It is those no-man’s lands days between Christmas and New Year in 2025 and the Punchdrunk Saints have bravely decided to host their second ever gig after their debut in London’s 100 Club.

Tonight’s gig at Fairycroft House, Saffron Walden is in aid of PTSD999, a charity that benefits those in UK emergency service with post-traumatic stress disorder.

York based hard rockers Segregates warm up the healthy sized crowd with their Motorheadesque, hard n’ fast headbangers. The lanky frame of their front man ‘Smell’ his mic somehow higher than him, neck cranked back delivers his deep vocals and growls Lemmy style. His compatriots throw many shapes and never stop making use of any bit of stage they have.

If you like Motorhead then you will love Segregates, when their final self-titled song finishes, they have a lot of new friends for sure.

Burston Hall (Fairycroft’s main hall named after Wurzel) fills up even more as it nears time for the headliners. There is a brief three item auction of gin, signed Frank Bruno boxing gloves and a signed Les Paul copy hosted by first Dennis Stratton (Iron Maiden/Praying Mantis/Lionheart) followed by actor Cliff Parisi (Minty in Eastenders/Fred Buckle in Call The Midwife).

With one gig and a highly regarded debut self-titled album that Get Ready to ROCK!’s Jason Ritchie reviewed here, Punchdrunk Saints might need a brief introduction.

Formed by Cockney Rebels Micky Geggus, wanting to scratch the itch of going in a less punk more hard rock direction. Mickey on a tip off from former Rory Gallagher/Manfred Man guitarist Dave Edwards to give unknown Marc Salmon a go as vocalist and discovered an untapped gem.

The album was released to great reviews but took until the first gig to cement the line up, bringing in a powerhouse rhythm section of Leader of Down’s Tim Atkinson on bass and Chris Nedzynski of An History of Bad Men on drums.

The Saints open with a rip-roaring version of the debut single ‘I Wanna Know What It’s Like’ followed by ‘Days Of Our Lives’, the energy is infectious and the band are clearly enjoying themselves.

Tim Atkinson prowls and stalks the stage and Mickey grins from under his newsboy cap. The problem of only having one album’s material is addressed with the first of two Cockney Rejects tracks ‘The Way of The Rocker’.

Marc Salmon as a front man is a huge discovery but just because he is new to this type of band and this level, he isn’t inexperienced; years of grinding out pub gigs and workingman clubs means he has not only paid his dues but knows how to not only handle himself on stage but more importantly control and banter with the crowd.

‘Dirty Dreams’ follows, which is a bit like something Thunder would produce (which is a good thing!). Nedzynski is a solid guy to have behind you, pounding away and as Marc said “a powerhouse” yet he never draws you away from what’s going on out front. His skills are needed on the next two tracks ‘Prayer For Tomorrow’ and the massive ‘Holy Mother’ with it’s almost Pantera’s ‘Walk’ like groove.

Dennis Stratton arrives on stage amongst a bout of banter, out comes another Cockney Rejects track ‘Some Play Dirty’ and the yet to be released song ‘Dreams’. “We also can play ballads, it’s not all rockers!” chirps Marc after some football related banter (most of the band are West Ham Fans, but I’ll let them off that!).

The bloke next to me heckles “No, play the metal!” gladly he is ignored again after his booming Arsenal shout earlier to the footie stuff.

Dennis Stratton and Mickey Geggus’s guitar harmonics are a joy on the intro of the said ballad ‘I Know How To Find You’ a song that deserves radio airplay if there ever was one. ‘Your Time Is Done’ from the midway point of the self-titled album is visited.

Ex-Rory Gallagher/Manfred Mann and Dennis Stratton’s regular foil live climbs onto stage and a highly charged version of The Kinks ‘Till the End of The Day’ is smashed out and band introductions are made and a cover of CCR’s ‘Fortunate Son’ that sits on the album follows.

There is a lot of years’ experience now crammed on the stage with many pretty big bands represented. An encore would have been a bit of a ball ache to get them all off and on again, so we get a false finish and when that crowd bay for more we get one more final cover.

David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ which is the PTSD999 theme song, it is galloping version rockier and punkier than ol’ Dave’s hallowed version and the night ends, the bar has actually been drunk dry and everyone leaves happy.

Review and photos by Martin David Porter

Album review (Punchdrunk Saints)

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