Last night Scottish rock group The Temperance Movement, headlined a sold out show at York's Crescent Community Venue, with support from local band NAKED SIX.
The crowd was largely aged 40+, meaning that is was a friendly environment, albeit a little tame. The funniest part of the night was when I sat down to make some notes, and a very polite gentleman said that his wife and her friends were sitting there and so I had to move as that they "had dodgy knees and one has just had her hip replaced".
At around 8:15, York rock-grunge duo NAKED SIX took to the stage, with their front man, Seb Byford, sporting a quirky ensemble of a bowler hat, striped t-shirt and braces - resembling an edgy Parisian street performer.
Despite recently losing their bass player, the band's sound has exploded. All their tracks radiate a big, beefy sound, replete with ebullient percussion and Herculean riffs. They've adopted a more grunge inspired vibe, which adds a sating depth, which combined with their classic rock influences, creates a rich and oh so cool sound.
There's an array of apparent influences within their music, the most obvious of which is The White Stripes , as they're a loud rock two-piece. However, despite it being early days as a duo, they've managed to find an unique and engaging sound, that channels the best of grunge, punk and classic rock.
As well as being cleverly composed and uber slick, their tracks are are overflowing with energy. It's clear that the duo enjoy playing together and they do it very well. They're well rehearsed but not rigid or afraid to be carefree and burst into some incredible jams - which elevates their live sets to the next level.
NAKED SIX are undoubtedly ones to watch and I look forward to seeing them perform at Kazoopa Festival later in the month.
Headliners The Temperance Movement then hit the stage, greeted by rapturous applause.
Admittedly, the first third of the set was a little lackluster, the songs sounded a little hollow and unambitious. A lot of the tracks were very repetitive, and the sound wasn't nearly big enough for a five-piece band. They sounded limp and thread-bare. Some of were just self-indulgent jams at best, rather than actual rock music.
However, as the night progressed their energy and sound amplified tenfold. They incorporated bluesier riffs, bolder bass lines, producing a full-bodied sound and their vocalist emitted colossal, radioactive energy. I don't know if this sudden change came about because they were bouncing off the increasingly louder (and drunker) crowd or if some recreational substances had kicked in / worn off - or maybe a bit of both.
Their Glaswegian front man Phil Campbell, had an energetic stage presence and a superb vocal range. He was able to alter the tone of his voice, performing softer, warmer numbers, as well as belting out in a gravelly classic rock style.
His dancing wasn't great. Borderline drunk uncle at a wedding. He also relied a bit too heavily on his tambourine - less is more. He should definitely maintain his level of enthusiasm and energy, but maybe opt for a less wacky stage presence to really allow his skilled vocals to take center stage.
The band sound a lot slicker on their recordings, and their blues undertone shines through giving them the depth that was slightly lost in the beginning of their set. However, this inconsisteny could have been due to the venue's acoustics or the gear.
Despite there being room for improvement, they've undeniably found their demographic. Their music appeals to an older generation because they sound like every other Dad-Rock band known to mankind. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because it means that a lot of people will like them, so they've got a ready-made fan base. It's not particularly original or groundbreaking, but it does the job if you fancy a few pints and a bit of a dance.
They can sell out social clubs and medium size venues, so kudos to them. The Temperance Movement aren't going to be playing massive stadiums, but they've found themselves a loyal fan base that keep coming back for more. It wasn't amazing, but it was entertaining.
SUPPORT THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT
SUPPORT NAKED SIX
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