The Sheffield Scenester

Hosting the launch night for The Monday Club’s new EP; the first set of Soundlcash opened at a record breaking early time of 7:30pm. Added to the unusually early start the venue was surprisingly rammed; not knowing what to expect from the bands, it was looking positive! Settling into a spot near the stage it became apparent that I was the oldest there; so old, I felt like an under-eighteen event supervisor, ready to intervene if any young revellers got too fresh. Spotting a few other over eighteen’s I relaxed.

Relaxed, that is until Great Deeds took to the stage to open with their jazz-thrash set. A Sheffield, ‘Jazz-punk’ trio that appear to thrive on an obscure genre. Refreshing to see a band with originality be it to your taste or not, it’s difficult not to respect the unique sound amongst the masses of local indie-bands. Great Deeds open their slot with a high-speed, electric thrash-punk track. Call me a laureate, but I like to listen to lyrics, be able to hear them and mull over the meaning- I unfortunately found the lyrics to be obfuscate and lost amongst the noise, perhaps a purposeful structure to their style but leaves me doubting the conviction in their words. Un-deniably it was excellently received by the crowd- the intelligent layers of talented instrumentals are admirable and inspirational. The second track of their set really grabbed my attention, a grungy, Pixie-esque, sound filled the venue and had me mentally wishing they’d break out into a cover of ‘Debaser’. ‘Chainsaw’ was the track that really gained my full respect for this band; following on the current trend for immense instrumental tracks, tracks mind-blowingly massive through the use of dramatic sound, a technique similar to ‘Explosions In The Sky’. Like Jazz-instruments crushing together through a chainsaw, the song was aptly entitled. The talented threesome finish their set with ‘Believe You Me’ in-arguably the band have been extremely well received by the crowd but I can’t help thinking; why is no one moshing? It’s the perfect surfer-punk to lose your mind in.

Low Duo took their place for the second set of Soundclash. From the open emotive string and the dark enthralling vocals, I felt how Columbia records must have felt when they first heard and signed Jeff Buckley- I wanted to start a record label and sign this duo, purely to escalate them into the international alternative chart and share this piece of musical heaven with the world. Appreciation seemed to be lost amongst the young crowd, a few talking through their set; this is definitely music for grown ups, EMO for grown ups. Intelligent, provocative lyrics translated through heart-breaking vocals, matched with one guy playing an acoustic guitar, using different pedals to create a layered effect, the sound is emotionally intense. After the gig I researched Low Duo and discovered, as I first suspected, they are making massive waves, tsunamis, in music blogs and reviews in papers like The Guardian. Unbelievably, they only formed in August 2010 and have already stamped their mark solidly, so much so that they’ve supported ‘solo-female artist of the moment’ Anna Calvi. Taking into account the one voice and one guitar- like a magic-show I am looking for the smoke and mirrors, the sound and effect is prodigious, layered with folk-tinged, delicate layers and impossibly detailed to be projected from a duo. Playing tracks from their EP ‘The EP Of Hope & Despair’; they offer the crowd a hard copy of their EP, donating as much as we liked into their piggy bank (literally a piggy bank on a stand) I sped to the front, picked up my copy and have played it in my car so many times, I know the four tracks word for word. Brilliant ballads to belt-out along to.

After that beautifully intense set I was grateful for the interval to digest what I’d heard. The Stoops were definitely a shock to the system and of a completely different genre. A genre I’d describe as shallow indie-rock; akin more to a USA sound, along the bars of All Time Low. This isn’t music I’d ever willingly listen to but it was apparent I was the only one that felt this way. Announcing the band was celebrating their guitarist’s birthday; I suddenly understood their massive following was probably friends out to join the celebrations. Right from the loutish-off, the crowd responded to their massive-American sound and started moshing below the stage. In-arguably, the band purveys a certain charisma; they’re humorous and have great showmanship, getting the crowd involved in drinking games between tracks for the birthday boy. On a positive note; The Stoops project talented instrumentals, creating a respectable big American-band sound which cannot be falsified. Their set feels like the longest of the night; highly energetic, possessing that youthful, never-ending, Duracell bounce- the crowd respond and rock out right to the end. Ending with an Indie-rock version of Faithless ‘I Can’t Get No Sleep’; I really detest soulless dance-music and actually prefer The Stoops version, a guitar makes everything better, doesn’t it?

Finally, celebrating their EP release ‘Up Is Up’ and launching it at Soundclash, The Monday Club took their final headline slot to an elephantine response from the crowd. Opening with an incredibly funk-filled bass solo, it’s catchy and easy to move to. The Monday Club openly admits to being influenced by typically Indie bands such as Oasis and Kasabian. I can hear the influence and feel like I am being transported back to the Indie 90’s, perhaps where that sound should stay. Conceptualise the love child of Tom Meighan and Liam Gallagher, had they met on one drunken night, sped their sound and transported to 2011, where bands have started to be influenced by the bluesy- bass of The Black Keys and you will understand the sound of The Monday Club. It’s good, they’re talented and their sound is extremely well received by the crowd; however, I can’t help but feel the sound is dated and has the possibility of being drowned within the masses standard Indie-bands. The Monday Club, undeniably, have a huge local respect and following; regularly headlining local events, they fill venues, so I am sure my opinion is a minority view. Fans of a more upbeat version of 90’s Indie will love this band!

Words by Laura Collinson
Photos by Mickelmas Youngus