Allegedly they were signed to Virgin UK this night.
Review:
“Nearly, very nearly, missed this one. Of all the stupid things I’ve done I think getting on a train to Southampton without my house keys must rank quite highly. I’ve learned today that (1) yes, I am stupid and (2) pay phones on trains may seem like a great idea but they are in fact a big steaming pile of shit. Soooo… I was more than a little stressed getting into Southampton but hey, I’d heard people saying ATDI were awesome live so I wasn’t about to pass this up.
Shame the first band on tonight were diSOMA who play ‘electronic post-rock’ (according to the flyer – I really am getting lazy these days). They’ve added a drummer instead of the programmed drum beats they used to use and I while the sound is certainly stronger I still don’t rate this band. Oh well, at least they don’t have an Atari ST for a band member anymore.
But Grand Central, now there’s a band that do rock. I think they were a little sloppy tonight but they do the whole Sensefield styled emo-rock thing really well. Two or three songs really struck a chord with me and the sooner these guys get a 7″ out the better.
Dead Inside. Ex-Shonben. WHAT THE FUCK! Shonben split? What, why, when and how? Shonben were just fucking amazing and beat everyone in the beautifully melodic yet staggeringly powerful music stakes. So what’s Scott doing up on stage with this band Dead Inside? The flyer also says ex Hard to Swallow and guess what – Dead Inside play hardcore. Take away the singer and this band sound good but the harsh vocals just didn’t sit well with me. Or maybe its just because they’re not Shonben. Grrr.
Anyway, tonight’s main attraction was At the Drive In and I really had no idea what to expect. But if I was to come away with one thing tonight it would be the most intense live performance you could ever hope for. Five guys (two of which look they’ve only just escaped from the 70s with their big ‘ol hair) and a very unique sound indeed. I suppose the core of ATDI is a big hardcore sound but with a bit more ingenuity – keyboards, strange vocal effects and other such rarities for a punk/hardcore gig. Musically, there’s so much going on its sometimes hard to take it all in. But with the lead singer jumping, gyrating and twirling like a mad man while doing all sorts of dextrous trickery with the microphone you guaranteed a visual treat at the very least. I was certainly impressed and my non-punk but hip-hop & drum n bass loving house mate who I dragged along to this one gave ATDI a thumbs up. Guess that means ATDI are a bit good then?”
