|
 The Tavern, Wigan
Saturday March 11th
Whether we’ve been sat having a laugh with Pop-punks Testosterone in
their local, or enthusiastically pleading with somebody to give emo lads
Inglory a record deal, we’ve spent plenty of time raving about these two
bands at The LINC.
So you’ll understand that we were fairly chuffed when those kind folk at
the Wigan Music Collective saw sense and booked both bands on the same
bill.
With Liverpool rockers Illuminati, who were also booked tonight,
deciding not to bother, it’s down to two of our favourite bands to rock
the ‘Tavern crowd, and, little to our surprise, neither disappoint.
It’s up to Dave Costello and the rest of the ‘TestosterTeam’ to kick
things off, breaking in the bemused crowd without remorse as the
furiously-stomping and irritatingly catchy instrumental jam “…. Twister”
slams into fan favourite “Emo Girl”. Mixing a chorus that etches itself
permanently on the brain and spews out of your mouth at the most
expected of moments with summery guitars and spry melodies, “Emo…” is
the sort of song that should be up their with “All The Small Things” or
“Pretty Fly For A White Guy” in the Perfect Pop-Punk Single group.
And that’s probably the best thing about Testosterone. As they continue
to knock out tune after tune of their trademark irreverent, forthright
and frivolous punk, it becomes clear that anyone of these songs could be
put out as a single and would most likely be lapped up by Blink fans the
world over. Whether it’s the relatively new ‘Punk Rock Rebel’ or old
classics like ‘Aimee’ and ‘Highschool’, all these tunes are loud, fast,
funny and stupendous.
Indeed, the band sound as on form tonight as they ever have, yet there’s
something else going on in the Tavern tonight, something much more
noticeable, and that’s that, for whatever reason, Dave, Ian, Matt & Kev
seem to be having a lot more fun than usual.
Not that they’re usually miserable on stage, far from it. It’s just that
tonight, they’re usual silliness and on-stage larking about is turned up
to eleven. Ian and Matt get down to some serious rock-star poses during
breakdowns and loosing themselves amidst some serious rocking out during
a cover of Nerf Herder’s “Pantera Fans in Love”, following which Dave
whoops with delight at having nailed the tune perfectly for the first
time.
And then they’re nearly done, bowing out with the stupidly-funny “The
Thing About Love is”, Testosterone leave the stage having once again
proved why their difficult to beat when it comes to putting on a show.
Yet Inglory are certainly going to give it a shot. With new guitarist
Jake Lawless now in the fold, and singer Johnny Fallen apparently
leaving the band after tonight, it’s hard to tell at first whether the
screamo stars are coming or going at first. Yet within minutes of
launching into their sonic set with all their usual power and vigour, it
becomes clear that, one way or another, one of the hottest bands on the
local scene are definitely here to stay.
The boys in black look a tad cramped up on The Tavern’s awkward
stage-set up. Vocalist Johnny climbing up on the barrier as though
trying to escape as the glorious, swooping emo that he and his cohorts
belt out does it’s best to break the confinements of the venue and
throttle everything in its path.
Each number rips and soars across the delighted crowd with aplomb. From
old favourite “Art of War”, with its venomous screaming, apocalyptic
riffs and grandiose chorus, to “Consistency is Everything” that lures
you in with almost poppy-chorus reminiscent of The All American Rejects
before a snarling vocal tries to bite your head off, everything Inglory
throw out tonight sounds big, bold and brilliant.
Reaching the end of their show tonight, Inglory rather bravely announce
that their final number “Sounds like Slayer”, and whilst it certainly
doesn’t sound anything like the metal lords themselves, this is
definitely Inglory at their heaviest and most furious. And, as always,
it rules.
Inglory may have members coming in and out all over the shop at the
minute, but The LINC reckon those who have jumped ship will miss out.
Surely music this good deserves a major deal. Same goes for Testosterone
too, who proved that once again, they have what it takes to be
successful.
Recommended Links:
Inglory –
www.myspace.com/inglory
Testosterone –
www.myspace.com/testosterone
►
Return to
Gig Reviews
|
