The winter break between festivals feels like it lasts a million years, so when we heard the fine people of Shake Some Acton were holding a Psycho Garage Stomp – featuring eight bands from across the UK and beyond –  we jumped at the chance for a little bit of winter rockin’.

The Hitmen have already made a huge impression since they formed last year, and their neo-rockin blaze on ‘The Hitman’ makes for a punchy start, and ‘Devil in a Long Black Dress’ taps into their prowling bluesy side. The trio bring a fresh energy to their cover of Restless’ ‘Long Black Shiny Car’ and this enthusiasm permeates their whole set. Sure, they’re rough around the edges, but with this much raw power? These guys are going to go far.

Planet Strange bring the drama with their stomping, sinister psycho, awash with dark country confidence. ‘Beam Me Up’ bounces with an old school rock n roll beat and a punk sneer, and the trio treat us to an unreleased track (“about the Devil’s Tool,” they joke) which is a good omen for lovers of the bass-heavy and sinister side of the scene.  ‘A Curse’, from their debut album ‘Darkest Deeds’ (check this) is horror filled fun backed with technical skill and overwhelming love of Psychobilly, plus a fiery little solo to brighten the mood. When they hit full stride, they’re more than capable of bringing a riot.

Frantic Vermin dashed straight from the Eurostar to the venue, ready to Rock n Roll. They’ve clearly packed a ton of cowboy twang and growl into their suitcases to add a galloping power to their rockin’ psycho. When they stretch into the back catalogue for what they call ‘oldies from the eighties’ we’re treated to old-school, fuzzy joy that rumbles across the packed out railway arch. From the huge bassline on ‘Baby Don’t Cry’ to the classic rock energy on ‘Exterminate’, Frantic Vermin prove they’re still at the top of their game, especially with the tough new material on their setlist.

Electric Cowboy Club stormed the stage at last year’s Psychobilly Freakout with their high energy chaos and they do not disappoint this time around. With a spring-loaded frontman who’s everywhere in the room at once, they’re a huge jolt of old school punk that never lets up for more than a moment. Their set passes in the blink of an eye: they’re completely absorbing with their trashy, brutal sound.

The Hangmen blast us into the evening with their heavy echoing psycho sound, bursting with old school gruff vocals and bass boom. Always atmospheric with a strong, strutting rhythm, they’re a crowd favourite, swerving between shoutalong choruses and growling dark solos. Loz Firewalker leads a sinister groove laden with guitar bounce and furious breakdowns on ‘The Stranger’, a great track from a band who feel like the essence of Psychobilly distilled.

Time for some surf-garage modernity in the form of The C33s! The duo provide a palate cleanser and a complete directional shift in the evening, a wildcard break in a Psychobilly day in the form of fast, chugging rowdy garage.

Death Valley Surfers are in their tropical Rock n Roll era and we love it! Tinsel, saxophones and a King Kurt energy make for a fun closeout from the re-formed Surfers, and ‘Johnny Rambo’ piles on the bass slap with classy grooves. Dropping a cover of ‘Tequila’ while we share shots poured from the stage is a party highlight, and their take on surf has a distinctly outlaw edge to it. There’s so much to love about their incredibly cool new incarnation, especially when they fling in country rhythms to their unique hybrid blend of all their favourite influences played with passion and verve.

The Zipheads never fail to bring the energy and drive, and today is no exception. Opening with ‘Revenge’, they’re taking today at full throttle, straight into ‘welcome to the real world’ with a solo that sends frontman Ray Waters into a stroll through the crowd and ‘Dinosaur Rock’. “We love punk rock, we love rock music, we love rock n roll!” He proclaims before covering The Damned’s ‘Neat’ in their irrepressible style. 

Their whole set rolls with a frantic, gorgeously static crackle as they whirl into ‘Call Of The Wild’. Even the slower numbers  burn with a love for their sound, and their singles like ‘Everybody Knows’ and ‘Telekinesis’ are already on their way to classic status. ‘Don’t Pretend’ smacks with modern hoedown energy and from start to finish, we’re treated to rock n roll excellence.

Shake Some Acton’s events are always top-notch, and today is no exception. With a grab-bag of psychobilly and Rock n Roll culminating in another wicked set from the Zipheads, we’ve had an ace start to what’s already looking like a brilliant year for Rock n Roll.

Kate Allvey