Sonic Boom Six, Ferryboat, Norwich
Note to self: never, ever attempt to have any hand with the putting on of an all-dayer again.
(Oh yeah – I watched some of POWLEY, DUDE ON A MISSION and 7 THE HARD WAY but because I was still so chronically hungover I wasn't able to stay for the entire sets so I can't really review them. Sorry chaps.)
Derby's THE POUNDSTRETCHERS were the first band to play after my stomach had stopped trying to invert itself, and they blasted through a set of 18 punk rock songs in under 30 minutes while managing to stay tight and energetic throughout. Apart from a few problems with their sound they were a solid band, mixing melodic vocals with straightforward punk rock, quite like The Swingin' Utters with more personality. Even though they were relatively unknown they acquitted themselves finely and won more than a few friends. (8)
BOSSEYE were up next and rocked hard. With a combination of ska punk and a more dub-inflected sound they showed a large amount of control with their tunes, veering from one extreme to the other with impressive confidence. What most pleased me was the fact that even though they were very conscious of what makes ska so familiar, they used it to create a sound that was unique – I'll be sure to check these guys out in the future. (8)
Then PIXELFACE played the Fezboat for the ninth time. We...had fun.
Have ONSLOW put in a performance as good as this in months? Doubtful, because tonight Greg shows his mastery as a frontman, marshalling the band into being as tight as I've ever seen them, while having the crowd in the palm of his hand from start to finish. 'Forced Imagination' is going to be a classic in the style of the already-stunning 'Lost Days', and 'Lenny' just gets better and better. I've seen them a ridiculous amount of times, but tonight they were on fire. (9)
After being rescued from Morrison's car park 3DBS DOWN step up the plate and proceed to rip out an alarmingly tight set of quality ska punk. They're possibly one of the most vocally impressive bands I've ever seen, with a constant array of three-part harmonies that aptly subtitled the gorgeous guitar melodies. Spanning all-out rock to one of the most sublimely low-key moments from a punk band (no idea which song it was, but everything stopped bar a few plucked notes), 3dbs could really grow into something special. (8)
Brighton's PHINIUS GAGE were up next with a set consisting of tunes both new and old. 'Fires Burning' and 'Timmy' were lapped up, while new song 'If You're Listening To This Then I'm Dead' reduced the Ferryboat to a fevered pit of sweat and flailing limbs. Ben slotted smoothly into the performance and while PG weren't the tightest I've seen them, they certainly put everything into it and came out on top. A storming performance, and I can't wait to see them here again with The Mercury League. (9)
But then SONIC BOOM SIX step onstage to an adoring crowd that sings, raps and shouts along to every single word – they've come so far in a year that it's quite scary to think where they could be in 2006. Everyone knew the tunes, so it was up to the band to put in a performance that could match the anticipation and they did it with room to spare. Clambering all over the Ferryboat's weird cage/barrier Laila and Ben worked the crowd like Axl Rose prowling around the enormodomes of the world, exhibiting control and poise while hurling themselves about while Barney and Dave ripped out lacerating riffs and thick, efficient basslines. They're just insanely good live, and trying to break their performance down is like trying to mathematically explain music – it doesn't convey half the excitement and adrenaline of an SB6 gig. Covering both The Clash and King Prawn within four songs could be a sign of arrogance in some bands but with the Boom it's an overwhelming self-awareness that works perfectly, and shows a maturity that most bands can only dream of. (10)
Ben
Thanks to everyone that came for making it such a memorable night!
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