WEDNESDAY 13 + FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS + THE NOCTURNAL AFFAIR @ CHALK, BRIGHTON, 30TH JULY 2025
Horror punks Wednesday 13 (the brainchild of former Murderdolls singer Joseph Poole, who is also known as Wednesday 13) arrive in Brighton to make Wednesday feel like a Friday night. In tow, they bring Fearless Vampire Killers and The Nocturnal Affair in support.
The Nocturnal Affair kick off proceedings. They are from Las Vegas and were put together by vocalist Brendan Shane. He has an incredibly rich-sounding voice edging towards a baritone, and sounds like he’s had some vocal training at some point. He stands on the monitors for a large part of the set. The band is clearly influenced by Type O Negative and Nine Inch Nails, and have more than a hint of industrial rock about them. They might want to rethink some elements of their stagecraft, however. One of the guitarists and bassist, Michael James, swirl their hair around in unison. It looks choreographed and is a tiny bit naff.
However, any perceived ‘naffness’ is outweighed by the band’s sheer musicality. When Brendan isn’t singing, he’s often on keyboards, whilst guitarists Andy Ingraham and Dru Lappin deliver some very impressive dual lead guitar. Both guitarists are excellent, with both tapping to deliver that extra musical spice. Brendan encourages some audience participation, encouraging the crowd to shout “Liar! Failure! Crook! Backbiter!” The song could have been written for Donald Trump!!! My only real criticism is the inclusion as their final song of a cover of “What Is Love” by Haddaway. The inclusion of this song is completely pointless, especially when they have so many fine songs of their own. Having said that, it is their most popular song on Spotify. Maybe it’s just me who doesn’t like it!!!
In short order, The Nocturnal Affair are followed by Fearless Vampire Killers, originally from Beccles in Suffolk. I don’t know what it is, but in comparison to American bands, try as they might, British metal bands simply can’t fail to be refreshingly down to earth. Maybe it’s the British sense of humour. Maybe it’s an inability to take the metallic posing and posturing as seriously as their American cousins. They may not like me saying it, but Fearless Vampire Killers fall into that ‘down to earth’ category. Like The Nocturnal Affair, Fearless Vampire Killers are also a five-piece, but are generally faster and heavier. Cyrus Barrone (aka Shane Sumner) plays the bulk of the lead guitar, but stands too far towards the back of the stage. He should be at the front with his foot on a monitor. Probably.
The band are wearing a uniform consisting of blue shirts and black waistcoats. I’m not sure that I approve of this. It makes them look like a cabaret band playing at a holiday camp. Hi-de-bloody-hi!!! Thankfully, they don’t sound in the least bit like a cabaret band. If they did, I suspect that Wednesday 13 would ritually execute them onstage! On the contrary, they prove beyond doubt that British Metal is in good health, especially with set closer “All Hallows Evil”, which is every bit as heavy as the title suggests.
At 8.45 pm sharp, Wednesday 13 takes the stage. Opening song “Look What The Bats Dragged In” from the deliciously titled “Transylvania 90210: Songs of Death, Dying, and the Dead” is probably the heaviest, most metallic thing played tonight. I’m really surprised that the gig isn’t sold out. It doesn’t appear to affect the band, though – they still put on a hell of a show.
They’re not really doing anything new, but that really doesn’t matter. They’re really good at what they do, and what they do is take the audience somewhere completely different for an hour or so. What they manage to achieve is to present a great stage show with not much in the way of effects. Honestly, what’s not to like?
They have an album that was released in April called “Mid Death Crisis”, another great title. I’m not entirely sure what a mid-death crisis is, but I’m pretty sure that I don’t want one!!! There are a few songs from the album played tonight, but “When The Devil Commands” is an absolute highlight! Joseph Poole (aka Wednesday 13) has had quite an illustrious career in addition to what he’s achieved with his present band, and it would simply be wrong if those achievements weren’t represented.
Thus, we get “Summertime Suicide” and “Nowhere” by the Murderdolls, together with “197666”, “Die My Bride”, and the final encore “I Love To Say Fuck” by Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13. This particular song is accompanied by Poole / Wednesday 13 unveiling an umbrella emblazoned with the word “Fuck” and a fist with the middle finger extended. No one can say that this man doesn’t have class.
I’m not going to lie to you: I don’t think that Wednesday 13’s music is spectacularly inventive and is going to change the world. However, if you want to see a top-notch metal show with songs containing tongue-in-cheek lyrics, you could do a lot worse than go to see Wednesday 13.
WORDS: MARK KELLY PHOTOS: CRIS WATKINS
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