I posted a little while ago about new bands I've discovered, mainly through the Spotify discovery playlist function. Lately, the selections have been, frankly, not to my taste in the slightest. I may have used the word awful more than once. But that's ok, because from the beginning of February to the start of March, I've got a huge number of gigs lined up and I'm very excited to get my ears around a whole lot of live music. First up is a Neck Deep / State Champs co-headline show at Kentish Town forum, but in all honesty I'm here for Creeper, the rest is just a bonus.
As is so often the case, I'm running too late to catch the opening act, Light Years, so can't say what they sounded like this time. Next on the bill are Creeper, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't super excited to see them in a venue of this size. Overpriced beer in hand, I find a spot where I can see the stage and eagerly await the start of their set.
 |
| http://creepercult.com/ |
Getting straight into things with VCR from their debut EP, the fast paced punk vibes get the crowd moving. I can't tell if it's actually faster paced than usual, or if I'm expecting songs to be short and frantic because it's a pop punk show. Either way, it's a great opener and the crowd are reacting well to frontman Will's energetic charm. Next up is new track Black Mass from the forthcoming EP, The Stranger, and it's clear that Creeper's fan base is growing, with many faces in the pit eagerly singing along. Following on from the new release is punk-infused anthem Honeymoon Suite from the 2015 EP The Callous Heart, and Allergies, which is the best sounding track for me so far. The band, who recently became a 6 piece with replacement guitarist Ollie and the addition of Hannah on keys, sound tight and confident, their passion for playing filling the stage with energy. Settled into their stride, Creeper continue with old favourite Gloom from the band's first release, and last year's singalong anthem Lie Awake. Finishing with goth ballad Henley's Ghost, the rapidly filling venue is getting involved, arms swaying in unison with the band throughout the emotionally charged final chords. This might not have been the very best sounding Creeper show I've been to, and they're arguably the least pop-punk act on the bill by a country mile, but they held their own and showed London that they're more than ready to bring their goth punk style to bigger venues like the Forum. It's hard to write objectively about a band I love so much, but when they write fantastic songs and perform them with such raw enthusiasm, it's not hard to see why they're stealing more callous hearts with each show they play. But enough gushing, the joint headliners State Champs and Neck Deep are still to play and it would be more than a little rude not to mention them at their own show.
 |
| http://www.statechampsny.com/ |
I'm not really familiar with either of these headline bands, so I have no preconceptions about their performance, other than an expectation of UK and US pop punk galore. I've relocated to the seating area of the venue, an expansive 1st level section which provides a rather excellent view of the stage, something of a luxury for those of us not blessed with great height. From this new vantage point I can also see that a lot of fans here are pretty young, which might explain why I'm not overly familiar with this new breed of pop punk. Age and height issues aside, State Champs take to the stage to a roar of appreciation from the now-capacity crowd and kick off with the bouncy American college vibes of Secrets from their sophomore album Around the World And Back, released in October 2015. I'd love to give an enlightening run down of the rest of their set, but truth be told, I wasn't paying much attention. I was somewhat distracted by catching up with friends, discussing Creeper's set and maybe picking up a pint or two at the bar. State Champs just aren't the band for me. There was nothing offensive about their performance, but there was nothing particularly interesting for me either. They clearly are the band for most people here though, there's a good atmosphere and the fans seem to be enjoying themselves, so that's good.
After a brief intermission it's time for the UK headliners Neck Deep, hailing from the North Western town of Wrexham, perhaps only otherwise known in alternative circles as the home of Welsh Comic Con. I'm expecting a similar sound to State Champs, so I'm pleasantly surprised when Neck Deep break into Citizens of Earth from the 2015 album Life's Not Out To Get You. It's immediately punchier and grittier than State Champ's opening number, and I'm enjoying the synchronised jumping from the band who are clearly very comfortable performing to this full capacity, geared up crowd. The set continues with a selection of high energy, confidently performed tracks. There are obviously lots from the latest album, interspersed with a few from the debut offering Wishful Thinking and the EPs Rain In July and A History Of Bad Decisions. Although Neck Deep aren't quite catapulted to the top of my favourite bands list, they've put on a particularly strong show, mixing a good amount of crowd interaction and band banter with some classic pop punk tunes. Towards the end of the night, we're treated to the guest vocals of Hannah from Creeper on the mellow A Part Of Me, with the crowd singing along in not-altogether-awful harmony. Ending the set with the raucous Can't Kick Up The Roots, followed by some kind of crazed mini rave, Neck Deep send a new wave of pop punk fan kids spilling happily onto the streets of north London with reckless abandon. For me, the UK band won over the US exports tonight, and I can honestly say I really enjoyed watching Neck Deep close this UK leg of their tour. They're not going to replace the likes of NOFX, Reel Big Fish or Frenzal Rhomb in the nostalgic pop punk archives from my own teenage years, but they might well have a space alongside them in a genre that seems to be having somewhat of a revival, if tonight is anything to go by.
