The Roaches, and MonkeyRush @ The Lord Hood Greenwich
This has to be the smallest venue that I have ever seen a gig at!
The
Roaches had impressed in January with their brand of likely laddish
Indie Rock ‘n’ Roll. Tonight the band seemed to have a new found
confidence. When I first saw them, I liked the music immensely but
could see the band lacked a tiny bit confidence.
The Roaches flew out of the traps tonight and a musically maturity
is beginning to blossom. “Dirty Streets” bounced along perfectly
through the towns of UK drinking culture and back to sobriety.
Charlie’s (see you got a mention. Mine’s a pint!) drum trickery was
more upfront and the bass weaved fluid electrical lines amongst the
dual guitar assault. Lee’s vocal duties are being taken on in a manner
that goes way beyond the band’s years. “London’s Burning Down” was a
twisted spiky nod to big town boredom - And to think youngsters the
same age smash up bus stops, these lads channel their frustrations in perfect
punky pop songs.
A band to watch for in the future!
Monkeyrush.
Well, the name for a start takes me back to childhood. Whilst playing
football in the park, jumpers for goalposts and all that. Monkeyrush
goalkeeper meant that anyone in the goal area could handle the ball and
become the keeper. I am going slightly off track here but Monkeyrush
are just as much fun as playing out in parks and fields as a kid with
boundless energy to burn.
Monkeyrush mix a variety of influences and experience to create a
funky, punky and down right catchy mix of melodic verses and huge
choruses,. Female vocals singing sweet melodies of frustration and
messed up relationships. Two guitars bounced off each other in the
narrow confines of the pub and the dancing ensued. I was completely
blown away by the drummer’s skills and stamina This guy could give any
drummer I have seen live a run for his money.
“Let’s
Stay in Bed” is a ska tinged little sister to the Boo Radley’s “Wake
Up”. But rather than “ wake up it’s a beautiful morning”, it’s “let’s
stay in bed, because I feel fucking dead.” Despite the negative
sentiment, it’s one which that most could relate to and I’m sure if you
felt that way, this song would drag you from your pit and you’d be
signing from your window.
“Post to Post” uses the dual guitar effect to perfection. Sliding
melodies flicker in and out of the mix whilst the bass and drums raise
the song into a stratosphere of catchy poppy melodic charm. It’s
refreshing to see a band that makes the audience want to dance and
drink away the night in merry abandon.
As the set progressed, I could see the band had really put a lot of
time and thought into what they were doing. Vast amounts of experience
and musical enthusiasm was channeled directly into the audience. The
band provided some great banter which kept everyone smiling between
songs, whilst we waited for another endorphin enhancing blast of music
from Monkeyrush..
I actually had a good chat with the band after the gig and was struck by how damn bloody nice they were.
They
were more than happy to chat about what drove them as a group and their
upcoming gigs--I just had a genuinely good old giggle with them. You
can tell the band put their personalities into the music and it’s an
infectious mix and one that I am looking forward to catching again.
The Roaches Myspace
Monkeyrush Myspace
Reviewed by Nicky