The writing was on the wall that tonight's gig was going to be a messy affair even before I had left my house, with the prospect of catching the recent returned Heavy Metal Kids, now fronted by the once most hated man on television, Eastenders' Nasty Nick Cotton aka John Altman, who steps into the shoes of his sadly departed friend the charismatic Gary Holton. On top of that add in a supporting cast that featured one time Sun TV columnist Gary Bushell getting his Gonads out plus compere Max Splodge, it was obvious that tonight was always going to be more than just a two pints of lager and a packet of crisps type of night.

Starting the evening off in the nearby rock bar hang out the Crobar, just for just a little pre gig aperitif may also have not been one of my greatest ideas as one tipple can easily lead to another. Luckily I was dragged away from the Cro in time to see tonight's opening band who hail from Ealing, West London which was once home to the boys from The Who.

The 335 are named after the classic Gibson ES 335 guitar and play maximum rock and roll blending the British beat sound with a modern rocking edge. They have the look of a young Oasis but keep your beady eye on them because The 335 have the coolness and swagger to make Britannia cool again.

Dangling his Gonads one more time was Gary Bushell who first fronted this band back in 1977. Singing his battle cries of Oi, Bushell and his band rattled out some punk delights. Also in his band was guitarist Nacho Jase last seen getting wasted in Pete Way's Waysted. Even the bolt headed Frankenskin put in an appearance. Bushell certainly brought Oi back and barking tonight.

Max Splodge strummed his way through 'Two Little Boys' before giving the stage over to the Heavy Metal Kids who hit all the right buttons from word go. The Kids still feature three original members from their various early seventies line ups namely Cosmo on guitar, bassist Ronnie Thomas and skinsman Keith Boyce. New boy on guitar Justin McConville is an imposing figure but it is John Altman who has breathed a new leash of life to the loveable Heavy Metal Kids.

The Heavy Metal Kids helped to shape the way for punk and tracks from all their albums were giving an airing tonight. 'Chelsea Kids' was fist-thumping stuff with Altman really getting into character. There was short amp failure for McConville but this was fine as it gave everyone a chance for a natter and a fag. In this time I spoke to some of Altman's thespian friends. Saying 'allo 'allo to actress Vicki Michelle and measuring myself next to Rula Lenska (Who once sang herself in the fictional band the Rock Follies) and I must say these two ladies are still uber sexy vixens. My biggest regret was missing the chance to talk to Ben Dover the silver-tongued hero of the British adult movie scene (It's sad to admit that I've seen more of his movies than I have of Tom Cruise, I guess you know what that makes me eh?)

Critics are divided over the frontman ship of Altman but I feel he is the perfect man for the job in hand and any publicity he brings to the band can only be a good thing. Quite frankly Altman is a rocker at heart and his voice is perfect for these pre punk classics such as 'She's No Angel' which saw Altman with his arms outstretched reaching out getting us all into the palm of his 'orrible 'ands.

New song 'Uncontrollable' is already a bona-fide classic, the best new song I've heard in a long time, I can't get the tune out of my head, and if the forthcoming album is anywhere as good as this then the Kids are onto a sure fire winner. Altman said ''Let's get this song to number one''; well it's certainly top 40 quality.

When Max Splodge joined in for a raucous 'Delirious' I was already enjoying my second bottle of red wine of the evening and it was certainly no time to take me serious, "I'm just delirious...." Oh yes I was singing that song all the way to Tottenham Court Road tube station.

A great evening out which had fun written all over it.

Set list: Blow It All Away / Hit The Right Buttons / Hangin' On / Chelsea Kids / A Hundred Skeletons / Blue Eyed Boy / Whisky / Crisis / On The Street / Message / The Cops Are Coming / Squalliday Inn / She's No Angel / Houseparty / Uncontrollable / Crool World / Rock 'n' Roll Man / Delirious

Photo Kudos Ben O'Luckely