No Comply, Camden Underworld
As a charity event it’s genuinely pleasing to see so many quality bands congregating on one bill to play only for petrol money and the overall result is that there isn’t a single bad band on display here tonight. I missed the first couple of songs from C.A.T.C.F. but what I did see was at least a suggestion that this young quartet will hopefully grow into a vital band. I’m not sure how their melding of ska and riff-laden hardcore will mature but when they hit the high gears they’re a blur of energy and sledgehammer guitars (when they’re working, that is) and while they’re by no means the finished product tonight they simply did as best they could. The (6) they get could very well mutate into higher as the months and experience pass by…
Derby’s FALLOUT40 then proceed to donkeypunch the crowd into submission with a series of searing riffs, piercing screams and ocean-sized choruses. It might be common knowledge that I simply cannot stand anything even remotely emo and that’s why F40 impressed me so much, because they were able to switch from gorgeously understated melody to balls-out hardcore at the blink of an eye, showing a confidence and level of comfort onstage that belies their youthful appearance. Polished without being slick or sterile, this lot could well turn a few heads in the coming months because if they can make a jaded, cynical old arsehole* like me punch the air in sheer delight when the driven punk harmonies dissolve into a riotous cacophony of screams and yelps then they MUST be good (8).
The South-London sextet COLONEL MUSTARD took to the stage and there followed half an hour of crazy ska rhythms, bad dancing and worse stage invasions, but it was one of the most purely enjoyable sets I’ve seen in a long time. Guaranteed to piss off as many people as they delight, the ‘Mustard certainly know their way around a few catchy hooks and perfectly-timed ska breakdowns, and the one band name that kept running through my head was that of Lightyear. With a bit more focussing on the best bits of their songs and crafting them into balanced anthems, as well as retaining the sheer entertainment factor of six people obviously going nuts, they could eventually become as well-loved as our dearly departed legends…(8)
I didn’t manage to see much of ONE CAR PILEUP so I won’t rate them, but what I did see was ace! Punchy, melodic punk rock played at breakneck speeds, with a solid stage presence that calls to mind a slimmer Pennywise or a heavier Vanilla Pod is right up my alley, and I’m only pissed off that I didn’t buy a CD at the end of the night. Must hear more of these guys.
But then the ever-pedestrian SONIC BOOM SIX sloped onstage and the night took a swift downturn. Without an iota of energy or a hummable tune, they look every inch the wannabe…only joking, SB6 were absolutely on fire tonight and by far the best I’ve ever seen them! Laila’s backstage nerves translated into an edgy, feral performance while Dave was tighter than lycra on Rik Waller, throwing out riff after riff with equal measure precision and power. From the divine ‘Northern Skies’ to a couple of new ones the ‘Boom easily upstaged last week’s show (to be fair, as soon as they walked onstage they were one up) and banished all suggestions of cobwebs. A blindingly visceral performance that soon had the crowd absolutely lapping up every rhyme, beat and even the woop woops (London does seem to love a good woop woop once in a while) that only confirms just how exciting this lot are just now (10).
Even though it’s tough to follow SB6, the mighty FOAMERS stepped up unassumingly to the plate and threw themselves headlong into a performance that further cemented their burgeoning reputation as a band to take notice of. Kerem and Christian bounced off each other to entertaining effect, with their beery punk rock being frankly perfect for a pissed Sunday night and the almost-packed Underworld sang back every chorus and danced for every song. As the set went along they became a little sloppy, but nevertheless showed that their particular brand of abrasive punk is becoming more and more competent with every passing month. I hadn’t seen them for almost two years but tonight they were superbly on form. (8)
And what can you say about tonight’s headliners NO COMPLY? Simply adored by everyone here tonight, the Plymouth mob went about the business of rock with poise and violent energy and showed just why they’re currently turning every head within a ten-mile radius of wherever they go. To be able to chuck out a salvo of such quality as ‘Misuse of Control’ and perhaps their greatest moment ‘Future Template’ mid-set is a gesture of supreme confidence, and while the crowd loved ‘Lifetime of Destruction’ almost as much as old favourite ‘Your Life’ it’s clear that broken sax or not (c’mon Matt, last two times I’ve seen you the EXACT same thing happened!), the ‘Comply are frankly awesome to watch. Jon is a spiky riff-machine, throwing himself around into various rock-god poses and shapes while Kelly has that undeniable appeal that manifests itself both in the nut-tightening scream and the numerous cheeky grins that are flashed at will, demonstrating both a confidence onstage and the slightest inkling of just how many people absolutely love this band. If there’s any justice (and I mean any) then they’ll be headlining big summer festivals next year (9).
Roll on Goodstock V!
Ben
*I’m not actually that old. I just feel it sometimes.
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