The rise of Frank Turner has, to say the least, been unexpected. This is a man who was educated at Eton and LSE yet was a rebel at heart, playing first with alternative rockers Kneejerk during his school days and later becoming vocalist of influential hardcore punk act Million Dead. The band split up in 2005 and Frank embarked on a full-time solo career. His rise to the top has been rapid and, in keeping with his punk credentials, without the mainstream radio fanfare that so many acts rely upon. Tonight sees his biggest headline show to date (at least until December when he is scheduled to headline Brixton!) and the Roundhouse is packed. This is a man who has moved effortlessly from playing on his own to 100 people in a pub to playing to 3500 in a place like this.
Indeed Frank has grown to such an extent that supporting him on this recent UK tour has been Chuck Ragan (yes the one who used to sing in Hot Water Music). I arrive just in time to see Chuck take to the stage, sadly missing highly rated folk-punkers Crazy Arm (I misread the show time on the tickets because I am a stupid fool like that sometimes). For those who aren't familiar with any of his work Ragan sings a little like a more hardcore version of Mark Lanegan. His songs are undeniably impressive works, complimented by a superb backing band while Frank demonstrates his admiration for Ragan by joining him onstage for a brief duet. Having not heard any of his solo music before I am now determined to hear some more.
By the time Frank Turner himself takes to the stage a singalong hungry crowd ready and waiting for him. At least half the people in the Roundhouse tonight seem perfectly willing and able to scream along to the man's most memorable anthems, such as opener "Photosynthesis" and (my personal favourite Frank song) "I Knew Prufrock Before He Was Famous". Many are familiar with the rarities that creep into the set as well, "Once We Were Anarchists" being especially superb. Whilst Frank's backing band are solid and help add depth to his songs this is an artist reliant on his songwriting touch, writing lyrics that can be cynical, affecting and heartwarming all at the same time. Sometimes it almost feels as if the songs aren't suited to such a cavernous place but they are still pulled off with a fine degree of aplomb and the set whizzes by, only with the occasional pause for Frank to exclaim his joy at peforming the show or to rant about the state of British politics. The real Dan of "Dan's Song" comes onstage for the song after which he is named and Chuck Ragan and friends join him for a cover of his own song to open up the encore and, after a storming performance of "The Road", Frank returns solo for a closing rendition of "The Ballad Of Me And My Friends", that still manges to feel intimate somehow despite the size of the venue. It's wonderful to see that an artist such as Frank, someone who should be a mainstream outsider by all usual parameters, can get so far and attract so many new fans. It's easy to moan about the taste of the music buying population of Britain today but sometimes they get things right, as they have done with Biffy Clyro in the last few years, and this is another shining example. Just don't leave the smaller venues totally behind please Frank!
Chuck Ragan - 7/10
Frank Turner - 8/10
Frank Turner setlist
Photosynthesis
Try This At Home
Once We Were Anarchists
Richard Devine
The Real Damage
Poetry Of The Deed
Father's Day
Isabel
Back In The Day
Dan's Song (+ Dan)
Jet Lag
To Take You Home
Our Lady Of The Campfire
Long Live The Queen
Sons Of Liberty
I Knew Prufrock Before He Was Famous
Reasons Not To Be An Idiot
Revival Song (w/ Chuck Ragan + others)
St. Christopher Is Coming Home
The Road
The Ballad Of Me And My Friends
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Tuesday, 16 March 2010
Karnivool - Highbury Garage - Monday 15th March 2010
For those in the know Karnivool are one of those bands. An artist about whom one can feel passionate about, a band who'd be worth travelling miles upon miles to see. It's astonishing walking into the Garage tonight how many of these hardcore 'Vool fans there are present. When I witnessed the band's first London headline show last October it was to a 250 capcity venue in which many were clearly just curious as opposed to devoted. The heaving 600 capcity Garage is a different prospect with many of the devoted signalling their love outwardly with their Karnivool t-shirt of choice. There are fans present from, it seems, all over Europe as well, all converging on the barrier in front of the stage. Mixed amongst them come those who are still just curious, have heard the word about these Aussie prog rockers but haven't actually heard anything for themselves tonight. I feel proud to say these people appear to be outnumbered tonight.
However before the onset of the 'Vool comes Southampton post-hardcore quintet a word like.attack who are, for want of better words, obviously inexperienced in front of such a large crowd. They seem a little daunted by the occasion and aren't helped by their lead vocalist being sadly inaudible throughout most of their short half hour set. There is energy aplenty and opening song "Though We Aren't Birds We're Still Given To Flight" is a pretty special track but they appear to be lost on the majority of the 'Vool hungry crowd. A good effort anyhow.
When they finally arrive on stage Karnivool are utterly mesmerising. I didn't think they could possibly be any better than last time but I was 100% wrong. From the moment "Simple Boy" kicks in to the moment "Change" fizzles out into nothingess this is a rapturous occasion. Ian Kenny is a bizarrely engaging frontman with as perfect a live voice as one could want while he is backed by four exceptional musicians, with Jon Stockman underpinning each song with his standard groove defying basslines and Drew Goddard leading it all with his, not flashy, but nont the less effective lead guitar work. The crowd, at least at the front, screams along to every word of fan favourites such as "New Day" and "Fear of the Sky" whilst the double whammy of "Roquefort" and "TheMata" grinds the pit into full working capacity and ensures all are lost in the shapeshifting textures and tones that this increedible band create. There's not much that can be said about a gig like this, it flashes by in the blink of an eye but every moment is sumptuous with the nuances of epics like "Deadman" still being just as apparent yet wonderfully subtle as on record. All I can say is roll on next time!
a word like.attack - 7/10
Karnivool - 10/10
Karnivool setlist
However before the onset of the 'Vool comes Southampton post-hardcore quintet a word like.attack who are, for want of better words, obviously inexperienced in front of such a large crowd. They seem a little daunted by the occasion and aren't helped by their lead vocalist being sadly inaudible throughout most of their short half hour set. There is energy aplenty and opening song "Though We Aren't Birds We're Still Given To Flight" is a pretty special track but they appear to be lost on the majority of the 'Vool hungry crowd. A good effort anyhow.
When they finally arrive on stage Karnivool are utterly mesmerising. I didn't think they could possibly be any better than last time but I was 100% wrong. From the moment "Simple Boy" kicks in to the moment "Change" fizzles out into nothingess this is a rapturous occasion. Ian Kenny is a bizarrely engaging frontman with as perfect a live voice as one could want while he is backed by four exceptional musicians, with Jon Stockman underpinning each song with his standard groove defying basslines and Drew Goddard leading it all with his, not flashy, but nont the less effective lead guitar work. The crowd, at least at the front, screams along to every word of fan favourites such as "New Day" and "Fear of the Sky" whilst the double whammy of "Roquefort" and "TheMata" grinds the pit into full working capacity and ensures all are lost in the shapeshifting textures and tones that this increedible band create. There's not much that can be said about a gig like this, it flashes by in the blink of an eye but every moment is sumptuous with the nuances of epics like "Deadman" still being just as apparent yet wonderfully subtle as on record. All I can say is roll on next time!
a word like.attack - 7/10
Karnivool - 10/10
Karnivool setlist
Friday, 12 March 2010
Katatonia - Highbury Garage - Thursday 11th March 2010
Katatonia are something of a unique act in the incredibly diverse hard rock/metal scene of today. These Swedish titans began their career as standard doom merchants but nowadays incorporate Cure like electronics with their melancholic atmosphere and earth shaking riffs. Tonight they arrive in London to a sold out Garage, around 500 people apparently, which is undeniably impressive for a band that receive barely even a mention on radio in Britain. They bring with them two more highly rated European bands, fellow doomsters from Finland in Swallow The Sun and, opening the bill, German post-rockers Long Distance Calling.
The aforementioned openers are a better than average post-rock act for certain featuring songs driven by Jan Hoffman's thunderous basslines and accentuated by Reimut Van Bonn's synths and ambient effects. While not doing anything especially unique they are subtle enough not to rely on the same formula song after song with gradual build ups to heaviness being just as common as a sudden switch from melodic picking to crushing bursts of sonic destruction. An impressive half hour set that also is their first peformance in London. Hopefully Long Distance Calling will come again to the UK soon.
Swallow The Sun troop onstage to an intro tape that, although atmospheric, goes on for at least a minute longer than it needs to. When Mikko Kotamaki's vocals first cut in they are sadly barely audible but eventually are upped in the mix enough for his talent to come through. This sextet may lack onstage charisma but make up for it with their suitably heavy riffs that get the crowd headbanging along. The melodeath aspects to their music add a different slant to their music from most bands of a similar ilk and the tightness of their live act is undeniably impressive. A band that is worth seeing and listening to.
The crowd are fully prepared for Katatonia by the time they hit the stage at 9.30pm, opening their set with new album "Night Is The New Day" standout "Forsaker". Despite recently losing brothers Mattias and Fredrik Norrman from their outfit this is a band on top form. Every riff echoes with the same power as on record and Jonas Renkse's aching vocals are almost perfect throughout. Anders Nystrom's solos meanwhile are more understated than flashy but perfectly suited to the songs the band create. The crowd sing along to the likes of live rarities "Omerta" and "Saw You Drown" and have a jolly good headbang to all the band's impressive hits and new songs. This isn't a band for going totally crazy to by any stretch of the imagination and one crowd surf attempts fails in all but succeeding to knock my glasses off (first time for everything). Meanwhile temporary guitarist Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson and bassit Niklas 'Nile' Sundin fit in as if they've been in the band for years. Although the set contains perhaps a little too much from the "Viva Emptiness" and "Great Cold Distance" albums a gig cannot be in any way bad if it finishes with a double whammy of "Dispossession" and "Leaders", seeing Katatonia depart to raucous applause and thus concluding a great evening.
Long Distance Calling - 7/10
Swallow The Sun - 7/10
Katatonia - 8/10
Katatonia setlist
Forsaker
Liberation
My Twin
Onward Into Battle
Complicity
The Longest Year
Omerta
Teargas
Saw You Drown
Idle Blood
Ghost Of The Sun
Evidence
Rusted
Day And Then The Shade
In The White
For My Demons
---
Dispossession
Leaders
The aforementioned openers are a better than average post-rock act for certain featuring songs driven by Jan Hoffman's thunderous basslines and accentuated by Reimut Van Bonn's synths and ambient effects. While not doing anything especially unique they are subtle enough not to rely on the same formula song after song with gradual build ups to heaviness being just as common as a sudden switch from melodic picking to crushing bursts of sonic destruction. An impressive half hour set that also is their first peformance in London. Hopefully Long Distance Calling will come again to the UK soon.
Swallow The Sun troop onstage to an intro tape that, although atmospheric, goes on for at least a minute longer than it needs to. When Mikko Kotamaki's vocals first cut in they are sadly barely audible but eventually are upped in the mix enough for his talent to come through. This sextet may lack onstage charisma but make up for it with their suitably heavy riffs that get the crowd headbanging along. The melodeath aspects to their music add a different slant to their music from most bands of a similar ilk and the tightness of their live act is undeniably impressive. A band that is worth seeing and listening to.
The crowd are fully prepared for Katatonia by the time they hit the stage at 9.30pm, opening their set with new album "Night Is The New Day" standout "Forsaker". Despite recently losing brothers Mattias and Fredrik Norrman from their outfit this is a band on top form. Every riff echoes with the same power as on record and Jonas Renkse's aching vocals are almost perfect throughout. Anders Nystrom's solos meanwhile are more understated than flashy but perfectly suited to the songs the band create. The crowd sing along to the likes of live rarities "Omerta" and "Saw You Drown" and have a jolly good headbang to all the band's impressive hits and new songs. This isn't a band for going totally crazy to by any stretch of the imagination and one crowd surf attempts fails in all but succeeding to knock my glasses off (first time for everything). Meanwhile temporary guitarist Per 'Sodomizer' Eriksson and bassit Niklas 'Nile' Sundin fit in as if they've been in the band for years. Although the set contains perhaps a little too much from the "Viva Emptiness" and "Great Cold Distance" albums a gig cannot be in any way bad if it finishes with a double whammy of "Dispossession" and "Leaders", seeing Katatonia depart to raucous applause and thus concluding a great evening.
Long Distance Calling - 7/10
Swallow The Sun - 7/10
Katatonia - 8/10
Katatonia setlist
Forsaker
Liberation
My Twin
Onward Into Battle
Complicity
The Longest Year
Omerta
Teargas
Saw You Drown
Idle Blood
Ghost Of The Sun
Evidence
Rusted
Day And Then The Shade
In The White
For My Demons
---
Dispossession
Leaders
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Twin Atlantic - Charing Cross Borderline - Wednesday 3rd March 2010
Having been a Twin Atlantic fan from the early days of their existence it's been interesting to watch how the Scottish quartet have grown over the last couple of years. In their hometown of Glasgow the cavernous ABC has recently been filled by fervent local support but in London things are still on a smaller scale with the Borderline, one of the best 200-300 capacity venues around, providing the scene for the band tonight.
Opening things up are surprise special guests. There are, unfounded unlikely but promising in their vague degree of possibility, rumours beforehand of Biffy Clyro being the aforementioned guests but it is actually post-hardcore rockers Brigade who get things started off. Somewhat unfairly best known for being led by Will Simpson, Charlie Simpson of Busted and Fightstar fame's younger brother, they are more substantial than a great degree of their current peers but are dogged by sound issues in their brief set. Playing a set of almost exclusively new songs they struggle to hold the attention of those who haven't got a clue who they are. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination but certainly not the steady live act I've seen before.
Canterbury come next. I'm not optimistic as they come onstage having been distinctly unimpressed with their somewhat generic pop-punk shenanigans supporting Hundred Reasons last year. Pleasingly they have improved. Whereas previously the keyboardist / sometime lead vocalist appeared to spend most of the set narrowly avoiding falling off the stage and very little time actually doing something now they're a much tighter live act. Not really a band I'd choose to see or listen to often but at least energetic enough to avoid blending in too much with a saturated scene.
Bounding onstage with their usual enthusiasm Twin Atlantic play an absolute blinder of a set. Where they used to be somewhat restrained now their energy is apparently boundelss. Frontman Sam McTrusty oozes onstage persona like it's going out of fashion and guitarist / cellist Barry McKenna bounds around like a Jack Russell who's been given free reign of a dog biscuit factory. Behind them bassist Ross McNae and drummer Craig Kneale provide an impressive rhythm section. Whilst the crowd take a while to get going it's not long before a moshpit has kicked in and the crowd are screaming back the words to the likes of "What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?" and "Time Is The Enemy" in the direction of the band. The quartet appear to be having a great time and, although threatened with being cut off before concluding song "Audience & Audio" they finish triumphantly. This band has grown into a true live behemoth and, much as I'd love to be able to keep them to myself for a while longer, I think venues the size of the ABC are only a matter of time away in London as well. Genuinely up their with the best live sets I've seen.
Brigade - 6/10
Canterbury - 6/10
Twin Atlantic - 10/10
Twin Atlantic setlist (roughly right order)
You're Turning Into John Wayne
Lightspeed
I Cave In
Old Grey Face
Running From Money (if anyone can clarify the title of this song it'd be cool)
Time Is The Enemy
Better Weather
What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?
A Guidance From Colour
Human After All
Caribbean War Syndrome
Audience & Audio
Opening things up are surprise special guests. There are, unfounded unlikely but promising in their vague degree of possibility, rumours beforehand of Biffy Clyro being the aforementioned guests but it is actually post-hardcore rockers Brigade who get things started off. Somewhat unfairly best known for being led by Will Simpson, Charlie Simpson of Busted and Fightstar fame's younger brother, they are more substantial than a great degree of their current peers but are dogged by sound issues in their brief set. Playing a set of almost exclusively new songs they struggle to hold the attention of those who haven't got a clue who they are. Not bad by any stretch of the imagination but certainly not the steady live act I've seen before.
Canterbury come next. I'm not optimistic as they come onstage having been distinctly unimpressed with their somewhat generic pop-punk shenanigans supporting Hundred Reasons last year. Pleasingly they have improved. Whereas previously the keyboardist / sometime lead vocalist appeared to spend most of the set narrowly avoiding falling off the stage and very little time actually doing something now they're a much tighter live act. Not really a band I'd choose to see or listen to often but at least energetic enough to avoid blending in too much with a saturated scene.
Bounding onstage with their usual enthusiasm Twin Atlantic play an absolute blinder of a set. Where they used to be somewhat restrained now their energy is apparently boundelss. Frontman Sam McTrusty oozes onstage persona like it's going out of fashion and guitarist / cellist Barry McKenna bounds around like a Jack Russell who's been given free reign of a dog biscuit factory. Behind them bassist Ross McNae and drummer Craig Kneale provide an impressive rhythm section. Whilst the crowd take a while to get going it's not long before a moshpit has kicked in and the crowd are screaming back the words to the likes of "What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?" and "Time Is The Enemy" in the direction of the band. The quartet appear to be having a great time and, although threatened with being cut off before concluding song "Audience & Audio" they finish triumphantly. This band has grown into a true live behemoth and, much as I'd love to be able to keep them to myself for a while longer, I think venues the size of the ABC are only a matter of time away in London as well. Genuinely up their with the best live sets I've seen.
Brigade - 6/10
Canterbury - 6/10
Twin Atlantic - 10/10
Twin Atlantic setlist (roughly right order)
You're Turning Into John Wayne
Lightspeed
I Cave In
Old Grey Face
Running From Money (if anyone can clarify the title of this song it'd be cool)
Time Is The Enemy
Better Weather
What Is Light? Where Is Laughter?
A Guidance From Colour
Human After All
Caribbean War Syndrome
Audience & Audio
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Tubelord - Hitchin Club 85 - Saturday 20th February 2010
For those of you who don't already know...Tubelord are an awesome band. They play a unique form of alternative rock that carefully balances the melodicism and vocal harmonics of pop music with a complex razor-edged sense of math experimentalism. Tonight they kick off their UK tour at North Hertfordshire's only decent music venue, for this is a county sadly lacking a prolific music scene. Before Tubelord take to the stage however, support comes in the shape of two fine local acts and tour support act Tall Ships.
Bounding on to the stage at a little past 8.15 come Minor Pilot, don't worry if you haven't heard of them as this is one of their first gigs. Playing an intriguing mix of standard alternative rock and perhaps the slightest hint of shoegaze and stoner influences, they immediately grab attention from the crowd courtesy of some interesting megaphone and xylophone use, it works better than you may think. A promising act for sure and one I'll be keeping an eye on for certain.
Having first seen local lads Scream! Shout! Say Nothing nearly 18 months ago now, as support for sadly deceased Hell Is For Heroes, and been impressed with them then I can't help but feel slightly guilty as they bound on stage with enthusiasm this evening. I really should have bought their album by now I think to myself (I'm onto it now) and their new songs sound equally good. They stand out a little on tonight's bill partly because they're a fair dollop heavier than the other acts but also because of the infectious stage presence that is singer/saxophonist Ben who spends a great deal of the set careering around the stage like a lion on rollerskates. A band who really deserve to be headlining venues of this size by now.
Tall Ships make an immediate impression of me, mainly because the bassist looks ridiculously like somebody I know. Once they start playing they prove to be fairly similar to tonight's headliners but with less focus on vocals and more on swapping instruments mid-song (something I highly approve of). Particularly impressive is when the frontman (sorry I don't know the name) dives from guitar and synths to behind the drum kit so that he can flail away with an admirable amount of gusto. Again a good band who I'll probably look out for in the future.
I've already mentioned the fact that Tubelord are a great band but I haven't yet mentioned one important fact. Every time I see this band they are better than the time before and that can surely can only be a good thing. Tonight sees, assumedly, their first gig with new band members, keyboardist Jamie(?) and bassist J(?). This certainly doesn't disrupt the band, they're tighter than ever and the addition of a fourth member really fills out the songs live with the intricate synth lines oft present on the debut record having been missed when I've seen them live before. A lovely addition sees Jamie flicking through the pages of a book on "Cows To The East, Cities To The West" whilst holding it up to the microphone. A great set culminates with a double header of "I Am Azerrad" and "Our First American Friends" and it's all over far sooner than the faithful would like. The band's performance may be near flawless but sadly the evening is spoilt slightly by the incessant talking in some sections of the crowd. It always amazes me how people decide that it's best to have a chat at a gig rather than going round to one another's houses, it just doesn't make sense and, of course, it's extremely rude. Ah well, still a great evening and I look forward to seeing all four of these bands again sometime soon.
Minor Pilot - 7/10
Scream! Shout! Say Nothing - 8/10
Tall Ships - 7/10
Tubelord - 9/10
Tubelord setlist (very much guesswork with the order and I may have missed some songs out)
Your Bed Is Kind Of Frightening
He Awoke On A Beach In Abergavenny
Night Of The Pencils
Propeller
Vessels
Cows To The East Cities To The West
Somewhere Out There A Dog Is On Fire
Stacey's Left Arm
I Am Azerrad
Our First American Friends
Bounding on to the stage at a little past 8.15 come Minor Pilot, don't worry if you haven't heard of them as this is one of their first gigs. Playing an intriguing mix of standard alternative rock and perhaps the slightest hint of shoegaze and stoner influences, they immediately grab attention from the crowd courtesy of some interesting megaphone and xylophone use, it works better than you may think. A promising act for sure and one I'll be keeping an eye on for certain.
Having first seen local lads Scream! Shout! Say Nothing nearly 18 months ago now, as support for sadly deceased Hell Is For Heroes, and been impressed with them then I can't help but feel slightly guilty as they bound on stage with enthusiasm this evening. I really should have bought their album by now I think to myself (I'm onto it now) and their new songs sound equally good. They stand out a little on tonight's bill partly because they're a fair dollop heavier than the other acts but also because of the infectious stage presence that is singer/saxophonist Ben who spends a great deal of the set careering around the stage like a lion on rollerskates. A band who really deserve to be headlining venues of this size by now.
Tall Ships make an immediate impression of me, mainly because the bassist looks ridiculously like somebody I know. Once they start playing they prove to be fairly similar to tonight's headliners but with less focus on vocals and more on swapping instruments mid-song (something I highly approve of). Particularly impressive is when the frontman (sorry I don't know the name) dives from guitar and synths to behind the drum kit so that he can flail away with an admirable amount of gusto. Again a good band who I'll probably look out for in the future.
I've already mentioned the fact that Tubelord are a great band but I haven't yet mentioned one important fact. Every time I see this band they are better than the time before and that can surely can only be a good thing. Tonight sees, assumedly, their first gig with new band members, keyboardist Jamie(?) and bassist J(?). This certainly doesn't disrupt the band, they're tighter than ever and the addition of a fourth member really fills out the songs live with the intricate synth lines oft present on the debut record having been missed when I've seen them live before. A lovely addition sees Jamie flicking through the pages of a book on "Cows To The East, Cities To The West" whilst holding it up to the microphone. A great set culminates with a double header of "I Am Azerrad" and "Our First American Friends" and it's all over far sooner than the faithful would like. The band's performance may be near flawless but sadly the evening is spoilt slightly by the incessant talking in some sections of the crowd. It always amazes me how people decide that it's best to have a chat at a gig rather than going round to one another's houses, it just doesn't make sense and, of course, it's extremely rude. Ah well, still a great evening and I look forward to seeing all four of these bands again sometime soon.
Minor Pilot - 7/10
Scream! Shout! Say Nothing - 8/10
Tall Ships - 7/10
Tubelord - 9/10
Tubelord setlist (very much guesswork with the order and I may have missed some songs out)
Your Bed Is Kind Of Frightening
He Awoke On A Beach In Abergavenny
Night Of The Pencils
Propeller
Vessels
Cows To The East Cities To The West
Somewhere Out There A Dog Is On Fire
Stacey's Left Arm
I Am Azerrad
Our First American Friends
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Oceansize - Villiers Street Heaven - Wednesday 3rd February 2010
Heaven is a gay club most of the time, it's also under a shopping centre, and it's £4.10 for a pint...which I avoided to prevent bankruptcy. Oh, Oceansize played their biggest headline show to date there on Wednesday (so Mike says). The venue is surprisingly cavernous once you get inside, holding 1,625 supposedly. It's pretty cramped inside for 'Size, more so than I expected for sure.
Anyway on to the music and the first band on is Nottingham post-rockers Vessels who are basically like 65daysofstatic but with longer, more expansive songs. They use interesting beats and samples throughout and interestingly they swap instruments after every song as well (not the drummer). Having listened to none of their music beforehand it's a compliment to them that they come across well enough to persuade me to buy their album. Following them come Belfast's And So I Watch You From Afar who have plenty of fans in the building already judging by their reception. They're about as close to punk as post-rock is ever going to get and they play maniacs. Whilst the sound could be better and they are twice annoyed by a stupendously dull heckler, they are certainly a great live act.
No, they're not as good as Oceansize, did you really expect them to be? Despite numerous sound problems throughout their set the Mancunian art rockers are brilliant. New songs such as sludgy opener 'Part Cardiac' are just as impressive as old cuts like 'You Can't Keep A Bad Man Down', which sound as fresh today as the day they were first cooked up in a band rehearsal. Sadly songs from latest EP 'Home and Minor' are off the menu due to the technical problems but it doesn't matter when a band are such masters of their craft as 'Size are. Mike Vennart is an engaging frontman as ever and drummer Mark Heron is one of the best to watch in the game. Some in the crowd appear to have paid £13 to come and talk through the quiet songs but other than that people seem in awe of the performance. It's interesting that they choose to make up so much of the set from new cuts (particularly when ranging from the very quiet 'Ransoms' to the epic 'Steven's Head'). Closing with the furious 'It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want' the band leave the stage to cries of encore, which are sadly unanswered. You may have noticed...I love this band.
Vessels - 8/10
And So I Watch You From Afar - 8/10
Oceansize - 8/10
Oceansize Setlist
Part Cardiac
Unfamiliar
The Charm Offensive
Build Us A Rocket Then, You Rocket Building Cunt
You Can't Keep A Bad Man Down
Ransoms
Steven's Head
Massive Bereavement
A Homage To A Shame
Tough Cookie
It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want
Anyway on to the music and the first band on is Nottingham post-rockers Vessels who are basically like 65daysofstatic but with longer, more expansive songs. They use interesting beats and samples throughout and interestingly they swap instruments after every song as well (not the drummer). Having listened to none of their music beforehand it's a compliment to them that they come across well enough to persuade me to buy their album. Following them come Belfast's And So I Watch You From Afar who have plenty of fans in the building already judging by their reception. They're about as close to punk as post-rock is ever going to get and they play maniacs. Whilst the sound could be better and they are twice annoyed by a stupendously dull heckler, they are certainly a great live act.
No, they're not as good as Oceansize, did you really expect them to be? Despite numerous sound problems throughout their set the Mancunian art rockers are brilliant. New songs such as sludgy opener 'Part Cardiac' are just as impressive as old cuts like 'You Can't Keep A Bad Man Down', which sound as fresh today as the day they were first cooked up in a band rehearsal. Sadly songs from latest EP 'Home and Minor' are off the menu due to the technical problems but it doesn't matter when a band are such masters of their craft as 'Size are. Mike Vennart is an engaging frontman as ever and drummer Mark Heron is one of the best to watch in the game. Some in the crowd appear to have paid £13 to come and talk through the quiet songs but other than that people seem in awe of the performance. It's interesting that they choose to make up so much of the set from new cuts (particularly when ranging from the very quiet 'Ransoms' to the epic 'Steven's Head'). Closing with the furious 'It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want' the band leave the stage to cries of encore, which are sadly unanswered. You may have noticed...I love this band.
Vessels - 8/10
And So I Watch You From Afar - 8/10
Oceansize - 8/10
Oceansize Setlist
Part Cardiac
Unfamiliar
The Charm Offensive
Build Us A Rocket Then, You Rocket Building Cunt
You Can't Keep A Bad Man Down
Ransoms
Steven's Head
Massive Bereavement
A Homage To A Shame
Tough Cookie
It's My Tail And I'll Chase It If I Want
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
Gigs of 2009
Just a little summary of the shows I attended last year, only a few have reviews up here.
Gig of the year
It's difficult to choose between two bands I've waited years to see and whom both put on excellent shows but just shading it is Metallica at Sonisphere Knebworth. Because it's bound to become something of a "I saw them at Knebworth" thing in the band's fanbase due to the venue's stature. I'm still going to mention Pearl Jam though, who's O2 Arena show was the perfect example of how a band can be utterly captivating in a big venue without resorting to light show extravagance. They did play for a good 2 1/2 hours as well!
Support act of the year
Well it'd be easy to choose Oceansize who supported Biffy in Edinburgh but seeing as they're a band I already knew and loved I feel it would be a wee bit unfair. Pulled Apart By Horses on the other hand I knew very little about and I was blown away by their mix of serrated riffs and genuine attitude. They were a great warmup for the Biff in Southampton and Brighton.
Unexpectedly brilliant gig of the year
12 months ago I'd barely heard of Aussies Karnivool but in 2009 they became one of my favourite bands. Still when I went to see them in October I wasn't sure what I'd think of them live (I'd heard mixed things). I needen't have worried. That evening cemented their place as a band for me to cherish. I can't wait to see them again in March.
Disappointment of the year
Only one real contender for this, Muse, on their first night at the O2 on 12th November. I spent a good hour writing a review of this gig but it became more of an article about how the band has changed (expect this to surface on this blog at some point). Let's just say that for a band that prides itself on it's live reputation, and rightly so cause they can be bloody brilliant, I thought it was an enormous let down.
The Gene Hoglan Brutality Award
Yes, this is an award I've made up and named in honour of Strapping Young Lad / Morbid Angel / several other worthwhile metal bands drummer Gene Hoglan. It is awarded to the band that most made me fear for my life in awe of their awesome METAL power in 2009. It can only go to Gojira. Intense barely covers it. The fact that the venue was smaller than the hall at my school probably had an effect too.
The John Petrucci Award For Incredible Musicianship
Goes to Dream Theater, obviously.
The Grant Nicholas Award For Provoking Mass Singalongs
Although Therapy? and Hundred Reasons do have a case, as do Nicholas' Feeder itself I think it has to be Biffy Clyro who get this award because I screamed along to every word as per usual. Sorry if that was annoying for anyone.
The Being Downright Weird Award
Only one contender for being really, really weird onstage this year: Unexpect. I'm not sure whether it was brilliant or terrible 3 months on and I'm not sure I'll ever know to be honest.
The Jonny Greenwood Award For Technical Misendeavour
Not their fault but a power cut caused 65daysofstatic's gig to be shortened at Dingwall's in April. Shame because I've waited a while to see them...but I'm sure I'll be seeing them again sooner rather than later.
The Pink Floyd Award For Stage Show
It probably should be given to Muse because to be honest their stage set-up was quite cool...but I'm giving it to Porcupine Tree instead for Lasse Hoile's extremely impressive graphics.
Venue of the year
The nominees are:
Any other business
Some more bands that I've waited years to see in Porcupine Tree, Therapy?, Nine Inch Nails and Alice In Chains. Normally these bands would be gig of the year contenders but there were just so many amazing shows this year. I look forward to seeing them all (even NIN who I hope will do another tour at some point because Trent always changes his mind) again in the future.
Oh and ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Manic Street Preachers get a mention too.
Cheerio for now
Gig of the year
It's difficult to choose between two bands I've waited years to see and whom both put on excellent shows but just shading it is Metallica at Sonisphere Knebworth. Because it's bound to become something of a "I saw them at Knebworth" thing in the band's fanbase due to the venue's stature. I'm still going to mention Pearl Jam though, who's O2 Arena show was the perfect example of how a band can be utterly captivating in a big venue without resorting to light show extravagance. They did play for a good 2 1/2 hours as well!
Support act of the year
Well it'd be easy to choose Oceansize who supported Biffy in Edinburgh but seeing as they're a band I already knew and loved I feel it would be a wee bit unfair. Pulled Apart By Horses on the other hand I knew very little about and I was blown away by their mix of serrated riffs and genuine attitude. They were a great warmup for the Biff in Southampton and Brighton.
Unexpectedly brilliant gig of the year
12 months ago I'd barely heard of Aussies Karnivool but in 2009 they became one of my favourite bands. Still when I went to see them in October I wasn't sure what I'd think of them live (I'd heard mixed things). I needen't have worried. That evening cemented their place as a band for me to cherish. I can't wait to see them again in March.
Disappointment of the year
Only one real contender for this, Muse, on their first night at the O2 on 12th November. I spent a good hour writing a review of this gig but it became more of an article about how the band has changed (expect this to surface on this blog at some point). Let's just say that for a band that prides itself on it's live reputation, and rightly so cause they can be bloody brilliant, I thought it was an enormous let down.
The Gene Hoglan Brutality Award
Yes, this is an award I've made up and named in honour of Strapping Young Lad / Morbid Angel / several other worthwhile metal bands drummer Gene Hoglan. It is awarded to the band that most made me fear for my life in awe of their awesome METAL power in 2009. It can only go to Gojira. Intense barely covers it. The fact that the venue was smaller than the hall at my school probably had an effect too.
The John Petrucci Award For Incredible Musicianship
Goes to Dream Theater, obviously.
The Grant Nicholas Award For Provoking Mass Singalongs
Although Therapy? and Hundred Reasons do have a case, as do Nicholas' Feeder itself I think it has to be Biffy Clyro who get this award because I screamed along to every word as per usual. Sorry if that was annoying for anyone.
The Being Downright Weird Award
Only one contender for being really, really weird onstage this year: Unexpect. I'm not sure whether it was brilliant or terrible 3 months on and I'm not sure I'll ever know to be honest.
The Jonny Greenwood Award For Technical Misendeavour
Not their fault but a power cut caused 65daysofstatic's gig to be shortened at Dingwall's in April. Shame because I've waited a while to see them...but I'm sure I'll be seeing them again sooner rather than later.
The Pink Floyd Award For Stage Show
It probably should be given to Muse because to be honest their stage set-up was quite cool...but I'm giving it to Porcupine Tree instead for Lasse Hoile's extremely impressive graphics.
Venue of the year
The nominees are:
- Greenwich O2 Arena for being an arena that it's actually enjoyable to go to and watch a gig at. Good sound for such a large place as well.
- Kingston Peel is always a wonderful place to go and see gigs, or to see 'Size at least.
- Southampton Guildhall is a venue I've been to far many times, considering I live nowhere near it. Always good sound and always a good atmosphere. Both Biffy and Dream Theater were very good there this year.
- Regents Street Apple Store is full to the brim with iPhones and stuff...coolio.
The winner is: Southampton Guildhall so well done to it.
Any other business
Some more bands that I've waited years to see in Porcupine Tree, Therapy?, Nine Inch Nails and Alice In Chains. Normally these bands would be gig of the year contenders but there were just so many amazing shows this year. I look forward to seeing them all (even NIN who I hope will do another tour at some point because Trent always changes his mind) again in the future.
Oh and ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and Manic Street Preachers get a mention too.
Cheerio for now
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