Shame : Westgarth Social Club, Middlesbrough - Thursday 27th April 2017
Once a year a band pops up out of nowhere and fully absorbs my musical conscience…last year it was Hooton Tennis Club, the year before that it was Parquet Courts. This year’s offering are South London’s post-punk protagonists Shame. There seems to be quite a musical movement building out of London now…and if their momentum continues they could find themselves being an unstoppable force. Like a leading player or one of the major characters to champion an important cause or idea…they sound like they are busting a gut to say something...and going by what people in the know are saying…their live experience provides a perfect platform to keep your attention!
Venues can quite easily shape a night out...if the venue isn’t right the mood that it sets can lead to the band not coming across well. The Westgarth Social Club is one of those perfect venues.
Amazingly for someone who lives in Middlesbrough, this was my first visit to the Westgarth. It’s probably the friendliest venue I’ve ever been to. As soon as we walked through the doors Andy Carr from Kids Are Solid Gold promotions welcomed us and directed us into the right room.
Once drinks were bought we settled into the somewhat cosy downstairs Westgarth₂ for the first of the 4 bands that were on…all for 7 English pounds!!! Now that’s what I call a bargain.
The Circus Villains
The first band to take to the stage were Darlington’s very own The Circus Villains. This indie/rock quartet are jam packed full of talent…and for four lads that are still at college…they could be at the start of a very exciting journey. Mathew Fisher and Luke Taylor, who are both singer/guitarists interchanged singing responsibilities perfectly whilst Daniel Skilbeck’s bass and Bob Mackenzie’s drums kept it all in check.
I just wish…for their sake…that there were more people in to see them. Being the first band on it’s always difficult to get loads of people through the door to see you play…so for those who turned up late missed out on a slice of excellent Indie rock. Their song “Party Fodder” was the standout song for me…It’s a raw bass-lead song that right up my street with a pace changing guitar jam near the end. They will get some lazy media types that will compare them to some of the obvious indie darlings…but I reckon that they could maybe forge their own path going by this performance. If you get a chance give their E.P. “An Evening with...The Circus Villains” a listen below…or if you can…they are on with Bob Fisher on BBC TEES Introducing on 13th May.
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Acting Strange
The second band were East Kilbride’s Acting Strange…who are primarily made up of cousins Billy (Lead Guitar/Vocals) and Ali Strange (Vocals/Bass…or chord basher as he openly states that he is). If you spend a little time researching this band you get the feeling that they are a cross between the Velvet Underground and the Beatles...whilst sounding a bit like The Pogues…if you watched their YouTube videos prior to seeing them then maybe you would get that picture.
Seeing them at close quarters though I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get that at all...apart from The Pogues bit. I’m not saying that they weren’t good…maybe it was because they were so different from the band before I’m not quite sure. There were plenty of people that were into them though and the pint holding head nodders were kept busy. The song I did like from them was their last song that involved Ali on his harmonica...he had stated that the song had “only worked 2 times out of 5 so far” on tour…make that 3 out of 6!
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Sorry (FKA Fish)
The third band were the main support band…they were a group from North London...Sorry. As we were walking up to the Westgarth, I noticed a lad with long hair wearing a tanned jacket hanging about outside being generally happy go lucky…smoking his rollies and chatting to anyone who passed in his direction…turned out to be a lad called Lincoln…Sorry’s enigmatic drummer...top fella!!! They came across as being quite shy as a band..especially lead guitarist and vocalist; Asha Lorenz...that was until she was behind the microphone...her soft and melancholic vocals erupting at times into melodic screams supported well by Louis O’Bryen. Patrick on bass and Lincoln’s at times frenetic drumming (add virtual images of Animal from The Muppets here) slot in nicely. I take it that they are probably a year or so into touring and doing demo’s etc...with a bit more stage presence/crowd interaction that will come with experience they will be ones to look out for. Shame’s lead singer Charlie Steen recently said in an article about the up and coming music scene in London that Sorry are a band that they would traverse any part of London to go and see.
It is really hard to find anything about them on the internet...most things out there are still under their previous name of Fish...but they are well worth seeking out. I didn’t catch many of the song names...due to old age...and being excited about Shame’s imminent appearance but “Drag King” has just been released on YouTube and there is a demo of “Wished” on their Sound Cloud account. The live YouTube video feature all the songs I remember from their set at the Westgarth.
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Shame
This is a band that I have eagerly awaited seeing ever since I knew they were returning to Middlesbrough. Ever since I stumbled upon a YouTube video of them doing “The Lick” live at Dropout Studios I have been completely wrapped up in them...I can’t get enough. Even before the gig people who had seen them before but were unable to attend were waxing lyrical about them...“Don’t Miss This!!!”...“Something special happening tonight” were the social media cries. I was getting excited. This is a band that had toured with The Fall, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Fat White Family before even releasing a single.
(Picture courtesy of Tracy Hyman Photography)
Shame’s drummer Charlie Forbes said recently that there are too many Indie bands out there that are too interested in trying to sell records rather than dividing opinions...I think he is spot on...but if you could divide opinions and still make money...like I think this band can...then everyone is laughing. They are a band that will get a reaction from anyone who sees them...positive or negative. Charlie Steen prowls around the stage building himself up into fury of passionate energy that shows how much he believes in his lyrics and the bond that he has with the rest of his band mates...and even members of the audience. Guitarist Sean Coyle-Smith at some point loses his footing and ends up on his arse with his guitar lead hanging out...could have been worse though...some sharp edges on that stage...and I don’t think that would have been the first time for an onstage injury judging by the phenomenal energy they exude.
(Picture courtesy of Tracy Hyman Photography)
Released singles are played to perfection the only way that Shame can...loud and full of passion and pride. For me though, it was the songs that I haven’t heard that have left me wanting more. “Angie” is a beautiful slice of indie garage pop that leaves your head nodding long after it’s finished but it’s their song “Lampoon” that has me wanting to join the friendly mosh pit. It’s a fast paced lyrical bouncer that builds and builds into a massive crescendo of very loud guitars and screaming...I really need this song!
I was lucky enough to meet Sean and Charlie Steen after the gig and they were both very humble lads that were both in love with the Westgarth...especially the carpet! Many thanks to Charlie for going out of his way to sign my vinyl too...much appreciated.
They released “The Lick” and “Gold Hole” last October and “Tasteless” in March...album done? Awaiting release? I hope so...if you think any of the singles are good...you haven’t heard anything yet!!!
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Many thanks to Tracy for the use of her Shame pictures...her's are the two close-up good ones...you can catch more of her work here:
