A Destructive Issue, Leeds Packhorse
I’ve been quite vocal about the lack of a crowd at local gigs in Leeds, but the 80 who turned up on Saturday made me eat my words. Good job too, as three Leeds-based bands did themselves proud and turned the Packhorse into a sweaty mess. Locals IMPURE are up first, but without a drummer they go for an acoustic set which, at first, starts badly out of tune. The trio, led by a female vocalist who appears to have a classical background, grow in stature but never really threaten the judges – a couple of poorly chosen covers don’t help matters. You get the feeling that if the vocalist broke the shackles she could push the band in the right direction. (4)
ALL ITS WORTH lost a band member, split up, re-formed, gained a new band member and appear to have gained a new lease of life. Tonights gig is easily their best yet. All four band members show a passion and intensity that I’d not seen before. Vocalist Becky has a voice which is an acquired taste, but there’s a vitriol in the air tonight which gets the venue hot under the collar. At times the songs are on the basic side, but the new material gets better and better. If only they played like this every night – consistency is the key. (8)
Lots of people would say that Winchester hopefuls Second Monday are the best young band in the country. Now I’m yet to see SM live, but Leeds teenagers A DESTRUCTIVE ISSUE will easily give them a run for their money. I first saw them on my birthday at the Cockpit and was struck at how much presence they had for a band that averages just 17 years of age, even if the songs themselves were a little rough around the edges. Six months on and the band sound huge – not only have they ditched the Thrice-esque guitar parts, they’ve turned things up a notch and de-tuned their guitars even more. Now they pay homage to bands like Hopesfall without ever needing to borrow their sound – everything is heavy; the basslines inventive and the vocals charismatic. Their stage presence is huge too, even on a small stage they literally own it. I’ve seen professional US touring bands with just half the oomph these guys do. Trust me, the track on the ‘Un-Scene’ CD doesn’t do these guys justice at all. If you believe the word on the street it would suggest very large indie labels are already interested. It wouldn’t surprise me. Give them a London showcase and I’ll show you a dozen label offers – ADI are the best young unsigned band I’ve seen all year. (9.5)
Paul
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