The Rebel Alliance Tour, Sunday 7th February@Mr Kyps

If one were to ‘skank’ – the dance form associated with the feel good music of ska - then one would lean forward, out stretch the arms and, essentially, jog on the spot. To the upbeat of some reggae inspired tunes, of course. On February 7th The Rebel Alliance Tour stopped off at Poole’s atmospheric live music venue Mr. Kyps and ‘skanking’ is exactly what those who checked it out did. The tour sees the union of three of the UK’s young heroes of the ska scene today; Random Hand, Mouthwash and The Skints, as well as international acoustic artist Chris Murray.

First on the stage tonight, Chris Murray and Friends –comprising of The Skint’s drummer and bassist – has the unenviable task of playing to a crowd that is yet to reach 20 in number. Despite this his set is flawless and filled to the brim with melody and bounce and it’s clear he’s in his element, ‘daring’ the inquisitive couple dozen to come closer. “Welcome to Mr. Kyps, it’s a cool place to be…and the crowd goes wild!” he jokes with a smile and genuine adoration for the support he’s received. You can’t help but warm to his charm and, frankly, he deserves a bigger audience.

Random Hand are tipped as one of the fastest rising ska punk bands in the UK today. The four-piece have previously toured with eclectic homegrown skankers Sonic Boom Six - founders of the Rebel Alliance Label – as well as Californian ska punk legends Reel Big Fish. Mouthwash have supported Florida party-band Less Than Jake and have years of experience of headline tours under their black and white checked belts. Tonight this experience shows and both bands shine at times with a raw punk energy and clear blues roots. It’s clear the crowd is never going to exceed 50-odd and both bands make the most of the fantastic atmosphere of Kyp’s to incite a dance pit. “You’re all like minded, if one dances you’ll all dance” Random Hand front man and class joker Robin Leitch screams. And, for the remainder of theirs and Mouthwash’s set, they do.

By the time bill closers The Skints take to the stage the beer is flowing and the quality of music remains high. It’s still the same faithful skankers down the front but in this environment a pit of 10 is no less impressive than a pit of 100. That said it is unfortunate that so few were in attendance tonight as those who were enjoyed every second. Ska is certainly not dead; it just needs to be prodded awake. See for yourself- catch the mighty Sonic Boom Six at Kyp’s in April.

Rammstein Burn Birmingham

It’s a bitingly cold Wednesday night in Birmingham. The LG Arena is about to play host to one of the world’s most controversial bands and one known best for their live presence. 100’s of believers stampede through the halls to be first through the arena doors. Everyone knows that something colossal is about to go down and everyone wants to be caught in the explosion.

It must be said that without the impressive light show, support act Combichrist would be a dull and odd looking experience. With their assortment of industrial spaz-metal and a somewhat baffling resemblance to the Muppet band Dr Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, it takes a pinch of salt to appreciate what they’re trying to achieve with songs like ‘What the F**k is Wrong With You?’ and ‘*F**k That S**t.’ Ironically, the sentiments of many in the crowd by the end of the set. There is a moment of intrigue when the drummer-duo pour water over their kits, sending droplets soaring with every perfectly executed beat. But, with an audience of 12 000 eagerly awaiting Germany’s biggest musical export and well aware of the wonders their 20-something trucks have carted across the continent - nobody cares.

It is near impossible to explain just how good Rammstein are. It simply is something you have to witness for yourself. You can’t just sling clichés like ‘they put on a great show’ or ‘the audience loved it.’ Imagine the best Guy Fawkes Night - indoors - meshed with the scene where the ring is destroyed in the Return of the King.

They take to the stage using pickaxes to break through their set walls, exposing a blinding light behind. Front man Till Lindeman booms opener ‘Rammleid’ with mini lights illuminating his mouth as the crowd sing back their name. He says very little for the 2 hours of their set – comprising mainly of their latest work from Liebe ist für alle da - and he doesn’t have to. The thousands in front of him are gripped from the start by every double beat of the drum, every relentless power chord and every eclectic tune from Flake’s keys. At times you can’t move from sheer bemusement that the stage is on fire or that there is a skinny man crowd surfing above you in a Quicksilver boat. There are flames every other song and there are explosions in between. Now you can understand why it takes a whole year of advance planning and dress rehearsals.

But enough about the show. Rammstein said recently with regards to their tour that they worry fans care more for the flames than the music. Understandable, as no other band in the world would dangle a couple dozen laser emitting doll babies from the light rigging in poetic symbolism of the antics of Josef Fritzl. However, the German six-piece still have the repertoire to ignite a good sing along – even in a foreign language. Fan favourites 'Ich Will' and 'Du Hast' stand out as the spine tingling stadium anthems of the night. It’s new single ‘Pussy’ that gets the biggest reception, possibly because it’s mainly in English and possibly because it’s about sex. It’s probably because Till mounts a cement mixer-come-fallice and sprays the crowd with sweet smelling foam at its climax. Seriously, had to be there.

By the time they reach their second encore and set closer, 'Engel', those who bore witness to what came before stand in awe as Till takes to the stage sporting flame throwing angel wings. Not the kind you wear to ballet. The kind you would imagine the perpetrator of the end of the world wearing as he demolishes all human kind. The German government may be ashamed of them but metal fans across Europe love them. And, with flames that touch the ceiling, fireworks that scale the arena and exploding laser babies, there can be no argument that - when it comes to pure spectacle - Rammstein are hands down the greatest live band in the world.

Flames, Fireworks and Exploding Laser Babies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&v=tnHrGVp0jiw