God Damn + Gleam + Max Raptor @ The Rainbow, 2nd October 2015
Gleam are a relatively new band on the Birmingham scene, formed from the ashes of Wide Eyed and with only one song ‘Fake’ doing the rounds of the internet. Tonight they play to what is unfortunately quite a scarce audience, however deliver engaging and accessible indie pop songs right from the off. Led mostly by lead guitar twiddles and synths rather than rousing vocals, the band’s set can sometimes become difficult to tell any difference between each track however it’s clear that once more recorded material gets released Gleam are most likely going to be joining the ranks of their peers in the top throws of the alternative world.
I’ll be honest that prior to attending tonight’s show, both bands were ones that I had been meaning to both listen to and check out live for a long amount of time due to hear say of their talents but had never gotten around to doing so.
First up were Max Raptor, hailing from Burton Upon Trent, and tonight delivering an absolutely blistering live show. Immediately, comparisons in both sound and energy in the live performance could be drawn to Billy Talent due to the focus on hook fuelled gang vocals within the chorus’s and relentless energy throughout the performance. Having recently signed to Hassle Records, tonight sees an airing for brand new single Blue on Red that can be downloaded from their website for free now, presumably gearing towards a new EP from the band. Tracks such as ‘The King Is Dead’ and ‘England Breathes’ see the audience getting involved in a more passionate manner than is recognized for most support acts. An absolutely great live band that deserve every success that comes their way.
Headliners for this evening are God Damn, based in Wolverhampton the band have had a stellar year from supporting the Foo Fighters to playing Reading & Leeds and Download festival after releasing debut full length Vultures on One Little Indian earlier in the year.
Opening with the name sake from that record, it’s obvious that there’s a reason so much hype surrounds the band as they deliver an assault of a live show with the level of noise created quite staggering for a two piece. Drummer Ash Weaver proves a sonic assault for the duration of this evenings show, with a primal look in his eye and a rhythm in his arms and legs coupled with the dark vocals of Thom Edwards to create an absolutely engaging experience. Playing new single ‘Dead To Me’, the band take the time to thank Bjork for providing the band with an opportunity to record and release the music they wish to make and look toward another release in the near future. God Damn is a great name for this project, if only for the reason that that’s the only thing you can think of saying upon leaving the venue.
Setlist:
Vultures
Shoeprints
We Don’t Like You
When The Wind Blows
Maladie Melodie
Horus
Heavy Money
By The Wayside
Dead To Me
Silver Spooned
Skeletons
In Heaven
Review: Dan Earl
Photos – Steve Gerrard