First up in The Picket on this Friday night was Pedestals. Opening a show is never easy but these guys gave it a good go…
They had a strong sound which caught some people’s attention, however it was rather generic sounding, nothing really stood out. To make matters worse for the guys, the lead singer/bassist’s microphone broke and it took them nearly the whole song to get it fixed, even changing microphone didn’t work. Now I don’t mean this to sound harsh but, when it came to the bands last song, I was hoping for them to have a strong finish. This didn’t happen. The vocals just didn’t fit right from the start of the song and I honestly can’t remember anything outstanding about them. When you listen to bands, there is always that sense inside that tells you whether or not you think a band will do better, and for Pedestals, who released their Sophomore album ‘Especially Average’ in September 2013, I can’t help but think they will struggle to be more than a support band. I really hope they prove me wrong though.
Following Pedestals was Buckle Tongue. Now where do I start with Buckle Tongue. They are again local(ish) lads, hailing from Ellesmere Port. This 4 piece alternative rock band are definitely ones to look out for in the future. They produce a strong sound and can hold the crowds attention. With the lead singer again being the bassist and taking center stage, when the breakdowns dropped, their stage presence turned very Attack Attack! At some points I was surprised the drummer could see what he was doing as his fringe covered his entire face… but the style did fit into the music. There were references I’d heard from various members of the crowd relating them to You Me At Six (both positive and negative) but out of the two local supports, these guys definitely won the battle. As well as playing some heavier music, they brought a varied sound with some mellow tracks as well, but as I’ve said, expect to hear more from them.
I found it hard to write about ROAM. It’s nothing bad about them because their set was awesome, showing desire to bring more punk to pop punk. It’s based on the security at The Picket. The typical sort of crowd you’ll have at a pop punk gig is rebellious teenagers or angsty people that want to release some “stress” and forget about what people think of them. This includes people who will crowdsurf and stage dive. Security provide protection. Correct me if I’m wrong, but grabbing kids by the neck and dragging them down and out isn’t the best showcase of protection. That set aside, ROAM brought it. Solid sounds, involved with the crowd and an all round solid pop punk act. it’s no wonder they’ve been tipped for big things!
When it comes to reviewing bands, I only have one rule: “If you have no notes on a band, then they killed it!” This is the case for Neck Deep. Right from the get go of their set , they made a point of informing the crowd that it was “the crowds stage” and if they want to stage dive or crowd surf, then do it! After this they had everyone in the palm of their hand. I’ve seen Neck Deep twice before and they get better each time! I urge anyone who gets a chance to go and see them. Although the music may not always be on point, if you love small, sweaty gigs then these guys seriously are for you! Just don’t wear a white hat. If you lose it ( and there’s a high chance you will), it won’t come back white (I found that out the hard way).
Catch Neck Deep on Tour with We Are The In Crowd:
January 29th – Nottingham Rescue Rooms
January 30th – Leeds Cockpit
February 1st – Glasgow Garage
February 2nd – Newcastle University
February 3rd – Liverpool O2 Academy 2
February 5th – Manchester Academy 2
February 6th – Birmingham O2 Academy 2
February 7th – Bristol Fleece
February 8th – Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms
February 10th – London Koko
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