Category: Live Reviews

Scroobius Pip v Dan Le Sac
Scala
18.07.07

Scroobius is following me around. I don’t think he likes me slating him in reviews and so turns up as the support act for every hip hop show I go to just to spite me. Even when I took refuge in the bar, the man’s voice was attacking me over the speakers. Bastard. So after half an hour of putting my fingers in my ears and going “lalala I CAN’T HEAR YOU”, he was done and RJ was soon on stage with his band.

RJ’s latest album, The Third Hand, was a big step away from his hip hop roots and it was interesting to see how it would adapt to a live setting, and, though it wasn’t bad, the new songs with the band felt a little pedestrian compared to the older stuff he played. That said, hearing Exotic Talk, from Since We Last Spoke with live guitars and drums gave it that extra lift and pumped heads all over the show.

However, unsurprisingly it was the tracks from Deadringer that made the night as special as it was. Leaving the front of the stage to man the decks at the back, RJ burst out of the blocks with Ghostwriter and later did a great little turntable session where Smoke & Mirrors was laid down and The Horror, which followed a Scooby Doo intro, blared out across the packed out Scala.

“Who knows what tomorrow may bring” sings the sample, and the answer, we all wish, is another RJD2 show.

Abjekt
Photo by Paul Williams.

A BENEFIT GIG FOR PAUL FOX OF THE RUTS & CANCER RESEARCH
Islington Academy, London
16.07.07

Fact. The Ruts were the greatest band of the punk era. Judging by the endless parade of mainstream media punk documentaries that think that punk started with The Sex Pistols and ended with The Clash, however, this appears to be a little known fact. But it’s a fact all the same.

The Ruts were a magnificent musical force that was cruelly cut short by the death of their frontman Malcolm Owen in 1980. They left behind a wealth of classic songs that haven’t dated one single bit and continue to inspire each new generation that comes along (see Gallows and Lethal Bizzle).

Although the band continued for a short time after Owen’s death as Ruts DC, by the mid-eighties they went their separate ways but the cult continued to grow. The Ruts became the punk band that blossoming punks in the mid-eighties could only dream of seeing. I never thought I would ever get to see my favourite punk band live, but tonight, I finally did. I just wish the circumstances could have been better…

Paul Fox is one of the great punk guitarists. He’s fusion of blistering punk riffs, skanking reggae and ska never fails to hit the target. Sadly, Paul is a very, very ill man. Suffering from serious lung cancer, he is frail and unlikely to recover. Yet, having inspired so many along the way, his friends and musical peers put together tonight’s benefit concert to aid Paul and Cancer research, and just to say thank you for the riffs.

With punk rock guru John Robb hosting the show, events kicked off with short sets from Tenpole Tuder, TV Smith (The Adverts) and Splog, but it was when the UK Subs hit the stage that things really started to heat up. Frontman Charlie Harper may be in his sixties but nothing short of a skyscraper landing on his head will ever stop him from keeping the Subs going. Charlie Harper is in it for life. He keeps going because this is what he does. There’s no pension plan in punk rock. And tonight, the UK Subs fucking rock, carving out a short set of high-energy classics like ‘CID’, ‘Warhead‘ and ‘Emotional Blackmail‘.

‘Punk rock was a punky reggae party,’ reminds John Robb as Misty-In-Roots hit the stage next for some blissful reggae grooves. Misty toured relentlessly with The Ruts back in the day as the punks lapped up their rebel sounds. The Ruts first single ‘In A Rut‘ was released on Misty’s People Unite record label so their appearance here is mandatory and they make a nice break from the barrage of punk.

Fellow Ruts touring partners Tom Robinson and TV Smith take the stage next for some acoustic numbers, before The Damned hit the stage for a ferocious assault on our senses! Classic after classic came crashing from the stage – ‘Love Song’, ‘Neat Neat Neat’, ‘Smash It Up’ and a surprisingly punky run through their biggest hit single ‘Eloise’. It doesn’t get much better than this.

Well, actually, it does. The fucking Ruts. Not just The Ruts, however, but The Ruts with Henry Rollins on vocals. Yes. That’s right. You’re not dreaming. Old hank flew over to fill Malcolm Owen’s boots and did a damn good job of it. Having spent the evening up in the balcony rocking out to all the bands, Rollins was pumped up and ready to go as the original Ruts – Dave Ruffy (drums) and Vince Segs (bass) joined Paul Fox and Rollins onstage, tearing straight into ‘Something That I Said‘ as the whole place exploded. Rollins squatted down in his usual position, his voice perfectly suited to The Ruts songs. There was some worry that The Ruts very British sound wouldn’t suit Henry’s vocals, but it worked fine and sounded great.

The punk rock gems continued to flow as the band pumped out ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’, ‘Society’ alongside jaw-dropping versions of ‘Sus’, ‘West One (Shine On Me)‘ and of course, ‘Babylon’s Burning‘. Foxy, although looking visibly drained and horribly ill, poured every last bit of energy within his mind and body to make his last gig really count.

Ending with snarling run through ‘In A Rut‘ as the crowd screamed along to every word, the band left the stage for the last time as we screamed our throats raw for an encore but sadly, Foxy was spent. There was no energy left in him. With his lungs working at ten percent of their capacity, he’s only got one lung and the other is in pain, it’s amazing he was able to do the gig at all. But what a gig to go out on. You did us proud Foxy and thanks so much for the opportunity to finally see my favourite band live. This one’s for you.

James Sherry

HIM, Machine Head, Mastodon
Wembley Stadium

08.07.07

It may have taken some half a decade to complete, but stepping down onto the pitch of Wembley Stadium this afternoon is an experience worth waiting for. Consisting of some 90,000 seats, it’s officially the second biggest stadium on the continent, trailing only behind Barcelona’s fabulous Nou Camp.

But where it’s behind in the capacity stakes, today’s venue is the most expensive ever built, costing a whopping £800million. To put that in perspective, that’s the equivalent of almost 10 Millennium Stadium’s, or nearly double the amount spent each year to keep John Prescott’s appetite under control. Ultimately, it’s a venue that only one heavy metal band could successfully fill.

The crowd may be littered with shirts that suggest 90% of those in attendance are here for the headliners only, but today’s supporting line-up is one of sheer quality, kicking off with Crossfire favourites Mastodon. Such a grand arena was always going to play havoc with their hard hitting and technically complex metal, but they slam through a whirlwind set culled mostly from their ‘Blood Mountain’ opus with aplomb. The sea of devil horns that greets the classic ‘March Of The Fireants‘ and the cluster of inflatable guitars waving furiously at their set’s end suggest their efforts have not gone unnoticed.

A gargantuan roar fills the air at the mere sight of Machine Head’s banner being raised slowly into view. It’s a reaction that the band are no strangers to on UK shores, as anyone who witnessed their set at this year’s Download Festival will likely confirm. Added as a last-minute replacement for Bullet For My Valentine, today is undoubtedly theirs as they whip up circle pits as big as the gaping D-barrier at the front of the crowd.

Starting a half hour slot with the 10-minute behemoth ‘Clenching The Fists Of Descent‘ not only shows the confidence the band have in their recently released masterpiece ‘The Blackening’, but also the genuine quality of its content. Closing with their definitive anthem ‘Davidian‘ – a song that sees all hell break loose – Machine Head came, saw, and fucking conquered.

As if following such a terrifying spectacle wasn’t going to be difficult enough, the sea of middle fingers that greets HIM‘s backdrop suggests that the Finnish rockers will have their work cut out this evening. That the majority of the crowd is more interested in a series of Mexican waves engulfing the stadium’s upper reaches, allowing the band to sneak onstage and begin their set practically unnoticed, confirms the fact that practically nobody is happy to see them here.

Given the renowned, often ruthless nature of Metallica fans, today was always going to be an uphill battle for the quintet, but to their credit they soldier on with barely a word between songs. Choosing to fill their set with newer, heavier cuts from their forthcoming ‘Venus Doom’ album was always going to be the safest plan of attack, though as they bid us farewell with a cover of lovey-dovey super hit ‘I Wanna Fall In Love‘, it’s hard to begrudge the band the last, and probably only laugh.

It’s almost too easy to take a shot at Metallica these days, particularly for older “fans“, most of whom still coughed up £40 for a ticket to today’s event. So what if ‘St. Anger’ was a steaming pile of shit, and so what if ‘Load‘ and ‘Reload‘ were half-baked hard rock albums that possessed very little merit or genuinely decent material? We already know this, and so do the band. The fact that they’ll only play two songs from the last fifteen years during tonight’s mammoth 2-and-a-half hour set is proof. But one thing that no one – NO ONE – can take away from Metallica is the fact that they are still the undisputed kings of heavy metal.

They can still pull in crowds bigger than most other bands could even begin to dream of. They can still put on a stage show that would have almost any other performer in the world drooling over. And when all is said and done, they can still rock like absolute motherfuckers. Blasting through an opening salvo of ‘Creeping Death‘ and ‘For Whom The Bell Tolls‘, Metallica prove within minutes that while they may be a little older, a little greyer, and that this monumental venue has been transformed beyond all recognition, the magic of their songs and the truly special atmosphere of Wembley are still very much alive.

There’s absolutely no fucking around, and not a single sigh of disappointment will be breathed, because this is truly a once in a lifetime event. Whether it’s the classic thrash of ‘Master Of Puppets‘, the spectacular pyrotechnics of ‘One’, the 70,000 strong sing-along to ‘Nothing Else Matters‘, the snarling stomp of ‘Sad But True‘ or the quarter-century old ‘Seek & Destroy’, each chapter of their glorious, untouchable history is relived in a way that’s literally impossible to slate. “Metal is still very much alive, Wembley, and you guys are the living proof” beams the walking, talking icon that is James Hetfield, his eyes gleaming with genuine amazement.

He’s not wrong, but it was ultimately the spectacle that lay before each and every punter present that confirmed such facts. They may not pump out quality albums the way they once did, but the sheer strength of their catalogue, coupled with their frank realisation that their best songs lay in the past, are still enough to enforce the fact that Metallica are, quite simply, the daddies.

Ryan Bird.

London ICA
06.07.07

Free gigs are always a nice surprise, so kudos to the folks at iTunes and the ICA for putting on a whole month’s worth of them. However, the distribution of tickets for these shows via a lottery was always going to result in a mix of genuine fans and the merely curious; so tonight it is a fairly sparse crowd that witnesses Good Shoes‘ jerky, melodic post-punk musings.

A shame: as songs like ‘Never Meant To Hurt You‘ are highly danceable, and ‘Morden‘ is sure to raise a smile on any Greater London/Surrey border dweller. Right band, right place, wrong time.

Still, if anyone’s going to spur a lazy crowd into action, it’s The Go! Team‘s hyperactive MC, Ninja, who rapidly wins the masses over with her quick-fire wit and skilful rapping. On record, this Brighton sextet are the musical equivalent of a pick n’ mix raid, with scratchy guitars, arresting beats and bizarre 70’s action movie samples flying from all angles – but it’s in the live setting where they truly excel, bringing the party like few others can.

Alongside old favourites like ‘Huddle Formation‘ and ‘Lady Flash‘, there are a clutch of highly promising new songs played tonight, as well as a genuinely heartwarming vocal performance from drummer Chi on the piano-led ‘Did You Feel It Too‘. It’s rare to see a band having as much fun (if not more) than their crowd – most of whom by now are quite rightly bouncing around like demons on hot coals.

They may have kept a relatively low profile for the last year or so, but if tonight is anything to go by, then The Go! Team are set for one hell of a return when their new album is released in September. Until then, performances in such intimate venues are to be treasured.

Alex Gosman

Camden Underworld
04.07.07

Since the smoking ban was enforced, it’s become a bit easier to breathe in the stifling conditions of a sold-out Underworld. Gunrack probably don’t realise this, however, as that they have to take the stage mere minutes after doors opening. Their ragged punk tunes are impressive enough; so it’s a shame that there aren’t more punters around to hear them.

However, the World/Inferno Friendship Society are nothing short of a revelation – and deserve plenty of kudos just for managing to squeeze all nine of themselves on the small Underworld stage. This punk/cabaret crew have a large following in their native New York, and it’s not hard to see why; as tonight they bring a party atmosphere like few other bands can; Singer Jack Terricloth is the perfect host, with his friendly demeanour and self-deprecating humour – and when he asks us to form couples and waltz to ‘Brother Of The Mayor Of Bridgewater‘, the size of the waltzing throng speaks volumes.

After the WIFS’ stage presence, it feels somewhat odd to see the stage go back to a basic punk rock band setup. Thankfully, Against Me! are not just any old punk rock band; and when the crowd are singing your songs long before you take the stage, you know you’re onto a winner. Sure enough, the Underworld goes utterly beserk as Tom Gabel and co rip through the opening ‘Problems’, and the energy level never drops throughout their entire set.

It’s a joy to witness the sea of pumping fists (and stagedivers) that greet old favourites like ‘Pints Of Guinness Make You Strong‘, and to hear the crowd almost drowning out Tom’s vocals on the rhythmic stomp of ‘Don’t Lose Touch‘. They’ve always been a great live band, but tonight is a true reminder of just how much Against Me! are loved on these shores.

Their newer efforts may lack the gritty edge of their earlier folk-punk offerings, and the heat in the Underworld may verge on the unbearable; but when faced with a performance this good, it’d be churlish not to thank Against Me for reminding us just how good a punk rock show can be.

Alex Gosman
Photo from www.myspace.com/againstme

London Astoria
02.07.07

It’s never the most satisfying of experiences to play to a half-full venue, and tonight, The Maccabees‘ urgent, choppy post-punk attack is initially met with relative indifference from a crowd who are largely here for one band only. Still, the Brighton quintet give it their all, and can count the applause they receive at the end of their set as a small victory against the odds.

With forthcoming album ‘Our Love To Admire‘ rumoured to be their best yet, and two nights at the Alexandra Palace already confirmed for November, it looks like venues as intimate as the Astoria will soon be distant memories for Interpol. They take stage dimly bathed in blue lights, and as the opening notes of ‘Pioneer To The Falls‘ ring across the auditorium, they set the tone for the evening.

However, it’s not a tone of despondency, but of intimacy. On record, Interpol may come across as a dark, slightly morbid bunch, but onstage tonight, they’re clearly delighted to be able to engage with the audience in a manner that an arena just wouldn’t allow. Whilst singer/guitarist Paul Banks is largely happy to stay anchored by his microphone, bassist Carlos D and Dan Kessler are hopping and dancing around stage to the taut post-punk rhythm of ‘Slow Hands‘, ‘Obstacle 1‘ and future classic ‘The Heinrich Maneuver‘. Is that a smile we see on Carlos’ face as the crowd sing along en masse to the anthemic chorus of ‘Evil’? Those many Joy Division comparisons of old seem increasingly inadequate.

The devoted fans in attendance may know just about every song inside out, but there’s still a strong surprise element in the fact that Interpol have never looked so comfortable in the live setting. They may prefer their stages darkened, but they’re going to have to get used to the limelight.

Alex Gosman

Bush Hall
27.06.07

I’d never been to Bush Hall before last Wednesday, but as soon as I walked in and moved into the main room, I was in awe. It’s not the best venue I’ve ever seen, but there was something about its ornate structure that really lent itself to me.

So when I stood near the stage, before Chromeo had even stepped out, I was smiling and when the DJ mashed up Salt N Pepa’s Push It with Bump by Spank Rock, I knew I was in for some fun.

Then it was time for the main event as Dave1, complete with mocassins with no socks, tight jeans and a dipping V-neck t-shirt under a cream blazer and P-Thugg with his doo-rag and thugged out mentality took the spotlight. They came to the stage as the intro to their new album played, a track which is an anthem in itself, before launching into Tenderoni. From the end of that song on, frontman Dave1 didn’t stop smiling, a genuine smile too, as the crowd were immediately dancing and singing along.

Breaking out the tracks from their first album like Needy Girl, Rage!, Woman Friend and the always brilliant sing-a-long You’re So Gangsta, they looked like they were having fun, something that wasn’t lost on the crowd who reciprocated the love. Throughout the set, the duo’s stage presence was always full of light heartedness and when they played together, back to back, it was a sight to behold.

They strolled through new tracks such as Fancy Footwork, Bona Fide Lovin’, My Girlfriend’s Calling Me A Liar and the sweetly piss-taking Momma’s Boy [“Girl, you got it so bad, when the only boy you know is your day and boy, you got it so wrong, when you look into her eyes and all you really see is your mom, cos you’re a momma’s boy, momma’s boy”] and after they left the stage from their 2nd encore, we’d been treated to as fun a show as I’ve been to in ages.

P-Thugg and his voicebox were brilliant and Dave1’s camp dancing brought that extra touch of 80s chic to the occassion, making sure he was as smoov [“always with a V people” he told us] as he could possibly be. And when the frontman of a group says “I don’t care how tight your jeans are, or how gangster you think you are, you’re gonna dance”, you know there’s only one thing to do…

Abjekt.

Scroobious Pip v Dan Le Sac
100 Club
13.06.07

The 100 club wasn’t packed by the time we got in there, but looking around showed a veritable who’s who of the grime and UK hip hop scene. Dotted around the venue were the likes of Sway [wearing his own merch], Skinnyman [who didn’t stop dancing], Fire Camp, Ghetto and more. My thoughts on Scroobious Pip can be viewed in my El-P review, and I’m sticking to my guns. He didn’t get a great response, which came as no surprise, and soon Bizzle took to the stage.

Alongside his hype man 2Face, Bizzle strode on stage with a larger-than-life gold chain to match his larger-than-life charisma. Breaking out his MySpace favourite Dickhead, which Sway was singing along to in the crowd, Bizzle set the tone for the rest of the night, bounding around the stage and getting himself and the crowd hyped.

He raced through some new tracks, including Babylon’s Burning with a special appearance on stage from Akira The Don and the new single Bizzle Bizzle, both of which got a great response from the crowd. But he also hit us with some old favourites from Uh Oh to Fire and even More Fire Crew’s Oi before blazing out with Pow!

Bizzle is is a man full of charisma, energy and fun and all of these things came through in his live show. With his new album coming out very soon, he did himself no harm tonight – a quality show.

Abjekt
Photo by Chris McShee

Shepherd’s Bush Empire – 26.6.07

Tonight is the final show of Devo’s first UK tour in 17 years, and it seems that absence really has made the hearts grow fonder. It may not have been a total sell-out (probably due to the rather pricey tickets), but a brief glance at the queue outside the Shepherd’s Bush Empire reveals no end of Devo-tion on show from the fans; many of whom are adorned in trademark Devo yellow boiler suits and red ‘energy dome’ hats. Fashionable they certainly aren’t, but such dedication makes for a great atmosphere – and let’s face it, there are plenty of bands out there that would envy such a partisan following.

But then, Devo aren’t – and never have been – like most other bands. Bizarre sartorial sense aside, the Ohio quintet’s heavy use of synthesizers effectively paved the way for New Wave music in the late 70s, whilst their fascination with the concept of devolution (effectively, evolution in reverse) offered plenty of lyrical food for thought. Something of a geek’s wet dream, then, but it’s hard to argue with tunes like ‘Girl U Want‘ and ‘Whip It‘ – most of which still sound as good tonight as they did back in the day.

Their surreal sense of humour also remains intact after all these years; with guitarist Bob Mothersbaugh shuffling onstage in a zimmer frame before casting it aside to play his instrument. The band may be well into their fifties (with the exception of drummer Josh Freese), but they sound superb, and look as endearingly ridiculous as ever. We’re treated to plenty of robotic dancing, and a change of stage garb to black, cyclist-esque outfits; but nothing can quite top vocalist Mark Mothersbaugh‘s re-appearance as the band’s beloved ‘Booji Boy‘ creation for the finale of ‘Beautiful World‘. Dressed like a schoolboy and singing in a falsetto, he is an indication of why Devo fans ultimately learn to expect the unexpected.

“How many of you believe that devolution is real?” asks bassist Gerry Casale, to cheers of affirmation from the crowd. “You don’t have to look very far for evidence, do you?” A fair point, indeed; and reason enough for Devo to have a good laugh behind their detractors’ backs. Here’s hoping we don’t have to wait another 17 years for their return.

Alex Gosman

The Scare,
Mean Fiddler,
12.06.07

A couple of songs into The Scare‘s set, it’s apparent that they’re facing something of uphill struggle in terms of engaging the crowd – most of whom are either tired from work or still recovering from last weekend’s Download festival.

Still, the Aussie quintet pull off a fine performance, with efforts like ‘Irony’ and new single ‘Bats! Bats! Bats’ sounding like the Icarus Line might if they decided to molest new life into Gang Of Four’s funk-punk legacy. Live-wire singer Kiss Reid’s antics may provoke little more than polite applause, but you can’t fault him or his band for enthusiasm.

Let’s face it, if anyone was gonna get the party – Satellite or otherwise – started, it’s Perry Farrell. Boasting the energy of a man half his age, his new act thankfully forsakes the usual self-indulgent ‘super group’ clichés in favour of sparkling sex-rock anthems that boast as much sass and swagger as the man himself. Never a man to be shy of his past, he even throws in a few Jane’s Addiction numbers for good measure, which finally whips the venue into the dancing frenzy that tonight has long called for.

His between-song patter may veer from the entertaining to the plain confusing (“The Milky Way? Ahh, that’s not so good…I’m headed for the Milky Avenue!”), but when faced with a performance this good, you can’t help but cast aside your cynicism, and just believe.

Alex Gosman