Denim + Leather

On Sunday night London based three piece False Heads played at Jimmy's in Manchester, on the final leg of the UK part of their Retina tour. As always when you’ve loved a band but you have not seen them live yet I was a little worried. There is always that small fear that they’ll disappoint your expectations. This however was not the case with False Heads, they completely exceeded my expectations.

I only came across their music towards the end of summer but I had been listening to them none stop since then; you may remember in issue 6 we had a small interview with them! They quickly became one of my favourite bands, their recordings alone make them stand out within the scene. But their live performance makes them unforgettable.

They were supported by Little Illusion Machine and Rival Bones. Unfortunately I didn’t make it in time to catch Little Illusion Machine but I did catch all of Rival Bones set. I had heard great things about Rival Bones from a friend who played with them at one of their shows in York so I was stoked when I saw that they were on the bill to support False Heads.

Rival Bones were everything you want in a hard rock band, they were providing big riffs and drum beats so hard you were scared your heart would stop. They reminded me of a mix of bands like Black Stone Cherry, Royal Blood and Rival Sons, a gruff voice against loud explosive riffs.
So for you hard headed rock fans, give them a listen. I can honestly say I’d rather see these guys playing on the mainstage at Download 2018 that 70% of the bands announced so far! These guys had a great energy on stage, they engaged with the crowd and gave it their all, you’ll be head banging like an old dude at a maiden concert for sure. Make sure you check out their stuff on Spotify because it’s fucking awesome. And remember, never doubt a two piece, all the loudest sounding bands I know seem to be two pieces (Young Bulls and Naked Six being the best examples here).

False Heads! Man, what mental fuckers. There is nothing better than going to a gig and watching a band fucking loose it, and I think False Heads took the crown jewel for that. They played some of their well-loved songs like Twentynothing as well as newer releases like their latest single Retina. This was one of those gigs that was mental enough to give you a taste of what it would have been like to have been at a punk gig in 70s London. False Heads music is a combination of rock, grunge and punk that creates this glorious raucous sound. Frontman Luke Griffiths was moving around constantly, towards the end of the set he climbed up on top of a pile of speakers and then jumped on top of drummer Barney Nash. If that’s not an iconic way to end a gig I don’t know what is.

But False Head’s no fuck attitude isn’t the only thing that makes them a great band to watch. Their music is intensely addictive, the rawness of their sound hooks you instantly, that goes for both their recordings and their live performance. Their songs are full of roar distorted guitars that are as melodic as they are hectic, Luke’s riffs are powerful things. Barney’s drumming makes it impossible to stand still, I reckon even the stiffest of people will find themselves moving at False Heads gig. The lyrics are clever and darkly poetic, which combined with the gritty and hostile punk element of the instrumentation creates this beautifully chaotic sound. False Head’s are special, you’ve just got to take mine, any many other people’s word for it and listen to them. Go to one of their gigs if you’re up for a good thrashing night. Just fucking throw yourself into it!

Listen to False Heads on Spotify here
Like the False Heads Facebook page here

Review and photography by Holly Beson-Tams.

Sheafs headlined Night & Day Cafe in Manchester this Saturday night, bringing in support from The Rills and Sauce. Being the first band on is always a little dry at first, but The Rills quickly got people standing and coming closer to the stage. The London/Lincoln based band were a pleasant mix of indie/rock/punk goodness to get you moving. These guys are definitely worth checking out for people that are fans that early 2000s indie rock that had gruff rawness to it that contemporary indie rock tends to lack.

I went to this gig having never heard of either of the support acts, I love going to gigs where this is the case because more often than not I leave having become a fan of new bands. And last night was no exception. Sauce are a four piece band from Manchester, their sound is what I’d describe as real rock and roll. Ive said similar things before, but I mean this as sincerely as possible, to me ‘real rock and roll’ is the sound of the 70s and 80s. And Sauce provided all the best parts of those eras. They had a heavy element of 70s progressive rock, reminding me of bands such as Blue Oyster Cult and Rainbow (who are two of my all-time favourite bands so this is probably the best compliment I could give.) they also had moments that were slightly heavier and instrumentally reminded me of bands verging on metal such as Saxon. Complimenting their old school sound nicely; they were all stylishly dressed in attire that looked like they’d stepped out of Dazed and Confused. Whether of not this 70s aesthetic was a coincidence, I don’t know, but it definitely worked.

Sauce had an engaging stage presence and gave a lot of energy on stage, leaving the room on a high buzz ready for Sheafs. I’d happily go and see them again and again, this gig alone has just put them high up on my list of favourite bands in the scene. Whilst on stage they mentioned they’re recording an EP, I’m already super stoked to hear it. 100% make sure you check out Sauce.

Where do I even start? If you’ve seen Sheafs live before you know you have to mentally prepare yourself for the glorious chaos that is a Sheafs gig. They put in more crazy energy than arguably anyone I’ve ever seen live. There is no way you’re coming out of one of their gig without feeling high on life and feeling like you just had one of the best nights ever. And if you managed to leave without being drenched in sweat and beer than hats off to you. These guys are not only incredible live but all their recordings are just as good. Easily one of the best bands in the UK’s underground scene, and by no surprise have emerged from Sheffield like many great bands before them.

Sheafs make the crowd such active part of the performance. They don’t have to demand a mosh pit or a circle, or ask people to come closer to the stage because everyone is already rushing forward. The band are constantly coming to the edge of the stage and looking as though they are about to dive into the crowd. Frontman Lawrence Feenstra, got into the crowd on multiple occasions, taking his mic stand and tambourine with him, to which the audience simply lost their shit. The energy in the room was at its absolute highest during ‘This Is Not A Protest’ As was expected, this incredible song will be Sheafs very own Smells Like Teen Spirit. One of those rare songs that is so intensely good, especially live, that the song itself takes on its own kind of life. During their final track their ‘This Is Not A Protest’ signs came out and were passed around the audience, people were on stage, Feenstra was in the crowd, the static TV’s that had been placed at the front of the stage were now being passed around. I doubt there was a single person stood still by the end of their set.

To put it on simple turns, Sheafs put on a fucking awesome night, be sure to catch them on the rest of their tour. This Sheffield band are going to achieve some big things.