Fastlane, Kingston Peel
This gig was at the Guilford Community Centre.
Tonight I remembered why I’m no longer a fan of gigs in community or youth centres: Loads of drunken kids there socially and not caring about the bands, no stage and trouble causing locals ruining what would have been a really good show. But nevertheless there was a good line-up so I made the trip down to Guilford to check out some quality bands. The seductive temptation to visit ‘Laser Quest’ on the way to the venue was almost overwhelming but I refrained. The reason for this most likely being the indigestion suffered from a Whopper meal from a Burger King which had no seats!!! I love Guilford.
SHORT WARNING had the unfortunate job of trying to warm up a crowd of kids that looked like they didn’t really want to be there. Never an easy task at the best of times but after the crowd were unbelievably static after a blistering first song I didn’t think it would be a good night for West London’s fast paced three piece. However they stuck with it and Carl’s energetic frontman antics won over the crowd after a few songs. Anyone that isn’t entertained by a 6ft tall loony with orange hair jumping about like a crazed maniac really needs their head checked. The ‘Warning are turning into a solid band and their speedy mixture of poppy skate punk is winning them new fans all over the place. (7)
3DBS DOWN were next up. I’ve been hearing a lot of good things about this band lately and I can see why; they’ve improved a great deal since I saw them early last year. Essentially ska punk influenced, 3DBs throw in a whole host of genres into their style. I spotted hints of metal and Seattle pre-90’s era grunge breakdowns popping up during their set. It’s not often a band can mix styles that well but Kent’s 3DBs pull it off more than comfortably. The best and most memorable thing about their set was dropping a METALLICA riff half way through a song and the three way harmonies: absolutely fantastic! Buddy Holly and the Crickets would be proud! In a time where punk rock seems to be more a serious business than fun, 3DBs light hearted catchy songs are more than a welcome relief. (8)
Every town has their local ska band. Guilford has DUFF MUFFIN as their in-town brass infused, multi-membered ska-punk troupe. Although they were the local band, they were in my opinion, to high up the bill as both previous bands blew them away. Not that DUFF MUFFIN were bad. They were good at playing what they play. But the mid-paced ska verse with a punky chorus and simple horn lines formula has been tried and tested so many times that it just becomes a tad boring unless a band has something special and from DUFF MUFFIN’s set tonight they don’t seem to have that X-factor that makes a group of more than confident musicians into a good band. (4)
FASTLANE are becoming my new favourite band. While you could debate all day what sub genre you could categorise them into (as they take influence from a variety of genres musically) you will have to accept the fact that FASTLANE rock! Imagine a mixture a beautiful harmonies, crunching guitars, powerful drums and you’re half way there. FASTLANE are amazingly tight musicians with loads of presence and choruses so big they dwarf the Grand Canyon. A band always looks more comfortable on their home turf than anywhere else and tonight FASTLANE were taking advantage of this. They were really on form and blowing everyone away, truly shining like the rock stars they will no doubt become.(9)
I’m only giving FASTLANE (9) as their set only lasted 20minutes at most because some jerk-off thought they’d wreck everyone’s night by setting a fire alarm off. So the Fire brigade came, the Police came and the gig was over. Some drunken locals who apparently wondered in off the street looking for trouble were the culprits, I’m not usually one to jump to conclusions but when the same said people are smashing bottles and looking for a fight after the show I did more than wonder. They should be castrated for ruining a good show.
Mike Frankal
Options:»
Gig Reviews Index
