punk gig, behind a speak easy book shelf, there is a large event space, where as I walked through I could see Italia 90 plugging in and their lead vocalist Les Miserable, pacing the stage.

As the Vic filled up, Italia 90’s rumbling and rebelling sounds started emerging. Their bottom lip biting drums and invasive high pitch guitar, all heavily complimented Les’ direct and true style. It is apparent that they’ve been together for a while which is displayed by their refreshing comfortability on stage.

As they began to get the crowd pumped, there was a sneak preview of their new single that is to be released soon, with conflictingly interesting sounds that are vibrant and like nothing I’ve heard before. ‘Tourist Estate’ from their EP was unrecognisable with Les pacing around, displaying his unique stage presence and Georgie’s wild guitar sounds screeching in my ears. It sounded insane live, the gig and this tune was so refreshing and raw, it was a massive focal point as they entered a new category of excellence for me at this point. Then, the anticipated inevitable happened and the first few sounds from their hit ‘New Factory’ played and the troop in front of them chanted the words and began ecstatically moshing, a smile began in the corner of Les’ mouth like an evil overlord chanting down to his subjects, is it was here when the battle was won.

Italia 90 where compelling performers with a new style, taking influences from the original punk days with solid concrete tunes. Go see ‘em live its a shit load of fun.

Words: Cane Valentine
Editor: Christiana Garvie

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