Tag: live review

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Live Reviews

The Offspring live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

London,
6th June 2012

‘Here’s a song from our new album!” Those dreaded words come courtesy of Offspring main man Dexter Holland as his band launch into new single ‘Days Go By’, which is greeted with little more than polite cheers and nodding from the sold-out crowd. At best a pale imitation of the Foo Fighters’ ‘Times Like These’, it doesn’t bode well for the Californian quartet’s future, but thankfully it’s the only slip-up of the evening.

An evening that, incidentally, is all about the past. You’ve got to hand it to Holland and co; it’s been well over a decade since they last made a truly great record, but they’re smart enough to realise their glory days are behind them, and to play what we want to hear. To that end, they’ve lured us into the Empire with a tasty carrot; the prospect of hearing 1992’s ‘Ignition’ album in full, which lends the evening an almost tangible sense of occasion.

Excitement trumps age tonight, with the largely 30-something crowd going crazy as the band rip through the likes of ‘Take It Like A Man’ and ‘Burn It Up’; songs infused with the kind of verve and black humour that has been sorely lacking in their recent material. A spine-tingling ‘Dirty Magic’ rivals even an encore airing of ‘Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)’ in terms of sing-along volume, and after a short post-‘Ignition’ break, the mid-90s highlights come thick and fast. Road-rage anthem ‘Bad Habit’? ‘A couple of rarities here and there? Mega-hit ‘Come Out And Play’? Check, check and check – all delivered at breakneck speed and precious little fuss.

The days of plying their trade in sold-out arenas are long gone, but as ‘Self Esteem’ seemingly transforms the floor into a giant riff-powered trampoline, it’s clear that The Offspring’s live show – on a good day – remains the ace up their collective sleeve. Sparks of the fire of old still remain, and these middle-aged men can still kill the old way.

Alex Gosman

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Live Reviews

Slayer live at ATP

ATP at Alexandra Palace,
London May 25th, 2012

Too many folks out there seem to associate ATP events with satchels and hairslides, when in fact they’ve often boasted more than a smattering of quality heavier acts. This year, they’ve even been kind enough to book a whole afternoon of such acts, with Yob, The Melvins and Wolves In The Throne Room impressing the early birds. The ace up their collective sleeve, however, is getting legendary doom-mongers Sleep to slow things down to funereal pace, before giving us a rude-reawakening with the almighty SLAYER!

In case you didn’t know, all is not well in the Slayer camp, with guitarist Jeff Hanneman still on a forced hiatus due to a bout of necrotizing fasciitis (that’s inspiration for their next album in the bag, then). But just as a tiger will attack if cornered, Slayer have decided that attack is the best form of defence against life’s adversities, and the opening brace of ‘World Painted Blood’ and ‘Psychopathy Red’ sound utterly fucking venomous.

The real reason why we’re all here, though, is because Tom Araya and his not-so-merry men have promised us a run-through of their classic ‘Reign In Blood’ in its entirety. Even in the cavernous confines of the Alexandra Palace, ‘Angel Of Death’ still sounds as crisp as on record, and twice as brutal, igniting a warzone of a pit. Even a restarted ‘Reborn’ can’t derail this thrash metal bullet train, and by the time that immortal title track arrives, we initially struggle to hear guitarist Kerry King over the voices of the crowd singing along to THAT riff.

As they bid us goodnight with a suitably brutal ‘War Ensemble’, you can’t help but wonder how many other bands sound this good, past their 30th anniversary and minus a key founding member. If ever Slayer regain their full strength….then Satan help us all.

Alex Gosman

Watch footage from the show from James Sherry’s man cam hands and note that this week he thought an RT meant the Radio Times!

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Live Reviews

Yelawolf and Doomtree live at the Electric Ballroom

Doomtree14th May 2012

London

Whilst many of the fans inside London’s Electric Ballroom may have been waiting for Alabama’s finest, Yelawolf, a good portion of them were there for the support, the Minnesotan crew Doomtree, who were making their UK debut. Being a support act isn’t easy at the best of times, but with a large crowd in front of them, it was going to take something special to get the atmosphere going and a frenzy whipped up, but within one song, the seven-strong crew had done just that.

With Paper Tiger and Lazerbeak in the back manning the decks and live drums, the five MCs bounced around on stage, each taking their turn to showcase their talent at the fore, getting hands raised, fists pumping and wings-and-teeth handsigns well and truly taking over the crowd. From old favourites like Slow Burn to brand new tracks from their latest crew album No Kings like Little Mercy, Bolt Cutter and No Way, the energy levels never dipped below 100% and many, many new fans were made.

When they dropped their aptly titled banger Bangarang, it was game over for any cynics. The beats bumped and the rappers were fully on point. POS and Mictlan in their ripped denim and leather, Cecil in his understated yet devastatingly smooth steez, Dessa with her singing and rapping that simply demanded attention for all and Sims who bounced around and told the crowd who they were watching and loving, all combined to prove just why they are such an exciting proposition and even POS’ new track Get Down, which no-one had heard before, had the entire crowd going nuts to a bonafide club smasher.

Yelawolf may have had his name on the ticket, but it was Doomtree that took over the show. Now we just need them back for a headline show.

Abjekt

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Live Reviews

Ceremony live at Rock City, Nottingham

22.03.12
By Mark Taylor

Walking through the crowd, vocalist Ross Farrar jumps on stage, only to grab the mic and jump back in as the band launches into ‘Hysteria’ from their latest offering ‘Zoo’. Disappointingly, the crowd don’t really respond and keep a safe distance back – this all changes when the band kick into ‘Sick’ though (from the excellent Rohnert Park LP) and everyone surges forward, no longer worried about being hit my the singers mic stand that he waves wildly around his head.

The rest of the set continues with material heavy from the bands last two offerings, which depart from the more straight forward Hardcore of the Violence LP and embrace the stranger side of Punk Rock, from ‘Brace’ to ‘The Doldrums’ and then into their cover of legendary Dischord band Red C’s ‘Pressure’s On’, it’s like watching a nervous breakdown, the desperation on the singers face says a lot, and though unsettling, you know it wouldn’t work any other way.

Ending the set with ‘End’, the last forty minutes have been an intense, bloody, beer soaked mess with the odd mini riot thrown in for good measure. Ceremony proved tonight they are a great band who have the ability to drop an explosive show and push the boundaries on the punk scene. Don’t miss it.

Watch James Sherry’s pit cam footage of Ceremony playing the Fighting Cocks in Kingston from this UK tour.

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Live Reviews

St.Spirit live

Glasswerk night at The Old Queens Head
Islington, London
10th August 2011

st.spirit_liveIt’s not often you hear tracks by unsigned bands that are so good that you find yourself traveling on the way up to North London, two days after riots have dominated the news. The destruction and terror that emerged this week is only a mile or so from the Old Kings Head in Islington but it did not deter St.Spirit from pulling their show here tonight unlike others out there.

This brand new band from Richmond are made up of five 19 yr olds, who have all schooled together and spent time in a spare room of their parents houses to record what you hear on the web today. The harmonies that each individual member brings to this band form a blanket of lush melodies that compliment lead singer, Myles McCabe’s vocals. In fact, they do it so well that the time and effort behind the scenes for all of this to click so perfectly could only come from dedicated planning to rehearse for such a performance. Everyone has a microphone, drummer and keyboard player included and they are spot on with their delivery.

Musically, this band are playing their own style of heartfelt indie. Every song is awash with intricate musical parts that build beautifully and fade to piano and pre made samples, revealing the imnpressive production levels of this band. Their heroes of My Bloody Valentine may be sonicly more powerful live but the likes of The Maccabies and Coldplay may be more of a starting point in terms of where this band are sat between sound wise. Throw in the swirling, heavyness of Radiohead and you are somewhere close to the mark.

Tonight’s most memorable song is Build A Fire, mainly due to the band’s wonderfully crafted, animated video that is currently attracting attention out there. it was edited by one of the band’s Brothers for fun and conjures up the artistic and thoughtful nature of their music, which only adds to the intrigue of this bands aspirations.

It may be their 7th gig ever, but St.Spirit proved tonight that they could probably be one of those bands that could potentially be headlining the Garage just up the road from here sometime in 2012. If that happens, they may just be that band that cause a riot of their own. Look out for them.

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Live Reviews

Eager Teeth – live

Eager Teeth
Purple Turtle
16th July, 2011

eager_teethAs yet little-known Brighton-based Rock outfit Eager Teeth are no doubt going to be the band name on the tip of everyone’s tongue in a matter of months. Playing to a sparse crowd at the Purple Turtle in support of Mojo Fury, the band don’t let this dampen their spirits, reeling off raw big guitar hooks against intricate picked-out patterns.

With a solid propulsion of drums and bass, what really stands out is the ridiculously tight vocal harmonies between frontman Will Blood and guitarist/vocalist Gary Yay. Blood has heaps of potential as a frontman though he needs to forge more of a connection with his audience (this will undoubtedly be easier when there is more of an audience to connect with). For now, he’s pinning himself to a stationary mic-stand. But hey, that’s ok as the band’s rip-roaring punk rock tinged with post-hardcore and something a bit more complex shines through.

Eager Teeth do tend to sound a bit Glassjaw-esque tonight. It’s that intense melody-driven vocal which also packs a somewhat violent punch that is reminiscent of Palumbo’s vocal stylings. There are also shades of Rival Schools in what ET do, as well as a bit more of a punk rock backbone which adds something more interesting to proceedings. These guys haven’t been playing together all that long but you can tell they’re ones to watch already. With some honing of their craft through relentless touring, ET will become a force to contend with and you can be sure that those who are lucky enough to catch them live in these early days are going to take note and remember their name.

Just watch this and see if you don’t get at least a teensy bit excited about this new British talent. We’re a lot excited.

Winegums

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Live Reviews

Black Breath – live

The Borderline, London.
July 14th 2011

black_breathOne of Crossfire’s favourite records of 2010 was Black Breath’s undeniable, thrash and hardcore hybrid Heavy Breathing. Having signed to Southern Lord for the release (who can count the likes of Boris, Nails, Earth and Saint Vitus among their roster) the band received wide acclaim for the record, and return to the UK this month for its final hurrah before putting the finishing touches to their next album. Having missed the band at The Borderline last November when they clashed with Touche Amore across town, Black Breath return to the same venue eight months later off the back of a winning appearance at Sonisphere festival.

The band is on top form as they rip through the likes of ‘Black Sin (Spit on the Cross)’ and ‘Escape from Death’ at a frantic pace, so much so that the drummer carries a worried expression on his face as though the whole thing could collapse at any moment. In truth, though, there’s no danger of that, as the band’s rhythm section demonstrate near mechanical levels of control, laying the foundations for searing lines of tremolo picked lead guitar. Their sound is powerful like the best heavy metal bands, but it’s also their directness that stems from hardcore influences that makes them such an intense listen, even more so in a live context.

Two new songs are played from their forthcoming album (due in early 2012, supposedly) which are met with the same enthusiasm as old favourites ‘Eat the Witch’ and ‘I Am Beyond’. The strength of these new songs suggests the band is set to produce a worthy a follow up to ‘Heavy Breathing’, which in itself is a truly mouth watering prospect.

Sleekly Lion

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Live Reviews

Social Distortion – live

London Shepherd’s Bush Empire,
7/7/11

social_distortionFor British Social Distortion fans, the band’s shows are like hot summers – we’re lucky if we get one every few years. Three UK dates (all in London) in the last decade is hardly an impressive track record, but it does lend tonight’s show a sense of occasion, with all manner of punks, greasers and rockabilly types lining the street and pubs outside the Empire. Young or old, they’re a devoted bunch; a fact underlined when Social D frontman Mike Ness invites a couple of kids onstage during the band’s encore. They’ve travelled from Glasgow and Manchester, and like the rest of us, they look pretty damn stoked to be here.

Crazy Arm sound huge for a bunch of skinny guys from Devon. Like the headliners, they’re blessed with the ability to craft songs that are anthemic without being overblown, and the likes of ‘Still To Keep’ and ‘Broken By The Wheel’ are infused with a frenetic folk-punk energy that betrays their rural roots. The applause gets louder with every song, and it’s well deserved, especially from such a partisan crowd.

Cynical folks among us may argue that what we witness tonight is really The Mike Ness Band, but with all due respect to past and present members, Ness has always been the driving force (and main songwriter) behind Social Distortion. It’s doubtful that the Empire will see a louder sing-along in 2011 than that which greets third song ‘Story Of My Life’, and rightly so; for these songs are indeed soundtracks to the frontman’s life of struggle, tragedy and eventual redemption. There’s no bullshit with these guys, and not much in the way of pointless banter; they just rock out with the energy and conviction of a band half their ages, with Ness and guitarist Jonny ‘2 Bags’ Wickersham frequently soloing away down the front into the faces of a sweat-drenched, sold out crowd.

Given the sheer number of classics in their canon, it’s debatable as to whether a perfect Social Distortion set-list could ever exist, but tonight they get pretty close. Renditions of ‘Dear Lover’ (from 1996’s underrated ‘White Light, White Heat, White Trash’) and ‘So Far Away’ are both very welcome surprises, as is the sound of the crowd singing the opening guitar line to ‘Don’t Drag Me Down’. Old standards like ‘Mommy’s Little Monster’ and ‘1945’ are still shot through with anti-authoritarian vigour, whilst at the other end of the timeline, a couple of female backing singers are brought on to add a soulful edge to ‘California (Hustle And Flow)’.

These old road-dogs have come a long way since their fury-fuelled 1980s heyday, but they’ve got no end of stories to tell, and a damn fine way of telling them. Here’s hoping for their swift return to these shores.

Alex Gosman

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Live Reviews

Flogging Molly live at the Garage

29/6/11

“We’re off to Greece this weekend – they won’t know what tear gas is until they’ve seen us!” cackles Flogging Molly frontman Dave King, shortly before his band rip into the barnstormer of a title track from recent album ‘Speed Of Darkness’. Flogging Molly have sold out far bigger London venues than the Garage, and although Dave’s frequent one-liners are hardly the stuff of comic genius, they do add to the sense of intimacy that just wouldn’t exist at, say, the Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Let’s not forget, also, that Flogging Molly cut their teeth in small bars and clubs for quite a while before their hard work started to pay off, so tonight represents something of a return to their roots. By the time they hit the stage, the booze has been flowing freely for a good couple of hours, and the sing-along for the opening ‘The Likes Of You Again’ is proof enough that the band’s loyal following hasn’t deserted them in their two-year absence from these shores.

There isn’t really much in the way of musical surprises on offer tonight, with a handful of newer songs on offer, plus most of the old favourites – the drum and banjo intro of ‘Drunken Lullabies’, in particular, inciting absolute mayhem amongst the increasingly sweaty and delighted crowd. Flogging Molly remain a true band of the people, and even if tonight sees them doing little more than what they usually do (albeit in a smaller setting), they still do it better than most other Celtic punk bands around today.

Alex Gosman

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Live Reviews

DOT-TO-DOT Festival review Bristol

28th May 2011
Bristol

With a line-up of hard hitters such as Trail of Dead, Hurts, The Joy Formidable, We Are Scientists, Dananananaykroyd, Guillemots, Ed Sheeran and a host of local talent, the Bristol leg of Dot-To-Dot seems a scintillating enough prospect even if logistically it would be improbable to catch every act.

With the weather looking a tad dubious, I was pleasantly surprised at the turnout for Allie Moss. The promising singer/songwriter played some impressive folk accompanied by some flawless vocals to a nearly full capacity Thekla.

I headed across to the O2 Academy 2 next to catch some of Bravo Brave Bats. Valiant effort from the alt-rockers but lost in the fact the sound was terrible. Local party-core The Hit-ups open up the larger Academy downstairs to a sparse reception. Synth-laden bass driven post-rap with a mixture of quirky guitar parts energises the ever emerging crowd.

Before Ed Sheeran’s set I managed to bike it up the ridiculously steep hill to The Anson Rooms in time to sample the nu-wave antics of Idles. The racket was tremendous as they weave through a brooding mix of joy division driven melody with an epileptic dash of post-punk. The rest of the festival obviously didn’t get the memo as the band played to an almost empty room.

The bike ride down the hill was definitely easier and was just enough time for Ed Sheeran. After the non- existent turn-out for Idles, I realised the punters were all congregating at the O2 Academy which by this point was rammed. Internet super star and grime aficionado Ed Sheeran is on the brink of consequential success and the turnout showed it. Acoustically in tune with Jack Johnson that intermingles swift rapping and sweeping vocal harmonies, the power is in the delivery, mesmerising the crowd with his finely crafted performance.

It was time again to head back to the Anson Rooms. By this point I was pretty knackered and catching the end of Benjamin Francis Leftwich, who played a humble and subtle folk recital, was quite comforting. In stark comparison Dananananaykroyd explode next onto the stage. The duel assault from the animated front men was a real joy to watch as they arduously execute their brand of indie-punk. It was noisy, fun and cathartic. There was even a moment when the bouncy two broke through the barrier and was amongst the crowd flailing and blaring away with infectious enthusiasm.

I decided to stick around the Anson room for The Joy Formidable whose set annoyingly clashed with We are Scientists. I didn’t regret it as The Joy Formidable were immense. The indie-rock sound was big and bold with leading lady Ritzy Bryan taking the reins and guiding us though the intimately ambitious journey. It was truly hypnotic to absorb Rizty’s presence on stage while an array of songs from their acclaimed debut album ‘Big Roar’ resonated throughout the venue.

If The Joy Formidable was an insightful look at an act destined for potential success …And You Will Know Us by The Trail of Dead are a band that over the years never seemed to meet the commercial expectations put upon them however tonight they demonstrated that 15 years and seven albums worth of experience the still exude a youthfully blistering spectacle. They open with the indulgently epic ‘Will You Smile Again’ and set the tone for a passionately engaging performance. It wasn’t until ‘It Was There (That I Saw You)’ that the density of the sound really engulfs the entire place Within the bands frequent instruments swaps and relentless grandiose noise Trail of Dead blast out some tracks from their most recent release ‘Tao of the Dead’ such as the liberating ‘Summer of All dead souls’ and the fluid and dreamy ‘ebb away’ which seems to have rejuvenated their sound. A dynamic and solid performance from the legendary post-rock veterans and a perfect end to this year’s festival.

Lionel Taplin