Hailing from Philadelphia, one of the great homesteads of stateside punk, tonight’s openers Mannequin Pussy (7.5) bridge the gap between the classic roots of American punk and it’s progressive current state riotously. Dissonance drips plentifully from their scuzzed adolescent bombardments of punk – sonic ooze that seeps into the pores of both every punter in attendance and into the timbre and concrete of this venue. Such a sentiment becomes chokingly evident as the group plunge into the more archaic hardcore orientated content from their youth, a transition that undoubtedly startles those only acquainted with their 2019 release Patience. As vocalist Marisa Dabience screeches “Who the fuck are you talking to, boy?” on the breathless rager that is ‘F.U.C.A.W’, Mannequin Pussy are a deafening hark to the more blunt, raw, and dare we say dangerous, days of punk. But yet, there’s an element of contemporary polish gleaming amongst the grunge, shimmer that’s present on the tender work from the last year’s aforementioned release. Regardless, whilst it’s highly unlikely there where present to begin with, if any prudes where present prior to Mannequin Pussy’s set, they’ve been undoubtedly cast out now. Photo: Ollie Weaver It’s bizarre to think that if you where to ask someone if they enjoyed the sounds of Spanish Love Songs (9) back in 2017 it’s likely you would be met with a blank, if not curious stare. Since releasing their sophomore record Schmaltz in 2018, the LA collective have blown up on a near global level, becoming household names in punk soundtracked homes across Earth. With that in consideration, it’s not surprising that the band have found themselves met with a near sold out audience before them in a city thousands of miles away from home on the release day of their third record Brave Faces Everyone. Despite the stated Brave Faces Everyone only being officially 19 hours old at this point, a large portion of SWX’s inhabitants seem to have already studied it’s contents thoroughly. An obvious fact as the south west populace bellow the pained and relatable vocals of ‘Losers’ and ‘Beach Front Property’ back at the towering frontman before them. Still, it’s the synth and key peppered material from their 2018 release that garners the most excitable of responses. Photo: Ollie Weaver ‘Bellyache’ see’s the group animate the anxiety of coming of age and the pop punk coating of ‘Sequels, Remakes, & Adaptations’ incites the first outbreaks of bedlam this evening. But to return to Brave Faces Everyone, regardless of the fact that many may be hearing these songs for the first time, these new tracks solidify the fact that Spanish Love Songs have entered a new golden age of their career today. Related: Spanish Love Songs – Brave Faces Everyone | Album Review Given the fact that this is only their second time on our shores, Spanish Love Songs perform with the skill of a collective that has honed their skills through the trials that come with decades of touring. Yes, it would be understandable if those ignorant to their namesake would have reservations about this band due to their sudden success, but such theoretical opinions are swiftly disproven. Spanish Love Songs are simply life affirming live, a form of energetic escapism from the crushing banality that serves as the inspiration of their craft. Photo: Ollie Weaver Judging from the palpable air of excitement lingering heavily within the SWX, it looks like everyone gathered here has been anticipating this show for quite some time. Of course, given the quality of The Menzingers (9) back catalogue, their proven reputation live and their excellent recent record Hello Exile. it’s not surprising in the slightest. The Menzingers have a heavy reputation to uphold as of late, but as the band open with ‘Anna’ to a reception that could be classed as overwhelming, it’s clear the he band still live up to their expectations fully. Related: The Menzingers – Hello Exile | Album Review Dive bombing into the universal relatability of the anxiety ridden ‘The Obituaries’, immediately, the strains and pains of another working week are exorcised and expelled. As Bristol and The Menzingers unionise and harmonise to the tales of love, loss and existentialism that is ‘Rodent’, ‘Good Things’, ‘Thick As Thieves’ and ‘High School Friend’, it’s impossible not be infatuated by the group’s evident love for performing. In turn, regardless of your mood entering this venue after the grind of the working week, it’s simply impossible not be bellowing along at all times – if not launching yourself over the barrier as many continue to do. Photo: Ollie Weaver A concern that could have been held by some prior to tonight is how the more sober and tamed content from Hello Exile translates live and into their normally hedonistic set. After all, the record was certainly a change of pace when comparison to the jovial musical offering that was After The Party. However, such concerns completely prove to be pointless. Tracks such as ‘Portland’, ‘London Drugs’, ‘Strangers Forever’ and the lethargy of ‘Last To Know’ are played with the same amount of infectious energy and that allowed the material that came before them to become highly renowned and requested life. There’s no stuttering transitions between content from differing releases – just pure punk fluidity. The Menzingers may be past the age of back to back parties on record, but live, they’re reliving them every night. As the set winds into it’s final act, with their expected cover of The Clash’s ‘Death Or Glory’ and 2012’s ‘In Remission’ opening the pits of jubilant violence for the final time, it’s difficult to determine who’s enjoyed this set more; the population of Bristol or the Menzingers themselves. Overall, from the early doors to the sweat soaked finish, tonight has seen everyone within this venue bounce and shout along in unison, venting out an inane working weeks worth of frustration whilst forgetting about the eroding banality of modern life. The Menzingers may have been visiting our nation for a decade now, but clearly, there’s still plenty of parties yet to come. Photo: Ollie Weaver