Post by markwj on Jul 15, 2010 22:09:57 GMT
United Front, xHaroldshitmanx, WheelchairWheelchairWheelchairWheelchair, Skullet
Speakers, Colwyn Bay
9/7/10
Advertised as a night as hardcore, that turned out to be the bread in a surprising sandwich of bands. I’d started the evening plotting with Jamie from Bastions over in Bangoraye then got the train straight through to the Bay for this. Not many here really, there does seem to be a hell of a lot of gigs on at the moment, is there enough people for them all?
A timely arrival, as Chester’s Skullet were set to go. Only their second gig, my recollection of their first with Vice Squad over there was minimal due to my drink being spiked like it is every time I go out. This time recalled and enjoyed them far more, yes, early days and a bit rough in its presentation but they mix their hardcore with an almost Motorhead-like blues/rock swagger at times. Throw in a misfits cover and it’s good start
After chatting with the jovial young Jocks of Wheelchairx4 (an accepted abbreviation I think) on the merits of Doom I was a bit jaw dropped to say the least when it turned out their take on hardcore was that put through the blender and fired from the circus to create insane grindcore. Just a two piece of drums and guitar, both supplying vocals it’s blasting, screaming mayhem, referencing as much of the old school UKHC of the likes of Intense Degree as the more recent standard bearers like Insect Warfare. What a fierce treat.
Incredibly, that was almost just a warmup for their fellow touring Scots from xHaroldshitmanx. As if the name wouldn’t give you enough of a clue, the fact they consist of half of the mentalists Mafafi (drums and singer now on guitar) could indicate that this was going to go a bit nuts. And it certainly did with a blistering mix of power violence and grind, though there was a lot of interesting dissonant creation and drop down structure in their songs too. Huge distorted bass and a screaming vocalist backed up by the rest of them, the insanity kept a smile on everyone’s face, especially as Mafafi man continued his roaming tendencies to bring the show to those who thought they were safe outside.
It could have been anticlimactic to shift down a gear after that eruption of noise but Salisbury’s United Front were literally a force in their own right. Unashamedly following the lead of the classic aggressive NYHC like the mighty Terror and SOIA they had a massive heavy groove and chug to their riffs. Also hitting the spot was the harsh, gruff vocals yet clear enough to create some great chanted chorus hooks with all the backing, especially with the positive lyrics. There may not be a great deal to distinguish them from the legends they aspire to but always onto a winner with this formula with the crowd here, just hope they weren’t too disappointed to come all this way for not much of a turn-out.
A great selection of bands, and fair play once again for Speakers maintaining the diversity.
Speakers, Colwyn Bay
9/7/10
Advertised as a night as hardcore, that turned out to be the bread in a surprising sandwich of bands. I’d started the evening plotting with Jamie from Bastions over in Bangoraye then got the train straight through to the Bay for this. Not many here really, there does seem to be a hell of a lot of gigs on at the moment, is there enough people for them all?
A timely arrival, as Chester’s Skullet were set to go. Only their second gig, my recollection of their first with Vice Squad over there was minimal due to my drink being spiked like it is every time I go out. This time recalled and enjoyed them far more, yes, early days and a bit rough in its presentation but they mix their hardcore with an almost Motorhead-like blues/rock swagger at times. Throw in a misfits cover and it’s good start
After chatting with the jovial young Jocks of Wheelchairx4 (an accepted abbreviation I think) on the merits of Doom I was a bit jaw dropped to say the least when it turned out their take on hardcore was that put through the blender and fired from the circus to create insane grindcore. Just a two piece of drums and guitar, both supplying vocals it’s blasting, screaming mayhem, referencing as much of the old school UKHC of the likes of Intense Degree as the more recent standard bearers like Insect Warfare. What a fierce treat.
Incredibly, that was almost just a warmup for their fellow touring Scots from xHaroldshitmanx. As if the name wouldn’t give you enough of a clue, the fact they consist of half of the mentalists Mafafi (drums and singer now on guitar) could indicate that this was going to go a bit nuts. And it certainly did with a blistering mix of power violence and grind, though there was a lot of interesting dissonant creation and drop down structure in their songs too. Huge distorted bass and a screaming vocalist backed up by the rest of them, the insanity kept a smile on everyone’s face, especially as Mafafi man continued his roaming tendencies to bring the show to those who thought they were safe outside.
It could have been anticlimactic to shift down a gear after that eruption of noise but Salisbury’s United Front were literally a force in their own right. Unashamedly following the lead of the classic aggressive NYHC like the mighty Terror and SOIA they had a massive heavy groove and chug to their riffs. Also hitting the spot was the harsh, gruff vocals yet clear enough to create some great chanted chorus hooks with all the backing, especially with the positive lyrics. There may not be a great deal to distinguish them from the legends they aspire to but always onto a winner with this formula with the crowd here, just hope they weren’t too disappointed to come all this way for not much of a turn-out.
A great selection of bands, and fair play once again for Speakers maintaining the diversity.