NOVA TWINS & KID BOOKIE
I have been a fan of NOVA TWINS for a while now but have never had the chance to see them and, like a lot of tonight’s audience, I had been looking forward to this show, which has been postponed at least once, for a good two years.
I should really have been at least aware of KID BOOKIE, considering he has worked with Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor but his is a new name to me. Led by the man himself on vox and guitar with (if my much abused ears haven’t let me down) John on guitar and vox, Kieran on bass and drummer Mo, there are superficial similarities to Bob Vylan, Ho99o9 and even tonight’s headliners, in that they mix up metal, punk and hardcore with rap and grime. Unlike Vylan and Ho99o9, it’s not just the vocals and drums that are live and, so far as I can tell, there are no samples or tapes here. Musically, there are shades of Zeal & Ardour, System of a Down and even Extreme Noise Terror. There’s some phenomenal double bass drumming and the vocals range from guttural metal style to rapping. The cover of Creep by Radiohead is both unexpected and, considering it ain’t my fave Radiohead song by any stretch, unexpectedly great. The goth meets power-metal ballad meets grime of In The Dark is a highlight. Being completely honest and perhaps hypercritical, the more straight ahead metal songs are far from original and the constant exhortations to make some fucking noise get a bit tiresome but the more rap-orientated material is far better and KB and band are clearly enjoying themselves. I’m definitely hoping Bookie and crew come back soon for a headliner.
And so to NOVA TWINS. The energy levels are through the roof from evil sounding opener Antagonist. The trio of vocalist/guitarist Amy Love, bassist Georgia South and drummer Jake don’t let up through an intense Fair Play, jumping and heavy as hell Losing Sleep, which prompts the first circle-pit I have seen for a good couple of years, Bullet promote a mass singalong and new song K.M.B. is maybe less rock and more dub but super, super heavy. Older song Wave comes on like Swans gone dub before the band power through Athena, Cleopatra and Undertaker before an encore of Bassline Bitch and Taxi. Throughout, Georgia’s bass sound is fantastically full fat, Amy’s box and guitar are superb and Jake, obviously not a member of the core duo, is a bit of an unsung hero.
Nova Twins are a terrific, high energy live act. Who Are The Girls? is a terrific album. Based on tonight, forthcoming sophomore effort Supernova may be even better. Here’s hoping they come back to the Fine City on the next tour.
