REVIEW: The Rezillos at the Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea

With the Sex Pistols imploding, the country had by now recovered from The Grundy Show  and God Save The Queen and was ready for the spotty youths, who formed bands overnight to rush the door that Johnny Rotten had so kindly opened. 

All of a sudden everyone from the Undertones, The Jam, Stranglers, Buzzococks and Squeeze, were in the charts and making great music. The ripple effect eventually reached Edinburgh, bringing tonight's star attraction, The Rezilllos.

With kids now safely packed off to university, those aching to relive their youth are at The Wedgewood Rooms on a balmy Sunday night. There is a healthy crowd '“ the leather may have gone, but punk T-shirts were out in force.

The Rezillos are a blast, playing the debut album from start to finish. Flying Saucer Attack opens proceedings, quickly followed by Someone Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight and their most famous song Top of The Pops.

There may be a few extra inches round the waistband but singer Eugene Reynolds has been dusted off and the side burns look as sharp as ever. Co-vocalist Fay Fife, with her shock of red hair, acts as a perfect foil as the band bash out their sci-fi-tinged punk rock.

We love it, the band love it and there is still an energy to it. But for this crowd, can you think of a more golden period of pop music? I doubt it.