Two Day Rule, Sheffield Corporation
Summers here, the temperatures are sky high and the sun is always shining. People are sipping pina coladas on the beach, relaxing and topping up their tan or splashing about leisurely in the swimming pool.
Alternatively, you could be in Sheffield, where it’s fucking boiling but chucking it down with rain at the same time. A glorious combination, I’m sure you’ll agree. Still, with Gem aka Starsbeatshearts putting on her first gig under her new promotions moniker, I braved the weather and buggered off to the Cricketers form some ska-tinged jiggery pokery. This was kicked off quite nicely by local ‘super-group’ (sic) DOGGER. Flying the flag for Dronfield, the boys took their laid back funk-tinged pop to a whole new audience and, despite their mistaken perception that they were having a bad gig, proceeded to thoroughly impress the gathering crowd. While there are flashes of genius in the amalgamation of sounds that the boys (and girl) play, there are also flashes of occasional horror. I think it’s impossible to not at least tap your foot to the music they play, but some of the lyrics, despite not trying to be at all serious anyway, are really quite cringe worthy. ‘Fuck Off And Die’, for example, is a great little song save for lines harping on about wanting someone to die because they smell. There’s a fine line between entertaining juvenile humour and pre-school warbling! However, to say I was dreading seeing my friends in Dogger play because I was worried I might hate them and not be able to say it to their face, I’ve been pleasantly surprised on both occasions by the quality of musicianship and the originality of the material. (7)
Manchester based THE FRACTIONS were up next and seemed to have a combined age of about 33 between the 5 or 6 of them. Unfortunately, they really didn’t grab me at all and the generic ska punk they seemed to be playing merely increased my need for a chip butty from the café downstairs. Sorry guys!
All the way from Southampton, WORKIN LUNCH (with Lucky Goldstar?) sauntered onto the ‘stage’ (ie. The floor) suited and booted and ready for action. I really had no idea what to expect from this band, but my god, all my unexpectations were soon blown away by the spectacle that unfolded. Seemingly teaching a lesson in how ska should be played, the southerners played a set of Sublime tinged ska, RX Bandits influenced flourishes and the occasional glimpse of the Pietasters, as well as some seriously catchy lyrics and sporadic bursts of full on punk rock. Tight as a ducks arse, toe-tappingly catchy and generally excellent, they’re welcome up north again anytime! (9)
Headliners TWO DAY RULE seem to have been around for a while without really breaking through that annoying glass ceiling between mainstream success and underground admiration. But then, who’s to say they want to? With Owen Wilson on guitar and a petite yet seriously powerful frontwoman playing guitar and belting out some ridiculously high notes, every song has punch and power and every guitar lick and lyric is delivered with panache. ‘No Doubt’ is an obvious highlight for me, having heard it on a Rocksound Cd ages ago and it being a staple part of any summer mix tape, but the new stuff sounded equally impressive. The chemistry between Owen Wilson (haha) and Angela for songs such as ‘Nothing Serious (It was like Sonny and Cher for a minute there!) certainly adds something to the mix and if Two Day Rule aren’t one of the best power pop bands in the country right now, I’ll eat my belt buckle. (8)
A big round off applause has to go out to Gem for the success of her first show as a Sheffield promoter, and long may it continue. However, the antics of drunken Arwell threatened to overshadow the evening and seriously embarrass Owen Wilson, as well as the gathering throngs in the pub downstairs during a rather risqué game of pool. It’s lucky he doesn’t know any better or there could have been a star-studded punch up between the star of Starsky and Hutch and PT’s very own alcohol fuelled psychopath!
Ross
*This gig was at the Cricketers
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