Tonight's show is kind of a big deal. Hometown show. Start of a national tour. And record release show, with IST IST's new album 'Protagonists' out today.
Three piece Dr Dr open the show with riff heavy alternative rock. The singer looks like he should be in a sleaze rock band like Buckcherry or L.A. Guns but he sounds more like Miles Kane or Alex Turner, and this gives an Arctic Monkeys influence to a lot of their material. Musically, they are heavier though with heavy guitar riffs and their Royal Blood meets Arctic Monkeys rock goes down pretty well. Decent.
The Arctic Monkeys also have an influence on the following band, Bandit, again because of the vocals. Musically they are a much different proposition though. They explode onto the stage with a huge amount of energy, sounding like Arctic Monkeys gone psychobilly with surf guitars. Totally unexpected. 'I'd Try Anything Twice' is a little slower, indie pop like The View but with intricate exotic guitar work similar to Vampire Weekend. 'The Good Times Are Killing Me' is a bit of a blur whilst 'Mean Streak' has a bouncy feel. They are very dynamic throughout and every song has bursts of punkish energy. Very good.
IST IST come on stage to swathes of atmospheric synths and lights so bright they burn my eyes. They open with new song 'Stamp You Out'. It's heavy bass and soaring guitars combine to give a post rock edge to their post punk. 'Emily' also has an expansive post rock influence too. 'Jennifer's Lips' is excellent, moody yet uptempo and memorable. The spectre of Ian Curtis is always going to loom over them due to the similarity of singer Adam's vocals but new song 'Something Has To Give' is great Joy Division worship whilst 'You're Mine' is brilliant catchy post punk like Joy Division at their most commercial. The deep vocals are captivating throughout as demonstrated on new song 'All Downhill'. The new material definitely has a strong 80s influence. 'Mary In The Black And White Room' has an 80s gloomy pop feel similar to The Psychedelic Furs or maybe The Cure whilst 'Nothing More Nothing Less' sounds like it could have been in the soundtrack to a John Hughes movie. They have a really powerful sound and the bass is especially loud on an excellent 'Discipline'. The band are fairly static throughout but they just let the intensity of the music and lighting do the talking. Compelling.
IST IST ****
Bandit ****
Dr Dr ***
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