0 The current hype surrounding TRIBES meant tonight’s show is one of the hottest underground tickets in town, and where better that The Shipping Forcast’s Hold for such an event.
Up first are local bands THE BEAT MARAUDER and FLY WITH VAMPIRES who despite being completely different in style, both bring an impressive following with them, and the reception for both is boisterous and energetic.
The Beat Marauder cite rock n roll, blues and foot-tapping rock-a-billy as their influences and this newly expanded six-piece quickly launch into a quick fire set full of energy and drive. It is initially a little frenetic, but ten minutes in and they start to relax into what becomes a thoroughly engaging performance.
Trombone and Keyboards add soulful elements to what is otherwise a straight forward rock n roll setup, and that rock n roll spirit is strong.
The band and the crowd work together to create an almost carnival like atmosphere, and by the end the crowd and The Beat Marauder are gasping for more.
Fly With Vampires open with a stunning signature acapella number that was as surprising as it was impressive. Musically it is a well polished, if a little predictable affair.
In no way bad but that is at times too slick, smooth and easy on the ears to really stimulate the musical senses. There are a few moments that do set the spine tingling though such as Not Wasted On The Young and Everything But Sleep that show the great potential of a band who have great understanding between each other and that slot nicely into the Interpol bracket.
If their music matures as well as their voices have they could well have a bright future ahead of them.
By the time Tribes take to the stage The Hold is packed to the rafters and it looks like a throwback to the early 90s. Yes grunge is back, and Tribes embrace it whilst linking arms with Britpop before throwing the two together in an unlikely yet emphatic embrace that is going to make these four shaggy haired men very popular indeed.
The set sees plenty of nodding along and thrusting Red Stripe cans in the air to the fuzzy and incessant grooves which have the gruff power of a Nirvana or Soundgarden.
Yet in equal part these tunes are so catchy that there is plenty of opportunity for sing-along smashes akin to Supergrass and Weezer.
This is a band that wears its influences on the thick chest hair protruding from the ripped low cut t-shirts it’s four members wear, and it’s refreshingly honest to see.
A couple of Pixies riffs are all too obviously lifted and the opening riff of We Were Children surely belongs to Weezer’s Sweater Song, whilst latest single Sappho is about as catchy as they come.
It was novel and quite refreshing to hear this musical era re-imagined, and makes a nice change from the bland, done-to-death Indie Pop we’ve been submitted to over the last few years.
The question is how long before the novelty begins to wear off. In the meantime though, raise a beer and work on that shaggy mop for when Tribes next return to Liverpool, you’d best be ready.
Thomas Jefferson
