Home Grown, Astoria, London
The most striking moment of the early part of this gig was the moment I realised that half the crowd was wearing thin scarves…inside…in the midst of the crowd. Surely fashion and health should be able to strike some happy medium? After being treated pretty darn well by Richard and Stephanie I wanted to see whether or not the bands could live up to their billing – I’d been promised very, very good things…
HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW kicked things off, and when they came onstage I’d never before seen the Astoria so full for an opener. Full of the requisite energy and charisma, as well as the customary American politeness when describing every crowd ever as “fucking rad, man”, HIPV trod the fine line between poppy melodies and that harder sound which seems to be flooding over the Atlantic nowadays. To be honest they seemed a bit bland and came across as Finch without the bite; although given a couple of years they could well mature into something pretty good. Tonight, however, they didn’t grab me (5).
I’d been recommended THE EARLY NOVEMBER and wasn’t disappointed – flailing about the expansive stage with enough hair to satisfy the most ardent of metalheads they came across like a more punky Biffy Clyro – something inside me told me to hate them but TEN were irresistible. Like HIPV they weren’t the most innovative of bands, but when the light vocals kicked in with the heavier guitars the end result was just the right side of Brand New-style melodies and chunky riffs. On a slightly smaller stage I reckon they’ll whup much ass (8).
Now here was a band I was NOT looking forward to. When I saw ALLISTER on the recent LTJ tour I was bored as hell during their set – not this time. They were tight, exciting and powerful, sometimes straying towards a more NUFAN/Lagwagon sound. There were times when they slipped into pop mode but when they experimented with the heavier material they really kicked arse. They get a lot of flak for not rocking out enough and to be honest I agree, but their poppier stuff isn’t bad, it’s just not as immediately impressive as when they rock out. I’m going to leave my scene points at the door and give them a nice (9).
HOMEGROWN had all the bounce and melodic nous of a melodic bouncing ball and all the way throughout their set they knocked out pop punk anthem after pop punk anthem. Displaying an enviable confidence on the large Astoria stage, Homegrown aren’t exactly the most innovative of bands (are we seeing a common theme?) but they do what they do extremely well. While it may not be strikingly punchy, Homegrown’s brand of melodic punk rock is never dull and the crowd lapped it up. Maybe I’m getting generous in my old age but there’s something about seeing a band totally devoid of ego and pretension play to a packed room and have a great time. Yeah, so they’re not Bad Religion, but they were good fun, and I can name hundreds of bands I’d see Homegrown over – a (7) with a smile.
Ben
Cheers to Richard and Stephanie for treating me well and making me feel welcome, and to JP for setting it all up.
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