Defeater + Break Even + Kids Insane + Brass Tongue @ The Rainbow, 14th March 2016
I am not a Hardcore Kid. I am however an Emo Kid; a proper Emo Kid. A genre coined by Sick of It All and evolved from the 90s HC scene, not the media coined emo. So you may wonder why I’m not just talking about the show already. I love a few hardcore bands, Defeater being one of them, and the writer’s narrative is what unlocks a hardcore band for me. With the recent passing of Sensefield’s John Bunch I observe the show through a filter informed by his song writing intentions and in turn those of others. Considering the uniqueness of the WW2 narrative behind Defeater’s work, I’m looking for that point of difference that will make me take notice.
Local lads Brass Tongue open and it takes a good few songs to gain a sense of where this band wants to be. With an EP just out they are clearly still finding their identity through the expectation of miss timed scissor kicks, mic cord wrapping and desire to pigeon hole as hardcore when they play with 90s nu-metal riffs, grunge overtones and double bass drumming.
As their set picks up the singer was sprawled on the pit floor singing and a couple of the crowd start windmilling; still finding their feet but an enjoyable opener.
The one thing I do love about a good HC show is the merch and the bands have a ton of it. Israel’s Kids Insane have a wealth of shiny splatter vinyl and rad shirt graphics. Singer, Corey evokes the stage presence of The Movielife’s Vinnie Caruana and Let Lives Jason Butler; performing with a comfortable ease and expressive storytelling air as he weaves a narrative.
It’s with this imagery in mind that I struggle to escape the sounds of very early Movielife. The most powerful moment of the set is when Corey opens a track singing from the pit without the mic. An accomplished band with a spoken word storytelling lyricism that is worthy of your attention.
Australian band Break Even brings a humble gratitude to the evening’s proceedings. Last in the UK with Landscapes they bring a call to arms to support your local scene and appreciate the crowd.
As it’s a cold Monday evening they recognise the lack luster energy in the room and try to entice it out. Bassist Perri Basile practically jumping jacks across the stage as singer Mark Bawden delivers the songs with a quiet intensity that inspires a sense of unity and community from their set.
As Defeater joins the stage there are friendly handshakes all round. They last played the Rainbow just as their latest album dropped and pre a slot on the Never Say Die tour with The Amity Affliction.
Perhaps they were hoping to capitalise on the conversion of a larger fanbase and build upon that last tour but tonight sees The Rainbow less full and eager than when they last played. Maybe its because everyone is still post xmas skint or because there are fewer hardcore kids and more newer metal heads to the present.
Opening with Abandoned I do kinda miss not hearing Bastards as the opener. But the set just rolls into ‘December 1943’ then ‘Bastards’ before playing ‘No Shame’.
After a rip roaring, vitriolic opening of my favourite tracks the energy between band and crowd isn’t quite enabling the usual gut bursting Defeater set that allows you to release life’s angst and frustrations as you sing along.
With the sound blowing during Brass Tongue’s set, the volume in the venue is basey as hell. Outside the venue Derek’s vocals resonate with a clarity that’s not as noticeable inside.
It’s only during ‘Dear Father’ half way through the set that the pit opens up. Coming in at about forty minutes it feels like a short set. Despite a quality line-up I left feeling wanton rather than sated.
Review: Kirsty Hillyer
Photographs: Steve Kilmister