Shape Of Punk To Come
On a night like the ninth we have in Birmingham both ends of the Rock ‘N’ Roll spectrum, the mighty KISS are performing tonight and here at The Sunflower Lounge we celebrate the fledglings.
All the way from sunny Redditch we have my friends, Project Revise, a gleesome threesome of comedians and part-time musicians(only joking lads!). love and laughter are the order of the day with their fun filled pop-punk tunes to jump around to, all taken from the EP ‘Songs That Sound Like Songs’. they only just got started when drummer Dave broke his pedal, but the guys kept us entertained with their banter and great sense of humour.
An impromptu call to say ‘Goodbye Dave’ for his accident was a great asset in the bands armoury, which included ‘Every Time Breaks’, Tie Me Down and new song’ Just A Story’ with the fab lyric ‘your story’s no different to mine’ which encapsulates the oneness and unity in rock music. They happily chatted with fans at the end too and took photos, it’s lovely to have a band that will share a few moments with their fans, for us it symbolises reciprocity and that our loyalty does not go unnoticed. Onwards and upwards fellows!
After a beautiful Trash Boat interlude ( my first album review for Original Rock) we have Weatherstate who take over the small but perfectly formed stage. Our punky brethren are loud, brash and mischievous in their outlook, dangerously bunny hopping onstage, trying to avoid the cables.
Songs included ‘Rotten Lungs’, ‘Ghost’ and ‘Brain Dead’ which throwback back to Sum 41 and even Presidents Of The USA (no not him) in their tone and feel. It was cool and cosy in the basement tonight, and we were glad to be in the company of these young guns who are the future and indeed the shape of punk to come.
Forever Came Calling sees Joe on vocals providing an acoustic set, which was welcome for our ears, as we settled into a little chit chat in between songs to keep the crowd engaged and interested. It takes some moxie to get up and perform, and it doesn’t help when the audience is a little scant, quite disappointing really, when the artist is trying to keep the momentum going. It’s hard work folks, and Joe sang with all his might tonight, stunning melodies, and punch in the heart lyrics like
‘home never was the same again, all the things I said, it’s what I always meant’ daring and life-affirming.
With songs to save the day, and with a little help from the chicken sized horse and an altercation with a goose at a service station, Joe was in fine form this evening. Thoroughly enjoyable.
Sitting snugly at the top spot we have The Bottom Line all the way from the breath-taking UK coastline and they of the annual Teddy Rocks festival, such dedication and conviction in the face of a fickle industry is surely worthy of high praise. Complete with inflatable palm trees we were on vacation tonight as the beach vibe arrives in Brum.
Having reviewed the album, I can understand the urgency that bands feel to perform their songs live, it really is quite a remarkable experience. the music takes on a life of its own and the fans feel they have contributed to the band in some small way. The band usher the crowd forward as we wiggle and jiggle about to ‘She Makes Me’, ‘Doomed’ and my favourite ‘Over And Over’ as they use the stage boxes to elevate themselves above the crowd and survey their fandom. Its fun and frolics galore ladies and gents, as TBL know how to keep things moving. The limited stage made for some gleeful but dodgy gallivanting, to accompany the songs; a jolly good show all round, as our stiff upper lips have been gently persuaded to engage in a little frivolity and a ‘let your hair down’ and throw caution to the wind approach.
Closing with ‘In Your Memory’ we would definitely have his night out etched in ours forever.
These artists all put their hearts on the line, my friends, maybe it’s time to give them yours.
Azra Pathan
The Bottom Line/ Forever Came Calling/ Weatherstate/ Project Revise
The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, 9th July