– GORILLA, MANCHESTER –
I’ve been spending the past few weeks submersing myself in the superb new long player from Canadian punks Fucked Up. Glass Boys is the band’s fourth album, considerably shorter than their previous record (a four part rock opera entitled David Comes To Life) but still expansive in production and powerful in delivery. So all in all, I am rather stoked ahead of tonight’s show as the band kick off the first in a short jaunt of the UK in support of the new record at the sweat box that is Gorilla.
Support tonight comes from Danish quartet Lower who deliver a brooding set of 80’s inspired post punk with jangly guitars and tribal rhythms and New York hardcore upstarts Cerebral Ballzy who play fast, loud and hard. There are definitely enjoyable moments from both sets from the support tonight but I must admit, I do find it hard to give my full attention for the whole of their sets.
Fucked Up step to the stage opening with the epic opening track from their new record, titled ‘Echo Boomer’, the crowd down in the front frantically jump about as frontman Damian excitingly howls down the mic. I’m pleased to hear a nice chunk of the new album, there are some proper anthemic choruses on it and the rest of the band help provide strong backing vocals on storming renditions of ‘Sun Glass’ and ‘Paper The House’. Of course the band dip a lot into tracks from their previous LPs for a really nice, varied set of hits; highlights for me include the ranging opener from their ‘Chemistry of Common Life’ record, ‘Son the Father’ and ‘The Other Shoe’ which I remember getting all excited about the last time I saw them play with its bouncy guitar riff.
What make Fucked Up such a great live band is that they are super tight and do a great job in sounding like the record but just bigger and fuzzier (which is how all guitars should sound live). Damian just comes across as the coolest dude, thanking the crowd with genuine sincerity with in between topics ranging from wrestling to Rik Mayall. Also, when things get a bit rowdy towards the end of the set as a punter jumps onto the stage ready to dive back into the crowd, Damian gives him the most heart felt hug whilst screaming away mid tune. It’s genuinely heart warming way to end a triumphant set.
It seems like this band never have a bad show – all the footage I’ve seen and the few shows I’ve witnessed with my own eyes have been nothing short of incredible. The songs are big, sprightly punk songs with a real sense of urgency and energy, the band are tight as fuck and their frontman is beyond heroic as he runs around the room top off, smile wide. Go see Fucked Up love and try leave not smiling. It’s impossible.
Fucked Up Official | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube
I joined the Silent Radio family near the very start of my move to Manchester in 2012 and I'm still having the best time! During my stay here I've been in two noisy bands, had a not so noisy solo project, made a zine, started a blog and started a radio show. It's been productive to say the least and it's all been intersperse with a shit load of gig going and beer drinking. I would love it if you followed me on twitter @dr_brainless for excitable tweets about playing, watching and living new music.
