It’s no wonder that British punk band 999 found such a warm welcome in San Francisco (and, indeed, the whole USA). With a strong focus on song structure their hard, yet melodic, sound would help create the template for American hardcore and had more in common with the likes of 7 Seconds and CH3 as opposed to the proto-thrash of Discharge and The Exploited. Capturing the band at the peak of their powers, Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979, perfectly illustrates what made (and still makes) 999 such a hot ticket.

That 999 create such a strong bond with the crowd becomes apparent when they appear to the ringing chords of ‘Pick It Up’ and are welcomed like homecoming heroes. Despite the ad hoc nature of this recording (captured, mixed and produced by Terry Hammer on the night) it sounds absolutely stunning and really encapsulates the essence of a live show. There’s been no retrospective tinkering of history going on here and Emergency acts as a kind of musical time machine, transporting the listener back to The Old Waldorf on a hot July evening. It’s a recording that bottles some of the excitement (and danger) of a rowdy gig and you expect stage divers to burst from your speakers at any moment.

With their roots in the UK pub rock scene (vocalist Nick Cash played guitar in Kilburn And The High Roads) 999 didn’t start at year zero like many of their peers and songs such as ‘Feelin’ Alright With The Crew’ show a willingness to break away from the three chord format and derive their power from actual musicianship as opposed to sonic fury. However, there’s plenty of that on offer too, with ‘Nobody Knows’ being that speaker smokin’ brand of rock that 999 do so well. Yet, the past always looms large and the high-octane rhythm and blues influence of Dr. Feelgood alongside those of the proto-punk of The Stooges and MC5 are very much in evidence. It’s an explosive combination and one that comes to fruition on the lip-curlin’, hip-swingin’ ‘Emergency’.

An often overlooked part of 999’s oeuvre are Nick Cash’s vocals and this mix places him in a prominent position. His words don’t project, more swirl, they have a wonderful elasticity and wrap themselves around the microphone stand like a snake round a vine. In fact, listening to this set it is a mystery why 999 never reaped the same rewards as the Clash and the Pistols, their output is certainly more consistent, and this live outing only makes that quandary all the more puzzling, but whatever the reason, tracks such as ‘Homicide’ will hang in the hallowed halls of punk rock for eternity.

One thing that has always been missing from the punk scene is a classic, definitive live album. I can think of hundreds of stellar metal live albums (usually the double vinyl, gatefold variety), and the same goes for progressive rock, but when it comes to punk I draw a blank. Maybe because it was a scene revolving around the 7” single but punk really needs an equivalent of Live After Death or Unleashed In The East and Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979 could just be the record to fill the gap.

• Emergency At The Old Waldorf 1979 is released via Liberation Hall on 8th November 2024 (available here).
• 999 Official Website

CD & Download Track List:

1. Pick It Up
2. My Street Stinks
3. Hit Me
4. Me And My Desire
5. Let’s Face It
6. Action
7. Feelin’ Alright With The Crew
8. Lie, Lie, Lie
9. Nobody Knows
10. Inside Out
11. Titanic (My Over) Reaction
12. Rael Rean
13. Emergency
14. Nasty, Nasty
15. Homicide
16. Quite Disappointing
17. Boiler

Vinyl Track List:

Side A:

1. Hit Me
2. Me And My Desire
3. Let’s Face It
4. Feelin’ Alright With The Crew
5. Lie, Lie, Lie
6. Inside Out

Side B:

1. Titanic (My Over) Reaction
2. Rael Rean
3. Homicide
4. Emergency
5. Boiler