Reggie and the Full Effect, Nottingham Old Vic Inn
Hottest day of the year 2005, and Nottingham was where I was spending my day. I’ve never been to Nottingham before, and all that I’ve heard about it is guncrime, guncrime. And when I got there and talked to people from Nottingham, guncrime was the topic of conversation. Although, I think the guy who told me his friend had a guy die in his arms from a gun wound may, just may, have been lying.
The Old Angel pub was an awesome venue and after quite a wait for the doors to finally open everyone made their way upstairs to easily the hottest venue I’ve ever been to. Apprently window’s couldn’t be opened because of noise pollution, or something. However, I’m not really sure pollution is the right word for GET CAPE. WEAR CAPE. FLY. This wasn’t my first time seeing Sam blast through his ‘classic’ tunes, but I was happily surprised to hear new songs, as well as altered versions of others. His voice seems to have become stronger and stronger – mixed with the relief of no laptopery mess up’s or technical difficulties it was probably one of the best sets I’ve seen Sam play. (8/10)
As soon as each person, or band finished there was a mad rush downstairs, and then back up when the next band were on. Because of this I missed the drum solo which kicked off THE JESUS YEARS set. I was completely gutted. Solo’s aside – The Jesus Years were amazing. I can’t be bothered to prance about and describe in detail what made them good, because if I’m honest, I just don’t know. But it was pure, euphoric brilliance, despite strings breaking, and a few very minor mistake The Jesus Years managed to restore my faith in everything. (9/10)
Punktastic bad boys, THE MAPLE STATE hit the stage. Now I like The Maple State, I like them a lot. And perhaps it was the heat that did it, but I just didn’t find there performance that enthralling tonight. I sang along and I enjoyed the music they played, but they seemed to chug along too much and didn’t really stand out like they usually do. I noticed a lack of keys as well, I’m not sure if it was the band, or the sound, but either way it wasn’t good! (6.5/10)
It was a little disheartening to see the relatively poor turn out of people for SHOTS FIRED. Regardless, they were total and utter carnage. I stood, watching, in total disbelief that it was even possible to move like that in this heat or break that many strings. But hell! Shots Fired did both and it looked amazing. I think on CD Shots Fired would be utterly fantastic, but live their sound came off a little too raw, and I think it ever so slightly crossed the boundary from unpolished, and edgy – to sloppy and unpractised (which of course, they’re not) Either way they put on a fantastic live performance and if they came over again I would go and see them! (7/10)
MY AWESOME COMPILATION seem to have it worked out. Touring all last summer, then quickly barricading themselves in a recording studio for the whole of winter. Now it’s summer again and surprise, surprise MAC have a new album out and jesus-wept it sounds good. They played an awesome mix of new and old, screaming, shouting, harmonies, keys. It was all there. At times it seemed like one of them may pass out due to the heat and not being able to keep still. But they played through to the end and I was grateful for it. Seeing MAC play, for me at least, is like the start of the summer. And mixed with the lovely weather outside it was just fantastic beyond words. (8.5/10)
REGGIE AND THE FULL EFFECT. When going to see a Reggie show are you paying to see a man entertain you? Or are you paying in to any other normal show and expect a top-notch musician? I think that’s a question you should ask yourself before going to see RATFE, because it’s an important one and saves the cries of “oh that was rubbish" after the show. I for one, loved it. After paying to see him support New Found Glory last year and getting a 15-minute set, seeing him play for just under an hour was incredible. Reggie, or James, seemed to concentrate more on the brutal metal side of things, but threw in some of the synth tinted wonders for good measure. The crowd interaction was like no other, as was his banter. James Dewees, to me, is an entertainer. I was entertained, job done. I had a fantastic night. I appreciate that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But if people couldn’t look beyond the bum notes, and microphone cock ups, then perhaps they should have gone home. (9.5/10)
Can I just say a massive thank you to everyone who put this show on. I had one of the best weekends in a long time, and 6 bands for £5, well... that’s just incredible. Where I’m from you can’t even see six shit local bands for that. So thank you so much. I was also delighted to see the show run through to about five past twelve, with-out anyone ripping leads out, or turning off plugs. So thank you for everyone involved, and everyone that turned up, and made my two hundred miles (each way) travelled well worth it.
Boosh
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