Well, I have to be honest I was quite
looking forward to tonight’s gig, shooting
and reviewing it but I’m never to keen to
visit the Hare and Hounds on the opposite side
of the city to myself. It’s a nice enough
venue, but as it is based in a pub it just always
feels more relaxed and when it’s a band
like the Menzingers, with their punk styling’s,
I get quite worried that it won’t be as
good as other venues, but tonight I was wrong.
The room is quite busy, which helps add to the
atmosphere, as last time I was here there was
only about 20 people. With the room heating up
and people getting drinks in its time for the
first band
The Front Bottoms, with an obviously funny name
take to the stage and instantly get a reaction
from the crowd playing their unique brand of punk/ska/indie
which goes down a treat. They’re upbeat
songs and fun styling’s make for a great
show. They’re full off energy and make an
effort to get the crowd involved and keep the
room moving throughout their nicely sized set
which includes songs such as; The Beers, Legit
Tattoo Gun and Swimming pool. I’d strongly
recommend catching them when they next tour, as
they’re fun and keeping the pop punk movement
going into a new direction.
The Menzingers are the main act tonight and this
4 piece from Philadelphia are a band I’ve
wanted to see ever since I was recommended them
by The Wonder Years singer Soupy on his twitter.
They‘re punky yet indie at the same time,
which makes for a good mix of slow and fast, their
album On The Impossible past is a stand out album
and so I’m glad they play just as well live
as they do on the album, with most off the songs
from the album being play too.
They pack a punch with the raw energy they bring
to the stage, starting off with The Obituaries,
Home Grown and Irish Goodbyes which gets the crowd
going crazy, jumping around, moshing and dancing
like idiots. There’s definitely an atmosphere
here tonight and that’s fun, and it’s
all thanks to the Menzingers and their upbeat
attitude and great stage presence, which keeps
the crowd entertained throughout their 18 song
set which includes a few songs from their older
albums too, that end the set with, I Was Born,
Richard Coury finally ending in A Lesson In The
Abuse of Information Technology, which ends the
night on a massive high.
I was very impressed with The Menzingers and
look forward to them touring the UK again, hopefully
it will be sooner rather than later, as their
due some more recognition on our shores.
The Front Bottoms 4/5
The Menzingers 4.5/5
Review By James Daly
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