The Deaf Institute has played host to many upcoming bands over the last few years, but its sacred halls have never seen anything as promising as Counterfeit. You’d be forgiven for assuming that their prompt accession into a headline tour just eight months into the band’s career is simply the result of having a Hollywood actor for a vocalist. However, the reality is that Counterfeit have demonstrated mind-blowing maturity and expertise in their (albeit few) studio released songs. As fans piled into the sold-out venue, it was time to see if Counterfeit could deliver at a live show as well as on record.
Support came from Bellevue Days, an alt-rock quartet with a pop-rock style reminiscent of Circa Waves infused with the distressed spirit of Brand New. The band keep it original by leaving out the sharp edge of Jesse Lacey’s vocals. Not that this is a bad thing – it made for easier listening and a more chilled out vibe that would be perfect at festivals. With great energy and on-stage presence for a small band only two years old, Bellevue Days demonstrated extreme talent and originality as they performed songs from their EP, The Sun Came Up When We Were Young, and their singles Ripped Jeans and Pepper Tea.Bellevue Days are certainly ones to watch out for.
Regardless of how good the support was, however, there was only one word on the lips of the – admittedly predominantly female – crowd: Counterfeit. The anticipation was tangible as Royal Blood song after Royal Blood song played whilst equipment was prepared on stage, and once the crowd saw a glimpse of the band entering from a small side-door, the night truly got under way.
Counterfeit’s energy and zeal was palpable from the very second they launch into the explosive Hold Fire. As the song progressed, shirtless vocalist Jamie Bower’s love of theatrics hit the limelight as he sauntered off the stage and onto the bar, with a blatant disregard for the fans that were crushed in the onslaught of girls trying to get an inch closer to him. The night looked set to be a wild one until Jamie threw himself into the crowd of adorning fans during second song For The Thrill Of It.As he lay on his back on the floor as opposed to bobbing heroically above the crowd, Jamie probably realised that stage-diving into a crowd of girls probably wasn’t the brightest idea he’s ever had. Clambering back on stage with a glowing welt on his back, he looked understandably pissed off: ‘put your phones away and fucking catch me next time – this isn’t a fucking One Direction concert’.
It’s clear that Counterfeit are still struggling to be taken seriously as a band, but their performance for the rest of the evening set standards high even for fully established bands. Their unrelenting vigour and ground-breaking passion was evident in their faces – bassist Roland Johnson was positively beaming as he led into the slick song Addiction and although guitarist Sam Bower channelled the more reserved side of Kurt Cobain, he still jokingly locked heads with his older brother. Jamie indulged in Kurt’s more rock-star antics, throwing himself around on stage and wading through the crowd whilst performing. The break-neck speed of the night came to a halt as he burrowed himself into the crowd, singing the touching tribute Letter to the Lost. Talking about the charity CALM, which the band have recently become ambassadors of, Jamie shows a more vulnerable side which is at odds with the loud and aggressive persona he adopts for the rest of the night. Unreleased songs like Romeo and Lost Everything get as much of a reaction as hits like Come Get Some and Family Suicide.
Counterfeit’s enthusiasm bled through the bruises of the failed stage-dive and fans tirelessly remained on their toes throughout the set. Perhaps the only issue is that Counterfeit still need to establish themselves in the overall rock community and gain a following that is more suited to the heavy style of rock that the band so obviously love. If you’re dismissing them as a simple Hollywood-actor-turned-musician band, you’re missing out. It’s undoubtable that Counterfeit are going to go far – for a band with so much drive and passion, it’s impossible not to.
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