07 August 2007 (gig)
10 August 2007
If you're afraid to enter a moshpit at a 'normal' gig , then don't even venture near it when watching Eighties Matchbox. This band know how to whip up a frenzy now as much as they did back in 2002 when their first single was released.
The band skulk out onto the stage in the packed out (smoke free but smelly) Scala and Guy doesn't look happy, he does his usual march round the stage and stares hammer horror style into the crowd and screams "COME ON!!!!!! COME ON!!!!!!" The crowd scream back, and the lads kick into storming new track 'Horses can Swim'.
As usual, theres no fucking around tonight, theres hardly pause for breath before they kick into 'Mr Mental' swiftly followed by 'Charge the guns'. Even if you're reading this having never heard the band, you know they're not ballads. Eighties Matchbox don't know what a ballad is, and this crowd is glad!
Of the two albums they've released so far, only a couple of tracks from the 2nd,'The Royal Society' manage to creep onto the setlist tonight. Not to say it wasn't a great album, it was, but their new stuff seems to sit better next to the 90 mph visceral sound of the older stuff. 'Kemptown Animal' and title track from the new E.P 'In the Garden' being particularly impressive.
We even get treated to 3 old B-sides tonight, tracks like 'Alex' and the superb 'Torrential Abuse' are a reminder of the quality of the bands back catalogue.
These guys are like a rock off between the Cramps and the Stooges. Guy is like an uncaged wild animal, flitting between the stage, the crowd and the speaker stacks, blink and he's moved. The band back his fast vocals and screams with note perfect (i think, it is very loud!!) playing. How Tom manages to sustain that speed of drumming for an hour I don't know.
One criticism. Since guitarist Andy Huxley left, his once prominent backing vocal duties seem to have been either ignored or faded down way too low. Rich Fownes can't be heard above his guitar and this is a real downer on songs like 'I rejection' where Andy's vocals helped complete the song. But hey, I'm being petty.....
The second half of the gig is a nonstop moshfest of songs from Debut 'Horse of the Dog' culminating in the unbeatable 'Celebrate your Mother' .
They're feeling generous tonight, or maybe just give in to the crowd's screaming and pleading, coming back on with two more oldies, 'Presidential Wave' and 'Fishfingers'
This reviewer leaves the gig covered in beer sweat and bruises, and wouldn't have it any other way. Best live band around, no doubt about it.
Setlist:
Horses can Swim
Mister Mental
Charge the Guns
In the Garden
Kemptown Animal
You say you're a Doctor, but I know you're a Mister
I Rejection
Turkish Delights of the Devil
Love turns to Hate
A Man for all Seasons
Alex
Chicken
Psychosis Safari
Torrential Abuse
Giant Bones
Celebrate your Mother
Encore
Presidential Wave
Fish Fingers
