Monotony aka Sauna Youth aka Monotony aka... you get the idea
The first band up are Police Drama who are something of the house band as they are made-up of people who help run tonight’s venue, JT Soar. Playing a sort of loose, off-kilter, angular math-rock that fortunately doesn’t get bogged down in guitar effects with the band using touches of reverb and distortion to add texture where needed. The songs are spiked with a punky energy and when the band find their groove within their songs it feels like reaching the peak of a mountain. Police Drama perfectly prep the vibe for the rest of the night.
The first time I heard Babe Punch was via a live song they had uploaded to their Soundcloud page that sounded like it was recorded on a dictaphone in 1979. It was a fuzzy riot of noise and left me curious as to what they would be like live and actually sound like. Channelling the riot grrrl spirit, Babe Punch brought nothing but joy to our ears. They blasted through a set of fizzy punk that was enthralled to the likes of The Runaways and Hole.
Speaking to them after the gig they told me that this was only their seventh gig, and though they may be still finding their feet there is no doubting their commitment. It’s obvious that they’ve got that right mix of chemistry and passion that makes an already good band great. And like all great bands their secret weapon is the rhythm section – a burst of raw power and delirious enthusiasm that make Babe Punch one the best new bands we’ve seen for a long time, and more importantly, a totally kickass rock n’ roll band.
What was already shaping up as a fun and enjoyable night of music, was made even better by Monotony. Monotony are what happen when angular post-punks Sauna Youth decided to mix things up and swap their instruments. They harness the restlessness of their parent band, and like a child refusing to do what it’s Mum is telling it to do, turn it in to a loose-fitting aural assault with stubbornly repetitive jagged riffs and playfully morose vocals. To call them a side-project would be a disservice as Monotony are a great band all on their own terms. Catch them before they swap their instruments back.
Monotony, Babe Punch and Police Drama played at JT Soar on Friday 6 March 2015.
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