Captain Pushmosh

So last night was Gallows/Every Time I Die/Rolo Tomassi at the UEA. I managed to get guestlist for Apryl and I which was good as currently I need to save as much money as possible for other things; Copenhagen, the summer, Lonewolves related projects.

Anyway, it was an enjoyable show. All three bands were on form and as a bonus I got to see a few people that I haven't chatted to for what seems like, and what probably is, ages.

Rolo Tomassi were up first and they got a pretty good reaction from those who had bothered to get there early enough to catch their set (in truth it was probably those who wanted to get a good space as near to the barrier as possible for Gallows, but that's the way it goes) and their sound seemed to transfer well to a venue of the size of the UEA. They are a band that you either love or don't like, see: 'get' but the reaction from those present was favourable and I'm sure they've made some new converts. I'm personally really in to them and I hope they fulfill the obvious potential that they have and live up to the hype that has been building around them over the past few months because as people they seem to be enthusiastic, down to earth and gracious, as well as being incredibly talented musicians.

Every Time I die were up next and were excellent. Their sound has morphed in to a much more rocky, riff-driven entity over the course of their last two records, but they pulled it off with aplomb last night, as well as airing some old numbers from Hot Damn! which pleased me as I haven't properly listened to their new stuff.

Everyone who's in to hardcore/punk/metal/alternative music at all seemingly has an opinion on Gallows so I don't really want to go in to too much depth here. However a couple of things I will say are:

- You can't knock them for effort. People bitch about them since they've become successful but their work ethic has never dwindled.

- They haven't changed the way they do things for anyone. They still write the music they want to write and they still play shows the way they want to play shows; by putting in as much effort and energy as possible. It'd be easy for them to play it safe and just go through the motions both on record and in their live peformance, but they don't; they give their all every time they step on stage. Every time I've ever seen them; from the Ferryboat where three people paid in, all the way through to last night, they've always been an entertaining spectacle to watch backed up by solid songs. All of them, especially Frank have excellent stage prescence and they do things on their terms.

Personally I think they deserve all the success that they've had so far and all the success that is bound to follow with the release of their acclaimed new record. For me 'Grey Britain' is definitely a grower. There are good tracks on it, but I was a bit apathtic towards it the first few times I've gievn it a listen. However, hearing so many of the new tracks live last night and hearing them sound so strong and catchy, I'm confident in a few weeks I'll have it on heavy rottation. Lots of the guitar parts also sound Hot Snakes esque too whcih is always a good start!

xo