March 30, 2006
Shock n Awe Presents….
Jam Tartans
As we walk up the stairs to Junktion 7 Hucknall band, The Jam Tartans have already started their set. The guitars are loud, the drums are louder and the bass lines roll around like a pig in the mud. This isn't anything mind blowing but with some quite interesting and very tight bass lines pulling the tunes together and simple drum and guitar riffs, it is old skool punk with a modern twist. The guitar riffs break nicely between simple chords and some pretty sharp riffage and the bass lines follow suit and seem to hold a lot of this bands stability in toe. The vocals are sang in a very 'Sex Pistols' 70's punk style but lack real power and backing vocals would probably of helped. The drumming is pretty tight but again not massive amounts of imagination. Towards the end of their set they do a 'Cuntstremental' jam and get a random mate to do some random shouting, which was quite fun and pretty impressive too! This band are pretty tight, a lot of fun and seem to enjoy their music, which is great but they need to work on getting a sound of their own and a bit more presence and attitude at times wouldn't go a miss. A good act to start the night off and a solid punk act.
http://www.myspace.com/thejamtartans
Jonny No Stars
Next up are drunk punk veterans of the Nottingham scene Jonny No Stars. Jonny No Stars always seem to not quite live up to expectations for me. Their mix of punk and ska is really nice and having seen them several times before many of the songs were catchy and memorable but as the set progressed they seemed to get looser, which was odd as normally sets get tighter the longer they go on! The guitar riffs are well written and you can see that Jonny No Stars writing style is quite clever and unique. Sadly the vocals are lacking in power and this isn't the first time I have said this about this band. The bass and guitars linked well together though and the drummer mixes his pounding beats with some nice little fills, in quite a personal style. However the drummer sometimes seems to over stretch himself as indeed do other members of the band and at times there are very noticeable mistakes. Jonny No Stars use a mix of catchy and random changes with some really clever ideas and they do show a lot of potential, it is a pity sometimes their technique seems to let them down, then again maybe one day the fact they push themselves beyond their limits might help them grow as a band, I hope so as I feel this is a band who could do so much more.
http://www.myspace.com/jonnynostarsmusicprofile
Axminster Scotchguard And The Numskulls
So far the night has been good but hasn't really blown away any real cobwebs, that is about to change! As Axminster Scotchguard and the Numbskulls take to the stage and burst into the first songs, with the frontman spends every spare moment he can to rant at the crowd about the state of society, it is obvious this band has plenty to say. The songs are based round fairly simple yet powerful and catchy riffs that have a slightly messy edge at times but it works so well and with the Axminister singing his tongue in cheek lyrics, which are blunt, to the point and at times side spiltingly funny, the crowd go mad. In between the songs, the Axminister tells us what his songs are about including subjects such as how the BBC are ripping us off, the stealing single mums on benefit in Hucknall and getting tricked into getting in debt by companies such as Yes Car Credit. Axminister have a real attitude which mixes a more comedy punk edge that still has a real purpose with traditional punk values and with one of the most charismatic and amusing punk frontmen, I have seen in a long time. The Numbskulls are a tight and powerful band to support the Axminister's lyrically talent and with the songs having plenty of punch and bounce, they wizz through a set that is very impressive. Watch out for this band, they embody the spirit of punk and are brilliant to watch live.
http://www.myspace.com/thenumskulls
Yes My Ninjas?
So to tonight's finale, Yes My Ninjas? The first 3 bands had been punk acts yet now we are exposed to something completely different. We have seen quite a bit of this band in the last year or so and each time we see them they always put on a great and original show. As the crazy projections flicker across the stage and the random noises of synths, metal guitar riffs and screaming, dynamic and random vocals come into ear shot, Yes My Ninjas unmistakable sound rears it's head. The mix at Junktion 7 isn't the best tonight for Yes my Ninjas and I felt it didn't have quite the kick it has done in past performances I have seen but with their unpredictable changes and eye catching stage act, the crowd still stare in awe. Yes My Ninjas mix so many styles and with the programmed synths and drums holding the songs together, it gives the guitars and bass chance to kick in and add power and diversity. Tonight also gave the Ninjas a chance to play some new material and this was really impressive with even more experimentation and weirdness in their new songs. Yes my Ninjas are a truly original band and even though they are very random their songs are still based around solid and catchy melodies and riffs so they stay memorable and interesting. This wasn't the best sound we have heard from them but it was still awesome and with good movement and presence on stage to add to the weird and trippy projections, they are certainly a sight to see, putting on a great show. Check this band out, you won't see anything like it anywhere else, I promise.
http://www.myspace.com/yesmyninjasrock
Reviewed by: Gaz
