DOOMRIDERS, SSS & TORTUGA
BAR ACADEMY (ISLINGTON) - LONDON 31/10/08
I was surprised when I got into the venue, knowing that the majority of people would be in Hammersmith for the ‘Slayer’ show, it was weird to see the crowd bursting at the seams for this gig, and it was not the usual crowd who grace the London scene.
Opening band ‘Tortuga’ from Norwich can best be described as a mix of ‘Cult of Luna’ guitar work and ‘Converge’, there are lots of people near the stage for this, whilst putting in a good performance, its truly not something to my liking. Angry scream-o vocals and dull guitar parts just make me want to go to the bar. Their album is due out soon, so there’s no reason not to check out their myspace and make your own judgement.
www.myspace.com/tortugakings
‘S.S.S.’ from Liverpool gives an energetic start to their set tonight. The crowd are rowdy and so is the band. Their crossover style of thrash provides a perfect remedy to kick start the weekend. Vocalist Foxy joins the crowd for a tune or two. Tracks like ‘Oil & Water’, ‘The Bastard Stench’, ‘The Waiting Game’ and ‘Toxic Bee’ sort the men out from the boys and all appearing on their latest album ‘The Dividing Line’. The sound at this venue is top notch and brings out the band perfectly to the crowd. It is noticeable during the first half of the set that the vocalist is the only one moving around, the other members look bored, that is until bassist Magill starts jumping around like a loony! We are told that its “mosh time for all you London based fags”…now that gets the crowd worked up! ‘Ride the Best – Fuck the Rest’ is a perfect track to get all and sundry moving. A highly energetic set and it’s a welcomed listen after the first band made me head to the bar.
www.myspace.com/shortsharpshockuk
‘Doomriders’ from Boston in the USA make a welcomed trip to the UK. Having not heard this band previously, their description of death ‘n’roll ‘Entombed’ mixed with heavy stoner rock was an interesting cocktail that could not be missed. Once they are up on stage, the vocals are not what I would have expected, especially after checking out their CD and myspace site. Drummer Chris Bevalaqua pounds the drum skins relentlessly, it’s a wonder they survive another show after this bashing! Now there is a song “for everyone out there who rides a skateboard”, ok then, the crowd is very much packed out, and rowdy, as is expected when fuelled with beer. ‘Black Thunder’ and ‘The Chase’ are two stand out tracks. Whilst main vocalist Jebb Riley deals poorly with the crowd when the lead guitarists amp dies, telling poor jokes (maybe they could have continued to play with the 2nd guitarist instead), the band do enlighten us to the fact that they are on their 3rd van on this tour, sods law I guess. With the amp fully repaired/replaced, it’s back to the music. ‘Fuck This Shit’ and ‘Sirens’ makes for a good ending to a strange but busy/alcohol infused set. The crowd was certainly full, it’s a shame that most of those in attendance are not seen at other shows in the capital, but maybe this is due to the “pull” that ‘Doomriders’ obviously have. Welcome back anytime!
www.myspace.com/doomriders
Paul Maddison
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