Music > Live Reviews

Kaves, Black Rose & Escaping Today

The Adrian Flux Waterfront

07/09/21

As things slowly return something approaching the normal of the olden times pre-Covid, it is down to the Waterfront Studio for three local bands. Kicking things off, ESCAPING TODAY play a brand of classic rock that brings to mind both New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the heavier end of Britpop. Their sound takes in the likes of Stereophonics or Foo Fighters with hints of AC/DC, Thin Lizzy and Soundgarden. It is catchy, has a groove, the vocals – both lead and harmony - are strong and these lads can play. The only thing is that I am old enough to have witnessed the melodic rock that came at the end of the 80s and Escaping Today remind me a little too much of the seemingly dozens of bands that were ploughing a similar furrow - albeit with less talent and worse songs – in support slots at the Marquee or Walthamstow Royal Standard. They may not be entirely to my tastes but I can see this lot going down a storm with the classic rock crowd at the Steelhouse or HRW NWOCR festivals. 

 
Also taking me back to the 80s are BLACK ROSE, not helped by the fact that they share their name with a North Yorkshire NWOBHM band that released a few couple of albums in the mid-80s and reformed in the mid noughties. Thankfully, the sound is heavier and a touch more alternative. It’s grungy, thrashy, funky metal with a hit of horrorpunk. Think Soundgarden jamming with Radkey or Drenge with Misfits. The occasional slap-bass injects a touch of Primus and Living Color to proceedings whilst Sunflower Gunpowder even has a suggestion of the Ramones. The only real negative here is the frequent guitar changes which break up the momentum.
 
And so to tonight’s headliners. KAVES continue in the funk metal vein, venturing into nu-metal territory. There’s more to them than that suggests, though. Caitlin has a great singing voice but her vocals also venture into rap and grime territory, with a delivery that brings to mind Mike Patton or Anthony Kiedis. Tim’s guitar work also recalls Faith No More and the Chili Peppers but with undercurrents of Pearl Jam and The Specials, whilst Mia bass keeps to a rock-meets-ska template. From opener God’s Gift to the encore of the brilliantly titled I Just Want My Hoody Back, there isn’t a duff song here. The highlight for me, though, was Ignore Me. From a slow burning, mellow start it bursts into a guitar wigout – like a thrash metal take on Freebird! – before taking things down again. 
 
All in all, a great evening from three local bands that deserve your attention.