Rx Bandits, Highbury Garage, London
Rx Bandits @ The White Horse, High Wycombe.
I can’t remember seeing the White Horse so packed, in fact it had been quite sparse in recent previous visits, but thankfully tonight was different. The downside of this though was the fact I couldn’t see a thing all night and the overly smokey atmosphere has probably taken a few years off my life but at least I got to see the RX BANDITS.
Local ska legends PUNCHBOWL weren’t on form tonight, I don’t know what it was about their performance, but usually their infectious brass fuelled antics leave me gagging for more. Maybe it was the newer material, which they dub ‘cock rock ska’ which didn’t do much for me; it basically combined metal guitar riffs with chirpy horn lines, anyways, I wasn’t too impressed with it. They did get the crowd moving which is usually a good achievement in Wycombe, and the horns were exceptionally tight which makes a change for an unsigned amateur ska band. I know this band is full of potential and could go a long way, but tonight was the worst I’ve seen them play. (6)
This was the second time I’ve seen DESA on this tour so I knew what to expect. Surprisingly it didn’t really sound much like their previous incarnation; LINK 80. Although there was a ska-core sort of feel behind them, they weren’t really ska at all. Their aggressive and at times, progressive riffs were played out with tons of energy and this is true of when I saw them a week previously too so I get the idea they’re the type of band who always put 100% into their performance, which is always good to see. (7)
Also, and obviously, this was the second time I’d seen Southampton’s HOWARDS ALIAS on this tour. And for the second I just wasn’t that impressed, I just think there’s something about this band I don’t get. Every time I’ve seen them play, which is handful now, I’ve been one of a tiny percentage of the crowd not in aural ecstasy; maybe I expect too much, all I know is if this review was written by anyone else in the country they’d probably score a lot higher. But saying that, whenever I’ve seen them they perform exceptionally well; loads of energy, very tight and they get the crowds moving as well as any other band in the country. (6.5)
Anyone who says all DRIVE-THRU bands sound the same obviously has never heard the RX BANDITS. Tonight’s show was all about them and rightly so especially with the epic set they played; it was over an hour long, now there’s value for money! I was expecting them to be good, but still I was blown away by them. Throwing in a lot of collective influences including THE POLICE, the RX BANDITS really know how to get the mixture right, and it’s really setting them apart from everyone else. They play their instruments so well and the songs came out so seamlessly that I could have stayed watching them jam for a few more hours; absolutely fantastic. (9)
Unfortunately, to quote Billy Corgan of all people; all good things must surely have to end. In this case it was the RX BANDITS’ set which saved the day from being another mediocre, stuffy and packed Friday night in Wycombe.
Mike
Options:»
Gig Reviews Index
