http://www.myspace.com/theholdsteady
http://www.myspace.com/thechecks
http://www.myspace.com/formerbullies
Tonight’s ‘Club Fandango’ has been moved from the slightly smaller Jabez Clegg beer house in order to cope with the demand for tickets, and on arrival at the University building, it’s down as a complete sell-out. No wonder, for with line-ups like this, the night could well require permanent relocation to cope with the demand!
This new-ish Student Union venue is already filling up fast, and anticipation levels are high as Chorley hopefuls FORMER BULLIES take to the stage. Their big riffing ‘Road To Hell’ style of rock n’ roll warmed up quickly, and with an injection of ‘must-have’ blues thrown in for good measure, the three-piece Americanised grunge merchants were off to a flyer in no time.
Heart attacks and panic stations littered their slices of U.S. noise, and though there wasn’t a trace of Lancashire in Nicholas Ainsworth’s eyes-closed vocal delivery, it was easy to forgive them as their psyched-out noise pulled the crowd towards the stage like a magnet. ‘These Boots Were Made For Running’ sledged and slurried it’s way into view with an uptempo twist, and their overall use of controlled feedback added weight to the quickly gathering momentum of their jam.
There was a dash of slide guitar FX as their set progressed, with lines like ‘All that’s left is a pretty/empty head’ striking out for universal truth. The warm applause they got in return was well deserved, and their 9-song set had the added effect of warming things up nicely for the forthcoming acts – well done!!
Next up were THE CHECKS, whose uncompromising show brimmed with untamed energy and an electricity that the assembled rock-loving audience found truly infectious. Their most recent recorded work has been produced by Ian Broudie, who has performed his necessary genius in getting down the work of these wildstyle merchants of frenzy.
Hailing from New Zealand, the five guys onstage delivered thunderous bolts of pure rock as the young and not so young grooved as unselfconsciously as front man Edward Knowles. The pogo-ing was in evidence from start to finish. The staccato power of ‘Take Me There’ had feet moving and heads nodding, as the vocals screamed out of control amidst a brooding guitar assault. The Strat was assaulting eardrums left, right and centre as the three-part harmonies howled and hollered the tunes in and out of shape superbly. ‘Tired From Sleeping’ was appreciated in full for the shape-throwing craziness that signalled it, and ‘Hunting Whales’ imploded in a blurred tangle of bluesy screams and tortured guitar licks.
Ending with the chunky lampoon ‘Mercedes’ Children’ that threatened to push this whole out-of-control show over the edge, THE CHECKS were gone in what seemed like mere seconds after their arrival, leaving breathless smiling faces everywhere in the room.
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THE HOLD STEADY’s arrival onstage had the advantage of unconditional love purring behind and in front of them, and an audience already breathlessly impressed by the quality of both support acts. Their mission? To put the FUN back into rock n’ roll, something that this grinning, gurning riff-heavy dad-rockers managed with just their smiles alone.
With their tiny synth as a trump card, a perfect foil for the mind-twisting lead guitar attack, the band made clear their hope that everyone was up for a belting ol’ time. Deep set in the ensuing party though, we were never allowed to lose sight of the basic truth and wisdom that glistened at the centre of their songs like the pearls that they were. ‘Chips Ahoy!’ got a screaming ovation, with added crowd whistling effects (“It’s a true story” emphasised their bearded and bespectacled singer), and the awesome ‘You Can Make Him Like You’ they pronounced as the one big truth amongst them all (Hey, do they read W&H!?) before the shape-throwing madness descended on us all for the remainder of the evening.
‘Stuck Between Stations’ opened the set superbly, illustrating the later claim that their sound was “A pile of freaked-out Rock n’ Roll with me talking a bunch of bullshit over the top” and the stream of consciousness never let up, with tunes like ‘Massive Nights’ and ‘Hot Soft Light’ bouncing Lizzy-like off the ceiling as the sweat levels rose steadily below.
Appreciation was turned into adulation as each of their thumping, psychologically uplifting ditties hit home. I rubbed my bleary eyes to see the onstage antics mimic those of the band’s rock heroes, through life-living maxims and fave TV show dedications. The anthemic ‘Party Pit’ celebrated aimless benders everywhere as the noise levels contributed massively to the mosh-pit euphoria.
THE HOLD STEADY are a must-listen band, if you’ve not yet had the pleasure, and judged on showings like this you will not be disappointed. They are currently rocking their way around England, bringing a little slice of Brooklyn mayhem along for the ride – check the tour dates, and get y’self along for the party!
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