Music > Live Reviews

ClownSmashEverything

Voodoo Daddy's Showroom

27/01/18

In 2017, it took me until December for my first trip of the year to the Owl. This year, it is just 26 days….

First up are The Visitors. On their Facebook page, they describe themselves as pop-punk. Normally, a five piece, tonight they are bass-free four piece and maybe that is why I am not getting that at all. To these tired, old and tinnitus wrecked lugholes, this is old school power-metal meets nu-metal with a twist of goth. There are hints Metal Church, Dio and Cold In Berlin.

On vox, Lily-Anne Reeve is - by her own admission - struggling with throat problems. All power to her for carrying on as her voice, a few cracked notes aside, is a fine thing. Simon Richardson and Lou Seventh lay down some chunky, chugging rhythm guitars with squalling solos that don't outstay their welcome. Connor Hirsch delivers some powerful, straight-ahead drum work. Bassist Nathaniel Laker is missing and, whilst a bit more bottom end would be welcome, it isn't a problem in this room.

There are some awkward gaps between songs and visible nerves but it is good to see a band enjoying themselves. Musically, whilst not entirely my bag, there’s a ton of promise and Lily-Anne has the potential to be a very good front-woman.

I feel I should like Metanoia’s alternative rock a lot more than I do. Theirs is a sound that combines the likes of early Radiohead with Pearl Jam and even a touch of Fugazi. Daniel's vox are a powerful bellow and there's some intriguing guitar interplay between him and Tim. Bassist Jack goes about his business  in an unshowy yet effective way. Manic drummer Ash may be the star of this show. The songs are strong and decent enough and I really admire what they are doing but I am just not feeling it and I don’t know why. Ah well, I am interested enough that I will certainly make an effort to see ‘em again.

As Cowards Wake begin their set with an intro tape that is, frankly, painfully loud even with my earplugs screwed firmly into place. Still, it is a good bit of showmanship that is sadly missing from too many gigs these days. Once into their set, it is all synchronised headbanging, feet on monitors, raging metalcore.

Leanne's vocals range from a guttural, feral deathmetal grunt to powerful, soaring singing. Harry and Martin's guitars deliver stungun riffs and squealing, almost operatic solos. Mark's bass sound is the filthiest and heaviest I have heard for an age and Rick delivers pile-driver drums. Musically, this takes its cue from Pantera, Sepultura and the more recent likes of Trivium.

As Cowards Wake will be far from everyone's thing and, to be honest, like most extreme music, I won't be listening to this at home but, by all the hells, live it is an invigorating, cathartic yet fun experience.

Now, I have heard a lot of good things about ClownSmashEverything so I have high expectations. And GT (vox/guitar), Jay (guitar), Peters (bass) and Zak (drums) absolutely bloody smash it (no pun intended).

Named (perhaps) after a Groop Dogdrill song, this is driving down and dirty rock - or should that be RAWK? - all low slung guitars, crashing drums and shouted vocals delivered with a sneer and a cheeky wink from a kohl-encrusted eye. Equal parts punk, hardcore and sleaze - sleazecore anyone? - ClownSmashEverything come on like a turbocharged, heavied-up Hanoi Rocks, The Clash covering Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers’ LAMF album or early, Ginger-CJ-Danny-Bam-era Wildhearts. It is almost like the band have taken hardcore legends Poison Idea's version of New York Dolls' Vietnamese Baby as a template and then made it harder, better and just more fun.

For all those comparisons, CSE have their own sound and identity. With a strong image, some great tunes and sheer showmanship, this makes for a thoroughly entertaining and enjoyable set. Now to go and listen to the debut album….

A big shout out to promoter Ideal Surreal and the Owl for putting together a line up of four local bands, none of whom I have seen before tonight, that is of enough interest to drag me out on a cold Friday night and charging just three quid to get in. An absolute bargain for a cracking evening.