It looks like a small crowd tonight for one of Britain's foremost up-and-coming pop-punk bands... 15 minutes before show time there is a grand total of 40 people assembled outside the Thekla (a renovated boat), some of which, admittedly don't even know the band ("We're actually only here to see Go-X" says one girl, as the smallish crowd enters the Venue). Fortunatly, this number increases closer to showtime, though, unfortunatly for Clear the Coast (5/10) not very quickly. Their similar pop-punk fails to gain much recognition, aside from a small, short-lived mosh pit.
However, Go-X (7/10) is a different story, and already appear to have a cult following of teenagers. With songs such as "Dance Again" they provoke much enthusiasm from the crowd, and frontman Josh actually connects with these fans after the set. Their set is cut annoyingly short, however, due to the venue's early curfew (though there is significant dissapointment at their depature)
Freeze The Atlantic (4/10) is a rather apathetic affair. Besides being normally quite fun with catchy emo-punk riffs, everyone is either still exhausted from Go-X, or just bored, waiting for the headliners. Even though they try, FTA don't really get the crowd's attention at all.
After a short wait, in which the Venue seems to fill with peaople who have appeared closer to the actual headline, Attack! Attack! (7/10) emerge on stage, instantly jumping into "Say it to Me" from their Self-titled debut album, and running straight into No Excuses (from their new album, "The Latest Fasion"). Crowd favourite and debut single "You and Me" is then pumped out with much gusto, resulting in an actual mosh pit which, this time picks up properly. Overall, Attack! Attack!'s performance tonight is very good, though only seems to score equal with their support Go-X. However, belting out a mixture of old and new songs gives the crowd a great impression, and it's a shame that the venue pull the plug at the early time of 10.00, resulting in no possible encore. However, overall, a good show with a strong, positive atmosphere
Thursday 28 October 2010
Tuesday 5 October 2010
The Coalition Signs it's Own Death Sentence
The coalition (or, indeed, the Conservative Party) have announced many radical measures to fight the recession, such as making defense cuts, raising VAT to 20% etc., and until now, I have been willing to accept, and bear with these cuts - after all, as soon as the recession is over, things can return to normal. However, I feel that on Monday, the 5th of November, George Osborne made a foolish mistake, one which will cost both the Conservative and Liberal Democrat Party dearly. I'm talking, of course, about the plan to axe Child Benefits
Naturally, many people may not be effected by this. Perhaps you don't have children, or maybe you earn enough to live without child benefit. However, most of the country will agree that this is nothing short of catastrophic. From a party who's Ideology clearly states that they "Support Families and Full Time Mothers", and during their election campaign AND emergency budget clearly stated they were "Not going to touch" Child Benefits, this is a very big mistake. Part of the beauty of child benefit was that ANYONE with children was applicable. This money could be saved up for extra-curricular activities, hobbies, or even essentials such as food and clothes.
Perhaps the worst thing about the new system is how it is run - as opposed to judging household income, which would make most sense, the Tories have based the system on tax brackets. This means anyone earning over £44000 will, from 2013, be illegible for child benefits. However, households where both parents work, and gain an income of £42000 each (combined £84000), will still recieve child benefit. This a) goes completely against the Tory Ethos of helping full-time parents, and b) will, again, effect the middle classes worst (who have already payed most of the cost in restoring the economy).
The Conservative party, of course, will be able to "forget this" eventually. However, for the other party in the coalition, the Liberal Democrats, this is a total disaster. Whilst the public has been sceptical of the coalition already, this leaves one definite opinion - it has, so far, been a total disaster. Whilst the conservative party CAN hold a mojority government, the Lib Dems rely heavily on coalitions. The "alternative voting" referendum going out next May, opening up the possibility of more coalitions in the future, could quite easily flop in light of these recent events. Really, the conservative party is just screwing The Liberal Democrats over. Is this democracy? No, it isn't.
Naturally, many people may not be effected by this. Perhaps you don't have children, or maybe you earn enough to live without child benefit. However, most of the country will agree that this is nothing short of catastrophic. From a party who's Ideology clearly states that they "Support Families and Full Time Mothers", and during their election campaign AND emergency budget clearly stated they were "Not going to touch" Child Benefits, this is a very big mistake. Part of the beauty of child benefit was that ANYONE with children was applicable. This money could be saved up for extra-curricular activities, hobbies, or even essentials such as food and clothes.
Perhaps the worst thing about the new system is how it is run - as opposed to judging household income, which would make most sense, the Tories have based the system on tax brackets. This means anyone earning over £44000 will, from 2013, be illegible for child benefits. However, households where both parents work, and gain an income of £42000 each (combined £84000), will still recieve child benefit. This a) goes completely against the Tory Ethos of helping full-time parents, and b) will, again, effect the middle classes worst (who have already payed most of the cost in restoring the economy).
The Conservative party, of course, will be able to "forget this" eventually. However, for the other party in the coalition, the Liberal Democrats, this is a total disaster. Whilst the public has been sceptical of the coalition already, this leaves one definite opinion - it has, so far, been a total disaster. Whilst the conservative party CAN hold a mojority government, the Lib Dems rely heavily on coalitions. The "alternative voting" referendum going out next May, opening up the possibility of more coalitions in the future, could quite easily flop in light of these recent events. Really, the conservative party is just screwing The Liberal Democrats over. Is this democracy? No, it isn't.
Monday 4 October 2010
In a Loss of Topics on Which to Talk About, Here's a Live Review
Lostprophets Review (Cardiff International Arena, 1st May 2010)
For one of Wales's biggests exports, Lostprophets have only ever actually played a few shows in Cardiff. This will be one of those few, and as the crowd mills in to the resonably sized venue, a feeling of excitement instantly grips everyone. Or perhaps it's the burger I ate 20 minutes ago
Either way, the first support act, Sharks are worthy of a pathetic 3/10. 3 songs into their instantly forgettable, yet reasonably enjoyable set, the lead singer/guitarist throws his guitar down yelling "What the fuck is this?". For a band recently hailed "Hardest working punks in rock today", We can't fail to feel a little short changed. This all changes soon enough, when a particularly hairy roadie, who for the last 10 minutes has been running back and forth, picks up a guitar. Yes, this is Hexes (6/10), and after a few cries of "I want your beard!" from the crowd, they get off to a great start. Whilst they don't have the best, most original style of playing (and screaming), an uundisputable energy flows from the reinvigorated stage, picking up the moshing energy that Sharks threw away
Perhaps most surprisingly, Kids In Glass Houses (8/10) not only fit well with the surrounding metallic bands, they dominate the arena, as the third support act. Perhaps its the army of Welsh fans that swarm forward to catch a glimpse of Aled (lead singer)'s face. Certainly, belting out favourites like "Hunt the Haunted" and "Matters at All", it seems a shame when they eventually leave the stage. They create a gig in their own right
Of course, it's not even started yet. As house lights dim for a forth time, the introduction to "If It Wasn't For Hate" sends shivers across the crowd, and Lostprophets (8/10) burst into full swing with "Dystryr Dystryr", leaving the crowd breathless. Storming through "It's Not The End of The World But I Can See It From Here", the Pontypridd boys grace us with some old action "Burn Burn", bringing heavy mosh pits, and a multitude of screaming and singing from the crowd.
The onslaught continues through the night, with favourites new and old, and even a cover of "Omen" by The Prodigy (which is rather... unprovoking), it seems amazing that an hour and a hlaf ago we watch a primaddona storm off stage. Following "For He's A Jolly Good Felon", someone throws a tie from Ian Watkins (Lead Vocals)'s school on the stage, and the singer ties it round his head as a bandana. Perhaps the highlight of the night is "Shinobi VS Dragon Ninja" which has everyone jumping. After walking off stage, a huge demand for an encore brings the band back on to play "The Light That Shines Twice as Bright", which rather flattens the atmosphere. However, there is no denying this was an awesome show
For one of Wales's biggests exports, Lostprophets have only ever actually played a few shows in Cardiff. This will be one of those few, and as the crowd mills in to the resonably sized venue, a feeling of excitement instantly grips everyone. Or perhaps it's the burger I ate 20 minutes ago
Either way, the first support act, Sharks are worthy of a pathetic 3/10. 3 songs into their instantly forgettable, yet reasonably enjoyable set, the lead singer/guitarist throws his guitar down yelling "What the fuck is this?". For a band recently hailed "Hardest working punks in rock today", We can't fail to feel a little short changed. This all changes soon enough, when a particularly hairy roadie, who for the last 10 minutes has been running back and forth, picks up a guitar. Yes, this is Hexes (6/10), and after a few cries of "I want your beard!" from the crowd, they get off to a great start. Whilst they don't have the best, most original style of playing (and screaming), an uundisputable energy flows from the reinvigorated stage, picking up the moshing energy that Sharks threw away
Perhaps most surprisingly, Kids In Glass Houses (8/10) not only fit well with the surrounding metallic bands, they dominate the arena, as the third support act. Perhaps its the army of Welsh fans that swarm forward to catch a glimpse of Aled (lead singer)'s face. Certainly, belting out favourites like "Hunt the Haunted" and "Matters at All", it seems a shame when they eventually leave the stage. They create a gig in their own right
Of course, it's not even started yet. As house lights dim for a forth time, the introduction to "If It Wasn't For Hate" sends shivers across the crowd, and Lostprophets (8/10) burst into full swing with "Dystryr Dystryr", leaving the crowd breathless. Storming through "It's Not The End of The World But I Can See It From Here", the Pontypridd boys grace us with some old action "Burn Burn", bringing heavy mosh pits, and a multitude of screaming and singing from the crowd.
The onslaught continues through the night, with favourites new and old, and even a cover of "Omen" by The Prodigy (which is rather... unprovoking), it seems amazing that an hour and a hlaf ago we watch a primaddona storm off stage. Following "For He's A Jolly Good Felon", someone throws a tie from Ian Watkins (Lead Vocals)'s school on the stage, and the singer ties it round his head as a bandana. Perhaps the highlight of the night is "Shinobi VS Dragon Ninja" which has everyone jumping. After walking off stage, a huge demand for an encore brings the band back on to play "The Light That Shines Twice as Bright", which rather flattens the atmosphere. However, there is no denying this was an awesome show
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