Graveltrap, Rugeley Red Rose Theatre
@ The Pitz, Milton Keynes, Sunday 9th May
Moon Ska have never been a label I’ve been particularly into, nothing against them just never really been a fan of any of their bands. But I thought I’d venture into Milton Keynes on a lazy Sunday afternoon to check out some of their roster on tour. I’ve only been to the Pitz once before but didn’t mind returning as it has an awesome sound and a massive stage giving bands the ultimate rock experience. After getting lost in the town resulting in a two hour hike across shady housing estates, fields and along side dual carriageways I can safely say I found Narnia, oh I mean the venue.
Unfortunately I missed first band DUMPSTER POP but arrived just in time to see Manchester’s SONIC BOOM 6. What struck my dehydrated self first was the lack of members; it appeared that the saxophonist/vocalist was absent. Obviously this was going to make a huge difference to their performance but somehow they managed to pull it off extremely well, I was very impressed. And although there wasn’t as much presence as usual there was, if that makes sense. Either way the crowd seemed to love their eclectic mix of just about everything (a Dizzee Rascal reference in a punk song isn’t all that common) performed with large dose of charisma. (7.5)
Now, I’ll be the first to admit I’m incredibly unfit these days and that two hour hike really did take it out of me; I also didn’t really know who was playing tonight, but when BABAR LUCK of KING PRAWN fame came on stage holding an acoustic guitar to say I was a little shocked would be an understatement. I wasn’t really in the mood for what was possible turning into the weirdest day in a long time, so I went to the bar to re-hydrate and came back just in time to catch…
…ZEN BASEBALL BAT, who were very good indeed. In the record store where I work, there’s been a ZBB album on the bargain shelf for ages now an I’ve always avoided it I think I’m going to buy after seeing their performance. The multi-membered ska band was a hell of a lot of fun and I can’t think of too many bands who use a keyboard so well. Although feeling completely shattered, I really enjoyed ZBB’s set which put a massive smile on my face. If Butlins got an in-house ska band, they would sound like ZBB but in a good way as they were so much fun to watch and most of the crowd erupted into a huge skank-fest.(8)
Local pop-punk legends GRAVEL TRAP were headlining tonight’s show after returning from touring. And although these two factors would normally result in a great way to end the night I was rather disappointed, even the crowd looked a bit bored by the end. GT, although very energetic and enthusiastic in their performance just sounded quite scrappy and generally not that great. On paper I should have liked this band, fast pop-punk without a clichéd whiney American voice, usually my cup of tea. But there was just something about them which I really didn’t like. Maybe it was the over swearing at the crowd after every song, maybe it was that they were really sloppy. Either way I was not impressed. (5)
Mike
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