Jellyskin - Grey Glass Hat

Jellyskin

It must be something they put in the water because, like many indie music pioneers, Jellyskin hail from 'up North'. However, this is not their leading feature, instead what stands out about this trio is their ability to make a song whilst balancing the life of a student. According to the band lead singer, and synther, Zia and guitarist, Will have always wanted to make music together, and with friend Olly being a drummer, they one day came together to work with some ideas. And with this the band birthed their first song Grey Glass Hat, and it's a corker.

The song starts off slow, with ominous syths, that are deeper than the voice of Johnny Cash, and elegant vocal's from lead singer Zia. It doesn't take long for the guitar and drums to make their entrance, really showing off the band's late 80s-early 90s influence creating a sound that's almost a grunge-shoegaze combo. With heavy synths running throughout, and mellow drums to compliment them, it's hard to believe that it's only three of them making so much sound.

Grey Glass Hat 

Whilst the song repeatedly asks you why you don't go, us as the listener asks the band why would we leave this dark and mystical place Jellyskin have managed to engulf us in; even if no one truly knows who the man in the grey glass hat is. The song is progressive, dipping right in the middle to finish on a crescendo that ends in a melancholic climax.

With a name like Jellyskin it's surprising that they can make something that is so structured and ethereal compared to the vision of wobbly flesh. Given that this is their first song, they have made their mark as musicians who can create music that is hauntingly beautiful and heavy at the same time. Sounding as if Smashing Pumpkins have had a love child with London Grammar, or as if a grunge band has taken choir practice, I'd watch this space because, as their name suggests, I have no doubt they're gonna make you as wet as pre-mixed jelly.

Wet your ears: Jelly Skin

Drenge at The Electric Ballroom

Drenge M8
source: www.theguardian.com

In one of the hip-est parts of London, Camden Town, there lies a nook in the wall which contains the Electric Ballroom- a Tardis-esk, rock n roll nightclub that seems like the ideal venue for the grunge trio Drenge. What with its dipped lighting and walls slathered in red, the 'scuzzie' aesthetic sets the perfect tone for a night rife with carnage. The band entered the music scene as a duo emitting enough teenage angst and aggressive witticism to pump out sounds that echo bands such as the grunge pioneers Melvin, the naughties infamous Milburn, and fellow duo Bass Drum of Death. The band released their first self titled album, 'Drenge', back in 2013 establishing themsleves as a band renowned for aural chaos and the rage-y pummelling of drums. In more recent developments the Loveless brothers have joined with bassist Rob Graham, refining their sound whilst keeping their feet firmly in grunge roots. This progression is materialised within their newest release 'Undertow', which catalysed their latest tour.

As a gig venue The Electric Ballroom is one to note down for generations, not to be hyperbolic. Its history and notoriety is formed on the back of rock musicians and their fans, with the likes of The Cramps, The Virgin Prunes and more recently Royal Blood performing there its popularity comes as no surprise. With a variety of standing options, even balcony window frames, its a great venue for any kind o' gig goer.

Big Deal.
source: www.hitthefloor.com

If you arrived fashionably late to the venue, never fear, there was still a chance to claim a space amongst the soon-to-be unruly crowd and would have made it just in time to see warm up band Big Deal. Big Deal are known officially as a duo, comprised of Kacey Underwood and Alice Costelloe, and what with two albums successfully under their belt the band have secured a reputation to be "more grunge than gooey". What with equal male to female ratio of band members (initially just a duo and now a quartet) and armed with fuzz tones for days it came as no surprise they put on an enjoyable show, complimenting the sounds that were soon to follow.

Crowd chaos.
source: www.gigwise.com

With the temperature of the crowd already rising- due to sheer capacity- Drenge's entrance on stage couldn't have come sooner. They Kicked off the night with Running Wild, which did in fact make crowd go 'wild' (I'm sure they would have run too given half the chance), transforming the crowd into a sea of failing limbs and catalysing the first shower of beer. The trio stormed through an impressive sixteen song set list made up of old and new, including faves I Wanna Break You In Half, Gun Crazy and Bloodsports, as well as new crowd pleasers The Snake and Never Awake. The theme of night seemed to embody the band's recent hit We Can Do What We Want, whereby the crowd thrived on aggression, ignored all the rules, and relentlessly gave each other a good old mosh bollocking. After bloodthirsty periods within the mosh and circle pits, slower tracks were much appreciated and thankfully received with a hearty howl-a-long to such songs as Fuckabout and the finale Let's Pretend.

Despite the minimal crowd interaction, the band's rebellious persona didn't go unnoticed, however nor was it scrutinised, rather the crowd merely embraced their presence, no doubt, finding their nonchalant attitude relatable. When attending a Drenge gig you should expect a night of (very enjoyable) pandemonium, to leave with a shirt dripping with sweat and a few souvenir bruises, and maybe feeling as though you've been broken in half.

Go find them:        https://bigdealmusic.bandpage.com
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                     https://soundcloud.com/drenge

A night of Shame at The Windmill

Within the depths of Brixton there is a hidden gem that is The Windmill, in which a quintet of 18 year olds, Shame, stick a middle finger up to those who say "grunge is dead" with their performance full of rage, riffs and rebellion. Despite the fact the group haven't even finished college yet their performance track history is pretty impressive: having already supported the increasingly popular Fat White Family to up coming events with YAK (and much more). Not yet signed, the band have self-released two demos on SoundCloud and it's clear that they have received sensational feedback from moshing crowds and fans who attempt to learn the lyrics on the night. Their performance at The Windmill with bands Sleaze, Haydn and The Normals, and Night Games, followed suit. 

The saying 'never judge a book' is important to keep in mind on arrival to The Windmill. The venue itself is tucked away and from the outside could be mistaken for anything but a pub. However, once inside its treasure trove factor instantaneously becomes clear. What with its walls smothered in psychedelic paintings, the bar draped in stickers and a garden lit by fairy lights it's easy to see how beloved and full of memories the pub is. Having already performed in The Windmill before, Shame seemingly have some notoriety within the venue; with many of the crowd coming to support the band, as well as VIP guests Chilli Jesson and Lias Saoudi.

Shame.

    (courtesy of Salvatore Lanzarone)

Despite running a little late, the band set the stage with haste and were on within minutes. As the band began their set a crowd surrounded the stage with a mosh pit at its core. What with songs to "make you groove", lyrics to inspire anarchy, and riffs you'd expect to hear from such classic bands as The Cramps and The A-bones, it's no surprise they put on a show where the speaker nearly collapsed and the guitarist was electrocuted. Regardless of the technical difficulties the band powered through, performing their demos Repo Man and Furry Freaks, as well as new music, which got the Lias-Saoudi-head-bang seal of approval.

By the end of the performance the crowd had grown in chaos and size, the lead singer was shirtless, and smell of sweat and beer lingered in the air. With all this in mind, as well as hearing snippets of other bands, its fair to say the night was thoroughly enjoyable and anything but shameful.

Watch this space:  https://soundcloud.com/shamebanduk
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