Post by Admin on Jul 19, 2011 10:25:39 GMT -5
Monkey Boy, Midasuno, Anodize, My Last Act of Bravado
By Ben Maxwell
The Brickyard, Carlisle. Thursday 12th October 2003
I turned up to this gig at sometime after 8:30, expecting a good crowd. I was faced with desolation, just a couple of girls in the corner, and Tony from Anodize stood at the bar. Oh well, looks like its gonna be an intimate gig...
The second surprise came in the form of bravado. My Last Act of Bravado to be precise. Well, no, if I were being precise I would point out that the fact that they were playing was a surprise. Oh, sod this; I'll get on with the review...
My Last Act of Bravado opened to show. The soft wash of the Robinson Crusoe theme music hailed the beginning of an atypical set from Bravado, a surreal experience enhanced by their own introduction as Monkey Boy, "the better looking Monkey Boy...", but of course, when the first song starts up, we're back in familiar territory, like a sleazy long lost friend coming back to leer at you. And you let him leer, cause he sounds so damn good. (Sorry about the alliteration...) After the opening number, the guitar must be tuned. This, of course, invokes the usual roadie style cheer, to which the retort is, "That was our second tune..."
The next track is introduced as "the ballad", the stop start intro and quiet picked guitar sections giving way to the thunderstorm that follows. It’s amazing to think three people can make such a noise. You begin to see the redundancy of the White Stripes position, as this is surely what they wish they could sound like. This is real Rock & Roll.
By the third song the audience are already pummeled into submission by the bass lines that seem to lead each successive attack on the listeners, you just want to dance like an idiot, with no care for those who may be watching. Your reviewer would have done just that, had he not been diligently taking notes about that feeling, ahem...
The drums open the next song with thunderous power, then the bass, and then the guitar. This sounds like the end of the world, the guitar like the air raid siren, fore telling your doom, and the bass and drums the tectonic destruction of all of your homes…
“Do you want one more?” comes the self-initiated encore, but the whole room screams back for more. As I listen to the final song, it occurs to me that the band are actually about to complete a set for the first time since, well, ever. That may be a slight exaggeration, but it is still a momentous occasion. Like a Jazz musicians breastfed on whiskey, the band bring they’re set to a close. Fuck, I’m glad I saw that.
Anodize now have quite a task following that. I’ve only seen this band once before, and that was ages ago, downstairs in Jacksons/Frontpage, and with a different line up. I wasn’t really taken, so I have to admit to not really looking forward to this set. The problem with writing reviews for local bands, is that the chances are you know them. They know you. And they’re really nice guys. All of the above apply to Anodize, so it’s with a slight grimace that I type; I didn’t really enjoy this set either…
Don’t jump to conclusions though, read on…
By the time these guys started, the crowd was getting better. Still not packed, but starting to fill out a bit. Apologies were made for the absence of a guitar, though not the guitarist, who was instead focussing on his singing duties tonight. I’m not quite sure why there was no second guitar, but the band managed without it for the most part, the remaining guitarist playing both parts. The first song kicked in with a subdued delay intro, but exploded into a fairly epic sounding song. There was some cheesy soloing going on, but this was probably not helped by the absence of any rhythm guitar component. The crowd came to the front as soon as these guys started to play though, so they must have a healthy fan base.
Before the next song, more apologies were made for the absence of the second guitar, this seemed to become a pattern, and perhaps they should have just left it alone, and got on with playing. They were doing fine without it, but kept highlighting the fact that we were getting a percentage of Anodize and not the whole thing. I can sympathise with the logic here, but drawing attention to it just made things worse.
The second song kicked up, and was definitely better. More energy, and a couple of cool metal riffs got a few people up dancing, at the end of the song the band were met with the loudest screams of the night so far.
The third song was introduced as being “a bit shit”, but “[they’ll] play it anyway”. Arrrggghhh, stop it! The song started, and it was an old one that I recognised. They played it well and were met with plenty more appreciation afterwards.
The band really looked like they were having fun, and there were plenty of onstage antics and acrobatics. The energy and sense of enjoyment seemed to rub off on the crowd, and tons of people got up to dance. Unfortunately the fourth song conjured up images of Whitesnake in my mind, which were not welcome…
By the last song, the dancers were up in force and the band were really getting into the swing of things. It was certainly the best song of the set, it had its own personality and was the first song, in my mind, that didn’t sound like a generic metal tune. It generated the desired affect and the applause came thick and fast. The song was finished with a short wig-out, complete with behind the head wanking, and (most) people appeared to have had a great time.
If Anodize are a bunch of friends just having a great time together, then their set was brilliant, but if they are a serious band, then I fear there isn’t enough originality to propel them any further. There are tantalising glimpses of greater potential all through the set, but it never seems to materialise. They are all great musicians, and I’d love to see what they could do if they really put their minds to it. Of course, as usual, I am in the minority, as plenty of other people seemed to think they were great. If popularity is your measure of success, then Anodize are very successful indeed.
Brilliant! I’ve been looking forward to this all night. Having seen these guys once before at the Guild a couple of weeks ago, I was hoping for something special, and again, no dissapointment. I said in my last review that I didn’t like the industrial sample intro. I still don’t…
But then “Tear” kicks up a fuss and the band demonstrate their breadth of sound. The great Tori Amos style piano riff, giving in to a huge guitar backed variation. What an opener.
The crowd is staying stable, but there are not enough people here tonight, as Midasuno confidently stride through their set. The fourth song is huge, the rallying call of “FUCKING COME ON!” pushing the adrenaline levels through the roof. But even this is bettered when song six begins. Sounding like a jet engine starting up, with stop/start loud/quiet beginning, this song is stunning. When you think that they’ve reached the crescendo (guitar balanced in mouth), you are bulldozed by a huge, demolishing, stoner riff, and it doesn’t feel like the song can go any higher. It cycles round into the first riff and rolls on toward the end.
I really enjoyed this set, but there was something lacking in the atmosphere of tonight. Nothing to do with the band, just not enough people, and a larger venue took away some of the intimacy of the Tribute to Nothing gig, but the actual performance was even better.
I bought the ep/mini-album this time, and I’m not looking back…
Now all of I’ve got to do is get that damn tune out of my head, “She said, she’d take my head…”
And finally, the headliners. Monkey Boy are a band that seem to charge up the energy exuded by the other bands, then spit it back out ten fold. There is enough exuberance here to rival a whole church of gospel choristers…
There’s a certain arrogance to Monkey Boy that should be irritating, but its great, they put on a show like no other. This only makes it a greater shame that the audience were filtering out by this point, seemingly most of the Anodize fans couldn’t be bothered to stick around. Which is damn rude (but no fault of Anodize).
The combination of two basses really hammers home the power of this band. A short roll on one of the toms signals the end of their opener, and those that remain cheer loudly. This is a band that state their intention early on. It’s not often the case, but the banter between songs is nearly as good as the tunes themselves.
The third track played explodes into life, and at this point I wrote down a description that I think captures the band perfectly; “like being hunted by Rhinos. Rhinos carrying Blunderbuss’s”.
Still, I like the chase, but their gaining…
When “Fidget” is played a mistake is made, and the band stumble. There are some cheers and laughter. “But watch us get out of it,” states the drummer, “we can turn this around, make it look like it was meant to happen…” And they do, simultaneously attacking the exact beat they left on, like a scene from a WWII epic in which the pilot skilfully escapes from a barrel rolling plummet. Satisfaction guaranteed.
The energy from this band seems to exude outwards, and wash over all in the room. Heckling is rife, but it feels like it should be done, it seems like part of the set. Anyway, “Fidget” builds slowly, fades then repeats before exploding into a hail of cockney bullets. Fantastic.
I actually recognise the next song, “funky as fuck” (that’s what my notes say anyway…), and with an amazing accompanying dance from the bassist. When the band ask how many staccato beats they have hit during the end, and request how many to aim for, the suggestions rain back, ranging from 69 –7000. Of course, Monkey Boy round it of at a clean WON HUNDRED(sic). Riotus celebration ensues…
After a couple more songs, the band finish with, “the worst song in the world”. This song comes free with added monkey dancing, and mooning. Bargain. One of the bassists lays down at one point and pops a jack, he’s reconnected just in time for the (false) ending, and (false) restart. The call for an encore is met with the repetition of these lies, and the band are finished before you know what’s happened.
As I said before, it’s a shame that more people didn’t stick around for the whole gig, if gigs like this are to continue, then they need to be supported.
Gigs of this calibur shouldn’t be missed, overall a great night. Monkey Boy and Midasuno are welcome to come back anytime they like.
By Ben Maxwell
The Brickyard, Carlisle. Thursday 12th October 2003
I turned up to this gig at sometime after 8:30, expecting a good crowd. I was faced with desolation, just a couple of girls in the corner, and Tony from Anodize stood at the bar. Oh well, looks like its gonna be an intimate gig...
The second surprise came in the form of bravado. My Last Act of Bravado to be precise. Well, no, if I were being precise I would point out that the fact that they were playing was a surprise. Oh, sod this; I'll get on with the review...
My Last Act of Bravado opened to show. The soft wash of the Robinson Crusoe theme music hailed the beginning of an atypical set from Bravado, a surreal experience enhanced by their own introduction as Monkey Boy, "the better looking Monkey Boy...", but of course, when the first song starts up, we're back in familiar territory, like a sleazy long lost friend coming back to leer at you. And you let him leer, cause he sounds so damn good. (Sorry about the alliteration...) After the opening number, the guitar must be tuned. This, of course, invokes the usual roadie style cheer, to which the retort is, "That was our second tune..."
The next track is introduced as "the ballad", the stop start intro and quiet picked guitar sections giving way to the thunderstorm that follows. It’s amazing to think three people can make such a noise. You begin to see the redundancy of the White Stripes position, as this is surely what they wish they could sound like. This is real Rock & Roll.
By the third song the audience are already pummeled into submission by the bass lines that seem to lead each successive attack on the listeners, you just want to dance like an idiot, with no care for those who may be watching. Your reviewer would have done just that, had he not been diligently taking notes about that feeling, ahem...
The drums open the next song with thunderous power, then the bass, and then the guitar. This sounds like the end of the world, the guitar like the air raid siren, fore telling your doom, and the bass and drums the tectonic destruction of all of your homes…
“Do you want one more?” comes the self-initiated encore, but the whole room screams back for more. As I listen to the final song, it occurs to me that the band are actually about to complete a set for the first time since, well, ever. That may be a slight exaggeration, but it is still a momentous occasion. Like a Jazz musicians breastfed on whiskey, the band bring they’re set to a close. Fuck, I’m glad I saw that.
Anodize now have quite a task following that. I’ve only seen this band once before, and that was ages ago, downstairs in Jacksons/Frontpage, and with a different line up. I wasn’t really taken, so I have to admit to not really looking forward to this set. The problem with writing reviews for local bands, is that the chances are you know them. They know you. And they’re really nice guys. All of the above apply to Anodize, so it’s with a slight grimace that I type; I didn’t really enjoy this set either…
Don’t jump to conclusions though, read on…
By the time these guys started, the crowd was getting better. Still not packed, but starting to fill out a bit. Apologies were made for the absence of a guitar, though not the guitarist, who was instead focussing on his singing duties tonight. I’m not quite sure why there was no second guitar, but the band managed without it for the most part, the remaining guitarist playing both parts. The first song kicked in with a subdued delay intro, but exploded into a fairly epic sounding song. There was some cheesy soloing going on, but this was probably not helped by the absence of any rhythm guitar component. The crowd came to the front as soon as these guys started to play though, so they must have a healthy fan base.
Before the next song, more apologies were made for the absence of the second guitar, this seemed to become a pattern, and perhaps they should have just left it alone, and got on with playing. They were doing fine without it, but kept highlighting the fact that we were getting a percentage of Anodize and not the whole thing. I can sympathise with the logic here, but drawing attention to it just made things worse.
The second song kicked up, and was definitely better. More energy, and a couple of cool metal riffs got a few people up dancing, at the end of the song the band were met with the loudest screams of the night so far.
The third song was introduced as being “a bit shit”, but “[they’ll] play it anyway”. Arrrggghhh, stop it! The song started, and it was an old one that I recognised. They played it well and were met with plenty more appreciation afterwards.
The band really looked like they were having fun, and there were plenty of onstage antics and acrobatics. The energy and sense of enjoyment seemed to rub off on the crowd, and tons of people got up to dance. Unfortunately the fourth song conjured up images of Whitesnake in my mind, which were not welcome…
By the last song, the dancers were up in force and the band were really getting into the swing of things. It was certainly the best song of the set, it had its own personality and was the first song, in my mind, that didn’t sound like a generic metal tune. It generated the desired affect and the applause came thick and fast. The song was finished with a short wig-out, complete with behind the head wanking, and (most) people appeared to have had a great time.
If Anodize are a bunch of friends just having a great time together, then their set was brilliant, but if they are a serious band, then I fear there isn’t enough originality to propel them any further. There are tantalising glimpses of greater potential all through the set, but it never seems to materialise. They are all great musicians, and I’d love to see what they could do if they really put their minds to it. Of course, as usual, I am in the minority, as plenty of other people seemed to think they were great. If popularity is your measure of success, then Anodize are very successful indeed.
Brilliant! I’ve been looking forward to this all night. Having seen these guys once before at the Guild a couple of weeks ago, I was hoping for something special, and again, no dissapointment. I said in my last review that I didn’t like the industrial sample intro. I still don’t…
But then “Tear” kicks up a fuss and the band demonstrate their breadth of sound. The great Tori Amos style piano riff, giving in to a huge guitar backed variation. What an opener.
The crowd is staying stable, but there are not enough people here tonight, as Midasuno confidently stride through their set. The fourth song is huge, the rallying call of “FUCKING COME ON!” pushing the adrenaline levels through the roof. But even this is bettered when song six begins. Sounding like a jet engine starting up, with stop/start loud/quiet beginning, this song is stunning. When you think that they’ve reached the crescendo (guitar balanced in mouth), you are bulldozed by a huge, demolishing, stoner riff, and it doesn’t feel like the song can go any higher. It cycles round into the first riff and rolls on toward the end.
I really enjoyed this set, but there was something lacking in the atmosphere of tonight. Nothing to do with the band, just not enough people, and a larger venue took away some of the intimacy of the Tribute to Nothing gig, but the actual performance was even better.
I bought the ep/mini-album this time, and I’m not looking back…
Now all of I’ve got to do is get that damn tune out of my head, “She said, she’d take my head…”
And finally, the headliners. Monkey Boy are a band that seem to charge up the energy exuded by the other bands, then spit it back out ten fold. There is enough exuberance here to rival a whole church of gospel choristers…
There’s a certain arrogance to Monkey Boy that should be irritating, but its great, they put on a show like no other. This only makes it a greater shame that the audience were filtering out by this point, seemingly most of the Anodize fans couldn’t be bothered to stick around. Which is damn rude (but no fault of Anodize).
The combination of two basses really hammers home the power of this band. A short roll on one of the toms signals the end of their opener, and those that remain cheer loudly. This is a band that state their intention early on. It’s not often the case, but the banter between songs is nearly as good as the tunes themselves.
The third track played explodes into life, and at this point I wrote down a description that I think captures the band perfectly; “like being hunted by Rhinos. Rhinos carrying Blunderbuss’s”.
Still, I like the chase, but their gaining…
When “Fidget” is played a mistake is made, and the band stumble. There are some cheers and laughter. “But watch us get out of it,” states the drummer, “we can turn this around, make it look like it was meant to happen…” And they do, simultaneously attacking the exact beat they left on, like a scene from a WWII epic in which the pilot skilfully escapes from a barrel rolling plummet. Satisfaction guaranteed.
The energy from this band seems to exude outwards, and wash over all in the room. Heckling is rife, but it feels like it should be done, it seems like part of the set. Anyway, “Fidget” builds slowly, fades then repeats before exploding into a hail of cockney bullets. Fantastic.
I actually recognise the next song, “funky as fuck” (that’s what my notes say anyway…), and with an amazing accompanying dance from the bassist. When the band ask how many staccato beats they have hit during the end, and request how many to aim for, the suggestions rain back, ranging from 69 –7000. Of course, Monkey Boy round it of at a clean WON HUNDRED(sic). Riotus celebration ensues…
After a couple more songs, the band finish with, “the worst song in the world”. This song comes free with added monkey dancing, and mooning. Bargain. One of the bassists lays down at one point and pops a jack, he’s reconnected just in time for the (false) ending, and (false) restart. The call for an encore is met with the repetition of these lies, and the band are finished before you know what’s happened.
As I said before, it’s a shame that more people didn’t stick around for the whole gig, if gigs like this are to continue, then they need to be supported.
Gigs of this calibur shouldn’t be missed, overall a great night. Monkey Boy and Midasuno are welcome to come back anytime they like.