henry's

It was an already packed out Plug as we arrived quite early...the crowd was made up mainly of excited young revellers, who seemed to be having a good time even before the bands started to play. Tonight the search lights really complemented the ambience; blaring strong light beams in all directions in a virtual pitch black room (occasionally causing people to blink rapidly as they got an eyeful). The crowd made their way to the front of the stage ready for the first band...and yes....Soundclash had recruited another DJ for tonight’s entertainment (Uzele)...who got the crowds musical juices running by spinning some excellent tracks!

Ripoff Britain opened tonight’s Soundclash with a very enthusiastic welcome.....especially to the ‘I’ve Gotta Feeling’ and ‘Blitzkrieg Bop’ opening mix. Excellent start to their set I have to say...in fact whose idea was that...mixing Black Eyed Peas & The Ramones...? It worked well...especially as the band executed the tracks to their own style. It was also obvious the crowd relished the familiarity of the songs...and most sang along with arms in the air. The set was smattered with covers (from the likes of Jet and Buckcherry) as well as their own tracks, which really rocked the Plug’s foundations. What made me smile was the use of a tambourine during the cover of Jet’s ‘Are you gonna be my girl?’...that really emphasised the percussion to the extent the crowd clapped to the beat...and I have to say...the guitar skills from Moz are obvious as he seems to be at one with the invigorating instrument. Their last song ‘Treadin’ the Boards’ in my opinion was the best one of the set....especially as the song is about The Boardwalk. The 50’s rock n roll-esque back beat and hint of ‘boogie-woogie blues style’ guitar playing (as opposed to a piano) combined with today’s music flavour really had the crowd moving. To be honest I could have quite easily listened to this band all night...they really got the balance right....familiar tracks blended with their own...there was something for everyone.

Next up was Faint of Heart...who I saw very recently (and briefly) at the Live & Unsigned regional finals...and to be honest that night, I enjoyed the music but I wasn’t too keen on their vocals. One thing I did notice however was the strong support they received both at the City Hall and tonight....so this evening I’ll be listening hard to the vocal...after all with the support they are getting, they must be good. They began their set with an instant attention grabbing intro to ‘Fighting for a Bed’...where each guitarist seem take it in turns to produce a unique catchy riff which blends so well with the good solid drum beat... and I have to say...the vocals tonight already sounded a million times better than the last time I saw them. The next song (which was played at the Live & Unsigned regional final) was the extremely popular ‘Morgan Freeman Was Never Young’...which seemed to be an unusual title...but made sense all the same! The next song ‘Top Of The World Ma' had a softer intro which then made way for another solid drum beat...this encouraged cheers and loud applause from the energetic crowd. Their sound is pop injected with punk...so their catchy rhythms have a sharper and harder edge which cut through anything that could be seen as cheesy...and the next song really proved that...their cover of Michael Buble’s ‘Haven't Met You Yet’ fitted well into their set and the band really made it their own. I have to say my favourite song of the set was ‘He's Got a Case of the Handsomes’...this racy number really begged the question why wasn’t this one played at the Live and Unsigned gig...? This one injects energy into the crowd...its catchy....memorable (because I was humming the tune later during the set change)...surely that would have got them through to the next round..? The rest of the set continued with energy and some good guitar skills....then as their performance was coming to an end...their impromptu performance of ‘500 miles’ re-ignited cheers and applause as they then comfortably slipped into their final track of their set ‘Big Tricks In Short Sleeves’...which according to the crowd’s response obviously ended their set on a high.

Stripey Jack is another band who I have seen on a number of occasions...and to their credit...they really take on board what is said and constantly try to improve. It was obvious the band have been going through some changes...the lead guitarist for one (Matty C took has taken the place of Joe Shaw – who by all accounts has left the band to pursue a solo career). Their entrance was a bit strange...an empty stage with a low buzzing noise which seemed to last forever...well all of 2 minutes anyway...(apparently Ryan Young - vocalist said afterwards that they had a spot of bother with a guitar lead). But again that didn’t knock their enthusiasm...because the entire band seemed to then suddenly burst on to the stage with a whole new level of confidence. The crowd’s response was quite amazin’ and no one can accuse these lads of having no fans...on the contrary...the plug was at its most fullest with adoring fans. I have to say...these lads have usually played the first set at a gig...but tonight they were promoted to main support...maybe that had something to do with their new brand of Stripey Jack. ‘Epitome of Life’ was their kick off track...which really sent the crowd into a madness Soundclash hasn’t witnessed for a while. Ryan Young really gave a good assertive performance from the off tonight, which really portrayed him as the crowds showman and the performance gave everyone a real buzz as the crowd was encouraged to clap, cheer and sing...the lot!...however if I were to offer any more observations... other members of the band need to follow suit in retaining their confidence throughout the whole set too. Another good thing about Stripey Jack is that they always keep themselves busy...tonight they played a song they only wrote last Thursday called ‘Nobody To hate’ with its good solid drum and driving guitars they are obviously onto a winner with this one. Their next track ‘Seen to Much’ had a great instrumental section which really showcased Matty’s guitar skill. The set all the way through was like a fairground ride...literally for some... especially the members of the crowd who were on each other shoulders...and being swung about...It has to be said...this performance was their best to date.

Next up was Playground Mafia, one of Sheffield’s finest. Their energetic starter track ‘Let the Music Take Control’ was quite apt really...because the mad crowd suddenly whipped themselves up into more of a frenzy as they entered the stage. By all accounts they’d just got back from supporting Tinchy Stryder in Barnsley...but they looked as fresh as they usually do...you wouldn’t have known they’d just literally completed a previous full set! Elisha Jay also looked settled and confident as she gave all she had to her vocals. Matt doing an excellent job keeping the crowd excited by saying “Hope you’re in a party mood...I am!” I went and stood near the back with the rest of the 25+’s...and the vision from the back as the crowd all bopped to the music with their arms in the air (in unison) was an amazing sight...if anything it reminded me of the time I went to Ibiza with my friends. I have to say...it’s also obvious that Playground mafia are keeping their set fresh by re-working some of their older material as well as writing new stuff...a dancier version of ‘You Know What To Do’ really impressed the crowd. Although saying that (and this is only a little nit-pic)...it was a shame when Elisha left the stage as ‘We Live To Party’ & ‘Running Around Your Mind’ was played... what would be interesting next time is to include Elisha somehow. Having her on stage permanently would really underline her status and yet again make the older tracks into something new. Elisha is obviously a popular member of the group...so now when she’s not on stage she is missed. Elisha did return for the two final tracks ‘You Take Me Higher’ and ‘Let’s Get on Down’ which really encouraged the crowd to sing out loud...some girls next to me took on the role as ‘backing singers’...and yep they sounded good too! This is Electro/dance music at its best...Playground Mafia is definitely still on my radar when it comes to live music.

Tonight’s Soundclash was a real musical mixture, which really attracted the crowds yet again....another good night’s entertainment.

Words by Gail Buckthorpe
Photos By Geoff Buckthorpe and Gez Robinson