Ticnotoc and Roughneck Riot Acoustic

The Cheshire Cheese Pub

Warrington

Saturday

12th August 2023

After recently attending a pub festival at the Cheshire Cheese pub in Warrington I was keen to go back – a brilliant set-up for live music and a focus on highlighting local talent – so this extra special event tonight of acoustic punk really couldn’t be missed! A chance to see two popular and local bands at their very purest, tonight’s double headliner sees punk outfit, Ticnotoc, going full acoustic for their set then folk/punk Roughneck Riot doing a semi-acoustic set. Having recently undergone extensive refurbishment both inside the pub and throughout the generous outdoor beer garden, it’s a genuinely great venue to visit. A purpose-built stage outside houses our performances tonight with ample standing area or potential mosh pit zone in front, then more spread out benches and tables throughout the grassed areas. As I arrive both inside and outdoors are already pretty full and it’s buzzing, so this is gonna go off with a big bang!

First act: Ticnotoc
Mark (Hodge) Hodgkins – vocal, Tony (Fen) Fennel – guitar, Nick Cork – bass (but for tonight’s acoustic version on guitar), Dez (the Box) Ryan – drums (cajon for tonight’s acoustic version), Danielle Hodgkins – vocal/backing vocal.

I’ve seen Ticnotoc before, both acoustically and in full band, and have honestly loved both styles; all original material in a real retro punk style. The sound is reminiscent of those early pioneering bands of the early punk movement back in the late 70s, early 80s. Tonight’s set feels different, still firmly within its punk genre but still different, which is a testament to this band’s diversity; no two sets are the same. Still upbeat, still fast-paced; guitars are strummed with vigour whilst beats are fired out, but there’s a real laid-back vibe. We all love the usual raucous wilds of punk, there’s no doubt, but this really highlights the strong musicianship in its rawest form, also the cleverness of the songs, both in structure and lyrics.

(Ticnotoc_Credit: Jeff Jolly)

Thought-provoking, witty themes of Rosie Lea literally had the crowd laughing along, then more hard-hitting and sombre themes about the Peterloo massacre and domestic violence. Some choruses are chanted, like outcries of some public demonstration or march, and then others are performed in a poetic, spoken-word manner, adding another dimension. It works well, very John Cooper Clarke-like – gritty, witty and northern. Entertaining to watch, this set has an uncompromising feel coming right at us, think Yard Act, the Fall or even Sleaford Mods-type energy and style. Joined onstage by frontman Mark’s daughter, Danielle Hodgkins, on vocal part way through… a superb addition; more ska in feel for these songs…which has everybody bobbing about and bouncing. The harmonies are exquisite – that combination of male and female vocal bringing yet another layer to this set. This was a really enjoyable, diverse and upbeat set; it very full of content; It has flown by, which is always a good sign, and certainly went down well with the crowd.

Set List: Graveyard, Liar cheat, Foot off my head, Rosie Lea, Pusher, Aargh, Peterloo, Something Fishy, Duvet Day, Who Rattled, Fake News, Kill the Poor

Second act: The Rough Neck Riot
Matty Humphries – lead vocal/mandolin, Chris Green – guitar/backing vocals, Ryan Taylor – bass/backing vocals, Sam Bell – accordion/backing vocals, John Dempsey – drums.

Next up tonight is the Rough Neck Riot. I’m already a huge fan of this band but until now just haven’t managed to see them live. Obviously, I’ve been looking forward to this and I just know this will be a set that goes off – big time. As they launch straight into this performance with a force of sheet exuberance and an energy that seems to transfuse, I’m not wrong; it’s already going off! This semi-acoustic set brings all the wilds (although maybe a toned-down version) and this entire venue is alive. The area in front of the stage is now filled; people are dancing and singing along. It’s an uplifting sound, it feels joyous, very high vibrational, but with a punk anger riding alongside if that makes sense? It’s a total fusion of these two sounds: the punk and the folk, and its entwined perfectly. I get Celtic vibes that’s obvious from the folk aspect, but it’s really coming into its own and gives that wonderful ‘good times’ feel; but the utter explosion of punk is heard and not ignored, placing its identity firmly at the heart of this band’s sound. All 5 band members fill this stage with their presence and don’t stand still for a second, darting around, interacting with each other and with us as a crowd. It’s apparent these guys love what they do and bounce off each other and this energy really radiates from them and filters down to every one of us here tonight – totally infectious. I dare anyone to try and stand still at a Rough Neck gig! Overall, the feels I get are laid back, of inclusivity, of fun; everyone’s welcome and encouraged to just have the best time. Tonight’s crowd is totally mixed ages, This sounds appealing to all generations, and I’ve spotted at least 3 dogs, which is just brilliant in this beer garden venue!

(Roughneck Riot_Credit: Jeff Jolly)

The vocal is smokey, husky, raspy and is low in tone with real character, but then come angry punk cries, growls, howls and almost a guttural roar at times. It does feel wild, there definitely is that punk anger or defiance. Guitars scream and are jagged, and beats are hammered out fast, but then the accordion and mandolin bring another texture; obviously, they bring the folk or Gaelic feeling sound but also bring that fun and carefree element. It’s been a fast hurricane of a set, and it’s been brilliant! If this is semi-acoustic, then I cannot wait to see what full band offers, as this was incredible! A really great night, a wonderful venue that’s really pushing grass roots and local music and making it easily accessible, and two Warrington-based bands of stand-out quality that everyone should go see live! Brilliant night! My mission now is to get to a Rough Neck Riot full-band gig ASAP!

Set List: Animosity, Pissin’ in the Wind, Ignorance Is Easy, Stay Awake, Million Miles, New Day Is Dawning, You (Bad Religion cover), Just Because, Waiting to Die,
Parasites, Resistance, This Is Our Day, No Cure for Us, All That We Know.

Review by Janet Harding

Photography by Jeff jolly

To view the entire photo gallery, click the numbers below the last bottom photo on the right or click on an image to see it larger and scroll through.