My Dad Joe, Camden Underworld
*this show was at the Verge*
My emotions from this show are all a little mixed; happy yet angry, pleased yet disappointed. It certainly was different. Firstly, to say I’d been looking forward to this show would be a big understatement. There had been much pre-match hype and I was a little worried expectations wouldn’t be met. Secondly I was really gutted Route 215 didn’t get a chance to take to the stage and show the 200 strong crowd why they are everyone’s favourite band right now, but more of that later.
CHASING DAYLIGHT were first on stage and performing as a band for only the second time. All signs of nervousness were unapparent however, as they had the presence of a band much more experienced than they actually are. The young 4-piece play a fruitful blend of emotive pop-punk with a dash of skate-punk thrown in for good measure, I even heard them sound check a ska influenced song earlier in the night. The only downside of a fusion of this type can make a set seem a little disjointed at times, however, their enthusiasm (which they carry in large sacks!) will carry them along until the decide on their specific genre route to take. Chasing Daylight have good ideas and I will monitor their progress with great interest over the next year as I’m sure they will bloom into a solid band as the talent is obviously there. (6)
SHORT WARNING are definitely on their way, exploding into the metaphoric premier league of the UK scene and tonight they show why. Although their performance was not the best I’ve seen from them, they really did seem to have a glow about themselves. The reason for this, I expect, is their new material, which got an airing to a much appreciative crowd; it really is something special. Considering the limits on the inventiveness 3-piece pop-punk bands can have, they’re starting to stretch boundaries. The only faults on show tonight were the more straightforward, popier songs sounding a tad complacent and not as biting and memorable as the little gems they have in their set. I should think with their confidence continually growing as a live act, they will soon be a force to be reckoned with. (7.5)
It’s been a long time since I saw FASTLANE play last and I must say how impressed I am at how much they’ve improved. Not that they were bad before, but I couldn’t remember anything from their set. Now however as I’m typing up this review I have a whole medley of their songs running through my head. Fastlane have an incredible knack of writing viciously catchy songs and the ability to pull them off live. As well as this priceless quality they are very entertaining to watch; bass swinging-round-the-neck antics never grow old! It’s also fascinating to see a frontman prowl the stage and growl like a demonic hardcore singer changing to sing in the ultra melodic way the crowd witnessed. I have a feeling everyone will be hearing a lot more of this band in the not so distant future. (8)
MY DAD JOE were on top form tonight, in fact they were on fire! The band looked like they were really going for it tonight and the crowd were loving every minute of it. A lot of new material was being previewed from their forthcoming album but already a large percentage of the crowd were getting into it as much as the older classic MDJ tunes. This just shows how insanely catchy MDJ are and no matter how many time I see them play I never tire from the pleasure of the catchy hooks, Paulo’s distinctive voice, Andreas’ “witty” banter and Lags’ general rock star-ness. All this as well as some of the fastest drumming you’re likely to hear MDJ are more than capable of making some big waves in the scene. (9)
Unfortunately during their set some low-life scum decided it would be fun to pierce a pipe in the loos and flood the place causing a great risk of electrocution, so the whole show had to get aborted and thus cut MDJ’s set short. Obviously everyone was gutted, angry, disappointed and frustrated at what happened, as the show, from where I was standing anyway, was going so well with such a really good vibe and Route 215 were yet to come!! A lot of people left the show with bitter tastes in their mouths which is a crying shame as all the bands were awesome and everyone was having such a great time. It’s always some idiot that has to spoil it for everyone.
Mike Frankal
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