Bring Me The Horizon
Brixton Academy
30th April, 2011
Yep, Bring Me The Horizon at Brixton Academy. How did such a band from Sheffield get to this point? Well, an exponentially expanding fanbase and the stunning of many a cynic and critic by producing two really-quite-outstanding albums (the last two) have really put the band on the map of Great Modern British Rock Bands. An accolade that is recognized pretty much the world over as the band’s success continues to increase in countries like the US and Australia. Add to all of this the fact that the band’s latest single ‘Blessed With a Curse’ has been added to the BBC Radio 1 daytime Playlist and you have all the ingredients for a kick-ass sell-out Brixton Academy performance. Well actually the band have brought even more to the table tonight with an unbelievable stage show which includes pyro, the signature massive flashing BMTH lettering, banners that fall to the ground at strategic points and some massive black balloons which descend and are bounded around by the crowd during ‘Blessed With A Curse’ creating a surprisingly ethereal and peaceful effect.
But aside from the massive production, BMTH put on a flawless performance, running around the stage as energetic as ever, clambering speaker stacks and generally making the audience not quite know where to look. At least everyone can hear the thunderous sounds which are entrancing all present tonight. The band have only just enlisted Architects’ drummer Dan to fill in for BMTH member Matt who has broken his arm yet you really wouldn’t know that they’ve only been playing together for two days. Everything is tightly wound and precise. Guitarist Jonah also proves his worth yet again providing vocals on ‘Fuck’ in place of Josh from You Me At Six who sings on the track on the album. It’s the new tracks from ‘There Is A Hell…’ that stand out in the live setting, sounding absolutely huge.
An encore which includes a spine-tingling rendition of ‘Crucify Me’ and eternal crowd-pleaser ‘Chelsea Smile’ goes down as well as the rest of the band’s set and this evening ends on a high which you get the feeling was needed by a band who have been plagued with misfortune on this run of dates. But the powercut in Bristol the night before that meant the band were forced to play acoustic and the breaking of drummer Matt’s arm a few nights previous don’t matter one bit tonight. It all comes together in spectacular fashion.
If you enjoyed the clip of Blueprint skating in LA that we brought you on Tuesday then here’s some bonus clips from the trip that Sylvian Toggliani’s forgot to chuck into the final edit featuring Paul Shier, Sylvian and Nick Jensen.
Quiksilver just threw a mini ramp comp at the Absolut Skatepark in Flachauwinkl, Austria.
Watch footage from this event featuring Austrian rippers Kilian Heuberger, Patrik Pittl, David Margreiter, Roman Astleitner, Robert Klausner, Oliver Gordon, Arian Kindl, Sascha Biehaule, Tobi Fleischer, Alban Milaku, Patrick Freitag, Rene Düringer and Lukas Krößwang.
As massive fans of Small Brown Bike, ‘Fell & Found’ is one of our most anticipated releases this year. So excited were we that initial listening to this, the band’s first album in eight years, left us feeling slightly underwhelmed. It seemed that this progressed version of the band had more in common with the gentler La Salle (a former project of SBB’s Dan Jaquint, Mike Reed and Reed’s wife). It’s true that this is a more chilled out SBB. However, that jagged edge of riffs and raucous double vocals that made them such a cult favourite are still present, just a little less in-your-face for the most part.
So ‘Fell & Found’ is rather more a slow burner than the likes of ‘River Bed’, ‘Our Own Wars’ and ‘Dead Reckoning’, but we can’t exactly blame the band for that. Of course they are not going to be exactly the same in their musical inclinations almost ten years after their last outing. What we have with this new album is a much broader and carefully considered album with even the use of keys on ‘Just Bones’. Yes, it’s slower in some senses but this record is just as intense as the band’s previous offerings once you have lived with it for a while.
As proper grown-ups with proper jobs, the band don’t have much time for touring now but we can only hope and pray that they will make it over to UK shores in the end. There are many who will be waiting with baited breath for their appearance on the live circuit.
Beginning in classic Manchester Orchestra understated style with the beautifully simple ‘Deer’, ‘Simple Math’ grinds into heavier territories with the next track, fittingly titled ‘Mighty’. Andy Hull’s ever-emotional vocals are layered on top of pulsating jagged-edged riffs and interspersed with soaring orchestral arrangements, all the while backed up by some lush drum textures. The orchestral element is a recurring theme throughout the record yet it never sounds overblown or forced. The textures are woven expertly within the band’s alternately lilting and crunching rock backbone.
The first half of the record builds to a central focal point in the masterful track ‘Virgin’ which also goes so far as to feature a children’s choir and interjections from a brass section. There really is only one word to describe this song – epic. But far from being the pinnacle of the album, MO proceed on to the heartbreaking title track of the record ‘Simple Math’. Again, we are treated to the extremes of loud and soft as can only be communicated by this band. Hull’s haunting vocal leads on this one although it certainly has a lot of immensely carefully placed instrumental back-up. The eerily quiet start to ‘Leave It Alone’ is again contrasted with the introduction of lush strings later in the track and this album of intense light and shade ends on the gently meandering ‘Leaky Breaks’ which stands at a massive 7 minutes long and fades out into nothing thus completing the circle of ‘Simple Math’. Stream it all here.
Motive Skateboards have unleashed the third installment of Sean Smith footage overnight. Click the play button for 3 minutes of raw tech skills with no music shot at Milton Keynes Buszy plaza, London and more.
Last night I was just surfing Facebook updates and about to crash out when I pressed play on this youtube video and then had to watch it 5 times in a row before I fell asleep the happiest man in London town. The internet has allowed word of mouth to bring us some of the best music so quickly and for the likes of Vacationer this method of natural goodness will be how hundreds and thousands of us will be drawn to their unique music as it becomes available online.
Based in Philadelphia on the Eastern Seaboard, Vacationer looks to be a an extremely new project. Their incredibly minimal, chilled pop is billed as Nu-Hula and mixes chilled beats with tropical sounds of the 70’s blended with an array of vocal goodness often found at the the bottom of rainbows. This genius song ‘Trip‘ is quite possibly their first ever track and has a mesmerising but cheerfully, warming presence that is seriously addictive. I dare you just to listen to it once as I have a feeling that like myself you will be coming back for more as soon as the waterfall stops running.
There’s not too much information about Vacationer online so be sure to follow their progress as this Nu-Hula stuff could quite easily take off, especially if ‘Trip’ is just the beginning. Download it for free from this widget and pass it on.
For fans of Animal Collective, The Avalanches, TV On The Radio, Boards of Canada and Cloud Control.
If music is the food of love, then what would be the food of Death? We decided to pry into the personal ears of ten Death Skateboards team riders this week to find out what their 10 favourite tracks of all time could be. Enjoy their selection as you just know that there’s going to be some top choices in here from this lot!
MARK NICOLSON: THE BEATLES – ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE
Photo: Rob Galpin
This song always helps put things in perspective for me. With everyone rushing around amongst the stresses and strains of modern life, people forget to love. Not physical love, but the love you have for your friends, family, pets, nature, even a sunny day maybe.
Being skateboarders, we have learned to appreciate moments, friends, fun skate sessions etc, these are the things that money can’t buy!
“….there’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where your meant to be, it’s easy”
Love from Mark.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
BOOTS: ERIC PRYDZ – CALL ON ME
Do I really need to explain why I like this! The only thing that ruins it is the one dude.
If you depart on a journey into the mind of Crispin Glover, you might never come back…
DAVE ALLEN: OPERATION IVY – UNITY
My song is Unity by Operation Ivy. I always liked this song and when I’m going skating I stick on really loud when I’m driving on my own. It gets me pumped up and ready to roll. It also makes me think of Buster Halterman’s section from the 1991 Planet Earth video Now ‘n’ Later, he killed it (and still does).
If I could skate half as good as him I’d be stoked!
ROB SMITH: BROKE ‘N’ £NGLISH – 15 STRATEGY
Sick freestyle by my mate Johnny, one of Manchester’s best MC’s with production by Chimpo- Manchester’s finest. It’s just a shame it’s filmed at Manchester United’s ground and not Manchester City’s. Haha!
ADAM MOSS: SNOOP DOGG – AIN’T NO FUN (IF THE HOMIES CAN’T GET NONE)
The track I chose is ‘aint no fun if the homies can’t have none’. It’s a classic track that’s good anytime of day and always brings the hype! It’s hard to find a better rap trio than Snoop, Kurupt and of course paying respect to the late, great Nate Dogg. R.I.P!
DAN CATES: JOURNEY – DON’T STOP BELIEVING (LIVE IN HOUSTON) Photo: CJ
I chose this video as my selection because:
1. It is quite clearly the greatest song ever written.
2. It’s the most downloaded song in the world.
3. The gear that they are wearing is clearly illegal.
4. When i was in a band I always wanted to play this song.
5. I am going to see them play at Wembley arena in June.
6. The lead singer Steve Perry is the absolute spitting image of Nick who runs the Skegness skate park.
7. You would have to go a long way to find a bunch of guys with their trousers hiked up higher than that.
8. You have to respect a guy that wears a yellow leopard print shirt to every gig, especially one that doesn’t fit properly.
9. The guitarist has a blue vest that is cut off above his naval.
10. This video reminds me that I still need to visit Texas.
11. The guy in the cut off red shirt looks totally ridiculous.
12. Journey is the raddest group.
13. You should watch the ‘Steve Perry and Journey’ documentary.
14. I could quite easily listen to this song on repeat all day long and actually have done before.
15. This song always makes me feel good.
16. I think it is safe to say that these guys screwed a lot of women.
17. I couldn’t think of any better music videos.
RONNY CALOW: KID ACNE – EDDY FRESH
Now then, here is my video selection. It’s Kid Acne a fellow Sheffield resident. I love the video on this as it was all shot round these parts, most of the people in it are friends so it’s really funny seeing them on it too. If you look carefully (I’m so stoked) at 0:13 to 0:18 on this video you’ll notice a certain Ben Grove getting his groove on. (He’s the one in the blue), I still think it’s one of the funniest things ever. That boy’s got the moves right? Haha! Don’t give up the day job mate!
MOGGINS: ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA – MR BLUE SKY Photo: Timmy Garbett
I could easily have picked any song by Sabbath, Hendrix or Pentagram but Mr Blue Sky is hands down my favourite song ever. It’s been my favourite song ever since I used to go and watch Birmingham City play as a kid with my old man and I still listen to it every single day.
Wherever I am in the world it never fails to remind me of home and gets me stoked out beyond belief!!
TIMMY GARBETT: N.W.A. – STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON
Photo: Ash Redman
If somethin’ happens in Chezzy, nothin happens…
It’s just another nigga DEAD, dead, dead, dead! Straight outta Chezzy crazy mutha frigga named Timmy Cube, from a gang called Slugga with attitude.
When I’m called off, I got a sawed off, squeeze the trigga and bodies are hauled off.
You too boi if you wanna frigg with me, Moggins is gonna have to come and get me off yo ass, that’s how I’m goin’ out, for the punk mutha fucka’s that’s showin’ out!
Nigga’s start to mumble, they wanna rumble, mix em up and cook em in a pot like gumbo.
Goin’ off on a mutha frigga like that, with a Death size 8.25 pointed at yo ass.
So give it up smooth, ain’t no tellin’ when Kennelly’s down for the jack move.
Here’s a murder rap to keep yo dancin’, with a crime record like Meadies dancin’.
T-tool is the tool, don’t make me act a mutha friggin’ fool.
Me you can go toe to toe, no maybe, I’m knockin’ nigga’s out tha’ box daily.
Yo weakly, monthly and yearly. Until the dumb mutha frigga’s see clearly.
That I’m down with the capita c-town G.
Boi you can’t frigg with me!
So when I’m in your neighbourhood, you betta duck, cus Louis Slater is crazy as frigg.
As I leave, believe I’m stompin’. But when I come back boi, I’m comin’ straight outta CHEZZY!
There’s nothing like looking back to days of old in skateboard history so watching this clip this morning was a pleasure. Apple Juice is an 8 minute documentary reporting on New York City’s skate scene in the late 80’s and early 90’s from Skate NYC, a skate shop that was based in the East Village from 1986-1991. The tapes have been laying dormant and were found under a pile of grip tape and paint markers in a storage space deep in NYC recently so get hyped on some NY skate history.
The footage includes skating from Harold Hunter, John Carter, Steve Lavergne, Luis Rodriguez, Mike Ming, Jake Aalls, Cosmo Singer, SAS, John Bruce and many more skating The World Trade Centre before it was taken out and more classic old NY spots. What a find.
Yep, Bring Me The Horizon at Brixton Academy. How did such a band from Sheffield get to this point? Well, an exponentially expanding fanbase and the stunning of many a cynic and critic by producing two really-quite-outstanding albums (the last two) have really put the band on the map of Great Modern British Rock Bands. An accolade that is recognized pretty much the world over as the band’s success continues to increase in countries like the US and Australia. Add to all of this the fact that the band’s latest single ‘Blessed With a Curse’ has been added to the BBC Radio 1 daytime Playlist and you have all the ingredients for a kick-ass sell-out Brixton Academy performance. Well actually the band have brought even more to the table tonight with an unbelievable stage show which includes pyro, the signature massive flashing BMTH lettering, banners that fall to the ground at strategic points and some massive black balloons which descend and are bounded around by the crowd during ‘Blessed With A Curse’ creating a surprisingly ethereal and peaceful effect. 
