Suburban Thrills – Live at the Two Pigs 17th Nov 2006
Great name; a perfect description of the scenes tonight in this superb little rock pub, the last bastion of the true local live band experience in Cheltenham after a series of recent venue closures. Lodged in the middle of a bill catering for the heavier end of rock tastes, the immaculately coiffured Suburban Thrills are a precise collision of all the biggest post-hardcore acts – Funeral For A Friend, Thursday, and, in particular, From First To Last – with a slick metallic edge, and a technical proficiency more than worthy of such comparisons.
While hardly groundbreaking, there's no denying that this is a truncheon-powerful, handcuff-tight, and often very enjoyable sound, and the large crowd are absolutely loving it. More than the riffs or melodies, though, the most compelling thing about ST is undoubtedly bassist Ben Hands – an enigmatic force with his monstrous black six-string (permanently cradled, in anti-rock style, well above his midriff), dancing fingers, Mars Volta-esque white man afro and sheep's wool sideburns.
These boys certainly have talent, and, having being together less than a year, are bursting with potential. But they'll need to expand their musical horizons in order for it to be fully realised.
Review by Rich Partington. www.myspace.com/richthejournalist
To hear the Suburban Thrills click on the following link:- www.myspace.com/suburbanthrillsmusic