Innerpartysystem / Middle Class Rut / My Passion

The final night of the mostly sold out Innerpartysystem tour is a gig not to miss. Having been moved to the Islington Academy due to demand meant the tight crowd were all pleased to get tickets. The new front of electro-rock is in demand, from the wave of synthesizer driven music that is inspiring dance floors from indie nights to rock clubs is definitely getting bigger.

Arriving just as the first support act started, My Passion looked and sounded exactly as their name suggests. Its hard not to describe them as 'emo' as they seem to have taken the stereotype and built themselves around it. Wearing black, skinny jeans, eye liner, red accessories, jagged haircuts, a swarm of teenage girl fans – they have it all. Knowing their image doesn't suit everyone, they take a 'love us or hate us, we don't care' attitude. Not to mention taking on the music industry by themselves avoiding record labels deciding to go it alone.



Not wanting to dismiss them out of hand based on image alone I paid more attention then I normally would have. It was obvious they know how to work a crowd. Hardly standing still long enough to sing into the microphone, front man Laurence Rene, constantly works the crowd, waving his mic-stand around the stage and diving into the front row at any opportunity. Catchy chorus' hold the songs together and keep fans singing with lyrics like "...Hold back! Tears wont change a thing..." but I doubt they connect with anyone outside the teenage demographic. Despite this, 'Crazy and Me' and 'Day of the Bees' could stand up against the heavyweights of the scene. A new song, descriptively titled 'Punk Lullaby' could win awards for mediocrity sponsored by Ronseal. But hey, what do I know – not being a 15yr old with the pain of too much homework...



Earplugs in, the tinnitus two are back again. Middle Class Rut want to rip out your eardrums and feed them back to you on a drumstick. Born of middle class American frustration, these guys have found their release by taking it out on anyone within earshot. The curve-ball of the line-up with a raw aggressive sound compared to the heavily produced electronic sound of both IPS and MP. Sean Stockham's frenzied attack on the drum kit leaves him without a snare for a couple of songs and running out of sticks by the end of the set. Meanwhile, Zack Lopez's jarring riffs and more controlled solos penetrate through with brilliant accuracy. Songs like 'Busy Bein' Born' and 'All Walks of Life' combine bitter lyrics with an unnerving self-deprecating wit "...In the middle class I've been hiding. Chained up to a dog on a leash...". Just 30 minutes of their full frontal assault could get any crowd into a frenzy.

Innerpartysystem have a hard act to follow but they know how to open a set. Completely different to how they sound on record, the balance of guitars and synths power over the lyrics with well controlled execution. This four piece from Pennsylvania mix a whole host of influences together from commercial dance, rock, industrial coupled with emotional lyrics about love, lies, drugs and dancing. I'd like to coin the term techno-ballad, but it just sounds stupid!



The first few songs blast by and the first tune I remember is 'Die Tonight Live Forever' which has everyone singing "...We're all here cos we've lost control...". Its hard not to forget where you are and get lost in the moment. The funky danceable beats with a low fuzzy bass could have come from Trent Reznor's musical cupboard but the lyrics pull the song to a different audience without losing effect. Following that, the laser show started and the more grimy electronics on 'Night is Alive' builds the crowd into frenzy. Next is the more dewntempo 'New Poetry' which gives you a chance to relax and sit back for a more heartfelt song with swirling ambiance. Not knowing what to expect next as the tempo changes from song to song exaggerate the ups and downs of the carefully crafted songs keeping your eyes transfixed on the stage.



By the end, everyone's been waiting for the soon to be re-released single 'Don't Stop'. The barrage of blips and squeals from the wide range of synths has the chaotic feel of Aphex Twin coupled with vocoder layered lyrics. "...The road I walk is paved in gold. To glorify my platinum soul..." starts the song with a jaded look at western culture. This is undoubtedly the bands best song, describing the inequity of the Orwellian Inner Party, the influence for the band's name.

The seamless production and stunning light show from lead singer Patrick Nissley's brother Andrew complete the show. If you could fit the mixing desk on stage, he should be there with the rest of the band.

FUTURE GIGS

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