August 17, 2004
With a crash-bang-wallop Thisisthewaytheworldends got the nights entertainment underway, hitting the rather small crowd by Junktion 7 standards very hard with conglomeration of punchy bass, fast (very fast, left you wondering how anyone can tell their finger to move that fast, fast!) distorted guitar with lots of solos chucked in, and the most interesting drums I have ever heard. That is to say, very unorthodox, again very fast, great use of the kit, and at some points got you thinking that maybe he's not quite playing in the same band here, but then everything else was so unconventional that it all seemed to just work, and managed to flow pretty well too. There was nothing cliché about Thisisthewaytheworldends, it's certainly inspired stuff. The vocalist had a voice that sounded like a merger between Mat Bellamy from Muse, only not quite the same vocal range, and Thom Yorke of Radiohead. He presented more originality with widely varied vocal patterns, but the lyrics couldn't be understood very well, which was a shame. Good movement from the frontman and the bassist assured entertaining stage presence, but they let the audience down a little bit with poor crowd interaction, the odd mumble by the vocalist to tell us what the next track was then *BOOM* more noise!
Sniper Wolf came all the way up from Croydon to grace us with their fast, simple punk rock. They're a three piece band, but you wouldn't necessarily know it, because of the extent of sound emitting forth from them. Uncomplicated and consistent drums, and loose guitar-style bass, the bassist being the only guy that actually moved around the stage. The vocalist was very static and hid behind his mic stand throughout most of the set. As we got further into their set it became increasingly apparent that I couldn't tell one song from another, and I'm sure the one they were playing by this time is the same one they started with! The frontman's voice didn't help too much, it was very monotone and needed some range and more creative vocal patterns to conjure up interest.
As a last minute replacement for The Chalk Four, the ever popular and experienced Duffus came in as support. Their, a little all too familiar and repetitive New Found Glory/Taking Back Sunday/Static Lullaby sound got under way well, and stayed under way well. These guys have their music down to a tea. There was good deviation between bright, clean and low distorted guitar riffs. The frontman's voice couldn't be more punk/emo if he wanted it to be, it fitted very well, and he also had a darn good scream on him. Creative interaction between the lead and backing vocalists, and very clever lyrics show that Duffus know how to write songs. They also know how to be on stage. With 5 members they certainly take up most of it, and used it, decent and professional crowd interaction and good movement by all upstanding members. They may not be the most original band around, but what they do is definitely perfected, and well worth a listen.
3GunPete were the headline band tonight, bringing a touch of angry punk rock. Possibly the punk version of The Voodoo Glow Skulls, with thrashing guitar, simple but effective bass, an excellent drummer who didn't make a mistake, and a great use of pauses and timing. The frontman showed plenty of stage presence and movement, and he did incredibly well with the vocals considering he didn't seem to stop for breath throughout each song. He was accompanied by some very well though out, and carried out backing vocals. There wasn't a moments silence in their set, they went straight from one song into the other without shutting their instruments up, though this caused a bit of confusion for myself, and a lack of distinction between songs. This was loud, aggressive, but catchy punk rock, which would most definitely get you up on your feet if it came on when you were out.
Written By Steph
