Zebrahead

Tonights openers 'Paige' from London demand respect from the other bands for having stepped into the opening slot just four days before the tour was due to begin. I feel however, it's these guys that are more thankful as they are clearly winning over new fans tonight on a well suited bill. They deliver something similar to You Me at Six but unfortunately as the sound tonight is a 'bit' bass heavy (at several points i feel my hair moving back as if standing behind a jet engine when it really kicks in), it's hard to hold on to any defining melodies, of which there are seemingly plenty. A solid tight performce though and if Pop Punk tinged with the indie emo vibe of YM@6 are your thing, you'd do a lot worse than supporting these guys when they're in your town.

'Army of a Freshman' are up next, a name i'm familiar with but have never seen. It's fair to say there are no surprises having always associated these guys with New Found Glory and the likes. It's out and out generic pop punk only making way for jokes... "Every one here tonight are the only people not at the Motley Crue show, that stadium is going to be just one big room of venereal diseases" beams frontman Chris Jay. At points it's like being at a Childrens party, every other exchange with the crowd he's giving a 3 count then asking them to repeat a word... a well crafted interaction if not a little condescending. As with Paige, Army of a Freshman are tight, energetic and were never going to do much wrong in the eyes of tonights audience by delivering within their genre. I did however feel my self questioning just how they'd stand up to the big boys of pop punk in creating an impact, but in fairness, there's nothing wrong here.. there's just nothing exciting either.

'Zebrahead' have a vibe about them, that bit of excitement and little something thats hard to explain which makes some of the more immature exchanges genuinely funny. This is apparent before they start as a Tiki bar is erected on the stage which will soon be maned ensuring none of the band (or various audience members) go dry in the alcohol stakes. These guys dive head first in to the age old formula of humour, harmonies and pop melodies, but they just have that edge. At points there's a complete mash up of the Beastie Boys, Less than Jake and the Offspring which certainly offers some originallity to tonight proceddings. For some reason, be it the vibe in the room or their delivery, it's just feels a shame seeing them on a small stage and at a half full intimate venue. At one point nearly every audience member is seated before they all errupt into a jumping frenzy where it then never really dies down. Later they're encouraged to start the biggest circle pit possible and are informed (wrongly so) that the security want to work harder, so every one must crowd surf over the barrier. Tonights show is definately about having as much fun as possible and i'd be willing to bet, both band and audience are having more than those at the Crue show.
Not wanting to not wish success on any of the previous bands tonight, I fear with a better sound all 3 bands may have stood up a bit more, but despite this, Zebrahead draw you in and comand their trade with persiction which is echo'd by the crowd being only too willing to abide by any request they make.