Sonic Boom Six // The Waterfront - 12.02.2012
"The audience file out, many removing other people’s moist neck hair from their throats, thankfully a simmering vigour remains that should see them home warm at least."
It’s been a while since Norwich has been Sonic Boom-ed but with their eponymous fourth album set to be released later this year the Manchester based quintet has rocked up in our fair city to remind us of what we’ve been missing. The gig marks the end of an arduous week-long tour, the crux of which saw them hyped as HMVs ‘The Next Big Thing’ at The Barfly in Camden. The self confessed “genre terrorists” manage to mix more styles than George Bush has mixed metaphors and there is buzz surrounding the band that 2012 could be the year of the Boom. So let’s button up our seat-belts and party like a fish out of water...
Throughout the seven date tour support has come in the form of Hildamay, an alternative punk band from Kent. There’s plenty of sleeveless t-shirts on display as the band blast through ‘Parachutes’ a driving tune that is hampered by muddy sound. During their set singer Tim Lawrence looks terrified, giving a meek thumbs-up as he announces the band are going to play a couple of new tracks. The first of these is dedicated to SB6 frontman Barney Boom and shows off their bassist’s impressive wrist action… winky face. Soon Barney is onstage himself joining the band for ‘This War is Over’ but unfortunately the band’s power again suffers at the hands of some wobbly sound.
Following a lengthy change over, personal concerns over whether SB6 will all fit onstage are soon allayed; the band trot on to a building drumbeat and the place goes Britney Spears nuts. With mosh pits, pogoing and skanking galore, it’s clear that those who have battled the frosty weather aren’t here for a quiet end to their weekend, the brilliantly infectious ‘The Road to Hell is Paved With Good Inventions’ in particular drawing a boisterous reaction from those clamouring to get closer to the action. Singer Laila K, in between sipping a Strongbow can, er, through a straw (?!), coerces people to get forward and the band blast into ‘For the Kids of The Multiculture’. The unique mix of ska, punk, dub, grime and metal ensures that SB6 draw a varied crowd but there is a pervading sense of community between the band and the fans who, in the words of Barney Boom are “getting on together like chips and samosas”.
The Mancunians expertly combine their early material with their newer output even finding time to treat the audience to ‘The Dangers of Rock and Roll’, originally a b-side that, through the power of Facebook, has become one of the band’s most requested songs. The wave of activity has certainly warmed up the Waterfont but, undeterred, suddenly some big boys manage to get hoisted above the crowd, briefly flailing about before gravity works its magic. Crunch. “Barney’s drunk”, the announcement of the likeable frontman’s inebriated state welcomes a change of pace and ‘Sunny Side of The Street’ sees the appearance of an acoustic guitar. The bitter-sweet ode to their home town should surely stem the tidal wave of activity on the dance floor. No! Apparently this is the perfect opportunity for a bout of sweaty stage diving; it seems Mr Barnes isn’t the only one on the Red Stripe tonight… and on the Sabbath! Hildamay are summoned to the stage and it soon becomes apparent as to why the speakers on each flank of the stage have been firmly strapped down - KRS-One’s ‘Sound of da Police’ sounds out to introduce SB6’s own ‘Piggy in the Middle’ and the Waterfront's structural integrity is truly tested. Barney goes in for a stage dive of his own while Laila, despite negotiating a few wayward feet, finally succumbs to an accidental smack in the face. The crowd and band ravenously feed off each other's energy and bassist-guitarist James T Boom in particular is loving it, a massive smile constantly poking through his immaculately kept beard. Chants of “S B Six!” entice the obligatory encore, the final hurrah culminating in a room-long wall of death.
And. Breathe. The audience file out, many removing other people’s moist neck hair from their throats, thankfully a simmering vigour remains that should see them home warm at least. The frenzied set had everything, great beats, tight musicianship and, in Laila and Barney, two very accomplished front peeps that compliment each other perfectly. It all suggests there may be some substance to the belief that this may be their year. Awesome live band, awesome crowd, awesome night. Big up the Boom!
Mike Jarvis
