Ten Foot Pole, London Camden Underworld
Gig took place at the Islington Academy
I thought this show was going to be at the bigger downstairs venue so after a nasty shock which involved a near miss with almost walking straight into an INME gig after a bastard three and a half drive to London I was more than a little bemused. The said drive (or crawl along the M25 as it were) led me to missing the opening band, PHINIUS GAGE which was a right pain in the proverbials. Sorry guys.
However I did just about arrive in time for FOUR SQUARE, TFP’s touring partners. When they came on stage and introduced themselves I thought they announced themselves as Four Star, so all the way through their set I was trying to make up a witty analogy about them and the now almost defunct fuel type. But alas, it was wasted. Anyways, I was impressed by them. FS ply their trade with a catchy typically American sounding emotive pop-punk but rather well; proving that if you’re going to sound like an American band, actually being American is a big help. They handled the crowd, who had probably never heard of them, as easily and as a confidently as a headline act could; plenty of humour and banter, plus they had the music to boot. Good stuff. (7)
I’ve been to the Bar Academy a couple of times, but never ever seen a crowd get particularly excited. That was of course, until 10 FOOT POLE came on and proceeded to shred up the stage up in a manner Edward Scissorhands would be proud of. What was even better was that the opening dialogue of IRON MAIDEN’s ‘Number of the Beast’ was played out over the P.A as they came on. I couldn’t believe my luck; easily the best opening to a set ever. What also seemed fitting about this was the long haired lead guitarist of TFP actually had all the moves of proper hair metaller and threw better poses than THE DARKNESS could even dream of let alone stylishly execute. They aren’t many authentic 90’s skate punk bands about these days so it was a real treat seeing them play, and so well at that. The crowd were really into it as well which always creates a good atmosphere and along with the bands humour in between songs it led to a thoroughly enjoyable set indeed. (8.5)
I was surprised I enjoyed the show so much; I’d seen NOFX play a blinding set the night before, had a bitch of a journey to the venue and missed the first band. But there is no better remedy than seeing a couple of decent bands in a nice atmosphere in a nice little venue.
Mike
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