Through The Lens: Nebula / Ironrat / Son Of Boar @ The Underground, Bradford, 16th October 2023

Yes, I’m still playing catch up (no surprise there!) and for this Through The Lens feature, a short trip along the M62 and over the Pennines to my old stomping ground of Bradford, West Yorkshire was on the cards. The reason, to shoot what could be called an emotional gig when heavy psych rockers Nebula played The Underground back in October 2023.

It was also my first time at the venue but sadly the turnout was thin on the ground, which did shock me a little as over the years, Bradford has been a formidable hub for well supported gigs at the oasis that is the 1 In 12 Club and the now no more Rios, but sadly not tonight, maybe times have changed?

That said, all bands played like it was bouncing from the rafters as starting proceedings were local five-piece Son Of Boar who played a solid set of sludgey doomy southern rock and metal who have a couple of EPs available on their Bandcamp that is well worth heading over to and checking out.

Next up were Ironrat, another Bradford based band who boast past and present members of Khang, Lazarus Blackstar, Monolith Cult, Psychlona, Wolves In Winter and more. As for their music, the quartet tread a similar path to the openers, but with a more Pepper Keenan era Corrosion of Conformity vibe as they ripped through their unabashed take on groove infused stoner rock and metal.

Then it was time for Nebula, a band who I saw and captured back in July 2022 in Manchester with The Atomic Bitchwax, but during that time a lot has happened as for this tour, bass duties were performed by Ranch Sironi after the sad and untimely passing of Tom Davies in September 2023 which Martin Williams wrote about in his moving eulogy.

However, with Tom’s blessing, the show must go on as the trio, complete with Eddie Glass shredding his guitar with absolute ease, and Michael Amster attacking his drums like there’s no tomorrow, the band were a sight to behold as they played a trippy and fuzz drenched set featuring tracks from across their discography, and although the crowd was small, they duly showed their admiration for this legend of the scene.

What the current situation with Nebula is, and whether Ranch Sironi is a permanent fixture, time will tell, but here’s to a positive future and below are the photos from the night…

Nebula

Ironrat

Son Of Boar

Photos by: Lee Edwards