AGENT ORANGE
The Park, Peterborough
Sunday, April 19th, 2009
Reviewed by Cardinal Cox
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Californian band Agent Orange were one of the first of the surf punk sub-genre when they were first formed way back in 1979, mixing hardcore with twangy melodies. Though don’t imagine that the Beach Boys have much of an influence, rather the rougher, rootsier sound of Dick Dale (in fact one bass player left Agent Orange to join Dick Dale’s band). Support for the evening came from local bands The Psych-O-Bombs and The Destructors 666, plus London band (on their third night with the Americans) Love and a .45.
So here they were in Peterborough after thirty years in the business. In that time they’ve released only three albums, but their reputation is based upon their live performances, and I could see why. They were incredibly tight and polished with a mix of songs and instrumental numbers. Original member Mike Palm (guitar and vocals) knows how to work a crowd, and I imagine he’s as good at a festival as he was in the sweaty back room.
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