NOFX + Snuff + The Flatliners + Pour Habit + Section 13 @ Birmingham Academy – 24th April 2009
Before I start, it must be noted that the sound for all the bands tonight was appalling. If I was reviewing the PA guys they would’ve got 1/10
Tonight’s show starts early, so Section 13 really don’t have many people to play to, which is a pity. While their punk rock is pretty familiar the band put in a lot of energy and play a good little set. They quickly spark off a good pit, even if it was only 7 or 8 hardcore fans; it certainly added some atmosphere to the otherwise lifeless room. The songs are all quite similar and their sound is pretty unremarkable, they’ll add the filler tracks to the Fat Wreck compilations.
Next up are the rather lively Pour Habit, who, like their name, are naff. While the front man runs around irritating the audience with low quality vocals the rest of the bands seems a little disinterested, and need a reminder that they’re playing a gig, not just at practice. The crowd just don’t get into them so they soon get old.
The Flatliners are a definite improvement, although their sound is very similar, at this point a band that were a little more than straight up punk-rock would have been very welcome. The shouty lyrics and fast paced songs were an improvement, but still didn’t get anyone going.
Snuff are the first band to get things moving again. Although their sound is pretty similar to those before, they really show a much more impressive song writing ability and a punch that was lacking before. The drummer/vocalist was a little strange, and left the stage a little less energetic, but the addition of trombone and organ players for several of the songs really helped. By the end of their set they had a great party atmosphere going, one that was really punctuated by the last song – ‘Arsehole’.
NOFX have to be the most amateurish band I’ve seen headline the main Academy, but this only adds to their charm. They set the tone from the off, with guitarist El Hefe forgetting to turn on his guitar for opener ‘Bob’ but not that anyone in the crowd cared as they sung the words back to the band. Kicking out classics from their extensive back catalogue it’s obvious that this is a band that really loves what they do.
New songs from the recently released ‘Coaster’ go down well, but it’s songs like ‘Linoleum’ ‘Separation of Church and Skate’ and ‘Franco Un-American’ that really show how devoted their fans are. With great between song banter and some truly hilarious jokes this band deserve everything they’ve achieved. You’d be crazy not to go and see them if you get the chance.
Review – Terra Duff
Photos – Lucy Pryor
cool stuff!
I was there, I caught the Flatliners, Snuff were superb and Fat Mike talks too much between songs! Disappointed that upstairs was closed, and that it was nowhere near sold out. Avenue Q as the intro and outro music was a touch of class though 🙂