The Chats Bring Riotous Punk Chaos to Bristol’s Marble Factory
December 11th: the Marble Factory in Bristol wasn’t just a venue—it was a battleground, with The Chats leading the charge in a full-throttle assault of punk-rock pandemonium. The Aussie trio—Eamon Sandwith (bass and vocals), Josh Hardy (guitar), and Matt Boggis (drums)—rolled into town and unleashed a set so electric it could’ve jump-started a fleet of 6L GTRs.
Hailing from the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, The Chats have quickly cemented their place as modern punk icons since forming in 2016. Their breakout single, Smoko, a raw, riotously relatable ode to slacker anthems, went viral, catapulting them onto the global stage. Now armed with two EPs, two albums, and a no-holds-barred live reputation, they’ve taken their signature blend of pub punk, garage grit, and Australian humor to feverish new heights.
The night opened with Nambored, a shot of pure adrenaline that instantly whipped the crowd into a frothing mosh pit. From there, it was a nonstop barrage of anthems—6L GTR, Identity Theft, Pub Feed—each track delivered with the kind of feral energy that felt more like a brawl than a gig. Sandwith’s vocals, equal parts sneer and swagger, cut through the chaos, while Boggis pummeled his kit like a man on a mission to bring the building down. Hardy’s razor-sharp riffs, meanwhile, sliced through the noise, providing the melodic glue in an otherwise beautifully messy melee.
The Chats threw in a chaotic cover of Kiss’s Rock and Roll All Nite, adding a dose of old-school glam to the punk mayhem. By then, the room was a beer-soaked tempest of limbs, sweat, and pure euphoria.
But this wasn’t just about the music—it was a performance. Sandwith prowled the stage with the unhinged energy of someone who’s had one too many Red Bulls and doesn’t care. Hardy and Boggis matched his chaos with their tight musicianship and the kind of chemistry that makes you forget they’re only three people. Together, they transformed the venue into a raw, sweaty temple of punk worship.
The Marble Factory crowd, a mosaic of punks, misfits, and die-hard music lovers, didn’t just attend the gig; they became part of it. Mosh pits flared, crowd surfers soared, and chants of “Smoko!” echoed long after the last note faded. It wasn’t just a show—it was a visceral, communal experience.
If you missed this, you didn’t just miss a concert—you missed a cultural moment. The Chats are more than a band; they’re a living, breathing embodiment of what punk rock should be: loud, irreverent, and unapologetically fun. And in Bristol, they proved once again why they’re at the forefront of the genre’s raw resurgence.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
