As December Falls – Capture [Single Review]

The UK pop-punk scene pales in comparison to our friends overseas, but thankfully Nottingham based four-piece As December Falls are a welcome blush on the ill cheek of Britannia. Their newest track Capture has already made its debut on BBC Introducing’s ‘The Beat’ two weeks before its official release, and it comes as no surprise that this song has the potential to be the radio’s darling – sweet vocals, catchy guitar riffs and lyrics of a troubled relationship are a perfect recipe for mainstream attention.

That’s not to infer that Capture is without its rugged elements. Lukas James’ drums are certainly aggressive, and perfectly illustrate the frustration that tints this seemingly upbeat track of a relationship that’s spiralling out of control. Perhaps the light-hearted quality conveyed in the fluttering guitars and vocalist Bethany Curtis’ deceptively sugary tones that contrast with the fierce drums is exemplary of the illusory front of a crumbling inner self. From this, it’s fair to say that As December Falls are definitely on their way to writing a ground-breaking debut album.

A highlight of the track is the discourse between Curtis and guitarist Ande Hunter, who claims a vocal role in Capture and adds a layer of complexity to an already intricate song. This especially cements the track as reminiscent of early We Are The In Crowd. The only thing that is uncomparable between the two bands here is Curtis’ lack of vocal tension. Her vocals are very clean-cut, which isn’t necessarily problematic in the verses, but her lack of vigour in the chorus still leaves a lot to the imagination.

However, this is only a minor scratch on the band’s solid endeavour and the track as a whole is expertly mixed. As December Falls possess refreshing maturity for a band that are still very much in their infancy. Not only are they the best band to come out of Nottingham in recent years, they’re looking hot candidates to explode onto the UK music scene – one can easily imagine them entertaining audiences at Slam Dunk Festival, Hit The Deck and maybe even a small slot at Reading and Leeds. Watch this space.

We Are The In Crowd – ‘Weird Kids’ Album Review

We Are The In Crowd – ‘Weird Kids’ Album Review

Track listing

1.  Long Live The Kids 
2. The Best Thing (That Never Happened) 
3. Manners
4. Come Back Home 
5. Attention
6. Dreaming Out Loud
7. Remember (To Forget You) 
8. Don't You Worry
9. Windows In Heaven 
10. Reflections

We Are The In Crowd used to be a pop-rock band that was consistently fun and bubbly with upbeat riffs and catchy lyrics that annoyed you to the point of madness. But you loved them anyway. With Weird Kids, they seem to have dimmed their playful spark whist embarking on a journey of musical progression.

Opener ‘Long Live The Kids’ exemplifies this, with sombre piano notes accompanying Tay Jardine’s crooning at the beginning until we’re hit with a storming wave of guitars and drums that are boring and monotonous. It sets the more serious tone for most of the album and sheds the happy, carefree image that WATIC have held for so long. Musically, everything is great – Rob Chianelli’s drum beats are better than ever, Mike Ferri’s bass riffs are prominent and effective in contributing a grittier undertone and Tay and Jordan's vocals are on point; there’s just a repetitive nature to songs such as Manners, Come Back Home, Dreaming Out Loud and Don’t You Worry. They all share the same dull tones and seem to lack the punchy, kick-ass moments of elation and rapture that distinguished WATIC.

However, Weird Kids seems to be in two halves. The better half includes songs such as The Best Thing (That Never Happened), Attention, Remember (To Forget You) and Reflections, all of which are loud, peppy reminders of why WATIC are such a great band. The Best Thing (That Never Happened) was the first video to be released from the album and rightly so – it’s fun, it’s feisty and, better yet, it sings about punching Alex Gaskarth in the face. Attention and Remember (To Forget You) sound like relics of WATIC’s first album, Best Intentions, with dynamic vocals, loud choruses and bouncy riffs that are both light-hearted and powerful.

Windows In Heaven is the black sheep of the album, consisting of Tay singing a sorrowful solo of her late father and is a welcome break from the musical complexities of the rest of the album. Whereas other songs experiment with different instruments, melodies and pitches, Windows In Heaven is quite minimalist in its approach to accentuate Tay’s vocals, including only a faint synth line, dulled drum kicks and single strings until it shatters into a moving and powerful ending that will draw a tear from the eyes of many. Finale Reflections sets the bar high for future singles from WATIC, with powerful choruses and thorny lyrics that give the song a gritty vigour that Weird Kids so desperately needs. Reflections and Windows In Heaven are each in leagues of their own and create an explosive ending to a not-so-explosive album.

Overall, this album is a messy paint palette – it sounds like an experiment to show that We Are The In Crowd are not a one-trick pony. It has a certain element of intricateness, but it seems like everything has been over-thought in an attempt to show their progression in the two years since Best Intentions and it’s very cautious in its approach. Having said that, Weird Kids does have some killer tracks and it’s definitely worth a listen. You’re almost there, WATIC. Almost. 

We Are The In Crowd - The Cockpit, Leeds 30/1/14 Live Review

We Are The In Crowd - The Cockpit, Leeds 30/1/14 Live Review 

It seems that We Are The In Crowd are never off UK soil and they kicked off 2014 by embarking on their third headline tour in two years, dragging along Newport rockers Save Your Breath and pop punk newbies Neck Deep along for the ride.

                Save Your Breath are first up and although it’s not a brilliant kick-start for the evening, their charm came from the knowledge that they wouldn’t have an enormous reception. Their witty stage-talk and catchy tunes win the audience over and frontman Kristian Richards has no trouble engaging everyone in clapping, jumping and creating mosh pits for the people in the audience with more hair than sense.

                Neck Deep grace the stage afterwards and remind everyone exactly why they headlined (and sold out) the very same venue a couple of weeks earlier. Ben Barlow’s loud-mouthed vocals are on point and bassist Fil Thorpe-Evans’ mini solo in Growing Pains gains an audible cheer from the crowd. Fan favourite A Part Of Me went down a storm, with Ben allowing the audience to sing the female parts in lieu of Laura Whiteside, but the greatest reactions were to new songs such as Crushing Grief (No Remedy) and Damsel In Distress (or as they liked to call it, Denzel in Distress). The energy radiating from the band and the crowd is unbelievable and a throng of stage divers ensued from the very first note of Neck Deep’s set, remaining that way until the end of the night. With the crowd pumped and kicking, the clock ticked down to the beginning of We Are The In Crowd’s headline performance.

                They enter in a cloud of smoke and kick off with new single The Best Thing, much to the pleasure of the audience who scream back every word with reverence. It’s a great start to a great show and the inclusion of five new songs adds an interesting twist to an overused set-list, although fans of Jordan Eckes may have been disappointed at his lack of vocals alongside Tay Jardine’s. It’s clear that WATIC have progressed dramatically in their two years since they released Best Intentions and the transitions between new and old songs seem like hiccups – the two eras of WATIC don’t fit so smoothly into one set and the central focus on Tay is a little off-putting on a small stage.

Tay ’s personal song Windows In Heaven was transformed into a powerful and moving performance with an explosive finale that captured the emotions that the studio version couldn’t and Long Live The Kids kept the crowd belting their hearts out, showing that this song was definitely meant for a live audience. Old favourites were performed, much to the delight of fans, and an acoustic rendition of For The Win offers a calming antidote from the overwhelming vigour that WATIC cast onto the crowd throughout the night. Tunes such as Kiss Me Again and The Worst Thing About Me are played to perfection, keeping the crowd on their toes with their fists in the air. Upbeat and vociferous finale Rumour Mill leaves the crowd on a high before they disperse, leaving a few girls to scan the floor in search of a fallen guitar pick.

                Although the venue wasn’t sold out, the night was a success and the line-up was impeccable – all three bands complemented each other yet offered something different. With the release of their new album Weird Kids, it’s likely that WATIC will headline a bigger venue on their next headline tour and rightly so - their live performances and musical progression deserve a greater reward than a stage overlooking 500 fans and a barman. 

We Are The In Crowd – ‘The Best Thing’ Single Review

We Are The In Crowd – ‘The Best Thing’ Single Review

                After months spent slaving in the studio, We Are The In Crowd have finally given us a release date for their second album – 18^th February 2014 – and a teaser of what to expect with their second single from ‘Weird Kids.’

                Following on from ‘Attention,’ which they performed at Reading and Leeds Festival this year, ‘The Best Thing’ shows a grittier side of vocalist Tay Jardine as she sings of heartbreak (by All Time Low’s Alex Gaskarth, I wonder?) and vents her anger with feisty lyrics such as ‘you ain’t nothing but a prick’ and ‘you’ll crack just like the rest when I break your fucking jaw.’

However, as bitter as this song may sound, it’s surprisingly one of the most uplifting and energetic songs in their discography, declaring ‘you’re never gonna hold me down’. Jaunty drum rhythms, peppy guitar riffs and an extensive use of synthesisers ensure that WATIC don’t lose themselves in angst and maintain the feel-good vibes that make them sensational live performers.

 ‘The Best Thing’ really is one of the best things to come from the Poughkeepsie five-piece. In fact, it’s so good that you won’t even notice the absence of Jordan Eckes’ usual vocals, demonstrating just how far We Are The In Crowd have progressed in the short time they’ve been around. It’s catchy, it’s bouncy, it’s aggressive and it’s bound to be phenomenal when they let it loose for the first time on their UK tour next year. 

Fort Hope - 'Control' Single Review

Fort Hope – ‘Control’ Single Review

Constituted of four extremely talented members - Jon Gaskin, Andé D’Mello, Simon Rowlands and Jamie Nicholls - Fort Hope are well on their way to becoming a big name in the music industry. Having recently supported the likes of Never Shout Never, We Are The In Crowd and Jimmy Eat World, things are happening at break-neck speed for the melodic-rock band formed in January 2013.

                The boys released their debut single ‘Control’ on 24^th June and it can only be described as the phoenix that arose from the ashes of My Passion. Opening with Gaskin’s melodic and dulcet vocals accompanied by ominous and brooding riffs, the tone is set for the rest of the song – deep, full of anticipation and ultimately explosive. The chorus is a thunderous outburst of instrumentals and the entire song is irresistibly thick with heat and fiery passion; it’s undeniable that this song was born to illicit a roaring response from a live crowd. This debut track is saturated with undeniable talent and ability yet is also disappointingly predictable. Other than Gaskin’s well-defined accent, there is little to distinguish this band from so many others such as We Are The Ocean and Mallory Knox.

It’s clear that the guys have emerged from My Passion improved, matured and enhanced in their musical talents and this track leaves a taste in the mouth that is pleasant yet unsatisfying – there is a lot more to come of Fort Hope, and it’s going to be mind-blowing when it does.

Young Guns - Leeds Met Uni 16/10/12 Live Review

Young Guns – Leeds Met Uni 

16^th October 2012

     It goes without saying that 2012 has been Young Guns’ year as the band prepare to take to the stage tonight after returning home from their successful attempt at conquering America.

     Yorkshire-rooted band Marmozets enter the room with only one or two fans throughout the crowd and their set is disappointing to say the least. Dubbed as ‘the most exciting young band in Britain’ by Kerrang, the ‘family band’ fail to live up to this statement as the crowd remain silent and unmoving. Their substandard performance was not for lack of trying, but it is clear that Marmozets still have a lot to learn before embarking on any more                                                                                         live shows.

     With not a lot to outshine, Your Demise arrive on stage and immediately strike into action, much to the approval of the audience. Frontman Ed McRae jumps around being his usual, mouthy self and evokes movement within the crowd that tonight’s show so desperately needs. Launching himself into the mass of fans at his feet, his reckless attitude radiates throughout the crowd and encourages a flock of crowd surfers that set the tone for Your Demise’s set. Still, there isn’t much for Yankee five-piece We Are The In Crowd to outdo.

     The pop-punk band from Poughkeepsie receive an enormous reaction from the crowd as soon as they step on stage and there is no doubt that this band will finally bring something more to the night than just shouty vocals and give the performance of a lifetime. Kicking off their set with a popular song 'Better Luck Next Time' from their debut album 'Best Intentions', We Are The In Crowd clearly know how to please the audience and the revel in the reaction from the crowd. Female vocalist Tay Jardine conducts the entire set and eventually the band win over even the most sceptical minds with their catchy songs and charismatic stage presence. There is no doubt that We Are The In Crowd don’t have any other way to go than up and as they leave the stage, the atmosphere is thick with excitement to see what Young Guns have in store.

     As the lights dim in preparation for Young Guns’ appearance, the audience go crazy and the band begin their faultless set with 'Dearly Departed', a song from their latest album 'Bones'. The five-piece band from East London started their night as they meant to go on, flawlessly performing songs both old and new to perfection. The balance of tempo throughout the night was impeccable, with melodic songs such as 'You Are Not' and 'Broadfields' bringing a more intimate feel to the sold-out venue whilst still maintaining a heavier feel with songs such as 'Crystal Clear' and 'Towers' that drove the crowd wild. As usual, the band put on a show-stopping performance that outstripped their support acts by far and their enthusiasm and confident demeanour set the stage alight, leaving no room for speculation that they are one of the best British bands to date.

     Finally, as the night drew to a close, Young Guns unleashed the full force of their unquestionable proficiency upon their adoring fans and ended their encore with powerful hit single Bones that filled the room with its infectious chorus and ended the night on a complete high.