READING’S Face Bar was rocked by not one but three punk tributes for its Hallowe’en celebrations on Saturday, October 29.
Three acts celebrating some of the biggest bands in punk and rock music took to the stage, with Reading’s answer to The Ramones, The Remones, kicking things off.
They burst onto the stage, the lead vocalist donning a wig, and barrelled through the American punk band’s classic setlist at breakneck speed.
They played iconic staples such as Pet Semetary, Blitzkrieg Bop, and Sheena Is a Punk Rocker, as well as songs like Beat on the Brat, for which the singer brandished a baseball bat.
They were joined by Sex Pistols Exposé, who performed in tribute to the fathers of punk rock with due misanthropy and disregard.
They paid particular homage to the band by running over by nearly half an hour.
Headliners Totally Blondie closed the event with a stellar range of Blondie’s best hits, lovingly and faithfully performed.
As well as stratospheric hits such as Call Me and Heart of Glass, the set included no fewer than three separate costumes and a screaming, virtuoso guitar solo during the closing minute of their final song, an accomplished rendition of Atomic.
Chloe Buswell, lead vocalist from Totally Blondie, said that she didn’t see herself performing in the style of Debbie Harry.
“I’ve been a singer for many years, but before I joined the band people said that I should do a tribute to Debbie Harry.
“I knew somebody who did it already and I didn’t want to step on her toes, but more and more people were saying it, and then I saw an advert.”
Despite this, she said: “It’s been a really easy transition, I don’t really try to be her, I’m just me, but it’s her at the same time.”
Ms Buswell has always enjoyed music, saying: “It’s been my life; I get an absolute thrill from it.
“I wasn’t really into punk beforehand– I was an actress and a singer, so what I love about it is that you can you can act in this, really.”
She said also that the act of performance is a particularly important part of her life.
“I didn’t realise how much I do take from it until COVID, because then obviously we couldn’t and I missed it.
“The first time I performed as Harry was actually the first time I performed with them on their livestream gig, but I love interacting with the crowd.
“I love that shared experience.”
She said also that while the crowd is dynamic, audiences are still adjusting to gigs after a number of lockdowns.
“It’s been a slow process, and venues that were so busy just aren’t anymore, but I think they are getting there.
“Obviously now they’re struggling financially, though, but I think it made people realise how important it all is,
“Going to venues, socialising, supporting musicians, I think people realise it’s important to everybody.”
