Disorganisation And Some Impressive Young Blood

It’s out of character for me to go and see a band without doing any prior research, but a gig I’d been invited to by a good friend come round a lot quicker than expected, and and my lack of preparation only became apparent on the day itself.

 The band I’m here to see are one of the support bands, and it’s probably the first time I’ve gone to a gig without knowing what the band actually sound  like. Admittedly it’s a bit of a gamble and could go either way, but my friend is full of praise about the band, which I take his word for.

The first support act are Nottingham band Swimming, who have already attracted quite a following, thanks to coverage in the likes of The Guardian and on the BBC website.

Quite bizarrely, throughout the set a surfing video is being projected onto the screen at the back of the stage. It’s similar to the sort of videos which get played in the back of Hollister, only I can’t smell that enticing air freshener they use - all I can smell is lager and stale weed.

A couple of songs in and I have to admit they demonstrate a pretty effective combination of keyboard and synths and the frantic drummer (coincidently better known as beatboxer and  live looper ThePetebox) is certainly a hell of a talented guy.

But the vocals are just too dull and melancholy for me, and if I’m perfectly honest I’ve heard it all before. Don’t get me wrong , I think the band are good at what they do and I can see people buying into this, but the lifeless swaying just doesn’t quite cut it for me, and to be honest at this point I am questioning what I’m doing here.

After a few minutes to digest the last performance Bad Apes, the band I’ve been waiting patiently for are up. As the buzzing three-piece embark the stage they have my undivided attention. My friend has been talking to them throughout the night - a group of unsuspecting young lads, joking and mixing with the audience whilst splitting a 6 pack of beer between themselves.  

I’m still anxious at this point, but then from the moment they launch into the opening song the whole place starts to liven up and it’s clear to see why. Frontman Joe flings himself around the small stage, energetically ripping into his guitar and throwing his powerful raw vocals over the well-constructed combination of the post-hardcore and punk sounds they are creating. 

I must admit I’m quite taken aback by the energy the band demonstrate, to be honest it’s not what I was expecting at all. It’s definitely the surprise I had been waiting for.

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for three pieces, and it’s not something I’ve actually come across very often. It’s certainly a refreshing change to see a young band take on this formation, when there seems to be a number of bands just sticking 5 or even 6 people on a tiny stage and hoping for the best.

With them being the support act, it’s a short but effective set, and without a doubt what I’ve seen tonight I have been genuinely impressed by. Bad Apes certainly do look like a promising band .

Due to the usual bane of public transport I was only able to watch 20 minutes of Norwegian headline act The Megaphonic Thrift’s set, so it would be unfair to judge them without seeing them in full flair. What I can say is that they kind of remind me of British Sea Power, taking catchy and upbeat melodies and occasionally crossing them with heavier riffs and some impressive guitar solos.

So there you have it, the first gig I have attended without prior research into the band. Would I do it again? Well I’d like to think that it was just a one-off and I’ll definitely be more organised next time I go and see a local band. That being said, in hindsight it was certainly a great feeling to be pleasantly surprised and that is something I wouldn't mind experiencing again.

* Pictures courtesy of Jamie Boulton - questionsomething.com