February 2020 – Almost Anything Music

Live Review: Home Wrecked @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: Kiss Kiss Kill, Old Selves, Palmist

Date: 21/02/20

I’m back at the Fulford Arms for a few homeowners as well as a few out of towners tonight. What’s great about these gigs is that it brings so many people together on the night; friends, family, other bands and new faces. It’s fantastic to see more and more people come down and support everyone on the bill and especially for Doncaster’s very own Home Wrecked, York was more than accommodating for our Yorkshire brothers in arms.

First on the bill for the evening was Kiss Kiss Kill. This is one local band I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing but you know what they say, there’s a first time for everything. For me, it was a half-decent performance as there was some half-decent parts of their, i.e. the introduction in the style of a flight attendant for one but apart from this not much else. To hit top gear, they need to be able to take a step outside of their comfort zone to match the other bands on the bill.

I don’t think these guys are capable of putting on a bad set. Ever since their first set a few months ago a the end of 2019, I was anxiously awaiting just what Old Selves would come up with next. Here though, they’ve built on the anticipation of that first show with a few new tracks, including their huge sounding debut ‘Strength In Four’. There was some room for improvement but I have faith that they could be the ones touring themselves soon. What stood out to me was their (I’m assuming he’s a lefty because we certainly are a rare breed) was the energy Kiel Hodgson always seems to emit when he plays live. I just hope he’s able to give off more high energy performances as this band blossoms in the future.

Moving up in the ladder and the energy are Palmist. From the outset, they do have some Don Broco vibes fused with some punk to give off a well-rounded performance at both ends of the spectrum. What is a little more Punky is the vocals from Sam Paterson as he shifts from all ends of the stage, clearly someone you can’t tie to one place to connect with each and every audience member in the room. More than that, it gives a little freedom to the other band members on the stage in order to have a little breathing space from the infectious rhythms that inevitably come during their set.

Now, finally, we’re upon Home Wrecked. With two EP’s, one or two singles, they’re ready to unleash some carnage. ‘What You Want’ is definitely one track which could define that band going forward into 2020 and with this tour as well as an appearance at Pop Punk Pile Up 3, is it a staple track in their set moving forward? One thing that’s for sure, my expectations were smashed because it’s great to see everyone down for this band and join in with everyone as far as vocalist Joe Daniels is concerned as well as getting being quite photogenic as far as you can see in the gallery below the music video I’ve linked in there. Soaring higher and higher into heir set, the Pop Punk feels just become more apparent with some old school touches which just hype the band up even more. Brothers in Arms for Yorkshire Rock indeed.

Rating: 6.5/10

Live Review: New Years Day @ Key Club, Leeds

Support: Call Me Amour, Lowlives

Date: 18/02/20

New Years Day, February 18th 2020. The date of the first international band I saw this year and my first (of what I’m hoping will be quite a few appearances of mine) the Key Club in Leeds. I was so happy this was my first Leeds show of the year because it was honestly; near perfect! I’d been waiting a few years to see New Years Day, the first being Slam Dunk Festival a few years ago, the other a few months ago but other commitments held myself back from being in attendance on the dates closest to myself. I’ll say this, they didn’t disappoint!

First up on the bill are the dark electronica with distorted guitars and iconic melodies, this can only be Call Me Amour. Cards on the table, I was roughly five minutes late for their set because it took a while to get everyone in but straight in and straight to the point with the bands for gigs, that’s what you want right? Well, that’s exactly what Call Me Amour did, get everyone up and moving slightly, venturing out to communicate with the audience but they only possibly hit about half their capabilities with everything. Their energy though, there’s no doubt that they were infused with it.

Heading into the faster grooves on the night, Lowlives describe themselves as in your face and you can certainly see why. From the point of the inception of their set and they go a little crazy, enough to see that they do mean business here yet give a fresh perspective into the scene. Looking from my perspective, the audience did take to Lowlives a little better than Call Me Amour but I think its because part of their whole look is genre-defining and bending to rekindle the flame and get you truly warmed up for what’s coming next. Nevertheless, what you can see is this band just gaining a legion of followers, even though they’re not the headlining band… yet.

Now, New Years Day. They were formed in 2005, and hail from Anaheim, California. The band consists of Ash Costello on vocals, Nikki Misery on rhythm guitar, Frankie Sil on bass, Max Georgiev on lead guitar, and Zac Morris on drums. They started on Myspace and released their self-titled EP in 2006, then their first full length My Dear in 2007. Since then, they’ve released three EP’s and two full-length albums. Straight away, the audience roars and you can tell this set is going to be a success unless it just blew up in their face via Instagram (where they were streaming the performance on the evening). Also, this is the very first UK headlining tour the band have ever done, so you can expect things to get a little crazy, such as the band moving into the audience to gain a better perspective of everyone.

What’s more, is that tit’s hard to believe that this is the bands first ever UK headlining tour. I mean sure they’ve supported but they play as if they’ve been made for headlining shows. ‘Kill Or Be Killed’, ‘Fucking Hostile’ and ‘Shut Up’ all play key roles in their setlist whether it’s to get everyone moving, their horns in the air (for which everyone kept them all in the air for at least one track). The band have been around for now what will be fifteen years by the end of 2020 and now they’ve headlined the UK, we’ll be begging them to come back for more and just like with every other Post-Hardcore band, we won’t let them go that easily.

Above all else, Ash Costello and co made everyone feel welcome. This wasn’t your usual crazy output of things but this is where you have a sense of belonging within the scene and that’s just a beautiful thing to be feeling and massive well done to New Years Day for making everyone feel loved and included on the night because it felt more personal when Ash Costello shouted it but it’s more than that as if a family was coming together out of all of this.

Rating: 8/10

Live Review: Give In @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: Chargone Stone, Petrol Hoers, Jeanot Lou Paysan

Date: 18/02/20

This is definitely one of the stranger gigs I’ve ever been two as far as the horses are concerned. That’s right I’m back at the Fulford Arms in York for an evening of madness which is all the words I can think of on the spot to describe one of the acts I’ve just witnessed here. But being here, this is a celebration of the weird and wonderful musicians who are in the scene right now and part of that is celebrating the talents of people who have come afar just to perform for everyone tonight.

First up is the Jeanot Lou Paysan, a French touring drummer who is one very funky person and gets people up and moving. To be fair, there weren’t too many people down early to see this act but they definitely missed out because I’m not one to get up and dance on command but I was tapping. my foot along to what this man was producing. One man on drums being quite electro-y. Does it work? to an extent yes but there’s only so much you can do by yourself so points for trying, absolutely.

Now, this is the weird act I was typing about in the introduction; Petrol Hoers. It felt like a cross of a live-action Bojack Horseman with very Punk overtones splashed with a non-dancing Magic Mike. I was honestly in hysterics for around half of their set and the other half just wondering, ‘What The F***??’. But in that, it’s the beauty of everything there that makes it all the more worthwhile because you just never come across this type of performance, well in my experience at the very least. And in that, you experience something you for one can’t unsee and for a second experience. Nevertheless, it was a half-decent performance by the punk protesters which accumulated in a bit about buying meat from a supermarket and then doing an unspeakable thing on the aforementioned meat when you’re outside to make you realise what has happened to the animal who died. I mean, you only have to assume they’re either vegetarians or vegans at on point.

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Chargone Stone is the Frenchmen who is the penultimate act on tonight’s show. The man’s described as a one-man hardcore band and I can vouch for that. With his own PA system, this man wastes no time in getting hot and sweaty on the drums to deliver something concise, fast-paced and 100% captivating where you just want more from this maniac. But two solo drummers in one night? Doesn’t that get a little old? Not in the slightest because what Chargone does is let his personality let rip with his kit where if you see his example, we might have a whole different type of musician in the scene where you have someone who’s fired and charged, ready to roar with every bit of confidence (and sometimes more) than a full band on their best day.

Lastly, Give In. I’ve been waiting for a while This hard-hitting Metalcore Troupe are one of the best bands I’ve come across and had there been a few more people in on the evening, they would’ve been just this commanding force which couldn’t have been stopped. With makeup and all to make them that much more frightening but all the more interesting as well (I’m joking there, I have the utmost respect for the band), they are one band I’ve missed watching live as they’re a band who engage with the audience which is one reason I have a love for the genre. ‘Aftermath’ and ‘Fall To Dust’ are just two tracks you get your money for tonight as there are a whole host of tracks which this band are making their debuts for and it’s with this devotion to how they craft the tracks, especially with their haunting backing vocals from their key shredders which prove to be key to their arsenal which could become set staples for the band.

What works for them as well is how well they work together as a unit, brothers in arms where they just pounce like they’ve injected a hit of adrenaline into the room, at time’s through Mark’s vocals which do prove empowering to the people who were there to bear witness just what is to come in the near future.

Rating: 6.5/10

Live Review: Faux Pas @ Victoria Vaults, York

Support: Bloodhound, Brooders

Date: 29/01/20

So just a few words about the Victoria Vaults. It was my first time there on the evening and I think it’s going to quickly become one of my favourite York venues. Superb sound, lighting and its a tiny space so that means it’s all the better if there’s a pit in there. It’s located just outside of the city centre but near the train station so if you need to get home quickly, you’re able to get there in a flash.

First up were the tenacious Bloodhound. I’ve heard of them before but at the moment, I’m seriously behind on my music listens (around 3,000 tracks in a playlist behind) so it was good to hear them on the night, to get a reading of their energy. I do have to say, I got more of a grunge vibe from them where you had to think is there more people on stage but it a track such as ‘Short’ which honestly is a slower track but quite hard-hitting that really gets to you. In a word fantastic, and I hope to see them again soon.

Brooders. I will say their drummer is quite receptive (I also went down to take some photos as well which will be uploaded in this post as well.) I’ve heard good things from Brooders before, mainly live performances and I’m glad I was able to be down in person to see things myself.

This is a band you definitely won’t be disappointed where they’re at their core of themselves, a Punk band and being in this tiny venue, things do get cooking in the pit were a few members actually do come in and interact with everyone, especially Andy because this guy was just pure insanity at times that only added to what you were seeing. Clearly so far, the choice to come down to this gig and venue was paying off.

Lastly were Faux Pas. They seemed a little more alternative than anything but that doesn’t mean they were punk at their cores. In all honesty, they seemed as mental as any of the other bands that played before them tonight and I couldn’t think of a finer headlining band I’d want to watch on my first time at the Victoria Vaults. What they were though was refreshing. In a word I’d choose that because you just don’t see this passion too many times and you want this energy, you want this sort of performance out of the bands and by this instance, it’s one you’ll always want more and more of.

By any indication, everyone seemed a little possessed to the point of which I had to ask, are they? I mean everyone was in top gear and if there’s anyone who wants to know how to perform, just watch Faux Pas. That is what I would tell them. Ru, their frontperson though was just insane, shredding his guitar and his sharp vocals, one you’re not one to mess with anytime soon because one, that looks to be a bad idea when on stage. He reminded me of Frank Carter mixed with Rivers from Weezer. That ones got the guitar, the vocals and charisma but is just missing the glasses.

I just hope that they end up coming back to York soon and if they were to come back with this exact same lineup of bands and in the same venue, I wouldn’t ever object to that because this was near perfect. Also, this is what Independent Venue Week should be about because it brought so many people together and exposed a lot of people to this generation of music which I genuinely hope will happen as this venue progresses.

Rating: 7.5 / 10

Live Review: Roam @ Basement, York

Support: Heartsink, Superlove

Date: 03/02/20

NOTE: Now for this UK tour, Roam decided to have two bands from their respective venues hometown play open for them on every show. This was only one on this particular night as due to unknown reasons, one of the band; We Need To Talk dropped out of the show.

Despite one of the opening bands dropping out, this meant Heartsink were the only local band opening the show. This was a revitalised Heartsink that I was watching because as I’m concerned because I’ve watched these lads play a few times in the last year and compared to that, they were raw, powerful and emotionally tapping into their greatest tracks, along with some amazing new belters, all for the crowd to consume. ‘Starting Over’ which the crowd did respond well to was the standout track for them because it sounds as if this is the time taken with this one was right which could mean larger and brighter things for them in the near future. It sounded more personal to vocalist Zac Roughton and based on their performance, just amplified the track to a different height alongside the additional vocals from Bassist Bryn Portas. I do hope they’re able to capitalise on this in the future because based off of this performance, it just seems inevitable.

In all honesty, as well, their sets sound quality was by far the best in my opinion. I don’t know if this was down to the equipment, knowledge of the venue but when they played their set was the clearest to make out from the vocals and when (*SPOILER ALERT ON SETLIST FOR ROAM) Hand Grenade came on, it wasn’t until that which Roam sounded good on the night.

Next on was Superlove. For the atmosphere of the whole room, it should’ve been a lot more receptive but I think the genre-bending didn’t work out too well in this lineup on the evening mainly because I was getting more Indie music vibes from the band. Not to say that it wasn’t a good performance from the Bristol Trio as ‘Big Lies, Boy’ is definitely the highlight of their discography but there is more fine-tuning which needs to be done before they take the next steps.

So, I’ve been into the quality of the sound quickly earlier in this post but I just wanted to address the venue as well, namely that the ceiling of The Basement was well too low for any crazy moshpits to happen during Roam’s faster track choices and I understand that it’s an Independent Venue tour where I’m not attempting to take anything from it but to me, the Basement for a gig such as Roam was a very inadequate space to house it, especially since there were two beams built into the structure of the building meaning if you watched the performances from a certain angle, your view is completely blocked and there’s these benches slap bang in the middle of the room (Which I believe could’ve been moved to the side) which did nothing to help if anyone from the bands wanted to join things in the middle of the crowd. Enough of that, now onto Roam.

No matter what, this band always gives one hundred per cent. I’ve seen them play a handful of times and they’re always getting better fan reception and that in turn comes from the releases they have. This tour was also in support of their latest record, ‘Smile Wide’ which came out in September 2019 where you see this is them refining their sound and stepping away from the more Pop-Punk side of things but them finding who they are and this translates into them live as well. ‘Hand Grenade’, ‘Pirhana’ and ‘Playing Fiction (Which I do realise is off their second record, ‘Great Heights & Nosedives’ but it shows how they’re responding to being on tour for so long and just how they operate when it comes to their production. Now, things can only go up for the band because while they’re still getting a few pits going and some stage dives from members, what they’ve done for these opening bands is just so important because everyone who goes along now has no excuse to not go to one of their local venues. They’re showing that the scene is more than just the venue and there’s so much potential out there at the moment.

Some of their older and punchier tracks such as ‘Deadweight, ‘Hopeless Case’ and ‘Alive’ were all met with good applause which also produced some of the better moments of their set. Roam might be more atypical of the contemporary artists but they will always belong to the Pop Punk and Rock families.

Rating: 5/10

Live Review: Roam @ Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough

Support: Motherland, Northshore

Pop Punk for the North East. It’s been a while since I’ve seen some energy at a show in Middlesbrough but with it being Independent Venue Week, it seems as if this is the perfect show with their emerging talent.

Up first where Motherland. This was a first for myself as I wanted their personality to come across in their performance, sometimes the best way to discover a band for the first time and I was right. Straight from the start, they just knocked it out of the park and went absolutely crazy to the point of which I thought that it was a performance I wouldn’t forget anytime soon. What’s more is that after on the train journey home, I had a little listen to Motherland and honestly what I hard didn’t translate over and I think this is their live persona in the way that they put themselves forward and allowed themselves to be lost. They were more alternative in the music but old fashioned energetic rock and alternative in their live performances.

Northshore next. I’ve watched and photographed them for a little while now but I will say this. They have really buckled down and refined their sound to be giving off better live performances than where they were a year ago. It was roughly a year ago that their EP, ‘For What It’s Worth’ was released and the traces of their performances have been embedded there but now moving on, they’re ready to be doing better and if it’s any indication, if they can produce this feeling at their shows all the time, then they won’t have a problem getting out to more people in the scene.

Superlove was scheduled as the main support for this show, however, the band had to pull out due to illness.

This show was just full of energy from the start and it’s thanks to the support bands, Motherland and Northshore that the only wish I had was that there was more momentum which could’ve produced some stage dives. There wasn’t a need for any pits as the fast of Roam’s setlist tracks proved to be a huge hit, especially coming from their older debut record tracks.

One thing about Roam I’ve always admired is how authentic they are. I remember an interview I had with Alex Adam around two years ago that they changed their sound in how they were able to get the tracks to sound and looking across to their latest record, ‘Smile Wide’ to their live performances now, that is one thing they seem to have attempted to tune which they seem to nearly be able to have all set. But it’s their determination and the range they give with the performances that make them the band they are.

Looking back on this show though, I do think the sound quality could’ve been improved slightly because some the vocals from Alex Costello were a little muffled to the point of asking if people could actually understand him at times. It wasn’t until hand grenade came on that Alex Adam’s were just that tiny bit better and a lot cleaner in my opinion.

7/10

Live Review: Kill The Silence @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: Refryn, My Wonderful Daze

Date: 30/01/20

Back to the Fulford Arms for Independent Venue Week. I’m halfway through Independent Venue Week and so far, it has certainly been a good year. There’s been some venues I love and I’ve still got a few more shows and plenty of bands to look forward to.

Originally this was meant to be The Virginmary’s headlining show but due to illness, they had to drop out of this show. Kill The Silence, a post-hardcore group from the Yorkshire area were able to step in at the last moment as headliners.

First on were Redfryn, a group whom has performed around York for the last year but their roots do trace into the scene for far longer. They were able to unleash their hard rock tones straight into the audience. This is a group I’ve become acquainted with hearing live over the last few months and I’m glad they’re a part of the scene we have in the city.

The three-piece work together in a steady melody but I do wish a few more people were able to come down because its artists such as Redfryn who are enjoyable to watch. I just hope more people appreciate their melting pot of musical talent because it’s one that can’t be missed in 2020.

My Wonderful Daze was in to help amp up the grunge just when it was needed, minus all of the SFX from their previous headlining show. I say that because I’m positive there was a fake heart or sweet being devoured by their vocalist Chloe and honestly, you just never know what is going to be happening in this camp.

This is another band which is at the heart of the York scene and one you can see regularly if you’re looking in the correct place. What’s more, is that they’re always giving off the best performances and tonight was no exception either, especially when it comes to their lighting. Has Halloween come early? What do you think?

Finally, Kill The Silence on the headlining act tonight. This does also act as a single release show (unofficially I’d say because they just released a brand new single, ‘The Design’, a few days after this performance’. I’ve heard a few friends hype them up beforehand and I have to say don’t underestimate the Post-hardcore world. Don’t you dare because from what I’ve seen of recent, there have been more enjoyable performances from this genre of bands over another mainly because the energy they give off when performing and when that happens, it just makes it all the more enjoyable for us top off an entertaining night.

I’m just hoping they can keep the momentum of their performances going moving into the new decade because you can’t root this band and with their past experiences opening up for the more mainstream bands, you’ll hear more from Kill The Silence very soon.

Rating: 6/10

Live Review: Indoor Pets @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: The Hubbards, Orchards

Date: 27/01/20

It’s the start of independent venue week in York and of course, I’m over at The Fulford Arms. It’s sort of my second home and when you’ve got a stacked lineup such as this, it’s often hard to say no when you can just feel the energy in the air.

Now first off were The Hubbards. All I’ll say is that the audience didn’t react to this band particularly well at all. I don’t know if it was because the came off a little cocky and smug but there was just something that didn’t resonate with the audience on the night. You have to give them points for trying, pulling out some good material which toward the end of the set did show signs of them turning around but not in the time needed.

Moving to Orchards, this went down a lot better in fact. More people came a little closer but did move back a touch, only because of vocalist Lucy Evers kick routine which seemed to go down like clockwork from track to track. What’s more, is that this seemed to be one well-oiled machine where everyone just seemed to riff off each other perfectly. This is one band I’ve waited a long time to see and based off of this performance, I’m glad I did because this was just near perfect where you have to have confidence such as theirs to give off what they were doing. The ball was well and truly rolling now.

All I can say is that Indoor Pets. Wow. The roar of the crowd combined with their on-stage energy, I’m surprised how they didn’t make more room for themselves because from my viewpoint, they felt trapped on the stage but that just seemed to bundle up their energy, even more, to witness possibly one of the best sets of the decade so far.

This is where Indie Rock music is at its finest because for one, you just couldn’t keep your eyes off of this band. Time and time again, you just want to hear more off them to where you’re just captivated by everything that you hear. It’s the sort of band which comes along once in a while that translates well over from the record to live performance where the indie part of them just doesn’t hold back to give what is a fantastic performance. ‘Dopamine Girls’ was one of their brand new additions they decided to pull out of the bag whereas finishing on ‘Pro Procrastinator’ just falls into the realm of obvious choice to end on but when they actually finished, I have to say it didn’t seem as if they had fully finished. That’s the trick though, always leave them wanting more.

Rating: 6/10

Live Review: Talk More @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: Red Yeti, Pavilion, Kit Trigg

Date: 24/01/20

The Kings & Queen of the Indie scene in York come back to smash a packed out show at the Fulford Arms, York.

With Red Yeti kicking the evening off, this band had possibly the best reception to them that I’ve seen so far which is amazing to see because it gives them the recognition that they finally deserve. What was the main difference though? I think it has to do with the bands that they’re playing alongside this time because the audience was a lot more receptive to ’19’ and ‘Alyssa’ which gave them a huge confidence boost. With them focusing on the more dancy tunes as well, this can only mean great things for the up and comers and I can’t wait to see more from them in 2020.

What’s great is the musician differential sounds between the bands in Yorks music scene. It’s one that’s vibrant which everyone can lose themselves in and Pavilion are one of those. ‘Tales From The South’, which was released in December 2019 just shows what the band is capable of and cements them as to what band they want to be. The obvious connection is possibly Oasis and all the same sounding Indie Genre bands but what’s making Pavilion any different? It has to be down to their spirituality and attitude which speaks on behalf of their music and their performances which you’ll see time and time again. Take ‘Nevada Queen’, it’s a vast difference to anything they’ve done before in my eyes and you can most definitely make that out from their performances on stage.

Now Kitt Trigg. This is usually performed with about two or three other people but it was a solo set from Kit this evening. All I have to say about this voice, in particular, is that he has the voice of an angel. Possibly, the best I have heard in a long time. Topped off with a guitar, you think you’ve seen this before, just not in this way. I think it was partly to do with Kitt’s Charisma because there was just something about him where you just wanted him to perform more and more. You’re hearing a true artist here because every track you heard if you haven’t heard it before makes you feel as if you’re hearing it for the first time and I hope this is the first of many performances I’ll be hearing of this act.

Talk More are one of York’s finest emerging talent. They’ve played the Fulford Arms once or twice before I believe but with everyone coming in so early, I was left wondering if this was actually going to be a sold-out performance but if it wasn’t this time, it certainly was going to be the next on their bucket list, (apart from their opening slot for King No-One on 23rd April at Headrow House, Leeds). This was a chance to see what’s actually changed since their last performing slots and quite a bit has changed. Their stage gear houses a few more lights now, a lot cooler and calming blues (if my memory is correct) but their sound and performances are just a lot better, with the added light show from the audience at the end of their set.

Their music though, it’s got a lot more exciting to see, especially with ‘From Rosaline’ as this sounds a lot more punchier than ‘Planned Fights’ which is one of their original releases in 2019. If anything’s to be taken away as well, the unit of the band seems to be a lot stronger this time around to 2019 as they were getting comfortable being together on stage, now they’ve cemented just what will happen as they continue to work together and continue to make some standout performances in 2020.

6.5/10.

Live Review: Strange Bones @ Fulford Arms, York

Support: Calva Louise, What’s Wrong With Homer

Date: 09/02/20

It’s post-Independent Venue Week. I do miss it and really wished this was a part of it. This was Strange Bones final UK tour date and I’ve been meaning to see this band, their supports, the amazing Calva Louise and local lads What’s Wrong With Homer for a while. This just blends together everything you need for a show in one; Energy, Pace and Gasmasks (For the dramatic effect of course!)

Straight off the bat for What’s Wrong With Homer. Punk rock riffs with a twist in this one and I have to say, you don’t get too many bands these days with a deliberate Simpson’s reference in the title, just check it out. But this band definitely showcase just what potential York has when the scene is as alive as this threesome is. What I loved about this band is that the energy they brought to the table is quite above the standard of what’s known and I hope they stay this way.

And…. Calva Louise. The last time I saw this three-piece multi, national British band was roughly two years ago when they supported Spring King in Newcastle…. and this was completely worth the wait. Everything about them was so much better but performance-wise, they haven’t lost their flair which at their core, makes them so enjoyable to watch. On the other hand, everything else since then about them has become a lot more interesting from their live sound to their actual set choices where they’re becoming defined by their latest music and the blend of Punk and Effects only continues to make them more superior than your usual support act.

It’s their devotion on stage to the quality of performance with their on-stage interactions what separates themselves where it almost becomes second nature to themselves and acting as one. They’ve clearly hit their stride and I hope they only continue to make even better performances such as the one I witnessed on the night. There was even more energy towards the end of the set where they were starting to be engulfed in some pits. Clearly, they are are just one band where they make effort look effortless.

Right, this has to be the rowdiest set in an intimate venue I’ve been to in a long time. This at the Fulford Arms, for me is a little strange. Usually, when this happens, the vocalist just jumps into the crowd a little and does a lap of the audience. Not Strange Bones though, they captivate the energy and get everyone moving. It’s a punk rock gig, live a little right? This comes to a standstill just as Bobby (Vocals) climbs to the highest point and launches himself during one of their final tracks in their set. Here, I’m just a bit gobsmacked really because this just never happens at gigs I’m at. Now though, I can finally say it happened adn it was amazing.

Their conviction to their music is one thing which cannot be questioned where they consistently continue to release a steady stream of EP’s and Singles all which are produced to the highest standard and that’s what I’d say these shows are. They get everyone around and shouting back every lyric to a testament of just what Post-Punk really is.

From the start of the set, however, the dial for the energy in the room just turned itself straight to eleven and when you have tracks such as ‘Napalm Uber Alles’, ‘Vicious’ and ‘God Save The Teen’ it just hurtles everyone into an immediate moshpit, bringing down a few people in the process where you see the raw sweat as well as their last breaths of energy come alive into pure adrenaline. Strange Bones are an absolutely enigmatic, weird and charismatic group which the scene definitely needs and as long as they give these types of performances, don’t expect things to slow down anytime soon.