Live Review: THE BUTTERS ALIENS -The Sunflower Lounge 31/01/2020

Written by Niamh Christian

THE BUTTERS ALIENS - https://www.instagram.com/megb.captures/

It's a rare occasion to get a line up as raw and energetic as this. One of Birmingham's very best, The Butters Aliens supported by The Earnest Spears, P.E.T, Blick Black And The Chilliholers and Euphoric bringing one of the most enjoyable gigs I've been to in Birmingham so far. 

P.E.T - https://www.instagram.com/megb.captures/

I arrived just in time to catch P.E.T's set, which was a great start to the night. This perky 4 piece outfit are full of angst and attitude and brought it all to their set. Combining girl swagger and punk rock power, they really made an impression. 

BLICK BLACK AND THE CHILLIHOLERS - https://www.instagram.com/megb.captures/

The loud and shirtless dudes in Blick Black and The Chilliholers came in screaming Busted and causing havoc. Their gnarly sound and angry songs had the crowd jumping off their feet.

THE EARNEST SPEARS - https://www.instagram.com/megb.captures/

Next on the line-up, I had the pleasure of getting to see the brilliant new wave punks The Earnest Spears. Their juicy riffs and powerful performance was one that really caught my attention. As if their well-attired look wasn't enough to instantly make me a fan, they also showed pure musical ability along with show stopping frontmanship.

THE BUTTERS ALIENS - https://www.instagram.com/megb.captures/

Last but certainly not least we had the nights headliners, The Butters Aliens. Already being one of my all-time favourites, I was extremely excited to see this set and they did not disappoint. They brought the roof down with their catchy songs, crowd interaction and energetic performance they managed to put on a show that wasn't short of excitement.

Live Review: ITALIA 90 - The Sunflower Lounge 30/01/2020

Written by Niamh Christian

Italia 90 - Niamh Christian

Last Thursday saw the Sunflower Lounge bring together some punk madness with a line up of 3 brilliantly raw, energetic acts all bringing their own unique element to a night of pure chaos.

HOTPLATE - Niamh Christian

Opening up the night was Hotplate, performing tuneful melodies against raspy shouting and powerful lyrics they got the audience ready for a hell of a night. Their heavy set included a lot of movement and the messy spilling of a beer. What could be more punk than that?


Up next was the 4 piece punk rockers from Worcester Kick The Clown, who had everything from raw, chaotic energy to an in your face performance and a clown mask. The rowdy swagger loud riffs were nothing short of brilliant performance and are definitely the kind of music you want to be seeing live rather than through earplugs.

KICK THE CLOWN - Niamh Christian

Headlining this insane line up was no other but the Londoners Italia 90 with music that seems to draw a middle between 80's post-punk and 90's garage punk. An exciting, manic and political performance so intense we got joined by their frontman in the audience. They gave the night a showstopping end and brought the roof down doing so!

ITALIA 90 - Niamh Christian