D.R.U.G.S. (Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows) @ HMV Institute, 7th March 2011
Destroy Rebuild Until God Shows or D.R.U.G.S. are the latest in the long line of so called super-groups with an impressive line-up featuring members of Story of the Year, Matchbook Romance, From First to Last, Underminded and ex-Chiodos front man Craig Owens. It all looks good on paper and with their debut album only out a week ago D.R.U.G.S. hit the UK for their first headline tour taking with them Blitz Kids and Decade for the ride.
Decade are up first, hailing from Bath and playing a slightly heavy blend of pop-punk, they open to a half empty disinterested room. The sound mix is terrible and the band look extremely awkward especially the lead singer who looks slightly bewildered playing with his hair throughout the set. The sets a bit hit and miss, the songs sound good but tend to blend into one another and the vocals are not very strong, they have a few nodding heads towards the end though and with promises of a free EP they may have won a few people over.
Blitz Kids are up next and are a stark contrast to Decade, they ooze confidence and the songs aren’t half bad either! There’s a lot of banter on stage and they comment on how hard it is to win over people in Birmingham, which they appear have done by the end of the set as hands are raised into the air on command. The songs sound great live, An Ink Blot in a Blood Clot is upbeat and catchy and gets heads nodding, there sound is reminiscent of We Are Scientists mixing up indie, pop and rock to great effect. Guitarist Billy Evanson is a treat to watch, flinging himself and his guitar all over the stage; it’s a great performance.
It’s evident from the start that D.R.U.G.S. have left any ego’s at the door of the venue as they set-up for the show, it’s just 5 guys who want to play music that just happen to already be in successful bands. The crowd are ready and rearing to go, the intro track kicks in and D.R.U.G.S. take to the stage blasting into The Only Thing You Talk About. Craig Owens owns the stage from the moment he steps on it but he doesn’t hog the limelight. Matt Good has a massive grin plastered to his face for the entirety of the set as he bounds across the stage and bassist Adam Russell is handing out high-fives like they’re going out of fashion, it’s obvious they’re having as much fun as the crowd.
The sound issues seem to have finally been worked out and the likes of Graveyard Dancing (which sounds a lot like The Used’s The Bird and the Worm!) and the big single Sex Life have the crowd singing along to every word.
Craig Owens addresses the crowd before Mr. Owl Ate My Metal Worm a song dealing with the issues of suicide and self-harm telling the story behind the song which was written after he received a note from a fan, ‘it could be anyone of you’.
If You Think This Song Is About You, It Probably Is closes the set with its frenetic guitars and drums which when mixed in with some schizophrenic lighting is definitely the highlight of the show. Craig Owens vocals soft and sweet at the start turn into haunting screams matching the tone of the song perfectly. Bassist, Adam Russell goes for a wander during the song making his way through the crowd and clambering onto the bar at the back where he continued to play much to the delight of the crowd. He even helps himself to some beer straight out of the tap much to the horror of the bar staff who just stand there open-mouthed!
It’s not over yet as the chants for more from the eager crowd don’t go unanswered, D.R.U.G.S. close the set with b-side A Little Kiss And Tell thanking the crowd. It’s a short but sweet set clocking in at just less than 40 minutes but with only one album worth of material there’s no filler and I don’t think anyone left feeling short changed.
Review – Hannah Sebestjanowicz
Photos – Katja Ogrin