GIG NUMBER NINETY-NINE
Who
I had two pints that served to make me even more bloated, it was a rainy day and I felt utterly exhausted. Also, my phone had randomly decided to refuse to accept phone calls just a few days after the one year guarantee expired and a strange itchy mark started to develop on my hands: Plenty of stuff to distract me from the music! I also noted that the Wulfrun had seemingly changed size and shape yet again, but we couldn't stay in the room for long: The DJ was playing unbelievably loud, formless and repetitive music, which at times made us cover our ears and scream. We therefore stayed around the bar more than normal. Apparently he was a billed attraction going by the name of South Central DJ, but I'm baffled as to why they'd pay money for him when somebody lazily putting a few decent CDs on would have been ten times better! It was tricky to tell when one song finished and another began, and to confuse matters there were even snippets of singing. Most frustratingly, he finally mixed in bits of Block Rockin' Beats by The Chemical Brothers. The crowd were visibly energised by finally having something vaguely memorable to latch onto, but very quickly it was cut out for the first support band. As it was after 8pm I'd expected Rumble Strips only, so was surprised that we were getting a second support. They went by the name of Haunts, and they were OK. Nothing special. The singer looked geeky, the guy on stage left looked like Mick Jagger and there were a few funky parts and backing vocals, plus a nice bout of drum bashing. It was a bit opportunistic for them to get us to cheer before they'd started playing or given us anything to shout about, but otherwise this was a reasonable slot.
By now I felt bloated to the point of sickness and was wondering if I'd be able to cope with a mosh. A good bout of coughing helped me to feel better and after some more formless DJing we got to enjoy The Rumble Strips - a name I'd had thought much too big to be here tonight, even if I didn't know any songs. They were extremely cool, featuring lots of brass, a crazy guy in a vest, wildly unsynchronised appearances and a singer with a freaky stare. You could believe they'd just broken out of a mental asylum if it weren't for the music they were producing, which started strong and got better and better. The crowd were rude enough to give an indifferent reception but The Rumble Strips were an outstanding support band with lots of catchy songs. We then had some slightly more inspired DJing to tide us over until The Sunshine Underground came onstage, with even more Block Rockin' Beats! The band had an unusual and low-key moth-eaten logo but the amazing beard being sported by one of the roadies mainly focused my attention. Clearly the guys onstage were also in awe as it took much too long to do the sound check, although perhaps there was some misconception that we were all crazy for the DJ and we didn't want Sunshine Underground to come onstage! I was now feeling much better so took my place on the edge of what would probably be the moshpit. The usual tall guy pushed in front of me, and I was in the awkward position between insane moshers and those who aren't even prepared to nod their heads and spend the whole show bitching about people standing on their toes: Moderation people! Looking at my watch revealed The Sunshine Underground would have one hour onstage which, considering their fairly small back catalogue, sounded just about right.
The band were filming us as they came on - maybe a bit self-indulgent but definitely the kind of thing I'd want to do if I was a rock star. They took their time setting up before bursting into the expected opener Put You In Your Place. It triggered a moshpit I'm proud I had mustered the energy to join in. The crowd finally perked up and, although I never looked back, I'd like the think the room was full, even if it there were lots of kids. It's a great song, but I'm still not sure if it's wise to play the best right at the start. Borders was second and received an inexplicably powerful moshpit. It may be quite nice but is ultimately mid-tempo. The strong opening trilogy concluded with Wake Up, and I took it as a sign of confidence that they could throw so much good stuff away so early on. The Sunshine Underground had changed little since the last show. They were still a four-piece band, repeated their praise of Wolverhampton, adding that their first ever gig had been in The Little Civic. They were just as insanely loud as before. Craig was the only one singing, but at times he was just screaming, and it's amazing how he could get away with it. It was very hot inside, but he still didn't take his coat off, which I do not understand! Although there was a little boo when they announced some new songs, I was shocked to see the crowd moshing along furiously to them and impressed to hear how catchy they were. Nevertheless, new songs are new songs and I find it nearly impossible to jump around to something I don't know.
The "hits" continued with I Ain't Losing Any Sleep, Dead Scene, Panic Attack, My Army and The Way It Is. They were all transformed from reasonable indie tunes into proper anthems, but the same had been done at the Rave show and little was added. The crowd were now really getting into it, with plenty of surfing and, hilariously, an umbrella being waved about! I no longer felt the urge to jump around but was reasonably impressed. I think listening so intently to their songs had been like discovering how a magician does their tricks and had taken the shine away. Still, some of those new songs were insanely catchy and the band had managed to balance the set very well considering how many tunes they'd packed in at the start. I believe it was Commercial Breakdown finishing the main set in energetic fashion. The album version sounds quite flat but both on the demo and in the flesh this mutates into quite a monster. We applauded them offstage and I started to wonder how the hell they could follow that up. In fact they didn't play the quiet Somebody's Always Getting In The Way or, amazingly, the powerful Climbing Up The Walls, but at the time my mind was blank. In the event they returned to (I believe) another newbie before an energetic jam that finally unveiled itself as being Raise The Alarm. This song hadn't been one of my favourites but its insane climax featuring a cowbell finally pushed the night over the edge into the realms of the truly mental and epic. The lights went insane, the noise became louder, and the cheers went on for long before they finally finished. It was the best possible end and most of my doubts about this being a worthwhile show were dispelled. I'm really starting to question their chances of success, but there were plenty of people here tonight who'd loved it, and being good sure as hell beats just being popular!
Mark: 7.0/10
The Sunshine Underground
Support
The Rumble Strips
Haunts
South Central DJ
Where
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
When
10th May 2007
Price
£10.00
Who with
Nick
Position
Towards the front, in the moshpit
Comments
We'd very excitedly got tickets for this the day after the NME Rave Tour and in the three months since I had been listening to their debut a lot to ensure I was as knowledgeable as possible. This may in fact have back-fired as I'd started to feel the album was a bit patchy and flat and by the time the show had arrived I was doubting if they could match their previous performance and make this a worthwhile evening all by themselves. Another part of my plan that is normally a success is going to the chip shop to eat quickly and give me lots of energy. This time I just felt bloated and as we went inside a bit after 7pm things weren't looking too great for my ninety-ninth gig, and in fact the first part of an action-packed weekend for me. We weren't searched and there was even a friendly person telling us where to go and saying we couldn't go in yet as the support band were still sound checking. There weren't that many people here yet either. I'd expected The Sunshine Underground to achieve some real success but the opportunity seemed to have passed them by, and they hadn't even sold out: A bit like the very recently departed Larrikin Love, a victim of there being simply too much good stuff to go around in 2007. There were still a few in the place mind, and I still was hoping for a worthwhile progression on their previous show in the same room.
