Strange Bones
I very much enjoyed watching Strange Bones support Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes earlier in the year. As such, when I saw that they would be playing their own headline show in the studio I put my name forward to go along and see what was occurring. I selected my partner in crime for the evening, and headed down there for the 7:30 door. “Don’t expect it to be busy”, we were warned by the portent of doom on the front desk. Whilst he was not wrong, I’d rather a slightly thin-but-committed crowd to a large-but-disinterested mob, all waving smartphones and loudly talking about fuck all anyway, so it was all good as far as I was concerned. Besides, none of the bands seemed to give anything less than 100%, so let’s cut to the chase.
Kamensko were first up, and instantly got my attention with their blend of bluesy stoner rock. They had a mixture of instrumental tracks and songs with vocals. I’m not always a fan of instrumental tunes, as I find that ambience is one thing, but after a while no matter how good the vibe is, watching the band becomes secondary to anything else happening in the room. This was not the case with Kamensko, however, who managed to hold my attention raptly with some clever guitar work before alternating into some more verse/chorus based riffery that, again, impressed with its catchy originality. I was delighted when I got home to find out that these boys are local, so will be looking out for them again.
Beast With A Gun were next. A three piece rock ‘n’ roll band complete with cigar-box guitar, 12 bar songs, and charisma in spades. At times they were what I would class as “old time” r’n’r, and on other songs I found myself reminded of Eagles of Death Metal. It was slick, it was cool, and I loved it. Everyone was having fun but none more so that the band themselves. At least, they looked like they were having fun, and they certainly deserved to be. Bravo.
So, two down one to go as our headliners for the evening took to the stage. With guitarist, drummer, and bass player all resplendent in white dress shirts, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that they’d come straight from the office, until singer Bobby Bentham took to the stage in Clockwork Orange-tastic white ’n’ braces, and then the whole thing made mad sense in about as much time as it took (not a lot) for Blackpool’s finest frontman to leap the barrier into the front of the crowd which – luckily – had all gathered closer for a better look. They waste no time in smashing out a high energy performance that had the crowd baying, and left no one in any doubt as to what they think about the current political regime as a balaclava clad Bobby snarled through the song Big Sister is Watching from their We the Rats EP.
Live, they have a ferocity which whilst not lost in recording, is so much more fun to witness on stage. Finishing with singalong favourite God save the Teen, they left the crowd chanting and begging for more, but sadly that was all we got. Still, hopefully there will be a next time. And if there is, you’ll definitely see me at the front.
