Post by markwj on Apr 28, 2008 16:36:10 GMT
Stuntface, R.A.M-M.A.N., Global Parasite, Rejected
The Black Horse, Birmingham
25/4/08
So after one mellow evening further relaxation beckoned on my free weekend through a trip down to Brum. I’d booked the day of work some time ago in the vague prospect of going to Hannover to see Firewater but that didn’t come to be so this was a timely and satisfactory replacement. As expected, the Friday afternoon M6 was a massive grind (not in a good –core way) but we lightened the trip with thoughts of free dentistry for BNP candidates.
As it turned out we arrived in plenty of time, the venue easy enough to find (unless you were Stuntface!) on the inner ring road in Aston. It was a “rock club” pub (a sign ripe for selective vandalism), pretty decent place of appeal to me with a heavy jukebox. It had inherited this gig due to another old city centre alternative-friendly venue of repute, The Market Tavern, having been bought out by developers. In what was pleasantly surprising here they had invested in the upstairs band room in some decent backline stack equipment and a very loud PA, no half measures. With it being a free gig there was obviously no restriction to the regular crowd there checking out the bands but a fair few of Brum punks had come over for the established quality of some of the bands too, bringing a good atmosphere to the small room.
First up, from South Wales, Rejected. Featuring the guitarist from veterans In The Shit they did play a quite straightforward hardcore, added to a touch by his experience with some subtleties in chords etc. But their run through the usual subjects of worthwhile anger was hampered by a poor main vocal sound and the frustration of losing all backing vocals too, which left them somewhat without hooks to pick up on. These technical difficulties really stopped them getting in their stride and prevented gaining a proper impression of what they could achieve.
We know what the Parasite can and are achieving through their hard work, and tonight that continued. The first time I’d heard a few tracks from their forthcoming album, the furious to and fro vocals are a real strength, though the balance wasn’t quite right tonight (not helped by the mike stand bouncing away in the chaos). And for such a easy going bloke in “real life” it’s cool to see Steve summon up such an empassioned roar, I was also impressed that he also was getting beyond just power chords as those little shifts in tone really add something to the tunes, especially in a 3-piece. Their intensity is pretty unremitting and the entertainment guaranteed, even if Dave was too out of breath to heckle back.
Next up was the local organiser’s band, and with their 3 way vocal attack they definitely came across the best so far in terms of catchy choruses, still overlaid on hectic hardcore. The main vocalist roamed relentlessly in front of the small stage but the there was a real impression of collective effort, all the members focussed on cracking out some excellent tunes. That said they did amusingly pass off some f*ck-ups for ad-libs but fair play for creative thinking. There subject matter had a bit more bit and topicality too, “dig your own grave and save” for example, and I was more than happy to invest in their bargain album to enjoy more later
Finally Stuntface got to the stage only at about midnight, and while initially there were concerns that most there might have had to get the last bus home they quickly drew together those remaining. You could say that it was just more of the same, fast melodic hardcore, but Stuntface are just flawless at that in my opinion. There is a relentless energy and shift to their tunes that never allows a second for complacency, and the raw harmony of Wayne’s vocals makes you pick up and value every line. Added to that with their self-depreciating humour they are confident masters of the stage, their set is a joy. After a “gay intro” remix of their standard “life is loud” as one encore there is a rarer outing for “Black walls” of their latest release, the quality is all of the highest
After, downstairs, there’s a reminder of the risk of the range that comes under the rock banner, as (Non) Bon Jovi is aired for the 3rd time or so, time to hit the road. It’s only some hours later when home I realise how much of a pummelling my eardrums have taken but still look forward to the next time.
The Black Horse, Birmingham
25/4/08
So after one mellow evening further relaxation beckoned on my free weekend through a trip down to Brum. I’d booked the day of work some time ago in the vague prospect of going to Hannover to see Firewater but that didn’t come to be so this was a timely and satisfactory replacement. As expected, the Friday afternoon M6 was a massive grind (not in a good –core way) but we lightened the trip with thoughts of free dentistry for BNP candidates.
As it turned out we arrived in plenty of time, the venue easy enough to find (unless you were Stuntface!) on the inner ring road in Aston. It was a “rock club” pub (a sign ripe for selective vandalism), pretty decent place of appeal to me with a heavy jukebox. It had inherited this gig due to another old city centre alternative-friendly venue of repute, The Market Tavern, having been bought out by developers. In what was pleasantly surprising here they had invested in the upstairs band room in some decent backline stack equipment and a very loud PA, no half measures. With it being a free gig there was obviously no restriction to the regular crowd there checking out the bands but a fair few of Brum punks had come over for the established quality of some of the bands too, bringing a good atmosphere to the small room.
First up, from South Wales, Rejected. Featuring the guitarist from veterans In The Shit they did play a quite straightforward hardcore, added to a touch by his experience with some subtleties in chords etc. But their run through the usual subjects of worthwhile anger was hampered by a poor main vocal sound and the frustration of losing all backing vocals too, which left them somewhat without hooks to pick up on. These technical difficulties really stopped them getting in their stride and prevented gaining a proper impression of what they could achieve.
We know what the Parasite can and are achieving through their hard work, and tonight that continued. The first time I’d heard a few tracks from their forthcoming album, the furious to and fro vocals are a real strength, though the balance wasn’t quite right tonight (not helped by the mike stand bouncing away in the chaos). And for such a easy going bloke in “real life” it’s cool to see Steve summon up such an empassioned roar, I was also impressed that he also was getting beyond just power chords as those little shifts in tone really add something to the tunes, especially in a 3-piece. Their intensity is pretty unremitting and the entertainment guaranteed, even if Dave was too out of breath to heckle back.
Next up was the local organiser’s band, and with their 3 way vocal attack they definitely came across the best so far in terms of catchy choruses, still overlaid on hectic hardcore. The main vocalist roamed relentlessly in front of the small stage but the there was a real impression of collective effort, all the members focussed on cracking out some excellent tunes. That said they did amusingly pass off some f*ck-ups for ad-libs but fair play for creative thinking. There subject matter had a bit more bit and topicality too, “dig your own grave and save” for example, and I was more than happy to invest in their bargain album to enjoy more later
Finally Stuntface got to the stage only at about midnight, and while initially there were concerns that most there might have had to get the last bus home they quickly drew together those remaining. You could say that it was just more of the same, fast melodic hardcore, but Stuntface are just flawless at that in my opinion. There is a relentless energy and shift to their tunes that never allows a second for complacency, and the raw harmony of Wayne’s vocals makes you pick up and value every line. Added to that with their self-depreciating humour they are confident masters of the stage, their set is a joy. After a “gay intro” remix of their standard “life is loud” as one encore there is a rarer outing for “Black walls” of their latest release, the quality is all of the highest
After, downstairs, there’s a reminder of the risk of the range that comes under the rock banner, as (Non) Bon Jovi is aired for the 3rd time or so, time to hit the road. It’s only some hours later when home I realise how much of a pummelling my eardrums have taken but still look forward to the next time.