Nerf Herder, Sheffield Corporation
Note : This gig took place on Friday the 18th of July
After the disappointment of a pile up on the M1 meaning a NERF HERDER and CAPTAIN EVERYTHING no show last time they were booked at the Corp, I was looking forward to the rescheduled gig and the brand new supports and after a last minute addition to the guest list, I was on my way.
The afternoon before the gig was spent at a ‘BBQ’ (Read : Piss Up With Food) so by the time I arrived at the illustrious Corporation, I was in the perfect mood for an evening of throwing myself around the ‘pit’ to some stupidly energetic bands, and what better way to fulfil this than to the bouncy pop injected punk rock of local favourites MYBE. Some regular readers of my reviews may think I have quite an obsession with Ross, Jim and Jez, and they’d be right. They are like David Sneddon to my Avid Merrion … possibly. But seriously, with a new album on the way, some fresh new songs that have a certain maturity to them (structure and melody wise, not lyrical stylings and live execution!) and a constant buzz about them live, how they have been routinely ignored by the next level of the underground punk rock scene in this country baffles me. (7)
Due to excessive bouncing, I am officially knackered by the time WORM grace the stage. Coincidentally, my energy levels seem to match those of the band who appear to have lost all the sparkle of yesteryear. This may have something to do with the main talent in the band leaving, but we won’t speculate on these things. They used to be humorous, refreshing and energetic while knocking out some prize 2 minute punk pop tunes, but recently they have become a shadow of their former selves. Unfortunate really, but WORM serve to impress nobody tonight. (5)
Thank god for NO COMPLY. There are few live bands in the country at the moment who consistently impress at all times, but NC are one of them. Kelly is the jewel in the crown, prowling the stage like she literally owns it, and with Jon spontaneously combusting beside her and the perfectly timed brass interludes complimenting the crunching hardcore riffs and time changes, who could fail to be impressed? I think this is the fourth time I’ve witnessed No Comply live, and aside from a minor blip in Leeds, they have belted out song after song of the highest quality combined with a brutally energetic live show. The best thing about them is that they still have so much potential. Fantastic, but give them a year and they’ll be even better. (8)
Which leaves NERF HERDER to top off the evening. I never realised how much of a following they had until tonight, but the gathering throng of braying punters let out a rapturous welcome to the four geeky yet cocky middle aged men who clamber upon the treacherously high corporation stage. Nerf Herder are the musical equivalent of Ronseal. They never claim to be anything more than a simple four chord pop punk band with massive sing a long choruses and dumb as you like lyrics about being a loser or ridiculous things like Jackets and Hospitals. So for your pains, you get the dreary ‘Nosering Girl’ next to the exhilarating ‘Jacket’, and the tiresome ‘Diana’ alongside the chucklesome ‘Courtney’. It’s all very hit and miss, but at least it puts a smile on your face. However, points must be immediately docked for yet another bloody joke about Def Leppard. Yes, they came from Sheffield, yes we all know it, but no, you don’t have to mention it in a bid to win familiarity points. (7)
All in all, an enjoyable night. Not the greatest thing to hit Sheffield since steel manufacturing, but not the worst export since the Human League. I could probably think of better ways to spend a Friday night, but unfortunately Christina Aguilera was unavailable and my shipment of crack cocaine and caviar hadn’t arrived yet. Which is a shame.
Ross
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