I enter The Bitter End at around half past 8 and there's already a substantial crowd! Seriously I haven't seen a crowd in the Bitter End like this since Sikth played it a couple of years ago! I am simultaeneously impressed and annoyed at the size of the crowd drawn by the nights headline act London Blackmarket; the size of their appeal impressed, the inconvienience annoyed me, that and the heat generated by the numbers! It was a hard night to concentrate on the music!
First group up on stage are Electric Child House, billed as a "90's rock influenced psychedelic garage band" the group reminded me of Oasis's first album 'Definitely Maybe' ; so much so that I thought their second song was a cover of 'Rock and Roll Star'. They are unlike Oasis however in the sense that their music isn't ladish... You know what I mean. It's not the kind of thing that one would here wafting from a kebab shop, smelling of Stella breath at 2AM. It's too soaring and pretty, with rolling grooves like waves of strawberry love unfurling like orchids in HD. Think Feeder, Kasabian, My Bloody Valentine. I feel though that they don't quite kiss the sky; something is missing, preventing them from achieving pure psychelic bliss... Maybe the singers vocal style was too bland (it was), or the lead guitar player needed to include an epic solo now and then (he should do really), but who knows...
Good songs, good performance, good band.
States of Emotion were up next, this band like the previous, immediately reminded me of another A-list indy act; U2. Soaring indy with a psychedelic melody and pop hooks.
SOE drew a huge crowd! I guess thet're big locally (among live music fans). Too many people for my liking, but thats not their fault... I guess. Their sound was a little too mainstream indy for me, nothing stood out and made me want to remember this band; but since it's not extreme metal I may be biased. I'm quite willing to put up with a lack of difference in bands and their songs as long as it's brutal/chaotic, but with indy I tend to demand experimentalism a lot more. Not impressed much by SOE then.
The same problem seemed to affect the Jayways; they performed well, they had good songs (think The Kooks, Dirty Pretty Things and other light catchy pop indy), the crowd responce was good, or it was at the front at least; everyone else in the pub seemed completely unphased by them. They might as well have let the jukebox play! The problem being here that The Jayways seem to draw a primary audience
that are quite happy to use music as background noise as they chat to friends; something that couldn't happen last week! Extreme metal may annoy, baffle or even offend you; but you can't ignore it, which is the point! So if thats what the Jayways set out to accomplish, job done!
None of that for London Blackmarket however; the crowd began singing their music before they even start playing! And when they did begin, I suddenly understood the reason behind so many strange faces in the pub! And it's a following well deserved!
The confidence of the band fills the air and plants a seed inside all LBM newcomers, it's a feeling that this band are good and well worth taking note of. LBM remind me a lot of Kings of Leon, before they shaved; it's the same kind of sweet, slightly pained shoegaze indy with a little blues thrown in for a touch more insecurity.
The vast audience loved the set, and I'm stuck for trying to remember when I've seen a Bitter End audience so disappointed to see a band stop playing! Chants of "LBM!" carry on as the members pack up their gear, and it's more the swealtering heat than anything which makes me glad it's home time. London Blackmarket are so professional, so talented, so likable, so committed! It's obvious that this is their life, and they're on the right track to making it their full time job too. Check this band out!
Until next week here's the links! Thanks for reading ninja's!
http://www.myspace.com/londonblackmarket
http://www.myspace.com/thejaywaysmusic
http://www.myspace.com/statesofemotion
http://www.myspace.com/electricchildhouse
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bands. Show all posts
Thursday, 20 August 2009
Friday, 31 July 2009
Date: 25th of July Venue: Bitter End Romford Acts: The Rom Rats, JD Smith, Lamina.
So here we go; knew I'd get this done eventually! You'll have to excuse the time it's taken me to publish this; as prominent, active and respected members of society I have no doubt in my mind you all are, you'll understand how much one finds themselves with so much to do during an average week!
This review will cover my experiences at Romford's Snakebite soaked Bitter End on Saturday the 25th of July. The Saturday night band nights in The Bitter End are something I'm going to make a weekly occurrence. 'Why..?' I imagine you saying, simultaneously screwing up you're face like a dogs bum hole in inquisition. The reasonable prices? Picturesque bar staff? Warm, inviting atmosphere that breeds conversation? No you sillys. In spite of the fact that the Bitter End offers none of these it's a pub I know, it's easy to get to, they serve Strongbow and they have live music weekly; more to the point they occasionally have good live music! This is besides the point of course, I'm not reviewing the venue after all! Though I feel it's important to state that I won't be reviewing these nights exclusively, I'll make more effort to cover special events like the upcoming 'When Bands Attack' at Bar 64 or bands who ask specifically for a review. Saturday nights are handy however to provide fodder for an already increasing canon.
Right, after thoroughly boring even myself with that last, extremely anal explanation, let's soldier on.
Before the Rom Rats even tune up their instruments it's apparent that the bass player wants to be Syd Vicious so much that he may have spent the pre gig period swallowing safety pins whole, just to be able to say he literally shits them! That may also explain the look on his face as he gurns and snarls his way through his set. The guy has all the trademarks, it reminded me of a ghastly feature I saw in the NME once which shows readers how to achieve certain looks, this particular look was the Kurt Cobain (plaid jacket, ripped jeans, converse etc). To me, this kind of article appeals to the true poser, despicable arse wipes without any sense of individual style who pollute the alternative scene by reducing it to the kind of behaviour and attitudes typical in the mainstream. "If I wear these clothes, I'm cool! And people will like me! I love Spongebob! Har har har!" Cunts.
The Syd clone doesn't piss me off that much to be honest, though there is something intrinsically hypocritical about those who reject mainstream styles and then end up dressing like everyone else who rejects the mainstream (which I think we're all guilty of every now and then really). It's especially amusing in punk, because as I recall, punk vowed to be different, to reject the ordinary and the expected, to be shocking, relevant and constantly shifting and moving forwards, changing to suit its environment, not unlike the T virus. Then you get young punks in the 21st century dressing EXACTLY like those who started the whole thing thirty odd years ago! A word to you all, a 3ft Mohawk is no longer shocking to a society that genuinely misses Jade Goody. You'd be better off suggesting that schools should try to celebrate Christmas again. "*gasp* ...can he say that!?"
They describe themselves on the billing poster as "Romford Hardcore punk - Nuff said." A modest 'nuff said' isn't accurate however, sadly they managed to sum up all that they are in the three previous words and subsequently it's more fitting to use a disappointing 'that's all'. That's not true really, actually some twinkles of classic Grindcore can be glimpsed trying to shine through, entirely thanks to the guitarist who according to all the evidence I managed to gather that night, has no face! Merely a nose poking through a curtain of brown hair, eerily reminiscent of some woodland animal testing the air for predators before emerging timidly from its home. Come on out little fella, we won't hurt you! The thrashing riffs, occasional screams (courtesy of the guitar player of course) and speed are welcome additions to fake Syd's standard punk vocals and bass lines. It was a while before I had noticed the Rom Rats drummer, a testament to the amount of impact he managed to inflict on me. Though when I began to wonder where the sounds of 'boom tish, boom tish, boom tish, crassssshhhh' were coming from, I finally found him! Easily he looked to be the youngest Rat, so young in fact that I thought he was too young to have much to be pissed off about! Still who am I to judge? ...oh wait.
Punk seems to be quite in vogue of late, we've all seen the look coming back in the alternative crowd and it's easy to see why; recession, disaffected youth, unemployment, violence, no future... Sound familiar? I've been dreading it for a while, the late 70's/early 80's are being repeated! Hopefully however what happened after the 80's will happen again, the hangover which birthed the 90's; a far superior decade in every way!
I feel I'm being far too hard on the Rats, I did genuinely enjoy their set! The vocals were good, their sound was tight, it was nice to see a three piece again, and especially one that sounded as full as they did. The songs were short, catchy and got their point across (especially the song concerning emo). The thing I most enjoyed was that they were enjoying themselves, I genuinely believe that if the performers enjoy themselves, who gives a toss about the audience? The audience enjoying themselves is a bonus.
JD Smith was described on the bill as "solo acoustic punk rockabilly guitar can only be one man". I hate rockabilly. So much. And I'm not sorry. Mind opened up wide for this one then. Within a few minutes of listening to his set it was apparent that what we were all listening to was standard acoustic slide blues! ...which I don't hate as much! Hooray? No.
JD sported a black flat cap, an ear lobe stretcher and a short well trimmed beard; clearly a man who wishes his blues were a bit more 'midnight' rather than 'turquoise' but his life just hasn't really been that hard. Yes clearly...
I want to say however, that I've got a lot of respect for anyone who takes the stage alone, and his performance was enthusiastic and passionate; which is something that can never be slated. It was probably my own tastes that prevented me from enjoying JD's set, but the nasally vocals (which were mixed too loud), the songs which all sounded the same and the length of his set just wore my patience thin. Towards the end, all the songs blended together, the appreciative and genuinely enthusiastic applause from the audience grew into hazy white noise, and I found myself slipping away into a fantasy world where slide blues stayed in the mid 20th century American south, where I would never have to listen to it.
Luckily however, before I faded completely away into this half arsed coma, I was awakened by a thunderous noise! I was ripped from the brink of the consuming void and was offered salvation from my fate by the mighty Lamina!
They described themselves as "buzz saw guitar, brutal drums, grinding bass & screaming", reading this description made my eye's prick up; if such a thing were possible.
Death metal growls unfurl from the crowd and follow the band on stage, like an audience of wolves. My spine tingles and I can't wait to hear this four piece play. Lamina's appearance is steeped in death metal cred; moss has grown in the guitarists hair (it fucking has), the drummer looks like a bastard cross of viking stock and the Joy Division (not the band, the Nazi division designed to produce an Aryan super race). Needless to say, I was excited.
Lamina's sound doesn't exactly disappoint; the guitar sounds like a buzz saw, the bass is grinding, the drums are brutal, and there is screaming, but over all the songs are easily forgettable. Wreck of the Minotaur have chaotic, spazzy scream fits of songs, but they have a way of sticking with you. Still it's certainly head-bangable! Especially according to the front row of the audience! (A cynic would suggest that this was made up of friends, and that's me suggesting it; I'm a cynic).
Lamina have an obvious punk influence, it's grindcore pure and simple! A sound like a giant thresher being fed regular sized farming vehicles and burping its approval! Very welcome after JD! (It's hard to see where he fits in on this bill...) I remain unwowed really though, that is until the audience have formed a pit! Lamina's noise has erupted into pure anger as they lose themselves completely! Grinding and oozing infectious, wonderful NOISE into the audiences eager and submissive ears. The bands mates have gone all primeval! Driven to destroy, no doubt by Lamina's intense chaos and in the hoo ha of it all, the mic is stolen by an audience member! Who proceeds to add his screaming to the din! Marvellous! What a finale! By far the most excited I have been watching a local band in quite some time, and one that made me disapointed when they walked away.
So there we have it! Lamina saved the day quite adequately so I may live to write another day. I'm off to go and do it all again now! Bye!
This review will cover my experiences at Romford's Snakebite soaked Bitter End on Saturday the 25th of July. The Saturday night band nights in The Bitter End are something I'm going to make a weekly occurrence. 'Why..?' I imagine you saying, simultaneously screwing up you're face like a dogs bum hole in inquisition. The reasonable prices? Picturesque bar staff? Warm, inviting atmosphere that breeds conversation? No you sillys. In spite of the fact that the Bitter End offers none of these it's a pub I know, it's easy to get to, they serve Strongbow and they have live music weekly; more to the point they occasionally have good live music! This is besides the point of course, I'm not reviewing the venue after all! Though I feel it's important to state that I won't be reviewing these nights exclusively, I'll make more effort to cover special events like the upcoming 'When Bands Attack' at Bar 64 or bands who ask specifically for a review. Saturday nights are handy however to provide fodder for an already increasing canon.
Right, after thoroughly boring even myself with that last, extremely anal explanation, let's soldier on.
Before the Rom Rats even tune up their instruments it's apparent that the bass player wants to be Syd Vicious so much that he may have spent the pre gig period swallowing safety pins whole, just to be able to say he literally shits them! That may also explain the look on his face as he gurns and snarls his way through his set. The guy has all the trademarks, it reminded me of a ghastly feature I saw in the NME once which shows readers how to achieve certain looks, this particular look was the Kurt Cobain (plaid jacket, ripped jeans, converse etc). To me, this kind of article appeals to the true poser, despicable arse wipes without any sense of individual style who pollute the alternative scene by reducing it to the kind of behaviour and attitudes typical in the mainstream. "If I wear these clothes, I'm cool! And people will like me! I love Spongebob! Har har har!" Cunts.
The Syd clone doesn't piss me off that much to be honest, though there is something intrinsically hypocritical about those who reject mainstream styles and then end up dressing like everyone else who rejects the mainstream (which I think we're all guilty of every now and then really). It's especially amusing in punk, because as I recall, punk vowed to be different, to reject the ordinary and the expected, to be shocking, relevant and constantly shifting and moving forwards, changing to suit its environment, not unlike the T virus. Then you get young punks in the 21st century dressing EXACTLY like those who started the whole thing thirty odd years ago! A word to you all, a 3ft Mohawk is no longer shocking to a society that genuinely misses Jade Goody. You'd be better off suggesting that schools should try to celebrate Christmas again. "*gasp* ...can he say that!?"
They describe themselves on the billing poster as "Romford Hardcore punk - Nuff said." A modest 'nuff said' isn't accurate however, sadly they managed to sum up all that they are in the three previous words and subsequently it's more fitting to use a disappointing 'that's all'. That's not true really, actually some twinkles of classic Grindcore can be glimpsed trying to shine through, entirely thanks to the guitarist who according to all the evidence I managed to gather that night, has no face! Merely a nose poking through a curtain of brown hair, eerily reminiscent of some woodland animal testing the air for predators before emerging timidly from its home. Come on out little fella, we won't hurt you! The thrashing riffs, occasional screams (courtesy of the guitar player of course) and speed are welcome additions to fake Syd's standard punk vocals and bass lines. It was a while before I had noticed the Rom Rats drummer, a testament to the amount of impact he managed to inflict on me. Though when I began to wonder where the sounds of 'boom tish, boom tish, boom tish, crassssshhhh' were coming from, I finally found him! Easily he looked to be the youngest Rat, so young in fact that I thought he was too young to have much to be pissed off about! Still who am I to judge? ...oh wait.
Punk seems to be quite in vogue of late, we've all seen the look coming back in the alternative crowd and it's easy to see why; recession, disaffected youth, unemployment, violence, no future... Sound familiar? I've been dreading it for a while, the late 70's/early 80's are being repeated! Hopefully however what happened after the 80's will happen again, the hangover which birthed the 90's; a far superior decade in every way!
I feel I'm being far too hard on the Rats, I did genuinely enjoy their set! The vocals were good, their sound was tight, it was nice to see a three piece again, and especially one that sounded as full as they did. The songs were short, catchy and got their point across (especially the song concerning emo). The thing I most enjoyed was that they were enjoying themselves, I genuinely believe that if the performers enjoy themselves, who gives a toss about the audience? The audience enjoying themselves is a bonus.
JD Smith was described on the bill as "solo acoustic punk rockabilly guitar can only be one man". I hate rockabilly. So much. And I'm not sorry. Mind opened up wide for this one then. Within a few minutes of listening to his set it was apparent that what we were all listening to was standard acoustic slide blues! ...which I don't hate as much! Hooray? No.
JD sported a black flat cap, an ear lobe stretcher and a short well trimmed beard; clearly a man who wishes his blues were a bit more 'midnight' rather than 'turquoise' but his life just hasn't really been that hard. Yes clearly...
I want to say however, that I've got a lot of respect for anyone who takes the stage alone, and his performance was enthusiastic and passionate; which is something that can never be slated. It was probably my own tastes that prevented me from enjoying JD's set, but the nasally vocals (which were mixed too loud), the songs which all sounded the same and the length of his set just wore my patience thin. Towards the end, all the songs blended together, the appreciative and genuinely enthusiastic applause from the audience grew into hazy white noise, and I found myself slipping away into a fantasy world where slide blues stayed in the mid 20th century American south, where I would never have to listen to it.
Luckily however, before I faded completely away into this half arsed coma, I was awakened by a thunderous noise! I was ripped from the brink of the consuming void and was offered salvation from my fate by the mighty Lamina!
They described themselves as "buzz saw guitar, brutal drums, grinding bass & screaming", reading this description made my eye's prick up; if such a thing were possible.
Death metal growls unfurl from the crowd and follow the band on stage, like an audience of wolves. My spine tingles and I can't wait to hear this four piece play. Lamina's appearance is steeped in death metal cred; moss has grown in the guitarists hair (it fucking has), the drummer looks like a bastard cross of viking stock and the Joy Division (not the band, the Nazi division designed to produce an Aryan super race). Needless to say, I was excited.
Lamina's sound doesn't exactly disappoint; the guitar sounds like a buzz saw, the bass is grinding, the drums are brutal, and there is screaming, but over all the songs are easily forgettable. Wreck of the Minotaur have chaotic, spazzy scream fits of songs, but they have a way of sticking with you. Still it's certainly head-bangable! Especially according to the front row of the audience! (A cynic would suggest that this was made up of friends, and that's me suggesting it; I'm a cynic).
Lamina have an obvious punk influence, it's grindcore pure and simple! A sound like a giant thresher being fed regular sized farming vehicles and burping its approval! Very welcome after JD! (It's hard to see where he fits in on this bill...) I remain unwowed really though, that is until the audience have formed a pit! Lamina's noise has erupted into pure anger as they lose themselves completely! Grinding and oozing infectious, wonderful NOISE into the audiences eager and submissive ears. The bands mates have gone all primeval! Driven to destroy, no doubt by Lamina's intense chaos and in the hoo ha of it all, the mic is stolen by an audience member! Who proceeds to add his screaming to the din! Marvellous! What a finale! By far the most excited I have been watching a local band in quite some time, and one that made me disapointed when they walked away.
So there we have it! Lamina saved the day quite adequately so I may live to write another day. I'm off to go and do it all again now! Bye!
Friday, 24 July 2009
Consider this a handshake
Hello, good evening! (I'm writing this at 23:35 so to me it's evening. Good whatever time it is for you!)
I thought I'd write a little introduction to this blog, to map out a few motivations, objections and aspirations for those who find my presence here in the blogosphere a little hazy. First things first, I'm Martin; a recent Media and Cultural studies university graduate with a penchant for metal, tattoos, swearing, comedy, tea, taste and intellectualism. Essentially, I'm a pretentious wind bag who enjoys using his opinions as a cudgel on folk I consider to be in serious need of having some sense beaten into them.
I must say I enjoy dispencing opinion almost more than any other dispencings! But there's more to this blog than just my shallow and pathetic need to tell other people how wrong or crap they are with a degree of anonimity! The idea came about through my desires to pursue a career in writing; where better than the internet to hone my skills? Rife with niche audiences and cult status that it is! What better to write about than (mainly) unheard of bands? A subject with nigh on infinite examples that the majority of will just be happy to be reveiwed at all! Even if it is just some flailing ex-student wanker with a blog read by no one.
Which brings me to my next point; what I can offer. Ok I don't have a respected or well publicised opinion, or even a platform! I do however have something at least 2/16ths as important; enthusiastic, genuine and intelligent opinions and criticism direct from the audience the bands I review are trying to reach. And I hearby promise right now to not write endless slagging off reviews of bands that are the equivalent of crippled ducks with both wings broken, lying face down in the opaque water slowly drowning, begging to be blown quite literally away, just to get a cheap laugh at the expense of someones honest attempts at self expression... Well there may be a bit of that but only if they really are lame, half arsed, biological waste or wanky scene kids with delusions of grandeur; such pond life are so deserving of my swift bloggers back-hander!
As a musician myself, I know what it's like for people to be as apathetic about your band as they are about the next 'Saw' movie; so to the bands I review; I try to see the good and be fair handed in forming judgements about others serious artistic efforts... I am but a humble amateur, imparting my personal opinion, which is as important as whoever may read it decides it is. You will only assign importance to my views if you think I make any kind of valid point at all; this is a warning then; if you get mad about what I say, remember that some part of you in some way, agrees with me.
So in closing I remind you that ultimately, if your intentions are true, you have no one to blame, or to answer to, but yourselves.
In the words of the immortal Bill Hicks, I implore you all to; "play from your fucking heart!"
Thanks for reading and please subscribe!
Martin
I thought I'd write a little introduction to this blog, to map out a few motivations, objections and aspirations for those who find my presence here in the blogosphere a little hazy. First things first, I'm Martin; a recent Media and Cultural studies university graduate with a penchant for metal, tattoos, swearing, comedy, tea, taste and intellectualism. Essentially, I'm a pretentious wind bag who enjoys using his opinions as a cudgel on folk I consider to be in serious need of having some sense beaten into them.
I must say I enjoy dispencing opinion almost more than any other dispencings! But there's more to this blog than just my shallow and pathetic need to tell other people how wrong or crap they are with a degree of anonimity! The idea came about through my desires to pursue a career in writing; where better than the internet to hone my skills? Rife with niche audiences and cult status that it is! What better to write about than (mainly) unheard of bands? A subject with nigh on infinite examples that the majority of will just be happy to be reveiwed at all! Even if it is just some flailing ex-student wanker with a blog read by no one.
Which brings me to my next point; what I can offer. Ok I don't have a respected or well publicised opinion, or even a platform! I do however have something at least 2/16ths as important; enthusiastic, genuine and intelligent opinions and criticism direct from the audience the bands I review are trying to reach. And I hearby promise right now to not write endless slagging off reviews of bands that are the equivalent of crippled ducks with both wings broken, lying face down in the opaque water slowly drowning, begging to be blown quite literally away, just to get a cheap laugh at the expense of someones honest attempts at self expression... Well there may be a bit of that but only if they really are lame, half arsed, biological waste or wanky scene kids with delusions of grandeur; such pond life are so deserving of my swift bloggers back-hander!
As a musician myself, I know what it's like for people to be as apathetic about your band as they are about the next 'Saw' movie; so to the bands I review; I try to see the good and be fair handed in forming judgements about others serious artistic efforts... I am but a humble amateur, imparting my personal opinion, which is as important as whoever may read it decides it is. You will only assign importance to my views if you think I make any kind of valid point at all; this is a warning then; if you get mad about what I say, remember that some part of you in some way, agrees with me.
So in closing I remind you that ultimately, if your intentions are true, you have no one to blame, or to answer to, but yourselves.
In the words of the immortal Bill Hicks, I implore you all to; "play from your fucking heart!"
Thanks for reading and please subscribe!
Martin
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