Due to the fact that it was my first time in the recently opened bandstand, the first thing that ran through my mind when I walked into the venue were two things, "Where's the stage?" and "This place is tiny". As it turns out the stage was actually down a small flight of stairs in an entirely seperate space, which is about the size of someones kitchen. Suddenly my thoughts changed to "This is going to be a messy night".
The Rough Charm came on stage at roughly 10pm, which in itself was another indication that it was going to be a hell of a gig, due to the fact that crowd were well on their way to a hangover (including yours truly) and so were the band themselves. In fact, drummer Lofty was so drunk he commented that he couldnt see. I'm no drummer, but I'm sure vision is an essential part of the drumming process. Maybe I'm wrong though, because the band were rocking on top form from the first song to the last.
They played their usual set but threw in a new, yet untitled song, which was likely a spur of the moment decision. A decision which the crowd obviously appreciated as it was met with a great response. The old, more established songs were met with a fantastic response as always. It's a testimony to Will's song writing ability that a large section of the crowd were singing along to every word of his lyrics. It was like being on the terraces at a football match, and this was England 5 - Germany 1 territory. The lads ended on "Better Off Alone", which they played earlier in the set as well, but pulled it out again as the crowd requested it. The set was a total blinder (almost literally with all the pints glasses that were hitting the floor) and everyone left on a high.
The Rough Charm are a band to watch and they are going on to bigger things in leaps and bounds. I don't even think the band has reached it's first birthday yet, and they are due to play at the Victoria Hall in a couple of weeks in front of Carl Barat, the editor of NME and some BBC radio DJs. I recommend everyone who's a fan of indie rock 'n' roll music to go see a gig by The Rough Charm, before it's too late.
More information on The Rough Charm can be found here.
2 comments:
Friday the 4th April and after some serious debating 2 hours prior to leaving, I chose to review some local talent in the shape of The Rough Charm over Frank Turner who was playing at the Sugarmill the same night. A decision I did not regret.
This led me to the newest venue on the scene, The Bandstand, in Hanley. This was my first visit to the Bandstand since it's opening, although I was pretty impressed upon entry - Fosters on tap, and a jukebox. I headed downstairs for a quick glance at where the bands would be performing and it was built perfectly for an intimate gig, moshing basically guaranteed.
The Rough Charm were supported by a band called Renton, who I can not review, as I did not manage to see their set, but the second they finished the crowd started making their way down for the main event, staff already cleaning up smashed glasses.
I grinned to myself as I watched some of the lads sing to one of the bands' songs before they had even made it on stage. The crowd were merry and the small, intimate, stageless venue ment that the crowd were on the same level as the band. It's venues and nights like this that define what real rock n roll actually is. Forget these Sony-signed sellouts playing to the people in seats.
The crowd were energetic from the second "1, 2, 3, 4" left lead singer Will Abercrombies' lips right through to the 2nd encore, crowd favourite 'Better Off Alone'. After the 2nd song, 'Heads Got A Buzz', chants for Will to "get his hat off" echoed around, to which he oblidged, launching his trilby into the crowd, which was greeted by cheers, before having it promptly launched back in his direction. In fact, it seemed every member had a mini-fan club dotted around the room!
One of the songs that stuck with me for the rest of the night was the song 'Glamour In The Gutter'. The catchy melody being sang by the crowd, leaving the left-handed lead guitarist Liam Murphy pondering weather to continue playing or not!
After a powerful and well delivered 9-song set, the band thanked the craze-driven crowd for coming out before ending on what seems to be the pick of Stoke-On-Trent at the minute, 'Better Off Alone'. Everyone was going crazy for this one and that includes your gran at the back! Pint glasses were going flying and Bassist Danny Nixon was nearly taken out by one!
Chants for more songs went up and after a quick discussion the band decided to play a brand spanking new song, so new that they have only played it twice and haven't even named it yet! It was very well recieved by the crowd and like all of their other songs one of those catchy melodies combined with a sing-a-long chorus. This was followed by a second encore of 'Better Off Alone' where some members of the crowd charged the stage and started singing the hit, leaving the band to play the music in the background.
That was it. A gig full of energy, presence and smashed glasses. This was local rock n roll at it's finest and all that was left now was to leave the staff on a clean-up mission whilst the rest of us took the party well into the night...
It was our first visit to The Bandstand in Hanley. There was a slight mix up as to the time that the bands were allowed in.
The first question that went through our minds, was to the location of the stage was, turns out to be a tiny underground stage which ‘comfortably’ holds just 50 people.
Turns out to only just accommodate two bands and their equipment, let alone a crowd, but some compromise was reached.
The Rough Charm took to the stage about 20 past ten, in various states of disarray, due to the long period of drinking before playing.
That didn’t stop them playing an amazing set, playing all the favourites, and a brand spanking new song, that is so new, that it doesn’t yet have a title.
From there the night got increasingly messy, with most people wearing more drink than was in their glasses. And a liberal coating of glass adorned the floor.
Such was the reception; ‘Better off Alone’ was played twice after demands by the crowd, causing a mini mosh pit affair in front of the Carpeted area known as the stage.
I wait with eager anticipation, for the SONS Showcase at the Victoria Hall next Saturday. Should be one hell of a night, especially with the extensive line up and the big names that will be in attendance
Post a Comment