Musical interlude

Amidst the absurdity of attempting to stay up all night to watch every minute of the 1^st Ashes cricket test match at the tail end of November, Lisa & I went to see a gig for the first time in a long time. More by luck than judgement we attended the Drums at the HMV Institute in Birmingham.

Firstly though, we were treated to the Violens on support. I say treated in the loosest sense as they were easily the worst support act I’ve seen for a long time. Not aided by the fact that the sound was totally dominated by bass and drums (rhythm and lead guitarists totally drowned out) the lead singers incessant wailing started to grate as soon as they began. I haven’t given them a chance to redeem themselves by listening to them on MySpace or Spotify as yet but the bout of over indulgent guitar wanking to close the set seemed fitting after such a terrible set. Clichéd twaddle. We were shocked to learn that they came from New York. I wouldn’t have paid for them to come from York Street in Birmingham let alone New York. Perhaps they were brought in to fulfil the obligation of the fat bridesmaid equivalent of support bands at gigs. The fatter, the uglier the bridesmaid – the fitter the bride looks, the shitter the support act – the better the headliners sound. And perhaps it paid off as the Drums, in comparison, were excellent.

Gareth Keenan performing for the Drums

Being off the radar somewhat when it comes to new music (a combination of laziness, age and lack of decent new bands in the common domain) The Drums are one of the only bands I’ve championed this year. After a dramatic build up from the band already congregated on stage (in the dark), a grandiose entrance from stage left by lead singer Jonathon Pierce (not the BBC Sports commentator BTW) led to an energetic set from start to finish.

Despite my vision being impaired by Peter Crouch’s doppelganger (arriving moments before the start of the set as if to say “Sorry Tom, you do realise you’re NEVER supposed to have a decent view of a gig don’t you?”) we watched as the Drums burst to life playing their tuneful brand of indie pop rock. Their sound is unique and – as bizarre as it may sound – I would liken them to the perfect hybrid of the Beach Boys and New Order.

Pierce, who could quite easily pass for Gareth Keenan from the Office, strutted the stage as if he’d boshed all manner of illegal substances up his hooter. He is an excellent front man and engaged the audience with infectious enthusiasm and wild gyrating throughout. Most famed song Let’s go surfing was dropped in early into the set but unlike many bands with one identifiable hit (to those of us that are non obsessive fans) this wasn’t by any stretch of the imagination a disappointment as their boundless energy and reams of catchy tunes kept you interested throughout the hour long set. Finishing with Forever and Ever Amen I left with a huge grin on my face satisfied that there is at least one decent new band touring at out there at the minute. I like.