aaamusic | On 01, Aug 2010

[cincopa 10684535]

London, 20th July

Look at this powerwalk. This powerwalk is 18. In fact, it is so past 18, it’s older than your grandparents. And with that our intrepid reviewer makes it into a “trendy” Shoreditch bar three months earlier than she should to see what is quite possibly the best live act around right now.

The venue itself definitely had some kind of ambience, with a small stage and expansive, moodily-lit floor, mostly in purple. It has to be said, looking at the stage I had my doubts as to whether six people would be able to play a set on it without having to pile on top one another at some point, but this would be dealt with nearer the time, so I settled down with a cup of water and saw the night unfold.

Stereo Juggernauts were up first, a four-piece band with what could be a techno-punk sound, although the venue’s sound was so harsh and muddy, it was initially hard to discern much through the sludge of feedback and distortion. However as the set progressed, either my ears grew accustomed to the noise or the mixing got sorted out, as things started to get a bit clearer. Despite the difficulty in hearing any particular strands of the music, there was no denying the charisma possessed by the band as they valiantly played on and gave it all they could and then some. The vocals especially were hard to hear over the largely inadvertent Skinny Puppy-esque squall that plagued the set, but what songs did come through were very enjoyable, and despite the electronic element and backing tracks used, none of the members seemed superfluous, which can be a risk in that particular style. The audible part of what was played also showed some good musical ideas and proficient playing, and I would be very interested in seeing them again in a setting with better sound as they piqued my curiosity.

The next act were Ruderalis. Now, in their defence, I don’t get irony, and I don’t get hip-hop, and so ironic hip-hop was never going to win me over, and this is by no means a strong commentary on their act. In fact, the song that included the lyric “microscopic robots in my blood” definitely raised a smile even with me, and the audience largely seemed to be enjoying themselves. By this point the venue’s sound seemed to have improved slightly, and the vocals were audible over the backing tracks, which was an improvement. (Isn’t that always the case?) However, I felt that their stage presence wasn’t exactly as attention-grabbing as it could have been, and all three seemed a little aimless as they bopped around to their music. Although billing a low-key group like them alongside the other bands playing that evening seemed a bit unwise, as it was inevitable they would get upstaged, and at least they entertained their audience, which is presumably what they intended to do.

I’ll have to say that a large part of me was wondering exactly how General Bovine & The Justice Force 5 would come across live, as it’s one of those acts that can either go incredibly well, or incredibly badly. And I think you may be able to guess which route the set took.

Part lunatic pantomime, part rock ‘n’ roll spectacular, and 100% jaw-dropping, the set took my already high expectations and blew them to the stars in a storm of sound and glitter. All six members took to the stage, and somehow managed to find enough room for more than enough superhero/rock star antics and poses, using the monitors and one another if need to be. The result was a loud, ridiculous and totally enjoyable rock show that not only gives Green Day’s high-budget stadium show in June a definite run for its money, but easily is one of the best gigs of my entire life.

The venue’s sound was still not entirely up to scratch, but the mixing had definitely been improved somewhat, and as a result the vocals were audible, and it was possible to tell what instruments were making what sounds. And given that not only can this band put on a mindblowing stage show but also write one hell of a song, this was something I was grateful for. And of course, if you are able to do all the antics and still play an instrument, you’re going to have to be good at it. The whole band were on fire that night. Metaphorically speaking, although I’m pretty sure that in time, fire may well creep into their act in a literal, although for now they are more than making do with bubbles and confetti and kick-ass music.

They gave their recent singles, ‘Fight The Fight’ and ‘J.U.S.T.I.C.E. Force Dance’ suitably spectacular renditions, the latter being introduced with a request for the audience to go batshit mental, and the fans (this reviewer included) were only too happy to oblige.

Among the shenanigans were guitar duels, the band members carrying one another on their shoulders, and an on-stage battle with the Justice Force 5’s arch-nemesis: the Organ Grinder, who entered the picture like a pantomime villain, pushing through the audience and provoking a battle that was not only incredibly fun to watch as it lurched on and off the stage, but it was accompanied by a genre-sprawling piece of sonic insanity that hammered at the ears and blood.

I can honestly say that I have not wholeheartedly enjoyed a gig like that in too long. I am also left wondering what they could invent given the opportunity with a better venue and a bigger budget, given that such a fantastic display of music and performance was given in such a humble (or at least, trendily minimal) setting. And so readers, I can only say that in light of this new experience, The Justice Force 5 are no longer a recommendation; they are a necessity.

Author & Photos: Katie H Halinski