In what was only a short stay in the UK, super duo Simple Creatures entertained the Hangar – London Fields in what was there first ever UK show. Consisting of Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus and All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, the tiny intimate club venue was always going to be packed out from the start.
Not only did we managed to catch Simple Creatures show off some of their new music from their debut EP Strange Love, we got the chance to see BBC Radio One DJ Daniel P. Carter perform a DJ set to warm up the crowd. This was certainly a treat for fans as he played some anthems that varied from hip hop all the way to something a little more heavier.
The venue was pumped from the start with balloon hats being handed out as well as Simple Creatures balloons. Even the merchandise table were giving away Simple Creatures lollipops which was just a really nice touch.
Despite only playing for 45 minutes, fans got a chance to see two of arguably the world’s best pop-punk influences and this duo certainly did not disappoint.
Special guests included McFly’s/INK.’s Dougie Poynter as well as You Me At Six’s Josh Franceschi. The duo began with high energy from the start as they began their set with ‘Drug’ which was already a fan favourite. There was plenty of banter between Mark and Alex throughout which looked like it was on the cards from the start with their backgrounds. Simple Creatures continued their set with Adrenaline and How To Live with all three of the first songs featuring on the Strange Love EP.
Then the duo treated fans to a never heard before song which was titled ‘NVM’, this is certainly sign of things to come and could prove that Simple Creatures may be sticking around for a while. Mark confessed halfway through the set that before the band was created it was his darkest place he’s been in 30 years so you can see how much this project means to him.
The set continued with a well known cover which was Depeche Mode’s Personal Jesus. Once covered by Marilyn Manson, the American Trash Pop duo certainly gave a twist to the song.
With just four songs left, Simple Creatures continued to play their three remaining songs on the EP which included Ether, Lucy and Strange Love. They managed to also a fit another unheard song One Little Lie which for me was the highlight of the set.
So with their next full set at Download Festival in June, who knows where this will leave Simple Creatures, hopefully they will stick about for a while!