Kicking off gigs for 2016 with Creeper and some pop punk

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.

http://neckdeep.co/

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. 

Discovering new bands, that often aren't new at all.

I love music. But there's so much out there, I frequently wonder how long a band have been writing new music, performing at little venues around the world, never having appeared on my radar. I often hear friends and colleagues commenting that nobody is making decent music any more, but I just don't believe this is true.

In July last year, Spotify launched the "Discover Weekly" playlist, which selects artists based on your listening history to produce a 30 track playlist updated once a week. I can't praise this launch enough. Not only have I discovered countless new artists as a result of listening to this playlist, but it's got me talking about new artists with my friends, who in turn are sharing their new findings.

It's not all about new music though. Many of the "new" bands I've discovered have actually been around for years, but haven't yet appeared on my horizon. Similarly, I've had a few artists appear on the aforementioned playlist I've known and loved for a long time, but it's still nice to be reminded of a track that I've not listened to for a while.

If all you listen to is BBC and commercial radio stations, I can see why you might think that the music market is somewhat stagnant of late. Regardless of what kind of genre you're into, there is always more out there that doesn't have the budget for radio plugging, or lots of screentime on the music video channels, or a series of adverts to broadcast their sound to the nation. If you're a fan of music at all, I'd really suggest looking further and seeking out new artists. Whether it be through music streaming, or getting to a gig earlier to catch the support act, or chatting to your mates about what they're listening to, go forth and discover new tunes!

Here are 6 bands I'm looking forward to listening to more in 2016:

 Creeper

For anyone who knows me, this will be the least surprising revelation ever proclaimed. I've unashamedly become quite the fangirl in a short space of time, but that's not hard when people this lovely have songs this good. From playing their first gig in 2014 to signing with Roadrunner in summer 2015 and announcing their debut headline UK tour for 2016, these guys have been gigging relentlessly from the get go and were featured on the front cover of the first Kerrang! issue this year as predicted stars of 2016. Self described as "goth punk", Creeper have a togetherness that sets them apart from other newer outfits, and an infectious energy that is evident from the moment they step on stage. I've been fortunate enough to catch them a few times in 2015, and they never fail to deliver, bringing out a bit more excitement and a bit more magic with every show. Morphing seamlessly into a 6 piece for 2016, their 3rd EP, The Stranger, is released next month, and if you've not heard of them yet you should check them out immediately. Yes, I know I am a biased. Seriously though, they're amazing.

http://www.creepercult.com/

All Them Witches

This Nashville four-piece were brought to my attention by my ever suffering muso mate, who, despite having reasonably similar musical taste to me, normally has his suggestions callously rejected by yours truly, often with little articulate reasoning beyond "I just don't like it". This was one of the exceptions to the rule though, and if it were down to a spot of magic, All Them Witches are certainly the right band to have broken the mould with their psychedelic brand of mystical blues rock. They supported The Sword on an epic US tour at the end of 2015, and if you've read my review of the Sword's recent London show, you'll see how much I enjoy this Southern stoner rock style, particularly when it's backed up by astounding musical talent, which All Them Witches display in abundance. Check out their latest release, Dying Surfer Meets His Maker. 

http://www.allthemwitches.org/

Klone 

A classic example of another band who actually aren't new at all, Klone are a French prog metal outfit who formed in 1995 under the moniker "Sowat". Renamed as Klone in 1999, they've only recently made it over the Channel and into UK music press, with Total Guitar magazine listing them as "possibly the best kept secret in France" in a round up of the 20 best albums of 2015. Leaning towards the mellow end of prog, they remind me in parts of Pain Of Salvation, a band I discovered years ago supporting Opeth at Brixton Academy. As far as I can tell, some of their earlier albums are heavier, in keeping with the ever changing sounds of good prog bands, and I can't wait to delve into their back catalogue in the near future. Some quick research tells me they supported fellow French metallers Gojira in 2012 at London's Koko, which is a gig I wish I'd been at, albeit at a better venue. It appears that this is their only UK show, which is a shame. Here's hoping they come back soon!

http://klonosphere.com/klone/

Greenleaf 

On the surface, Greenleaf are a classic stoner rock band, exhibiting that archetypal Swedish alt rock vibe that emerged from the likes of Hellacopters / Backyard Babies, Truckfighters et al. The difference is that Greenleaf started as a side project for Tommi Holappa of Dozer, with a revolving line up who add something different and new to each release. On top of the heavy rock n roll riffs and gritty vocals come some unexpected key changes and harmonies that set this band apart from others in the same genre. They're playing at the Garage in London in February and I'm excited to check them out live.  

https://www.facebook.com/greenleafrocks

Novelists

Another French export, Novelists are also a progressive metal group, but in a very different ball park to Klone. Their sound is for more structured, with djent style tight guitar licks and an easy flowing balance between melody and screaming. The technical elements could be likened to Periphery, or another discovery for me this year, the awesome Monuments, showing the musical talent that this band clearly posses. This lot are actually fairly new, signing to Nuclear Blast sub label Arising Empire in July 2015. Their debut, Souvenirs, has received mixed reviews, arguably because Novelists' brand of metalcore just isn't cool at the moment. If they'd launched onto the scene a couple of years ago it might have been a different story, but metal subgenre trends aside, I'm personally hoping to hear more of these boys in the coming year.

https://www.facebook.com/NovelistsMusic

Elder

By far the proggiest of my new music discoveries, Elder are one of those bands who have a small number of seemingly endless tracks on each album, complete with ridiculously conceptual titles and about 8 difference phases in each song. They've been around for nearly a decade, but started young, releasing their first demo in 2007 when guitarist Nick DiSalvo was only 17. They don't sound young in the slightest though. Exuding 60s / 70s psychedelia, it's easy to see how they've taken influence from Zeppelin and Sabbath, with soaring riffs and a distinct old school groove to their sound. They're not touring any time soon, but I'll definitely be adding them to my playlist of progressive rock excellence for 2016.

https://www.facebook.com/elderofficial/

So that's just a few of the new and not-so-new bands I discovered in 2015, through Spotify or from friends, and I'm sure there are hundreds more out there that I've yet to encounter. Do you have any recommendations? I'd love to hear them. 

The Sword / Hang the Bastard @ The Underworld, Camden

On a Friday evening in September, during my busiest working week of the year, I couldn't be more excited that it's Friday. Partly because it means no work tomorrow, but mostly because I'm off up to the hive of activity that is Camden Town to see London metallers Hang The Bastard support stoner rockers The Sword, the latter of whom I've never had the chance to see before.

In a rare moment of good timekeeping, I actually arrive at the venue on time. Ordering a beer and allowing my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit underground space that is the Underworld, I prop up the bar for a few minutes until the speakers inform me that Hang The Bastard have taken to the stage. It's a sold out gig, so I'm quite surprised to see a lot of space still, but then I'm not used to being this early. I park myself next to a pillar with an actual view of the stage (a real rarity) and see what this London-based quartet have to offer. 

Opening with heavy, bluesy riffs the heads in the crowd soon start bobbing along. I'm a sucker for a half beat and a downtuned sound, and there's a lot of this being delivered tonight. There's buckets of energy on stage, and an awful lot of excellent beards everywhere. Frontman Tomas Hubbard screeches his goblin-esque vocals with an impressive ferocity, saving his vocal chords in between songs and turning around whilst the gaps are filled with abstract distortion and crackling feedback. I've seen HTB a few times and I'd say this is probably the most 'together' they've been. The massive doomy sludge riffs and big rhythms fill the space with a dirty, wonderful noise. By the end of their set the venue has filled up, and the capacity crowd seem ready for the headline act, suitably roused by Hang the Bastard's high energy, hard hitting performance. A band to watch out for if you like your metal veering towards death-style vocals and packing one hell of a punch.

The Sword open with the synth-electro Unicorn Farm from the new album, High Country. Following with Buzzards, also from the new release, they go on to mix old and new tracks together seamlessly into a cacophony of seventies influenced, beautifully balanced heavy rock. Tres Brujas from the band's third album Warp Riders follows the opening new tracks with meatier riffs and a togetherness that will stay for the rest of the evening.

The new material is arguably a return to a more classic rock sound, and has less of the heady, bassy stoner rock vibe of previous releases. This isn't to say it's lacking anything though. The 10 tracks performed tonight from the latest record display the characteristic polish and finesse that The Sword's fans have come to know and love. The solos are impressive without veering into self indulgence, the bass, synth and drums melding beautifully together to support John D. Cronise's retro vocals.

The older, heavier tracks get the best response from the crowd, with classics like The Horned Goddess, Freya and Maiden, Mother and Crone soaring over the now heaving crowd with Sabbath-esque style and doomier undertones. The set closes with one of my personal favourites, the epic Dying Earth from the 2012 release Apocryphon, followed by an encore of Suffer No Fools from the new album, and leaving us finally with Arrows In the Dark from Warp Riders. There's no grand exit, no stage antics. The Sword have come to the Underworld tonight to do what they do best, to play a lot of really good music.

In addition to the aforementioned downtuning and half beats displayed by Hang The Bastard, I also love a band who sound really tight live. There's something about technical brilliance and pinpoint rhythm that gets me screwing up my face into something resembling a contorted gargoyle. It's my own form of heartfelt appreciation. And tonight's set was chock full of technical brilliance and pinpoint rhythm. OK, so the Sword might not be the most charismatic band on the planet, but when they sound like this, I really don't care. This is straight up, Southern American rock at its finest.

http://www.hangthebastard.co.uk/
http://theswordofficial.com/

I still forgot to take any pictures though. Next time.

Bank Holiday Music weekend - ASIWYFA / Palm Reader.

3 days off work, so what better way to spend it than having my ears assaulted by 2 excellent bands accompanied by 1 good friend?

First up is Belfast outfit And So I Watch You From Afar, more often depicted as ASIWYFA,  presumably because they've too frequently run out of space on posters and flyers for their full name. A band I discovered a few years ago whilst venturing into The Cave stage at 2000 Trees festival in the rolling hills of Gloucestershire. Back then, I wasn't hugely familiar with the post rock genre, but I'd say ASIWYFA were probably one of the first bands to really spark my interest in all things post / math rock and beyond.

Tonight's venue is Islington Assembly Hall, a location I've not visited before, and one which is helpfully described to me by my friend as having "a lot of wood." To be fair, it's a pretty accurate description, with the main room, floor and ceiling all decked out in classy wooden panelling. It's a far cry from the dingy basement clubs that so often play host to the smaller bands I like. It's entirely opposite, in fact, to the venue I'll head to for the second leg of my Bank Holiday gigging adventures. But we'll get to that in a bit.

We arrive just before ASIWYFA are due to take the stage, having grabbed a quick drink in the nearby Hope & Anchor rather than shuffle in during the support act. It's a slightly older crowd than some rock bands would pull, groups of people standing around chatting as opposed to seeing how many shots they can down in the break between bands. The lights change to indicate the imminent arrival of the headline act and everyone's gaze shifts to the stage.

There's some brief atmospheric lighting and synth and they break into the upbeat "Run Home"- the opening track from the new album "Heirs" - to open the show. The next couple of tracks from the new release follow, leading into a quieter section in the middle of "BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION" from the 2011 "Gangs" EP. This brief downtime allows us to quietly discuss our appreciation for the post rock genre, and confirm our mutual admiration of the aforementioned woodwork and generally decadent decor. Surroundings aside, ASIWYFA are one of those acts who can really capture an audience's attention. From high octane technical riffs to almost silence within one track, the anticipation of the next soaring stanza is palpable in the quietness of the pauses.

A few more tracks from "Gang" are followed by the high energy "Like a Mouse" from the band's second album "All Hail Bright Futures." The sound fills the room with electric riffs and technical drumbeats, mixed up with a melee of electronic beeps and off-beat rhythms. With a large number of instrumental post-rock artists, one might worry about a lack of wordy vocals, that there might be something missing from the music. There is certainly nothing whatsoever lacking in ASIWYFA's performance tonight. The melodies are so complex, and the noise they make so complete, that there's no need for lyrics to convey the power of the tracks. 

"S is for Salamander" and "A Beacon, A Compass, An Anchor" precede "A Little Bit Of Solidarity Goes A Long Way"; the first offering tonight from the band's eponymous debut album. There's an element of rawness to this earlier material that's a noticeable change from the polished sound of the newer tunes, but it blends seamlessly into the set, the energy, focus and clever musicality every bit as accomplished as their newer writing. Finishing the main set with the emotive "Tryer, you" from the new album, these Northern Irish guys have given us a belter of a show, the new material along with the old going down a treat with the fans.

An encore consisting of 2 more tracks from the first album and 2 from the second, including the ever popular "Set Guitars To Kill" finish the evening on a familiar high, the soaring riffs and energetic beats leaving a buzz in the air and a very satisfied crowd.

ASIWYFA are a band I would 100% recommend to anyone who appreciates musical skill and passionate performances. I'll be catching them back at 2000 Trees in a few weeks, if you see them playing at a venue near you, do go along and check them out. I'm pretty sure you won't regret it.

In a complete change of venue and genre, the second of my Bank Holiday gigs is Palm Reader at the Windmill in Brixton. I've not been to this venue before either, and it couldn't really be much more different to the lavish interior of Islington Assembly Hall. Tucked down a residential side street up Brixton Hill, you'd be forgiven for mistaking the Windmill for some sort of community space or social club.

It's 4 o'clock in the afternoon and I'm running a little late. Odd time for a gig you might think, and you'd be right, if it weren't for the fact that this is gig 3 of 5 for the Palm Reader boys, who decided to play at 5 venues in and around London in one day aptly entitled "5 shows; 1 day; no fucks" to promote their new album, "Beside The Ones We Love".

If Wednesday is "hump day" because it's day 3 of 5 in the working week, you might expect this to be the the "hump set" which looks all kinds of wrong written down. I mean that the energy might be flagging, the voices going. Oh gods no. As I'm a little late, they've already broken into the ferocious "I Watch The Fire Chase My Tongue" from the new release. Their characteristic energy is there from the off, with heavy riffs and screaming hardcore vocals. It's a tiny venue and we can barely see the stage, although it transpires that this is partly due to the space being given by the small but excited crowd to allow the frontman Josh to expand from the stage and get in amongst the fans.  

Next up is "Stone's Blood", also from the new record, which is relentless in terms of sheer noise and brutal guitars. "Spineless" from the debut album follows, the crowd swaying to the pounding rhythms with a sense of familiarity.

"Sing Out Survivor", with its melodic and slower paced, emotive breakdown, and "Stacks" follow from the second album, finishing with the brilliant technical guitars and powerful vocals of "Seeing And Believing Are Two Different Things" and pure hardcore assault on the ears that is "Smack Hound" from the debut offering; "Bad Weather".

I manage to catch up with guitarist Andy after the show, who is still in high spirits despite working up a good sweat, and facing two more gigs before the day is out. These guys are finally getting some decent recognition since their formation in 2011, and you can tell it's the hard work and passion they put into their music that has got them to this point. They have time for a quick drink and a couple of merch sales and it's back into the van in the fading light of early evening towards Kingston for gig number 4. If you like hardcore, or even if you don't,  do check these guys out if you get a chance. Their talent and sheer energy on stage is clear, and I hope they will continue to gain the popularity they rightfully deserve.

So there you have it. 2 totally different bands, 2 totally different venues, but a wholly enjoyable experience and a most excellent way to celebrate an extra day off work.

Once again I was too busy enjoying myself to take any pictures, so you'll just have to go and see these bands for yourself to discover what they look like giving it their all on stage.

You can check out ASIWYFA here and Palm Reader here to find out more.