This past Thursday 176 Records and Everything Sucks Music
put on another great show at Urban Bar in Whitechapel. This night was the
record release show for Slow Science’s and The Dauntless Elite’s new split
release and it would also be the very last time Slow Science would ever play in
London.
Up first were Big Wow. Featuring two members of the
Dauntless Elite this relatively new band have just put out their debut release
Teamwork Makes The Dream Work on Specialist Subject records, a label that have
put out some of the best releases in UK punk rock so I was expecting big
things. They certainly delivered with their live show. Fast and frantic power
pop is the order of the day from Big Wow. Decked out on stage in matching blue
t-shirts they storm through their songs without saying a word between them.
This in itself was quite entertaining with a very long awkward pause halfway
through their set before bassist Georgina screamed and the band burst back into
life. Very entertaining set from this new band.
Next up was Break Ups guitarist Luke Godwin. Luke’s solo
album Brand New Lands was one of my favourites of 2013 and I was really looking
forward to seeing this superbly talented man perform live. After a little
technical difficulty he began his set and was fantastic. I always wonder how an
acoustic act will do when placed between two full bands on a gig line up. Will
it bring down the energy levels of the evening? In this instance it definitely
didn’t. Godwin’s voice was at its soulful best as he captivated his audience.
The only downside of the set was that he didn’t play my favourite song of his –
Let’s Walk Away. Luke Godwin is definitely someone to keep an eye out for.
The Dauntless Elite were my main reason for attending the
show at Urban Bar. I randomly discovered them earlier this year and really fell
in love with their gruff punk stylings. The Dauntless Elite are a “does what it
says on the tin” sort of band. Their live show is what you would expect from a
melodic pop punk band, not that that is a bad thing. The songs are top quality
fist pumping anthems. Singers Lee and Joseph’s vocals both sound great with Joseph’s
raw and rough singing complimented fantastically by Lee’s more clean style. I
was super impressed with The Dauntless Elite playing live, brilliant band to
watch, really entertaining when playing songs or partaking in mid set banter,
Lee especially was hilarious. It’s such a shame that they don’t play more gigs
because they are an excellent band.
Last up was Slow Science. I have to admit I had never even
heard of Slow Science before this gig so the sadness of this being their last
ever London gig was a bit lost on me. That was until about halfway through
their opening song when I felt gutted this was my first time experiencing them
as they were really really good. On their Facebook page they describe
themselves as a “four piece, anthemic, indie infused, grunge driven, dual vocaled,
punk rock” band. I would just describe them as awesome. They made a comment
about not having played a gig for 18 months prior to this one but you couldn’t
tell as they played so tightly. Al and Stacey’s rhythm section drove the songs
on why guitarists Jon and Paul played so excellent riffs. The whole band are
clearly brilliantly talented musicians and together they have made something
really special. It’s such a shame they are splitting up and I really hpe they
do some reunion shows somewhere down the line, it would be a travesty if they
didn’t.
This was a excellent gig showcasing some great UK talent. On
my way home I thought about the gig and wondered why exactly acts like these
and countless other underground acts are still underground. The UK really does
have an immensely talented scene and really needs to be discovered by a bigger
audience. Thank god for promoters such as 176 Records and Everything Sucks
Music for continually putting on some fantastic gigs filled with great bands.
Check out Big Wow here: https://www.facebook.com/bigwowmusic?fref=ts
Check out The Dauntless Elite here: http://music.thedauntlesselite.com/
Check out Luke Godwin here: https://lukegodwin.bandcamp.com/
Check out Slow Science here: https://slowscience.bandcamp.com/
Check out 176 Records here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/176-Records/201196669930366
Check out Everything Sucks Music here: https://www.facebook.com/esmusiclabel
Now listening to Within The Range Of A Raven by The Holy Mess
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