Anti Fashion - Live at Bannermans

ANTI-FASHION / CONTINENTAL LOVERS / DUKES OF BORDELLO

Bannerman’s, Edinburgh

2 September 2026

Live review

[First up, apologies for the late review. This review should have been written up earlier, but I was delayed in writing if after catching the gig lurgy after attending three gigs in 12 days and then being laid low for a few days. But, hopefully better late than never].

Tonight saw the opening night of a short run of U.K. dates as a warm-up to Anti-Fashion playing HRH Sleaze. It also provided the location for Anti-Fashion’s first live gig as a band. And if you’re a regular Rockfiend reader, you may be aware that we’ve taken a bit of a shine to the new Anti-Fashion album, ‘Dirt and Dust’, and had been looking forward to this gig with some (or make that much) anticipation. 

DUKES OF BORDELLO

Opening proceedings were the 3-piece Dukes of Bordello. Describing themselves as “Rock’n’Roll trashcan troubadours from the seedy side of town”,  they take the form of the likeable, dreadlocked and cowboy hat-wearing Andy Barrott on guitar and vocals, Chip Waite on upright bass and backing vocals and Craz Taylor on drums and backing vocals. 

Playing their own unique brand of trashy Rock’n’Roll, they’re not fazed by the small audience gathered for their slot, waste no time in letting us hear what they do and are both clearly determined to take the opportunity provided by the support slot and to enjoy themselves doing so - and if they pick up a few new fans and take the audience with them that’ll be a bonus. And it’s this practical and honest approach, plus Andy’s obvious experience as a frontman and in engaging an audience, which warms the audience to their music, as the set progresses.

Highlights included - “Hellvis”, “Alternative Jesus”, “Down in the Gutter”, a cover of “Strychnine” and “Come Back Wilco, All is Forgiven”. 

As a band, they’ll not be to everyone’s taste, but I enjoyed their set and look forward to seeing them again sometime.

CONTINENTAL LOVERS

Next up were Nottingham’s Continental Lovers. Based around the nucleus of Joe Maddox (on vocals and guitar) and Ben Webster (guitar) they were joined for this run of dates and some additional dates extending into Europe by Martin Anderrson of the Trench Dogs on drums and for tonight only on bass by Adam “Bam Bam” McNaughton. 

The Continental Lovers aren’t the first band and won’t be the last band to be heavily influenced by Johnny Thunders, Stiv Bators and the Dead Boys. While many have adopted their image and tried to capture their attitude, what has all too often been missing is the songs. Here, the Continental Lovers are different and have the original songs (owing as much to Cheap Trick as their musical idols above) to match the attitude and image. And in the former The DeRellas’ singer, Joe Maddox, the frontman to deliver them.

Highlights included “Tape Deck”, 

“It Really Doesn’t Matter” (which Joe introduces as being written about a girl who took her own life), a cover of Stiv Bators’ “Make Up Your Mind”, “Bad Little Go Go Girl”, “Wedding Song” (introduced as a song written for Johnny Thunders) and “Let’s Go Out Tonight”.

If you don’t already have the Continental Lovers’ debut, self-titled, album you should rectify that. 

ANTI-FASHION

And then on to the main act. I think tonight was probably the first time in years (since watching friends’ bands in my teens) that I was about to see a band playing their very first live gig together and it felt quite a privilege.

Originally formed as an online collaboration between JJ Watt and Frank Meyer during COVID-19, the original transatlantic covers project grew into recording an album of original material, ‘Dirt and Dust’. Joining JJ and Frank (both on guitar) on the album were Rob Cass (vocals), Steve Ward (bass) and Cath Edmonds (drums). If you want more detail, you can read my earlier review of the album.

While the audience had increased during the supports, the turn-out was still on the low side, but maybe not surprising on a school night, at a time when gigs being cancelled in small venues due to low ticket sales is sadly becoming much more common and with music fans facing increasing competition for their disposable income with Edinburgh having hosted large outdoor gigs by Biffy Clyro, The Cure, Deftones and Bon Jovi in the two weeks before the gig. 

Anyway, the gig. 

Opening with the first single, “Drag Me Down”, Anti-Fashion sounded fresh and energetic and it was reassuring to hear how close this was to the album recording. The album itself is really well-produced and there’s always a risk that a band can struggle to reproduce sound captured in the studio when playing live. No such issues here. “She’s the One” and “Let Love Rule” followed. 

A few things also started to strike me early on. There aren’t many gigs I attend in which I find that the first thing I want to comment on is the drums. The drum sound on the album was solid, but the quality and power of Cath’s drumming was immense and even more noticeable live. The last time a drummer left that impression on me was when Steve Conte played with his Dutch touring band in 2018. 

By the time the anthemic “Day by Day” was played, Anti-Fashion were clearly getting more into their stride, looking more confident and enjoying themselves.

Rob Cass’s vocals were also really clear and controlled providing that distinctive counter-balance with the rawness and speed of the music which works so well in their sound.

In my review of “Dirt and Dust”, I wrote “Seven months into 2026 and if I hear better new songs by any artist this year than ‘No Escape’ and ‘Going Nowhere’ I’ll be very, very surprised”. As both songs followed and were played live, my opinion only strengthened and I’m more than happy to stand by this statement.

As the set progressed, I also found myself watching Frank playing guitar. Not having seen the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs before, but familiar with some of their music, I thought Frank appeared to be really enjoying the opportunity presented in Anti-Fashion. With JJ holding down the rhythm at the other side of the stage and Rob singing, Frank was free to savour playing lead guitar and to handle the solos. In doing so, showing how well he could play and probably at a level many rock fans wouldn’t associate with playing in punk bands.

“From the Heart”, “Dirt and Dust” and “Wild Animal” followed. Again, all faithful to the studio recording which has become an almost constant companion since I first had access to the album.

“Nightmare” and a great “Too Much Pressure” brought the set, and their playing of the album, to a close, before encores of “Highway 101” and “Dead Flowers” also ensured the additional tracks on the extended version of the album were also aired.

And then it was over. 

I left the gig with a range of emotions - really happy to have had the experience to see and hear “Dirt and Dust” live, knowing that what I’d watched was pretty special; uncertain if Anti-Fashion will tour again or if this was a one-off; and absolutely certain they are deserving of playing on larger stages. 

At the time of writing, Anti-Fashion’s short, but very sweet, run of U.K. tour dates has ended and Frank will be back in the States. As such, I’m not sure when or if you’ll get another chance to see them live. If you do, grab it with both hands. You won’t be disappointed.

GMcA