Been a while since I was in this old place, beneath the streets of Camden in the strange little hangout that is the Camden Underworld. As myself and Simon queued outside, hordes of kids wearing giant trousers and wallet chains kept going past. Eh? Surely this isn't the audience for the show? Nope. It turned out that the 'mighty' Blink 182 were elsewhere in town. Poor kids. Blindly going to the gig that Kerrang told them to, whilst under their noses, one of the better shows to take place this year is about to happen. After about 30 minutes the queue was done and we were inside, taking up residence at a table that would later become a merch stall. A particularly bizarre incident number occurred when Simon was talking about the band Horace Goes Skiing. When in walked members of the band, Horace Goes Skiing. Wha! Lay odds on that one Mr. Bookmaker. Same sorta thing happened later on when Ian and Russ turned up. And he we were again, the old 'crew' back at another show.
Around 8:20pm, Sunfactor hit the stage. Not literally of course. They were supposed to be on 2nd, but those dictator fascists in Jets to Brazil wanted Euphone to go on before them! Pah! Whatever, the 'factor were up for it, and some nigh on perfect sound coaxed out a great set, with Nic's passionate vocals as spot on and effective as I'd ever heard them. They kicked out the emo rock jams in the first 4 songs, and I was even indulging in a spot of dancing at one stage, I think their more upbeat songs are totally more effective, as was evidenced by one of the last few songs they played which was apparently really old "We found it under Graham's bed" suggested Nic. I suggest they put it back again. Whatever, the set as a whole was fantastic and hopefully they'll have converted a few more kids to the cause.
Euphone were on a little later, after finally figuring out the complicated problem that Americans seem to have with our power supply. You'd think that someone would actually inform them as to the differences as some point. Anyways, after they used the microphone for the only time in the entire set to announce "You'll probably fucking hate us anyway" they appeared to go down a storm, based on the clappage received. Although my infidel gig companions were baffled and only Russ was heard to give a comment that was anything more than negative. It must be hard to replicate their laid back and relaxing loungey, electronic laden insturmental grooves in the live format, and a couple of the tracks lost me, but once I figured out that if I shut my eyes it sounded 10 times better, I got into it. I was figuring this was because closing off the visual element allowed my brain to keep up with what was going on aurally. Heh! Maybe. Yeah, enjoyable. For me at least.
And finally, the main event, Jets to Brazil. Although they started at 10:10pm which would later mean me and Simon making an early exit. They kicked in with a number of tracks from the album, sounding as bang on form as you'd expect from a group of such experienced musicians. It must be second nature for Blake to play guitar these days, and that was evident from how relaxed he was. Everything flowed brilliantly, almost too much so, it was like having the album played back for you, especially as they indulged in minimal stage movement. Once they started playing the new material, things got a little more interesting. I would suggest Jets are moving in a much poppier direction, the new stuff was Bouncy. I already put in the capital B. It did come across a little Britpoppy in places, but this was head bobbing stuff, rocking! The next album will be a stormer, I'm telling you now. So as 10:50pm dawned and me and Simon made a dash for the exit, Jets continued to play. Great set, can't wait for the new stuff.
We made our train by 10 minutes, and began the search for our pre-booked seats. "No bookings on this train sir" said the conductor. Oh? So we can sit in first class without fear of reprisal? He either didn't hear, or wasn't about to say that we couldn't, so the 2 hour journey home was enjoyed in the comfortable surroudings of class one seats, oh boy oh boy. Smooth end to an enjoyable show.
SOUTHPORT / SERPICO / SHONBEN / JINX - The Cartoon, Croydon, 20th December 1999(review by Martin Brown)
Excepting Jinx, does anyone see a theme here? We've got Southport (ex Snuff), Serpico (ex Mega City 4) and Shonben (ex Broccoli). Yes, you've guessed it! They all begin with "s". But let's not forget local ska-punk munchkins, Jinx. Drawing a typically large local skater crowd, the 3 piece romped through old faves like "Smug", "Find Your Friends", "Last Laugh" and "Cherry Bomb", as well as a bunch of new stuff, which is sounding better and better. Lord's vocals are improving, Jamie's basslines are getting funkier, and Sam's drumming is getting steadier, and as soon as that new full length is out, I'm getting a copy! For those of you who don't know the Cartoon, it's not exactly the biggest stage, but the amount of amps on there was huge, and the whole thing was actually pretty loud. Shonben came up next, and as expected, the pit disappeared. However, undeterred, Scott, Janet and Graeme blasted out a punkier set than their demo had suggested. In fact, the whole thing did at times sound very Broccoli! But that's not to say Shonben are a carbon copy, far from it. The band have far more grace and depth than the late legends, and are able to incorporate some innovative parts I never really heard from Broccoli. Songs like "Keep a Secret" are a testament to that and I am now officially a total fan! Serpico bounded on afterwards and played a tight and intense set. Their trip was very MC4, but with a weird Hooton 3 Car meets Small Brown Bike vibe. I would have adored their set if they hadn't gone on so bloody long. Seriously, there were times when we were just looking at one another wondering when they would stop. But it was all good fun, and the band deserved the good feedback they got. Finally, Southport began. I'd heard "Work" from the Snuffy Smile comp, but like Shonben, Southport were far louder and more aggressive than I'd ever imagined they'd be. The sound generated from only 3 people was pretty phenomenal. Best band of the night, which considering how great Shonben were really is something.
rhodes - the dublin castle, camden town nw1, 30 november 1999 - (review by J Aston)
Sandwiched between Alma Luna and Coasta, this was a weird mix up of a line up, but tonite it was the confident scars made by northern stars rhodes which cut deepest. From the beginning the trickle of false starts made by the in-house sound guy couldn't catch this bunch out. Taking no shit, rhodes used this wind up to launch into their set with twice the attitude, their sound permanently 2 inches from your face from bar one.
There's no doubting their seriousness. The told you so's, the I don't need you's, the screw you's. They all come out as rhodes confront the audience with home truths, no matter how much they might hurt. "All your heroes will let you down eventually..." advises singer Jason. They know. They've been there, done that, smashed up the video and slashed the t-shirt. Take heed of their warnings, and watch your backs.
Southport, TV21, Candy Cadets - the Joiners, Southampton, 12 February 2000 - (review by Ian Cavell)
Ok - its time to resurrect the live reviews once again. The more astute reader will realise this is just another excuse to blather on about the wonder that is Southport but more about that later.
First band on tonight, Candy Cadets. They were, if nothing else, entertaining. Tonight had to be the first gig, they'd lost both their original and stand-in bass player's and they played bad poppy punky type stuff. The lead singer looked like a 12 year old Amy from Neighbours. I'd be lying through my skin if I said they were any good but it was good fun none the less.
Grover had had to pull out which might explain why TV21 got to play what seemed like a 7 hour set. Surfy-punk with all sorts of groovy covers - I enjoyed this band a lot more tonight than on previous occasions. I mean, its hard not to like a band that covers 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' theme tune.
And finally, Southport. They have a 7" due out on Fuxony/Spanking Herman records and possibly an album on Rugger Bugger and to be honest the quicker these two records appear the better. This band are amazing. I guess you could describe them as melodic punk but they have a definite edge over the current batch of UK bands. I think it lies in the song writing - it does take a few listens before the songs start to sink in but once the songs are there, well.... I'm just glad they play Southampton so often. Great gig.
Ex-Cathedra, Annalise, Destructos, Ted Kennedy's, Catharsis - the Joiners, Southampton - February, 2000 (review by Ian Cavell)
Mixing it up good and proper tonight - pop-punk, melodic punk (yes there is a difference), a Dead Kennedy's covers band, some ska-punk and a whole lot more besides. Ahh, the beauty of a diverse bill. First band on tonight were Catharsis and although we didn't see the whole set I saw enough to convince me that I'd like to see more of this band. And while they looked a little disinterested at times they certainly cranked out some competent melodic-punk numbers. If they have a 7" out I would definitely get myself a copy.
Anyway, next the Ted Kennedy's played some covers by a certain well known punk band. They might have been good, they might not. I saw two songs before I suddenly started sweating all over. Shit, I felt ill. Of course, my first thoughts were to blame the huge vat of vegan bolognese I'd cooked up earlier (and scoffed too much of at that) but it was probably more to do with the knock on effect of last nights drinking. I think I would have been ok but we ended up going to Students Union, on a friday, it was packed and the beer tasted like wee. As the first chorus of some Steps song kicked in, I was hit by the cold, sharp shock of realising that I was sober and with the impending horror that was the next five hours looming I'm afraid I folded and ordered a lot of vodka. Consequently tonight I felt more than a little peaky.
But, none of this has anything to do with the gig so we'll move swiftly on to the Destructos. All the way from Glasgow and like all the other Scottish bands I've seen over the past year they're just so fucking polite! Musically, for some reason, I had this band pegged as being shit but how wrong could I be. Hard hitting pop-punk which certainly impressed me - I think I'll dig out that old 7" that I've got hidden somewhere (and knowing me, probably only listened to once).
And now onto the highlight of the evening : Annalise. By now, my throat had started to clog up and my phlegm was at that hardened consistency where you can add a good couple of metres to your maximum spitting distance (yet more info you didn't need to know). But that wasn't going to stop me from enjoying a great set from Annalise. Their album has grown on me leaps and bounds - I mean, with songs such as 'Hit the Bottle' its hard not to be impressed. They were great tonight although a very lethargic reaction from the Joiners crowd can't have created much in the way of enthusiasm. In fact the set was over far too quickly but they did squeeze in 'Best Years of Your Life' and 'Signposts and Alleyways' before they left. The previous times I'd seen Annalise live they hadn't played the latter which always left me a little disappointed as words can not express how much I love that song. But they did tonight and for a brief couple of minutes I forgot that my throat was fucked, my legs were wobbly and my energy levels were at rock bottom to go for a little 'dance'. All in all, a great set marred only slightly by the first of tonights fuckwit's acting like a dickhead (mate I hope you're back hurts like hell tomorrow morning).
But anyway, Ex Cathedra round off a good gig by playing some really catchy ska-punk. And this be good ska-punk : gravely vocals and infectious tunes (a nice combination if you ask me). I'd imagine the lyrics would make good reading too and their CD has definitely shot to the top of my current wants list. They seemed to play for ages but that was ok because I was far from bored. The only downer was yet more shitheads who lacked any basic level of respect for the people around them. This kind of thing really bugs me - people being violent at gigs. Boisterous well, yeah, that's ok. I mean, you kind of expect it really. But if I want to see two dickheads push people around and try and beat up themselves (and other people) I'll go to Ikon and hang around outside after kicking out time or something.
Anyway, the fuckwits excluded, this was a damn good gig.
Chokeword, Aside, OneXMore - Voltz, Southampton - March 24th, 2000 (review by Ian Cavell)
Chokeword, featuring one Tony Suspect, were the first band to play tonight. This was their first ever gig and the intimate atmosphere of Voltz made for an ideal setting. I thought they were pretty good, cranking out some competent hardcore with a couple of songs that hinted at sounding pretty special after a couple of listens. I look forward to seeing them play again (and soon hopefully).
Aside were playing yet again, and they were a lot better tonight than when they played with the Parasites. Some nice youth crew styled hardcore here, complete with Youth of Today cover and all. I like the way they seem to acquire a new guest vocalist every time they play but if they carry on at this rate they'll need half of Southampton to turn up just so they can finish the set. Good songs - I'm really beginning to like this band.
The headliners tonight were OneXMore, a band that I literally knew nothing about bar what was printed on the flyer. And that flyer is long lost but I think it said something like "SxE hardcore from Belgium". I'm sure it didn't say "fucking amazing hardcore like you would not believe, miss this band if you dare". Because that's what it should have said. It took one song to ignite Voltz and the place was just mental for the next half an hour. The amount of energy that this band possess is unbelievable. And OneXMore's blend of powerful, full on SxE hardcore with awesome vocals and just the right amount of melody completely floored me. And of course, three (count them three) minor threat covers were more than gratefully received.
OneXMore : probably the best band ever to play Voltz (although Scuttle would be a close second) - wow! If you get the chance to see them play - DON'T let them pass you by.
At The Drive In, Dead Inside, Grand Central, diSOMA - Joiners Arms, Southampton - April 7th, 2000 - (review by Ian Cavell)
Nearly, very nearly, missed this one. Of all the stupid things I've done I think getting on a train to Southampton without my house keys must rank quite highly. I've learned today that (1) yes, I am stupid and (2) pay phones on trains may seem like a great idea but they are in fact a big steaming pile of shit. Soooo... I was more than a little stressed getting into Southampton but hey, I'd heard people saying ATDI were awesome live so I wasn't about to pass this up.
Shame the first band on tonight were diSOMA who play 'electronic post-rock' (according to the flyer - I really am getting lazy these days). They've added a drummer instead of the programmed drum beats they used to use and I while the sound is certainly stronger I still don't rate this band. Oh well, at least they don't have an Atari ST for a band member anymore.
But Grand Central, now there's a band that do rock. I think they were a little sloppy tonight but they do the whole Sensefield styled emo-rock thing really well. Two or three songs really struck a chord with me and the sooner these guys get a 7" out the better.
Dead Inside. Ex-Shonben. WHAT THE FUCK! Shonben split? What, why, when and how? Shonben were just fucking amazing and beat everyone in the beautifully melodic yet staggeringly powerful music stakes. So what's Scott doing up on stage with this band Dead Inside? The flyer also says ex Hard to Swallow and guess what - Dead Inside play hardcore. Take away the singer and this band sound good but the harsh vocals just didn't sit well with me. Or maybe its just because they're not Shonben. Grrr.
Anyway, tonight's main attraction was At the Drive In and I really had no idea what to expect. But if I was to come away with one thing tonight it would be the most intense live performance you could ever hope for. Five guys (two of which look they've only just escaped from the 70s with their big 'ol hair) and a very unique sound indeed. I suppose the core of ATDI is a big hardcore sound but with a bit more ingenuity - keyboards, strange vocal effects and other such rarities for a punk/hardcore gig. Musically, there's so much going on its sometimes hard to take it all in. But with the lead singer jumping, gyrating and twirling like a mad man while doing all sorts of dextrous trickery with the microphone you guaranteed a visual treat at the very least. I was certainly impressed and my non-punk but hip-hop & drum n bass loving house mate who I dragged along to this one gave ATDI a thumbs up. Guess that means ATDI are a bit good then?
pop unknown, sunfactor, beezewax and maybe another?
the peel, kingston 30th september 2000(review by Dan Baker)
well, an interesting journey it was from uxbridge to
the peel in kingston. it took about a million years to
get to kingston station and when we arrived we
realised we didn’t know where we were going. so i came
up with the bright idea of asking the first person we
saw with a backpack and nhs specs if they knew the way
to the peel. and lo and behold the first person we
asked of that description was going to the concert and
told us we got off at the wrong station and would have
to take the bus. so we did.
by the time we arrived we just saw sunfactor going on
so missed the other bands. i just had time to
famaliarize myself with the surroundings before
sunfactor started their first song.
i’m going to make a radical statement here (especially
considering how much the other collective members seem
to like this band) but sunfactor are not that special
really. in fact, they want to be spy versus spy. when
one song started we actually thought they were
covering spy versus spy until the substandard vocals
came in. i just wasn’t, and never really have been,
impressed by them. they're, well, boring.
anyhow so after a drink, a browse at the cd stall, pop
unknown come on, do some feedback laden noisy intro
thing and then play a set of pop songs. although i was
annoyed that they didn’t play my two favourite songs,
the slow and thoughtful 'follow you' and 'an offering'
i really enjoyed bouncing my head to the simple catchy
rhythms layered by three guitars with tim lasater's
cheeky vocal style harmonized by, erm, the guitarist
with the funny eighties hair that almost looked like a
reverse mullet. They even did an encore. how
unpunkrock is that! and amidst lots of banter about
texans and requests for iron maiden and slayer i had a
damn good time.
the only problem was that we missed the last train and
had to take a bus to wimbledon but we met two guys
called james and dave(?) so i just want to say hi to
them for the great conversation we had about skulls.
Urusei Yatsura / Jackie O
Roadhouse, Manchester 19th October 2000(review by Tony Saunders)
Good to see the Roadhouse quite full for the under-publicised low-key return of the Peel-championed Glasgow bouncy indie-popsters Urusei, returning to the fray after being dumped by their record company following 1998’s superb ‘Slain By...’ album. Nowadays they’re all DIY which must be a good thing as it means that this gig is surely going to be a playing-for-their-musical-lives-in-a-big-fuck-off-to-the-industry-and-popular-music-press-critics punk rock type affair. Well, at least that’s the theory...
First up is noisy local four piece Jackie O who tread a fine line between Pixie-esque brilliance and an arrogant tuneless wall of choppy sound. After a jittery start they grow with each song and are about the best thing in the world for ten minutes. If they practised a bit of quality control songwise and swapped the irritating tortured frontman routine with something more accessible they could become really quite special.
And so to the return of Urusei and the frenzied pogo-ey backlash to all their ‘just another past-it obscure indie-pop band’ doubters that will blow us all away on a rollercoaster of perfect pop gems and give-a-fuck enthusiasm. Right guys? Only it seems that no one bothered telling the band. And they are sluggish. While the music is as ultra jump up and downy as expected no one’s actually doing any jumping, as Urusei’s resigned apathy spreads like particularly not-very-wild or even fiery erm... wildfire to the whole crowd. The new stuff sounds great, the old stuff is timeless but it just seems like a forced trawl through something that died along with a record deal. Which is a huge shame, especially as they were so faultless at the Sheffield Leadmill only days earlier. And that at least offers a glimmer of hope that maybe this gig was but a glitch in the armour of a band that will hopefully survive recent setbacks to get on with what they’re best at: and cliched or not that is making fantastic three minute singalong pop songs.
Rating: 3/5
Dragging the whole band thing back to its simplest 'guitarist, bassist, drummer, singer' line-up, rhodes are proof that a little can go a long way. Darting bass-lines and loud schizo guitar elevate the set far above the three chord wonders that seem to have become customary at this venue. All this with the hidden strength of being able to come down from their guitar speed rushes of 'Wake Up' and 'Certain Things', into the most delicate and beautiful 'High Living', whilst still instilling a fear and trepidation that at any moment one of them is going to kill you.