Reviews

There’s a definite punk theme to tonight’s Purr promotions band night, and the first bands variety of massive amps and speakers suggests we’re in for some seriously loud noise.
Bratcore, the opening band onto the stage, hit the floor running with some loud, rhythmic sounds, and a number of catchy bass lines that stick in your head. There’s a real poppy feel to their songs, with lots of ‘la-la’ backing singing, that in places reminds me of Okay-Go, or even Bis, but without the squeaky female singer. The band share out the responsibility of singing pretty evenly with everyone getting their turn, and in places, some all-together, five-piece choruses from all the band members at once!
However, this is necessary as none of them have the most powerful of voices! The style slows a little midway through their set, with some steady, melodic sounds, but supported throughout by a deliberately out of tune, dis-chorded guitar. At least I think it was deliberate…Alittle odd but it kinda works, and fills out their noise. However without this, you would have 3 guitars all playing exactly the same chord, when you might as well just turn up the volume on one of those massive amps and get the same effect!
They slide into some smooth 3-chord punk, ringing of The Ramones, and Screeching Weasel, with some great comedy lyrics, but again a little let down by the lack of a powerful singing voice. Finally they end back where they began with some melodic pop-punk, and a great break-down to end on, the fat bass line holding the noise together nicely. Overall a good performance but lacking energy in places, and I just kept expecting to hear a Hammond organ chiming away in the background to the more pop-like songs.

Next up are The Revelations, a Plymouth based 3-piece, bursting with energy, fronted by an affro-headed singer with a distinctive, throaty voice. It sounded like his voice might break at any second and it added an original edge to their music. He’s also well familiar with a damn good bit of punk lead guitar, and spits out some lovely solos in the midst of fun, three-chord wonder songs that your feet tapping. Their timing was impeccable and tight, fueling the energy of their songs, and some classic riffery reared it’s head out of the 3-chord ocean as the gig progressed. My only criticism is that the song structure was far too formulaic, to the point that you knew exactly what was coming next, and when the next crazy lead would begin and end. I was holding out for an imaginative break down in the structure but it never quite came. But the front man had great stage prescence, and the drummer certainly knew how to hold together their precise timing.

And finally Mistreaters make the stage. By now Moles is filled up and the atmosphere’s cracking. There’s a real hard core feel to this band but with an element of fun thrown in for good measure. Each song starts with a lush guitar riff intro, then is joined and swamped by the rest of the band in fast, tight noisiness. It’s the kinda noise that makes moshers mosh, and teenagers smash stuff up for no apparent reason. They are energetic and very tight, with loud shouty vocals and a formidable stage presence.
They’re entertaining on stage, and totally comfortable there, even when the bassist aggressively rips off a string forcing a break until The Revelations bassist bravely lends him her bass. Though a little samey at times, this band know what they want to do and do it whole-heartedly. Their songs are well written with some great breaks, and the audience lap up the atmosphere the music creates.
All round great performers.

Reviewer: Rory Smith