Leeds Punks Pulled Apart By Horses
Tonight’s’ gig at the Bodega can be summed up by one incident that happened mid-way through the first song. A Top Shop clad, miniscule, teenage girl propelled herself headfirst into the swarming mosh pit and ricocheted off a sweaty post-middle-aged man in a Sex Pistols t-shirt who was too busy pogoing to notice. If there’s any scene that could sum up the immense accessibility and infectiousness of Pulled Apart By Horses, it’s that. This band’s punk rock is for all ages and all sizes.
Their set consists of fan favourites interspersed with new songs from their highly anticipated third album. These new songs stand in such contrast from chaotic punk thrashers like I Punched A Lion in The Throat and Wolf Hand that it’s difficult to describe at first. Then, the band fly into a version of the Stooges’ I Wanna Be Your Dog and the penny drops. Still energetic and heavy, the band has evolved to sleazy stoner rock on songs like Hot Squash and Lizard Baby. Instead of being a constant barrage, the two guitars take turns impacting the crowd with tight intricate rhythms. While the band’s songs had never been in question, the new material silences any questions over their musicianship.
The band embraced the small, but jam-packed, gig by breaking into conversation with the audience between songs. At one point, in answer to a shouted question from the side of the room, guitarist James gave a four digit number which may or may not have been his actual bank card PIN. It was hard not to get wrapped up in the atmosphere and the music. When the set finished with High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive everyone seemed to be flying into the melee. Even the band got stuck in, with guitarist and singer both hurling themselves onto the crowd’s outstretched arms whilst not missing a note. Throughout every second of every song there seemed to be an unsaid understanding between the band and the crowd: “You play your songs and we’ll go mental”.
Pulled Apart By Horses played at The Bodega on Tuesday 19 August 2014.
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