Seoul Vs. Valencia Vs. Madrid

Written and Photographed By Rhyan Paul

Reckless Correspondent Rhyan Paul takes us on an epic punk night at 16 Toneladas in Valencia, Spain. The night featured a three way punk off between South Korean band Rumkicks, Madrid’s Automatic Lovers, and Valencia legends Deaf Devils, with plenty of mayhem, semi-nudity, and spilled beer.

Valencia, Spain

When I heard that the Rumkicks from Korea would be touring Europe, I hoped they that would make a stop in Valencia. Come to find out, not only were they going to in play Valencia, but also at my favorite club, supported by my favorite local band and another band from Madrid that I had been wanting to see.

The Rumkicks were booked at the mighty 16 Toneladas Club with Deaf Devils and the Automatic Lovers - a three-way punk-off between Seoul, Madrid, and Valencia. Camera bag packed and diary cleared for the following day, I headed into town - slightly regretting Doc Martins, jeans, and my trusty old Sex Pistols T-shirt in the 97 degrees of Valencian sunshine that burnt into my aging (sometimes ailing) brain.

Backstage nerves were quashed and lubricated with copious amounts of ice-cold beer. Let’s face it, no great night out starts with a salad and mineral water!

First to take to the stage were the Automatic Lovers and they delivered a ‘77 punk inspired set, snarling through vocals and hard guitar riffs - beer was thrown, people dived off stage, and the atmosphere was set for the following bands.

Next up were the Rumkicks - the all-woman power pop punk band did not disappoint. The language barrier was not a problem - the crowd got involved and 16 Toneladas rocked hard.

Finally, Valencia’s finest- the Deaf Devils took to the stage. They had semi- naked stage invaders, things getting set on fire, and were diving off drum kits and bars. Pure punk insanity at its finest. For their final song (Boom) the drum kit was taken into the crowd and they performed in the middle of the dance floor. The crowd went crazy! Finally, Lucyfer threw herself into the drum kit and alas, the gig was over.

The party continued backstage, but this is a PG rated publication so for legal reasons and to keep Interpol from knocking on my door, this review shall end here…