For the last five or so years we've been blessed with the likes of Kaiser Chiefs, Futureheads, Kasabian and the Arctic Monkeys thrusting their way fretboard-first into our ear drums. Last week the Fez Club in Reading staged a heady cocktail of three new bands carving their place in the genre of music that is ElectroPopPunk'n'Roll. | "Obviously by doing away with having to think up random titles for tracks their brain cells are spared for more important things…making good music." | |
The night kicked off with support from Playmates, and kick off it did. I like support bands that don't apologise for being a support band and it was clear that Playmates relished their stake in the stage, enjoying every last bit of it. And if you're going to end your set memorably then you'd might as well bash, strum and scream your way through your next single. Damn Good is released on 27 May. Next we were teased in by Every Move A Picture from San Francisco; a worthy choice given that they have supported Forward, Russia! on much of their tour to date. I say teased…these boys are well dressed and well versed in luring young female reviewers to the front of the stage! They carried off their performance with the pure rock star chic of Jet and The Datsuns and with just as much rock 'n' roll. Toss in a dollop of 80s romanticism and Every Move A Picture give the night the originality it needed. After all, isn't that what new music is all about? Talking of new music we were there to see Forward, Russia! They've already been dubbed as the 'next big thing' so I won't cover old turf laid by other reviewers but I have to say their 'hot new band' status is quite possibly due to the way they ripped through their debut album. Not wanting to be constrained by interpretation they simply number their songs. Obviously by doing away with having to think up random titles for tracks their brain cells are spared for more important things…making good music. Good music it may be, however, I do fear that although original in style they don't quite bolster their way into my heart with original content. Their set, including tracks '10', '7', '18', '11', and '9' their new single (also called Give Me A Wall) was well constructed, their tracks well produced. I liked the way the male melodies and harmonies were spliced by the vocals of their very talented female drummer. I liked the way that the fact they're having a cracking time doing their 'thang' came across in their slick set. I liked the way the frontman, Tom, generated a quick and easy rapport with the crowd whether they were new to their repertoire or hardened fans. Engaging to watch he keeps control of his synth while he twists, jerks and knots himself up in his mic chord. A spasmodic display reminiscent of Joy Division's Ian Curtis. The only real flaw during their set was their disappointingly earnest audience. Here's me looking forward to thrashing it out and getting mucky in a writhing crowd only to be met by hands in pockets and appreciative nods in time with the rhythm. Alas, I sure hope Forward, Russia! make the most of their timely thrust into ElectroPopPunk'n'Roll before a new ride takes over…and reap the crowd they deserve when they play the Reading Festival in August. | 
