The Subways - Live at The Junction June 8th

“I wanna see you go f***ing crazy, Cambridge!” screams topless frontman and guitarist Billy. He strikes a chord and eyes the audience slightly manically. It’s clear he’s pleased to be back on the road.

And The Subways are back, touring in support of their forthcoming album “All or “Nothing.” With several setbacks, including an operation on Billy’s vocal chords, it really seems an all or nothing effort. The title track itself is full of the energy which is so characteristic of The Subways: upbeat, bold rock – simple, in-your-face and above all, fun. It’s a fantastic formula – it’s reflected in the diversity of the age ranges here tonight. Sure the fourteen-year olds are bopping around but the forty-year old men are also giving it their all.

The accessibility of The Subways’ music means that the atmosphere here tonight never falters, despite many not having heard the new material. Current single “Alright” receives a few nods but by the end of new track “I Won’t Let You Down,” the chorus is on everyone’s lips. “Shake! Shake!” is so catchy that it’s frustratingly familiar from the opening bass line to the chorus during which Charlotte lends her vocals, as she does far more regularly on the new record.

It’s been three years since The Subways’ first effort “Young For Eternity”, a fact of which they’re evidently very conscious. “I don’t know if any of you remember it” says Billy. But there’s no need as the crowd goes wild. “I Want To Hear What You’ve Got To Say” invokes a mass crowd sing-along. The hyper kids at the front even attempt to mosh to “Mary,” which is jaunty enough to dance to, but with a chorus that consists of the lyrics “I’m so lonely,” it doesn’t seem to quite warrant full-scale headbanging.

It seems a short while before it’s encore time. With just a guitar, Billy walks onto stage and strums out the beginning of new track “Strawberry Blonde”, before Charlotte and drummer Josh join him for the chorus. Next up, “Girls and Boys”, a rock track with a riff to demolish buildings to, followed by the immensely popular “Rock and Roll Queen.” The crowd are left euphorically chanting the words.

The Subways gave us all the energy they could give. And Cambridge did indeed go crazy for them.