Gig Review: Heavy Lungs at The Bodega

Six years after forming as a band, Heavy Lungs released their eagerly anticipated debut album, which despite being recorded in 2021, was released on 29 September, with the group due in Nottingham on 14 October. The album quite literally is All Gas No Brakes - it's themes of self-reflection and devotion are accompanied by driving riffs, dancing basslines and relentless drumming, a combination to take your ears off. Frontman Danny Nedelko’s voice is as much haunting as it is impressive, it’s a name you may already be familiar with if you have heard Idles’ debut album Joy as an Act of Resistance.

The LP takes a host of inspiration from post-punk to hardcore punk and uses electronica towards the end of some tracks to give the listener somewhat of a breather. A magnificent feat for a band who have now found their voice after years of touring and EPs, the closer Sometimes People Just Explode is a killer track, mosh-pit inducing with incredible breakdowns – it creates a vivid vision of the bodies that will collide when this song is performed live.

Kicking off the cold Saturday night was Glasgow-based Gallus, their reputation for creating raucous live shows was evident, as well as the showmanship that surrounded lead singer, Barry Dolan. While repping his retro Juventus shirt, he gave a captivating performance with his Scottish brogue, backed by his band’s high energy and wide stage presence. The onlooking crowd who travelled to Pelham Street early engaged from start to the very end of the set, with fans belting out the words before Dolan ran out into the audience, getting the rest moving. Their debut album We Don’t Like the People We’ve Become, which sees the band respond to the challenges of being an adult in today's climate, has been met with acclaim and real optimism for their future ventures in music.

Next up, Heavy Lungs, with Nedelko and Co who had been weaving their way through the downstairs bar area and merch stand beforehand – take to the stage. Grabbing the mic, he snarled, "Second-hand looks grab them for cheap. Right off the shelf until the message received, Back of the net shoot from the hip, Don’t worry son it’s not over yet."

This was the last chance the crowd had to take a deep breath. A cluster of noise shocked the room with an eruption of everything you would expect from a punk band. Ruthless drumming from George Garratt who was fresh from his time on Come Dine with Me, took Matryoshka to a new level.

Guitarist Oliver Southgate filled the bodega stage with razor-sharp riffs and elements of psychedelia, he encapsulated everything a fan of noise-rock and punk would want. He shined on the title track, All Gas No Brakes, shredding his guitar against the disorienting, flickering lights which outlined Nedelko’s intimidating silhouette.

Deep into the set, the group performed Dancing Man, the opening single from their new album, as well as their first piece of music since 2019. James Minchall brought the song to life, his energy was unparalleled for this track where he waved his Fender Bass carelessly, enticing the crowd to open a mosh-pit.

Unexpectedly, Garratt rose from the back of the stage to perform a sweet but short rendition of Milkshake by Kelis, before Nedelko dedicated the final track A Bit of a Birthday to the birthday boy himself, George Garratt. The iconic track from 2019, which is also their biggest hit on Spotify, really got the crowd moving. A sound reminiscent of that of early Queens of the Stone Age, let Southgate fulfil his stoner-rock tones.

In short, Heavy Lungs are a must-see live act, they have the punk personality to back up their punk sound. Finally touring what we sincerely hope will not be their final album, they had a whole range of attendees in the audience, from old-school punks, university students, mods in their Fred Perry's as well as a mix of genders. Walking back out into the crisp air of the beer garden from the sweaty stage arena, gave everyone time to reflect with a Bodega lager. And no doubt we all were thinking the same, "They weren’t lying with the album name."

Heavy Lungs performed at The Bodega on 14 October 2023.