The Sheffield Scenester

I have to start this review by saying; this was one of the most anticipated Soundclash nights ever...especially with the brilliant line-up! Then to top it all...a couple of weeks before the event, the Frog & Parrot also announce another brilliant line up for their venue too...featuring The Elephant Keys. So obviously negotiations between the promoters went on to ensure no one would miss both headlining acts; so they were co-ordinated (so no one had to). The mad dash from The Plug to The Frog, took us literally seconds with the aid of a disgruntled taxi driver who only managed to get a £3 fare from us (well worth it)!

Anyway...back to the Soundclash...as we entered a fairly busy room the ambience was rather a choking one...what with all the ‘mist’!...although it did give the atmosphere similar to an underground blues bar.
The Arkham Karvers kicked off with ‘Arkham’ which has a fantastic guitar intro. The intro lasted long enough for more people to gather and watch this fairly new young band who...let’s face it...have got tongues wagging. Their reputation of their multi mix sound style, which blends so effortlessly together, really put them in a good position on the Sheffield music circuit. And tonight was their new megaphone debut...if you remember he didn’t have it the last time (the original having been dropped and broken – I think). This megaphone was a more professional one...the typical greyish colour giving the impression of authority (as opposed to the red/yellow plastic one which suggested children’s toy box!). Their second track ‘Powercut’ had well written/thoughtful lyrics and a good Ska sound, so that was an instant hit yet again with the crowd. Their third song (which was written by vocalist Dave Gash who is in fact a final year Film and Media Production student ) for a while hasn’t had a title, but tonight it was named (using inspiration from his education I assume!)... ‘Observations and Wise Words from the Curious Alan Smithee’...which I must admit is a bit of a mouthful...and whilst I’m racking my brain...I seem to recall...the term ‘Alan Smithee’ is usually a pseudonym a film director uses when he wants to disown a badly edited film (and also a character played by Eric Idle – I think)...well this isn’t a badly edited song, on the contrary, yet again it’s an excellent blend of styles which the crowd couldn’t get enough of. The great vocal on ‘Alaska’ was complimented well with another danceable Ska infused sound, which was so catchy the crowd sang along and some even moved to the beat. The set continued with a faster pace and with some thrashing guitar playing too, this band seems to be going from strength to strength and improving every time we see them. Their last track of the set was the usual Reggae influenced ‘Leeches & Fingernails’ which sealed their performance to a high standard...and they really raised the bar...after all if the first act of the night is performing this well...the following acts need to make damn sure they are on top form or at least on par to ensure they don’t get over shadowed. Come on lads get the EP sorted...we are waiting!
The catchy beats continued because in between the sets tonight we had Iain Hodgson (who seems to becoming a regular Soundclash fixture) and Tivoli’s Russ Frisby spinning quality tunes at the decks....keeping everyone revved up for the subsequent band.

Next up was the very popular Driftrun...and yes it’s no secret they are one of my favourite local bands. Their entrance initially didn’t seem as dramatic as the last time we saw them...no search lights. But as soon as the opening notes/chords/beat ricocheted around the room a sudden energy engulfed the crowd so the cheers and applause erupted. ‘Marching with the Enemy’ is always an excellent set starter and as you see Gilly limbering up to start his dance...you know it’s just going to get better. As the solid drum beat and screeching guitar riffs hit your ears as ‘Like An Addiction’ is played...it ‘does exactly what it says on the tin’...so to speak...becomes addictive. This is one song I would love to keep hearing...therefore I am becoming very impatient regarding getting my hands on their next EP or album...After all I still play their older EP, but because their sets now revolve around their newer material, I want to go home and listen to those songs as well. Think about it...the reception Driftrun receive as they play live is immense...if people have the opportunity to listen to their current material at home to get them in the mood...can you imagine the reception they would receive then...? Their new material is amazing, it has to be said, and their sound has evolved from a sound similar to ‘American Rock/Pop’ to a more British edgier Indie/Rock sound. Another favourite of mine from their set is ‘LSD’ or to give it its full title ‘Last Septembers Dance’ the mix of drums and fabulous electronic sound at times reminded me of a Muse style which again the crowd loved. As the set drew to a close we were introduced to Gilly’s new toy...Martin the Megaphone...yep the second one of the night...however Driftrun supported a bigger and better specimen compared to the Arkham Karvers variety. So now I’m wondering if there’s some kind of ‘megaphone envy’ thing going on...it must be a man thing...or a band thing?! I have to say Driftrun’s had a siren facility...which really echoed the resonance of their final track ‘Early Warning’. This simple piece of equipment really captures the essence of the song and worked really well. This final song of the set is another example of how addictive their music is, the chorus being so singable. Yet again I could have quite easily listened to the band all night, and no matter how often I go and see them I am never disappointed or bored.

Eaststrikewest were the next band up...who I’ve never seen play live before, so I was looking forward to see what they had to offer. It must be quite a tough gig for them considering it’s not their hometown and they are playing with three of the best bands from Sheffield/Rotherham. Most of the crowd stayed to watch/listen, some unfortunately voted with their feet so the band did have the least amount of people to support their set. They kicked off their set with a very atmospheric start...with arrange of keys, excellent guitar execution and solid drumming which just got faster and faster. The fingers on the guitars played some excellent rapid chords, and just watching them had you stood in amazement. This long intro developed into their first track of the set ‘God Can't Take His Eyes Off Me’, which encouraged more people back around the stage, as vocalist Tom Clarke began his contribution to the track. The vocals to be honest were unfortunately unintelligible, maybe the mic should have been turned up a notch. So all the hard work which went into the magnificent start seemed to become a bit of a damp squib...with the applause coming across as an unsure smattering of clapping....I imagine that didn’t help the bands confidence either. However occasionally when I did hear the lyrics clearly, his vocal and sound was totally on the same level as other more successful anthemic rock/indie bands...if not better...the musicians just oozed skill. The three guitarists were so in their moment too...with concentration etched all over their faces. The crowd did become more enthusiastic as the vocal became more clearer and the applause did become louder. Their last song ‘Welcoming The Ghosts’ had bit of a bumpy start when there was a strange grinding noise interfering with the sound. This song had a slower start in comparison to their other songs, and also with the use of search lights it became quite atmospheric yet again. Eventually the sound developed into a marching band style, which ended the set quite well. Although the premature disappearance of the vocalist at the very end was quite confusing, he did give everyone a thumbs up as he left...but all the same the band continued to play as he left the stage. The band received a generous applause and one or two cheers for their efforts....even though (and I think the band would agree) this performance obviously wasn’t their best gig...but I’d probably see these lads again just for the music alone, and maybe have another listen to the vocals just to satisfy myself they are better than the performance they gave tonight.

As more people gathered around the stage it was time for Alvarez Kings; their welcome being a raving ecstatic mash-up of people leaning forward to get the best view possible...which was expected because this was their first gig back in the UK since their SXSW gigs, so it was obvious the more dedicated fans had missed them....and I think some were just glad to see that they had returned (by all accounts it was so good over there – they didn’t want to come back!) Their kick off was quite an unusual with ‘One Patience Is Strength’...which I think...did actually confuse some of the crowd, but others relished the change in procedure and gave cheers and applause. The next song was obviously an all round crowd pleaser...‘You Me Them Us’ because pretty much all the crowd joined in and sang along with the lyrics...although the song wasn’t totally familiar...whilst the lads have been recording their new single, I think the lads must have been developing their overall sound too, because to me the drums sounded quite different tonight....a more smoother less solid sound. However...having said that...a more of a disjointed solid drum beat then came back with ‘An Honest Dilemma’, which is a favourite of mine and everyone couldn’t help but move to the tune. Next up was their new single ‘B’ side ‘Funeral Reunion’...which quite frankly is good enough to be an ‘A’ side in its own right...but I suppose you could say that about all of their tracks! I love the echoing guitar beginning and contrasting vocal in particular, this song definitely has an interesting cocktail of sounds which would stop any music lover in their tracks and make them listen. The next song played received the most cheers and is also my ultimate favourite (at the moment!) and I have to say...it’s the one which I got to play on Raw Talent too....‘A Means to an End’ I just love the excitement and participation of the crowd, let’s hope this is captured when they put their album together...it wouldn’t be the same without it. The rest of the set was received with great enthusiasm as the newer ‘Dark-Eyed Children’ blended well with the slower paced ‘Picking up the Pieces’ and the lyrically fantastic ‘Two to Tango’...and obviously their usual grand finale is their newly released ‘Sequel’ which sounded amazing tonight, the catchy repetitive chorus is so infectious you can’t help but sing along...and as the lads left the stage to euphoric applause and cheers...Iain Hodgson entered the stage and encouraged the crowd to display even more appreciation, as the lads enthusiastically re-entered the stage to do an encore of ‘Is That What She Said?’....and even though the Alvarez Kings were obviously still tired from their magnificent trip to Texas, their performance was of a professional standard and played a key part in one of the best Soundclash nights to date...

Words by Gail Buckthorpe
Photos by Geoff Buckthorpe