Monday night down on Digbeth High Street, and you’d be excused for thinking nothing was going on. However behind the doors of the institute a mass is gathering to witness two of the hardest working bands currently treading the boards. DJ trio Mildred Fierce get the crowd in the mood for what’s to come with their mix of distorted classics, before tonight's first act hit the stage.
I've seen The Computers a few times now, and they have always been a phenomenal live act, however these shows have always been within the confines of The Flapper, so seeing them on a big stage was an interesting prospect, and they certainly didn't disappoint. Imagine the Eighties Matchbox B-Line Disaster covering The Hives with a pinch of Elvis Costello pomp, and you're somewhere to imagining what these guys sound like. And whilst my description may sound somewhat horrific, they have a great live sound, and a stage presence that most bands would kill for, especially their front-man Alex who literally has the crowd eating from the palm of his hand in moments. Taking the spirit of classic rock n roll and putting it through a punk-rock blender, The Computers deliver up some heavy, surf-rockabilly blues. Some may find the whole ‘preaching to save rock n roll’ vibe a little tiresome, but there’s enough evidence this is tongue-in-cheek to allow me to let them off the hook for being a tad cliché. Alex brings the set to a close from within the crowd, whipping the pit into a maelstrom of arms and legs, lost shoes and nosebleeds. Just like it should be! Not a band I’d listen to on record, but live they hit the mark just right. An excellent start to the evenings proceedings.
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| Pulled Apart By Horses |
Tonight's head-liners, Pulled Apart by Horses, are clearly happy to be in town. Loud, abrasive and good humoured from the get-go, this is their first time back in the second city for a good while and are in good spirits. Having had the previous day off from their touring schedule, front-man Tom Hudson had taken the opportunity to grab some home comforts, including a roast dinner with his parents back in Halesowen. With batteries fully recharged, the band tear their way through a healthy mix of tracks from their self-titled début as well as latest disc Tough Love. ‘I Punched a Lion in the Throat’ kicks thing off nicely, guitarist James Brown throwing himself violently to the floor throughout - even know just thinking about the way he jumps in the air and lands on his knees makes my mind boggle how he hasn't busted his kneecaps out! 'High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive' sounds as vital tonight as it has always done, whilst current single 'V.E.N.O.M' gets the already sweaty crowd into even more of a sticky mess. The real curve-ball of the set comes in the form of Tough Love album track 'Everything Dipped in Gold', which shows a side of Pulled Apart we had until now really seen - a more considered, slow-builder of a track that will be a key fixture of their set for a long time to come. After a brief break, the band return for an encore during which they dive headlong into a cover of Nirvana’s ‘Tourette’s’, as well as head-first into the crowd - as Tom and James both clamber into the crowd, climb onto the bar, and accept a drink from a member of the audience, all whilst ploughing through the final chunky chords of 'Den Horn.'
As I leave tonight, with ears ringing and a grin as wide as my face, I'm pleased in the knowledge that there are bands out there who practice what they preach, and don't treat a show any different if they are sweating it out on a tiny stage or up on a platform with a steel fence between. As long as their are acts like this who can entertain and engage then we're all in safe hands.
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