The Situation First Birthday all-dayer@ The Central Club, Leek 27th May 2012

Review by Charlotte Lunt

Photo by Robert Egan

There aren’t many things that could drag me to Leek of a sunny evening; however The Situation celebrating their first birthday with an all dayer has proved to be one of those things, at least for a couple of hours.

Arriving just in time to catch the last couple of songs from Cherry Lightening, I was honestly disappointed to see how few folks had made the effort to come down to the Central Club to support the event. But nevertheless this didn’t seem to have put the band off their stride as they finished their set with a high speed cover of The Wombats ‘Let’s dance to Joy Division’. This provided the opportunity to speak to one of the organisers, Simon Edwards, who was brimming with enthusiasm and clearly enjoying the evening.

He explained that The Situation run 2 monthly nights in Leek, usually hosted at the Foxlowe Arts Centre, and that over the year they’ve been able to spread their wings and have been attracting acts of great calibre not only from the local area, but also the wider environs.

The first full set I saw was from The Taskers, who did a stripped down session for the radio show earlier this month, so this proved to be an ideal opportunity to hear their ‘plugged in’ sound.  I wasn’t prepared for the rawness in both sound and delivery, and always liking it when a band surprises me, this was a good thing. Tearing through a set of clever melodies and syncopation that were coupled with prophesising and contemplative lyrics they provided a solid set of quality tuneage.

It’s refreshing to see a band that rely solely on the quality of their song writing rather than persona – perhaps this unassuming approach is because as a two piece they are quite exposed, with little to hide behind.

In addition to the Pearl Jam influences they cited on the show, I’m hearing a tad of Frank Black, and a trace of Eric Clapton amongst others, which in combination work well and provide a swath of different approaches and delivery from the band. My favourite song of the set was ‘Itch’- which features on their brand new album – full of juxtaposition, contradiction and friction, it keeps you on the edge of your seat like a good psychological thriller.

Next up were the recommended Gravity Dave, who started out on a set of solid rock. At this point I must confess that I was having reservations about them, that is until they threw out ‘Let’s pretend’, which tore along at a cracking pace with vocals and lead guitar challenging each other for the spotlight. Moving swiftly into ‘Romantic Comedy’ I’m more than pleasantly surprised as having judged this book by its cover, this was a more edgy, contemporary composition than I’d expected, so apologies to the band and hats off for keeping me on my toes.

I have to say that whilst this was not a visually dynamic performance, it was slick and they consistently delivered solid well crafted songs, and anyone who can write a song called ‘Cattle’, can’t be doing too much wrong in my book. The ‘Steps of Heathrow’ was reminiscent of the erstwhile Red Wedge movement in its social commentary and edginess, and that drew their set to a close.

Although, I was only able to stay for a short while, this showed that the hard work that The Situation are doing to bring quality artists to Leek, is paying off. I’d really recommend having a trip out to some of their forthcoming gigs – which having had a sneaky look at the rosta – will be well worth it.

The Way / Likely Lads / Translucid @ The Sugarmill April 28th 2012

Review by Kirsty Underwood 

Any half decent music fan knows that we owe a lot to the 1950’s and this shouldn’t just be from watching the odd rock-umentary. Stoke’s The Way revel in this musical past and wear it on their sleeves, which happen to belong to T-bird style leather jackets. Their influences read like a school of rock history lesson, checking off the best genres to have popped out of each decade from the fifties onwards. As the first band to take to the stage on a Saturday night at The Sugarmill, The Way began educating the audience by smashing together old and new. Not to be ignored by those for whom this may have been wasted on, vocalist and rhythm guitarist Stef Smith requested enthusiasm with a few simple words; “Come on you f***ers!”. Single One Time Round harked back to the heyday of The Jam and no doubt touched a chord with more than a few audience members with its down-to-earth lyrics “I only work because they tell me to…you shelf stacker…you only get one time round”. The realism almost hurts. Cracking on through a set encompassing a cover of Ed Sheeran’s The A Team and something that sounded suspiciously like a Ramones mash up, The Way’s unique energy visibly spread across the room. 

York based band Likely Lads were the northern filling in this Stoke sandwich of a gig. They may have only been together a relatively short time, little over a year, but time wasting has not been on the agenda. September 2011 saw the release of Likely Lads first untitled EP which was followed up in February of this year with an album entitled Melrose Yard Demos. Their debut single Observations is due for release on May 7th on Right Track Records and the band has supported Chingford’s best output of late The Rifles. Good effort! Likely Lads set comprised a reel of tracks that told it like it is, and they certainly had a lot to say about the need to get away from a mundane existence in “a little city”. Their upbeat indie rhythms, not a million miles away from that of The Kooks, coupled with insightful lyrics were received with more than ample appreciation from an audience potentially hearing these tracks for the first time. Get yer sens back to Stoke soon boys! 

Translucid, a mysterious name suggesting everything is not quite as it seems and they were just that. Their talent spoke for itself from the beginning. Formerly known as The Riots, who have seen a few line up changes since their creation in 2007, the band on the stage were electrifying. Front man Dan Watkin, with his Parka and tambourine, was completely at home giving us all something to marvel at. Guitarist Steve Pye was implausibly mind blowing and let’s be honest, with a Hendrix tattoo and a Dylan t-shirt he would have been taking the Michael just a smidge if he hadn’t have been. Translucid’s classic rock influences showed through in Pye’s bluesy strings and you can’t say no to a bit of wa-wa. There was so much going on in terms of influences from classic rock right up to Kasabian in the present that their set, including tracks Tripping Lilly, The Mind is a Temple and personal favourite Blow Out, was impossible not to appeal on some level. The band also had excellent support from what were assumed to be family members; you don’t see enough air guitaring these days. All in all, a delectable array of talent and style; definitely worth witnessing at The Full Moon on May 11th if you had the misfortune to miss this gig.

Sleep In Promotions presents The English / Holy-esque / Camp Stag @ Fat Cat, Hanley 26th April 2012

Review by Charlotte Lunt

Photo's by Robert Egan

Opening with their current single, The English are instantly reminiscent of Echo and the Bunnymen, whether this is just an influence of theirs or a deliberate move, in my book it isn't a bad thing.

As their set progresses it is a little pedestrian in places but as the lads have clearly put the hours in to produce a solid performance this could easily be attributed to  nerves. 

I have to admit that I'm not as familiar with The English's music as perhaps I should be, and in fact was looking forward to their set tonight on the basis of their current single alone. They don't follow the well trodden route of so many bands in Stoke and they clearly know what they're about, confidently striding in to a Ramones-esque cover of 'Be my Baby' which has saw a number of the audience prick up their ears. 

Clearly there is much use of effects pedals, but there is an over arching simplicity to their approach and this shines through on a 'take it or leave it' kind of way rather than with an arrogance that is oft' too familiar. 

Admittedly I'd not heard great things about this band before tonight, but there is something about their music and approach that really appeals to me - even if I can't quite put my finger on it.

Holy-esque, a four piece from Glasgow have come hotly tipped for this evenings show. Again (a small cheer here) they have a slightly retro sound, this time bringing us closer to the end of the 80's with leads from both synth and drums. There is a familiarity to their music, perhaps the obvious Glaswegan link to Glasvegas, although I'm inclined to believe it is something more subtle.

For me, their set never quite took off, which was a shame, however this isn't to say they'll disappear from my radar.

The headline tonight was the first performance from the hugely anticipated Camp Stag. Benefiting from having a number of members who have already made their names on the local scene, the troops were out in force to support Dan, Rich Chris and Ade. 

Instantly bringing us crashing into the 21st Century, not only with their sound but with their political observations, they introduced their third number as 'Big Society' - with tongue firmly in cheek. Punchy delivery and swaths of synth and guitars is definitely what Camp Stag are all about, as they move effortlessly to their current single Sirens. This has a more moody and driven sound than previous songs, and coupled with a understated desperation really has a strength about it.

Introducing their last track, which came far too quickly, the keys lift a song that lyrically comes from a far darker place. Looking round the assembled audience they really have people in the palm of their hands, and hopefully this is just a taste of things to come.

This is definitely a muso's crowd here tonight, which is hopefully a reflection of Camp Stags promise of things to come. This was a brief set that left you wanting more. 

Catching up with the band after the set, they said that tonight was about keeping it simple, and following a recent line up change was about powering through their set with confidence, which they undoubtedly did.

I'd make a note in your diary of the next few gigs for all the local guys on tonight's bill and see for yourselves, and keep an eye on Sleep In Promotions as they appear to be a step ahead.

Stray from the path / Rolo Tomassi / Architects @ The Underground 17th April 2012

Review by Liam Kerin

Taking my place at the back of an unusually long queue at the Underground in Stoke, the sense of excitement of those around me is all too apparent to see. 

Even the heavens opening can’t dampen the atmosphere as fans gear up to see one of the anticipated metal gigs of the year.

Brighton Tech metallers Architects, supported by Rolo Tomassi and Stray from the Path are here for the last date on their successful UK tour.

Surprisingly, even at ten to eight, at least half an hour before the openers are due to take to the stage the venue is already close to its capacity, with many more still queuing outside.

By twenty past eight, Stray from the path enter our view, and do so with immediate effect.

With little prior warning, vocalist Drew York bellows we should all ‘wake the **** up’ to kick off their set, to a still slightly perplexed audience.

The four piece, who have also played a number of headline shows on their days off on this tour waste little time in getting things moving, launching into a set full of aggressive hardcore songs which are in a similar vein to Gallows.

Although their songs lack any particularly memorable moments, they are well crafted and are perfect for tonight’s bill – with vocalist York even managing to perform a flip from the speakers into the crowd.

Next up is the much hyped Rolo Tomassi; playing a blend of music which is not to dissimilar to The Dillinger Escape Plan, albeit with less technicality, the quintet from Sheffield are quick to pick up from where Stray from the path left off.

Vocalist Eva Spence bounds around the stage, whilst never seeming to break into a sweat, managing to look both feminine and sexy whilst performing impressive screaming vocals which would be the envy of many her male metal counterparts.

The band also manage to debut two of the new songs off their album which is due out this year, which showcase a heavier side to the experimental band.

Their music however is clearly not everyone’s cup of tea and whilst the majority of the room are well into their set, many are also heading outside as their experimental hardcore throws the listener into a number of different genre’s in a short space of time. Going from ridiculously heavy one minute to unusual jazz complexities the next, it is certainly something you either love or hate.

 By now the venue is packed, and the anticipation for Architects, who have just announced that this will be guitarist Tim Hillier-Brook’s last UK show with the band, has reached boiling point.

Opening with the excellent Devil’s Island, a song with the line ‘You want a voice, but your voices sound like violence’ in clear reference to last year’s riots, the whole room explodes.

The next hour and a bit becomes a mass of flailing arms and limbs, with vocalist Sam Carter exuding his usual natural energy around the stage,  and easily controls what is a raucous crowd.

Drummer Dan Searle, despite the complexities of his rhythms, never misses a beat, and is just one component in making their performance seem effortless.

At one point, a young fan manages to get onto the stage – as many of the crowd have been doing all night with Carter’s encouragement, right at the end of a song. Instead of jumping back into the crowd straight away, the frontman gets him – who we now know to be called Scott, to stay on the stage with them until they start the next song, much to his clear excitement – and slight embarrassment.

The band, who have 4 studio albums to date, with a fifth – Daybreaker to be released on 28 May, only play material tonight from their 3 latest album, which is a disappointment to many of their older fans, as there are some genuine classics in their back catalogue which have been missed out. However, the awesome, delete:rewind, new track these colours don’t run and follow the water all get an airing.

We also get to see Rolo Tomassi’s synth player James Spence – brother of Eva, make an unexpected re-appearance during the song ‘We’re all alone’ as he dives into the crowd from one of the speakers – a popular theme for the night.

As the set nears its climax, Carter announces that instead of doing ‘the thing that most bands do where they go off stage for a bit then come back on, they’re going to play straight through’ much to the pleasure of the crowd, who are clearly eager for more – especially as he had previously said that this would be their last song.

Surprisingly slowing things down with the epic ‘Hollow Crown’ the title track of their third album, they have the audience in the palm of their hand, so by the time their final song, Early Grave kicks in, the whole room is moving, people are getting clattered into in the pit but nobody cares, they’re having a good time and that’s all that matters.

As the set ends and people begin to filter out, the realisation dawns that it may be some time until we see them back here, especially at such a small venue , this is a band who deserve to be playing at the top.

On tonight’s evidence, they are well on their way to getting there.