Interrobang performing in Bootle, July 2016. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

The air is punctured, the big bang of the angry, cross and disillusioned comes out across the scene of serenity with truth galloping beside it at such a rate of knots that it is possible to feel the strength of rightful bitterness as if it were a tornado, a hurricane on the verge of demolishing the insidious and the crass, the self serving and the out and out distasteful. This was the cold wind of reality that captured the mood but didn’t spoil it, that enhanced the reasons to which the town of Bootle has felt the pressure of for decades.

In every festival, every musical event, the truth must always be allowed free reign, it might be looked down upon by those with more airs and graces than is actually good for them, those that shout and moan over the pointless, those that cannot take the unfortunate breaking of wind without giving the person a scathing look of hatred, in every festival should be a band like Interrobang.

The anger is welcome, it reminds those sat in the bowling green and enjoying the sun on their faces, perhaps for the first time in memory without a care in the world, that the world is not a good place, it could be, governments could actually do the right thing instead of making sure that they are all right and kept in perfect denial before they take apart communities, but for now and as Interrobang made clear, the system is not just rigged, it is placed with minefields and the disturbed all fighting to bring down towns such as Bootle with even more devastating effect.

The anger didn’t spoil the day though, why would it, truth may hurt those in power but to the ground down and the lonely it is sentences that come as relief, relief that someone listens and can put into words the way they feel; in every festival should these words be sang clear and without hindrance.

With songs such as Where You At, W.C.W. (White Collar W*****S), Crazy World and You Trippin’ all gaining excellent applause whilst the mood of peace and enjoyment reigned was never bothered, it is testament to the organisers that these powerful songs were greeted with sagely nodded heads but not returned bitterness. This was a day for gained respect and truth is part of that feeling, it was a feeling that Interrobang capitalised upon and were brutally brilliant at delivering.

Anger has its place, it reminds not to accept the situation of misery and desperation in the community, Interrobang are worthy of holding that thought with distinction.

Ian D. Hall