King Adora @ Academy, Birmingham - Fused magazine

Arriving a little late I found that The Academy had got its headline act mistaken for one of the support acts. King Adora fill the main stage with their presence and attitude; they look so at home here - I half expected them to start clipping their toenails or read the paper.

The set was packed with new material, and we witness the end of the cum-splattered, arse spankin’ frolicks that we grew to love them for. King Adora aren’t just here to slap and tickle you anymore. They are here to mercilessly smash your face against a wall, pulling your head back to ask you "Who do you love?" and when you reply "you, I love you", they go "I can’t hear you" and do it again.

The sleaze is still there, but they are meaner, darker and a bit battered, in a good way. Honorary mention must go to The Nelsta for extra special guitar noise during new track ‘Can’t Stay Away’, which had one of the most rock n roll endings ever. 'Backstage' is my new favourite, ‘Revenge’ is their fuck you to everyone who expected them to give up. Two old songs ‘Smoulder’ and ‘Bionic’ were as exciting as ever but it was great to hear all the fierce new stuff. It is still a mystery to me why this band are not given the recognition they deserve.

Hard rocking death punks Turbonegro were next and I was expecting great things from them. They were camp, funny and full-on live, putting on an odd and entertaining show. ‘City of Satan’ was dedicated to us. They were inspired by Birmingham’s very own “Edward the 8th” nightclub.

‘Fuck the World’ was good, mindless fun (“Tonight I’m feeling fine coz I heard denim's back in style”) They all made the effort to dress up as well. A chubby man in a leather harness is always, from a safe distance, a joy to behold. I love Hank, he is so free and open about how many erections he has. ‘I Got Erection’ was great for audience participation, and particularly enthusiastic were the younger boys in the crowd. We all had one after King Adora, and here we could share and celebrate together.