The Reaktors
Brian Rowlings, the lead vocalist for Southampton-based punk rockers The Reaktors, had never sung before he tried his hand at being a frontman. As the story goes, belting out authentic punk sounds with the five-piece for the first time two years ago was like slipping into an old glove, and the group gelled immediately.
Conjuring the spirit of classic 1977 British punk, The Reaktors' music springs forth images of The Clash, The Damned, The Ruts, Stiff Little Fingers and of course, The Sex Pistols. Their songs present three-minute volleys of raw punk which incorporate left-field political messages, with content enough to knock you off your feet at fifty yards.
The Reaktors have quickly stamped their foot on the Southampton circuit, supporting both Guns on the Roof and Good Time Charlies in quick succession. Subsequently, the band played their debut headline show followed by a support slot for one of their greatest influences, the UK Subs, at Southampton's premier rock venue The Joiners. It doesn't take much to realise that The Reaktors have firmly established themselves as south coast punk muscle.
The band have a penchant for playing The Joiners, known for staging iconic punk shows, and intend to play their part in its history. Starting with a support slot for The Adverts at the legendary venue, they consider it a privilege to play before bands they see as massive influences on their music.
Now debuting new material, the future presents an exciting prospect for The Reaktors, who are currently in the midst of releasing their track "Johnny Comes Marching Home", which is heavily influenced by The Clash's English Civil War. The track is a repost to the Afghan war, whilst other tracks touch on highly controversial subjects from domestic violence to retorts against the current Conservative government.
