Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (or BRMC for those that spend far too much time sending text messages) have been touring since the Reading and Leeds festivals to promote their third album, the aggressively titled 'Howl'. Perhaps 'Whine' would have been a little more appropriate?
It's hard to deny that the new material is much mellower than 2003's offering 'Take them on, on your own", nor is it as gritty or experimental as the bands debut. 'Howl' is basically an American folk record and it was clear to see that the Scottish audience weren't exactly warming to BRMC's latest musical direction.
There were frequent shouts for the band to 'rock it up a bit', but instead we were introduced to BRMC's delicate side. 'Promise' had an intro that was a blatant rip off of Lou Reed's 'Perfect Day', but it was still good to see the variation in the set. The title track from the new album washed over most of the audience and it was clear that BRMC's biggest reception was for 'Spread your love'.
The inclusion of 'Gospel Song' just when the gig should be kicking off was probably a bad one and I began to notice that the crowd around me was becoming restless, hoping that BRMC hadn't disolved into a soft rock band that were going to spend the next four years of their career imitating Aerosmith ballads.
In actual fact the acoustics of the Liquid Rooms fitted BRMC's sound perfectly and the distorted fuzz of bass guitar coupled with their signature pounding drums did sound superb. There just wasn't really enough of it.
Fantastic renderings of 'Six Barrel Shotgun' and 'Stop' carried a gig that was extremely relaxed. The quieter tones of 'Howl' certainly fitted the venue but not the crowd who were hoping for a rock n roll set. They were two years too late for that.
Hayes is still easily one of the best bassists I've seen in a long time and with speculation that the new album is going to be heavier and a return to their Jesus & Mary Chain influenced roots this seems like a passing faze from one of Americas best exports.
article by: Scott Johnson
published: 24/10/2005 08:36
FUTURE GIGS
sorry, we currently have no gigs listed for this act.