Tsunami Bomb, Camden Dingwalls
I hadn’t been to a show at The Barfly for ages and I forgot just how much of a nice little venue it is, barring the drug touts hassling you on the way through Camden. Ok, the sound quality isn’t the best in the world, but when it’s packed like it was tonight, the atmosphere is quite special as it’s really intimate. This in fact, was what made the show so memorable, seeing a fairly well known American band in a tiny venue which was completely packed, all be it mainly drunk teenage girls, or at least it was wherever I seemed to be standing…aaaanyways…
Deck Cheese’s pop punk maestros NOT KATIES were the only support band of the evening, but by all accounts they got a crowd response which made them look like a worthy headlining band. A small pit was going throughout their set and generally they went down really well and got the crowd more pumped than a steroid addicted weightlifter. What I find with NK is that when they rock they come across much better than when they slow things down. Don’t get me wrong I don’t mind a ballad here or there, but what I mean is that their set seemed to be split between softer pop-punk (which just seemed a bit too nice in places) and more aggressive poppy skate punk; the latter of which is where I think they show their talent; big riffs, stacks of energy but still maintaining the catchy melodic hooks. (6.5)
This was TSUNAMI BOMB’s first UK headlining show and they sold the place out with AGAINST ME! playing 500 meters away at The Underworld and as a result, they’re coming back for another date clearly by popular demand. On tonight’s performance I can see why they’re that popular, they simply just put on a really great show. I’d only really heard ‘Take the Reins’ (which co-incidentally sent the crowd into a wild frenzy) before tonight and I wasn’t really expecting find myself getting into their set but by the end I was lapping it up along with the rest of the crowd. Front woman, Agent M, other than having an excellent live voice, is probably the most charismatic and likeable front-women I’ve ever seen; completely controlling the crowd whilst still clearly having fun at the same time. That’s not to detract from the fact the rest of the band all combine to make a really enjoyable show. They were incredibly tight without compromising any energy or enthusiasm and I just felt quite privileged to be there; something I haven’t felt for ages at a show. Top Stuff indeed. (8)
It was nice to make a return to the Barfly after a lengthy absence, I must go to shows there more often as it provides an excellent venue for an intimate show in a comfortable yet lively atmosphere which is exactly what tonight’s show was. And I didn’t even have to buy any drugs from the local skag dealers on the walk through Camden High Street.
Mike
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