When the chance to see some of the best British talent play out at North London?s swankiest venue arose (don?t get me wrong though; it?s hardly the Ritz) I felt like I had an obligation to attend purely due to the great line up and reasonable entry fee. I missed the openers, IN FLIGHT PROGRAM, however, but joined the moderately sized crowd for?

?HITECH JET, who are I band I can?t really recommend enough lately for one reason or another. I?ll save what they actually sound like for an album review however and focus on their performance tonight. HTJ?s live show is filled with energy both musically and physically, even with a stand-in bassist (Nick from Short Warning) they rocked out in the usual consistently solid and entertaining style. Frontman, Brian, led the band through their set like some sort a warrior with battle cries inclusive yet remaining commanding and most of all convincing. The three-way vocal lines and barrage of distorted guitars provided ample cavalry as they hit the mark every time with a tank full of enthusiasm. If you get a chance to check this band out; do it. (8)

I haven?t seen FASTLANE play in ages, it was definitely before their album got released though and it pains me to say that I forgot just how amazing they are live. Vocalist, Ben, was telling me before their set that they?d only really managed 4 hours sleep a night on average throughout the tour but tonight FASTLANE were as fresh as a morning?s dew (or something). Their exuberant energy was warmly met by the crowd and more often that not returned resulting in banter flowing each way. Musically this band are very powerful and incredibly tight with tonight being no exception at all. Sticksman, Gary, was pretty much on fire throughout the entire set; I don?t think I?ve seen a more balls out performance from a drummer in a long time. I seriously doubt there?s a band doing the rounds who are consistently mind-blowing live as FASTLANE are. (9)

I?ve seen MY AWESOME COMPILATION a couple of times previously and the jury was still out before their set tonight and largely still is; there?s just something I can?t make my mind up on. MAC are certainly a band who impress me more when they rock, fortunately tonight?s set, comprising of a fair amount of new material, catered to my taste quite well but in more clich‚d moments like the verse to ?Wishing Well? I couldn?t help but cringe for the band momentarily appeared to lose their balls. ?Same as Always? sent the crowd wild and with good reason; it?s a great song which has become the band?s trademark so to speak. It was played early in the set and after that I just felt like there was nothing much left to look forward to. Don?t get me wrong, MAC are a really solid band and put on a good show but FASTLANE?s set was going to take something really special to top it and MAC just didn?t quite pull it out the bag tonight. (7)

What frustrates me the most is that if these bands were on a large American ‘scene’ label with a massive promotional budget this show would have pulled a crowd ten times as big. When will people realise we have brilliant home grown talent right under our noses?!

As the doors open at a ridiculously early 7pm, My Awesome Compilation hit the stage. I’ve seen these guys develop over the last three years and become a really, really good band and if there’s anything that makes Punktastic worthwhile, it’s seeing bands like MAC play tours like this. The Cockpit is pretty full by the time they finish and people are singing and dancing along to their seven song set. A few old favourites go down a treat, with ‘As Always’ and ‘Wish You well’ (dedicated to someone called Paul Savage…who’s that then?!) sounding as good as ever. Three new songs are aired too, with ‘Actions’ coming across like old school Get Up Kids. The new tracks are more driving and anthemic than the older material – in the bands own words they want to lose the American sound and on the basis of the three newies tonight, they may well be on to a winner. The band look the part on a bigger stage, although their between-song banter seemed a little forced – I think we can chalk that up to nerves. The sound got better as the evening wore on – the vocals and guitar sounded a bit low but progressively improved, meaning MAC deserved the adoration they received. I’ve seen them better, but a solid first night’s performance. (8)

I love Spitalfield‘s album a lot; it was one of my favourites from 2003 (I think) and has more three-way harmonies than a Fall Out Boy record. Sadly, in a live setting the Chicago band cannot recreate them at all. Whilst the vocalist has a strong voice, his two backing singers don’t and so the effect on CD cannot be re-told in a live arena. ‘I loved the way she said LA’ and ‘Kill The Drama’ are amazing songs, but I was left a little disappointed. I had really high hope because on CD Spitalfield are amazing, but live it just wasn’t as good. Still, a worthy support but not quite as good as I’d hoped… (7)

Fall Out Boy are more of a cult than a band, as 800 screaming fans testifies. They sing along to every word of every song, it’s amazing. Of course FOB are possibly the best band in their genre and that always helps – the songs are anthemic and the lyrics have a dry wit that makes them stand out. Even without bassist Pete the band are energetic and manage to pull off a rousing performance from start to finish. They cannot pull off the harmonies of course, but Patrick does have a great voice – far better than I thought. ‘Dead On Arrival’, ‘Grand Theft Autumn’ and ‘Chicago Is So Two Years Ago’ are all blasted out and the fans sing every word back. The sea of crowdsurfers (actually, it was the same 5 people including a rather annoying batman…) lap it up and the band seem genuinely surprised at the racous reception they are given. FOB won’t change the world and their style of music isn’t groundbreaking, but they are so much fun and put on a great show. I love gigs where I can stand and sing along and have fun – and Fall Out Boy are perhaps the best exponents I’ve seen in a long time. (9)

Paul

SIX SECOND HERO‘s vocalist claimed the band were so named because it only took them that long to hit super-stardom. Someone in the crowd piped up it was because that’s how long it took them in bed. Both are very wrong. The name actually derives from how long it will take you to work out that this lot play a brand of tuneless pop-punk that is devoid of any tune or melody. Play in time, learn how to sing and THEN practice your posing frontman moves and star jumps. Rubbish. (2)

Promoted to headline (where they should have been anyway in my opinion), MY AWESOME COMPILATION take the stage with an extra member, Steel Rules Die bassist Andy, while Darius recovers from a broken hand. The band aren’t quite on top form tonight, with both Chris and Daz suffering from bad throats, but even then they stand out a mile. I still maintain this Leicester mob are one of the best bands in Britain and people are slowly beginning to listen. ‘Wish You Well’ and ‘Our Lives:The Sequel’ are fantastic power-pop songs that have you swaying and dancing, but it’s the energy and fun the band have on stage that really set MAC apart. There’s a charm you want to cherish – it’s like seeing your children on stage, rocking out, such is the feeling everyone gets. Even Darius’ fine rendition of 50 Cents’ ‘In Da Club’ (or whatever it’s called!) gives everyone an extra wide smile. It’s not a case of if with MAC – just when.

Paul

Although there were a few behind-the-scenes problems with various mics and the PA beforehand, TOMORROW NEVER CAME quickly dispelled the technical isues with a set that again belittled their youth. Improving fast, they still have a way to go but this will certainly come with practice. Guitarist James is the younger brother of Jason from Audio Karate as he wheels out lead riff after lead riff, while bassist Tom puts everything into the performance. Songs like ‘Face In A Photograph’ really showcase their talent, going further than the 3-minute pop songs they are obviously influenced by. To be hyper critical one or two of the songs do seem to drag past 4-minutes a bit but the signs are looking good and it wouldn’t surprise me if labels start to knock at the door soon. (7.5)

I knew I’d witnessed something special when I saw Grimsby’s THE NEXT AUTUMN SOUNDTRACK in a battle of the bands I was judging last year. By far the most jaw-droppingly awesome set I’d seen all year, it left me gagging for more. It took 6 months for me to track them down but here I am (even managing the poor souls). Tonight, fresh from playing in front of six people in Scarborough the night before, TNAS are nothing short of sensational. It’s difficult to describe what you get from the TNAS experience. Imagine the melodies of The Appleseed Cast, the aggressiveness of early Thursday and the sheer energy of At The Drive In and you have absolutely nothing like a description that does them justice – but a lazy comparison nonetheless. Bassist Joseph and guitarist Alex contort and twist and jump and fall, while drummer Emm and vocalist/guitarist Sammie keep the whirlwinds at bay and steady the ship. The songs really do the talking, opener ‘I Said Anything Goes, So Everything Went’ is a five minute thumper, blowing away the cobwebs yet maintaining the most subtle and complex riffs. It all ends with the three axemen sprawled across the floor fighting with each other with a wall of feedback reverbarating around the room. There’s blood, sweat and the sense you’ve just witnessed a band that are destined for massive things. You just know when you’ve seen something life changing – TNAS are that band. (9)

After that, MY FAVOURITE CO-PILOT are really up against it, but in their hands you know there’s no need to panic. The guys are fast becoming one of my UK faves and their ‘South Drive’ record is one of my favourites of the year so far. Choice cuts tonight include ‘Kiss Me I’m Bleeding’ and the wicked ‘Everything’, with John’s piercing screams and Ian’s guitars bashing each other like a fight to the death. Harder than TNAS but certainly more accessible, another band where you just have to believe the hype. Incidentally they played Grimsby the following evening and were even better, with ‘Would You?’ rounding off a highly impressive weekend of music. If you haven’t checked them out yet, be sure that you do. (8)

Speaking of bands destined for big things, MY AWESOME COMPILATION are really going for it. Heading off to San Diego in July to record a 7-track mini-album for Bravestar, the Leicester foursome are going places fast. We’re big fans here at Punktastic, as many of you are too, and there are two reasons for it. One, they are literally THE nicest guys; two, they’ve written some of the best edgy guitar pop songs this century. Tonight they are faced with a crowd of only around 40 people, but half of those are dancing along and singing with every word. ‘Giving Up’ and ‘Miracle Mile’ are absolute gems while newies ‘Wish You Well’ and the gorgeous ‘Butterflys’ show that they can mix up the edgier with the downright sincere and beautiful. I could see this band every night and not get bored and I have every faith they will make it on both sides of the pond, but for one night only, they were marginally upstaged by someone else. Not that MAC were bad at all (I don’t think it’s possible), simply TNAS were that good. (8.5)

Gig of the year so far? Absolutely…

Paul

There were five bands on the bill this evening and having arrived just in time for the beginning, the first band on show are mightily impressive. Sadly I didn’t actually find out who they were, but their bowel-shakingly good hardcore was as tight as I’ve seen in recent months. It’s not usually my thing, but with screaming vocals over some ear-shredding riffs, they were damn good.

The next band I missed in favour of propping up the bar, but I did return for Hartlepool’s post-hardcore favourites MY FAVOURITE CO-PILOT, a band whom I’ve heard so many good things. Before tonight I hadn’t heard a single song but the usual comparisons to the likes of Thursday, Taking Back Sunday and Finch had been banded about so I was looking forward to seeing what they could do. Thankfully they didn’t disappoint, even if they don’t sound anything like the aforementioned bands. There’s technical ability, shouting, crunching guitars and a lot of melody thrown in for good measure. It’s all really good stuff and I was impressed enough to part with my hard earned ¶œ6 for a copy of their album. I’ll be seeing them twice in two nights in April and I’d heartily recommend you check them out too. (8)

A bizarre Dutch band followed up next, complete with two drummers and the one singer/guitarist. God knows what they’d been smoking (joke…) but it certainly wasn’t my cup of tea, coming across like The Strokes but without the attitude. And of course with two drummers. I think their name was Pfaff or something similar…let’s just say it wasn’t particularly memorable and I was chuffed when the set was finished. I’d given up listening half way through so it would be unfair of me to score them.

This was only the third time I’d seen MY AWESOME COMPILATION and they get better each time. This is a band that, quite simply, blow me away. With the most bittersweet gorgeous melodies around, their emo sensibilities are quite rightly attracting the sort of attention that they should demand. A short six song set is exciting and exhilirating, but as a band the progresion they have made in the last few months has been noticeable. Drummer Andy is becoming increasingly flashy behind his kit, standing up, pulling faces and hitting the drums harder than before. Darius is a bundle of energy and Chris, fuck-up aside on ‘Wish You Well’, is note perfect despite my attempts to get him rat-arsed. Even Woody seems more at ease at his keyboards and I’m sure the new songs will get him involved in proceedings even more. But of course it’s the songs that matter most, even if MAC are aesthetically pleasing. ‘Our Lives:The Sequel’ is massive, ‘The Miracle Mile’ is quite simply one of my favourite songs ever and newie ‘Wish You Well’, which was dedicated to me (cheers guys), is quickly becoming a favourite. Despite being an emo band by nature, the songs are enriched with sweet melodies; the dual vocals sugar-coating the spikey guitars. MAC are sublime and the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet. One day they will get everything they ever wish for, it’s just simply a matter of when.(9)

The future is really bright for MAC and I doubt I will see them in a venue so small again. But seriously look out for the Co-Pilot chaps. A very good band, and now I recognise the songs, I’ll be very interested to hear more.

Paul