Bulldog Bash 2006

United Kingdom | | 12 August 2006

The Bulldog Bash, celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary this year, is a unique festival and one that should be included in any ardent festival goer's itinerary. Don’t ever be put off by the fact that it is run and self policed by the Hells Angels. The atmosphere is very family friendly and you’ll feel safer and more at ease at the Bulldog than any of the other festivals in the UK. The police are ever present in the surrounding area but once you roll in through the gate you are in a world the way the bikers want it. There is a 24 hour bar, but no one picking drunken fights. Any scores that rival gangs might have to settle with each other are left behind outside with the boys in blue. The Hells Angels have worked hard over the last 20 years to shake off the old lawless image and any trouble at their event would no doubt lead to great difficulties securing a license for future years. Facing constant local opposition they work relentlessly with the local authorities to secure special parking in the town for the festival bikers and also collaborate with local sound environmentalists to assure the sound stays within acceptable limits.

The Bulldog Bash serves up plenty for those with an interest in two wheel thrills. Between demonstrations of rocket bikes and trick riding, the quarter mile drag strip is open to all comers with a “Run What You Brung” session. Everyone joins in, from beginners (complete with “L” plates!) ambling over the distance in 25 seconds, to pros burning it up in a little under 9. The custom show tent houses some of the sleekest and most unusual bikes you’ll ever see, lovingly polished and gleaming under the spotlight. The market place sells spares, helmets, accessories and clothes for the discerning biker. There is even a stall with a display of motorcycle hearses for that “dignified final ride”.

Even if you’re not a biker, there is plenty for you to see and do. The market place, in addition to bike gear, has all the stalls you’d normally expect to see at a festival and more. The fairground has enough thrills for everyone, and some of the rides seem to have been turned up to 11! There always seems to be something going on, with wrestling bouts, semi naked girls soaping down bikes and the obligatory beer gut and wet t-shirt competitions.

The dance tent runs all night. Step inside and you’ll be greeted with the sight of Angels with their colours on getting down to top class DJ’s while industrial techno acts like Lab-4 and Hellraiser keep the beats pumping.

Getting back to more familiar biker territory, the UK Unsigned Stage showcases much of the excellent talent that the UK has to offer. State Of Serenity fire off a powerhouse set, with blistering bass and crunching guitars. Doom/Death metal merchants Black River Project greet a bleary eyed pre-noon crowd and wake everybody up with a treat of a set, getting weary heads a nodding as they slam down a carnivorous slab of metal. Their takes on the Hellraiser movies with 'Pinhead' and signature tune 'Let The Rivers Run Black' prove to be just the thing to get the day started. Later on Invey underline the talent on display today, as singer Claire prowls the stage provocatively while the band pulls out a tight performance. Powerful vocals grab the attention of passers by as they power out 'Release'. Superb set.

The Main Stage is witness to a host of entertainment too. In addition to music, strippers and beer guts, Saturday afternoon sees a wedding take place on the stage, the minister being a biker from the “Motorcycle Ministry” and the newly weds receiving a rousing cheer from the largest collection of Angels anyone has ever had at their wedding.

Kicking off the music on Thursday night, Chas & Dave deliver a cockney knees up and a long list of old favourites that guarantee a good old singsong. They’re followed up by a covers band which under the guise of Hellraiser (yes, yet another Hellraiser!) deliver a series of rock classics with great gusto and accuracy. A short changeover sees the band become Hells Bells, providing an excellent AC/DC tribute. A fantastic way to start the bash and get the crowds rocking.

Skindred take the stage to a blinged up “Imperial March” before launching into an incendiary 'Babylon'. Benjii is obviously unimpressed with the lack of movement at the start and pushes the crowd to move from the beginning of 'Set It Off'. Everyone starts to move, in turn headbanging and skanking to 'Selector' and 'Pressure'. By the time 'Nobody' rounds the set off, everyone is warmed up and ready for the rest of the evenings acts.

Halifax Doom metallers Paradise Lost follow Skindred with a complete change of pace. Their sound owes more to the Sisters Of Mercy style of gothic melodic metal than the gloomy dirge that characterised their earlier work, and they provide an upbeat set capped with 'Just Say Words'.

Biker favourites The Almighty return to the stage for their third appearance at the bash, their brand of diesel and gasoline fuelled rock'n'roll going down a storm. Frontman Ricky Warwick knows he’s playing on home ground here, and delivers exactly what is wanted. It’s a full on set of Almighty rockers with 'I Know' and 'Destroy' powering out of the stage. Finishing the set with a sing along 'Wild And Wonderful', Ricky and the boys are dragged back for a rousing cover of the Sex Pistols 'Animal'. A rocking set that really gets the blood flowing.

Breed 77, also veterans of the Bulldog Bash, take the stage resplendent in red and black as they deliver their flamenco flavoured rock to an appreciative crowd. Paul Isolas characteristic vocals combined with Danny Felice’s and Pedro Caparros hypnotic guitar, provide metal with a Mediterranean flavour. Romance must be in the air as, in addition to the earlier nuptials, Paul makes an announcement from his friend James. “James says will you marry him Suranne?”. A positive reply makes for a poignant introduction to 'The River'.

Pitchshifter storm the stage, a hyper active 'Wafer Thin' getting things off to a flying start. Ripping through a burning set of Pitchshifter favourites, 'Triad' and the rasping 'Virus' represent the pre dot-com days. With classics 'Microwaved', 'Hidden Agenda' and 'Genius', Mark Clayden pounds away on his bass while the  Raynors twin guitar attack shred through the samples and big beats with ease. “I spent some time down on track, I fucking love that Rocket Car shit” grins JS before 'Please Sir' and 'W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G' finish things off.

At this point, the troubles of the outside world rudely intrude, as we’re informed over the PA that the intended “secret” headliners Motorhead are unable to play due to difficulties getting Lemmy into the country! Replacement band Dogs D'Amour are scarcely a stand in worthy to either follow Pitchshifter or end the festival on a high so it’s a good job that the fireworks display proves to be a conflagration of biblical proportions, lighting up the sky in a spectacular fashion as the partying carries on into the wee small hours and the rain which has held off all weekend finally arrives.

Sunday morning comes around like the worlds biggest hangover. It’s time to retreat to the dangers of the outside world, and thoughts turn to the 21st Bulldog Bash next year. Maybe Motorhead will make up for the no show….