I've always been a fan of live music. I've been to see hundreds of bands many of whom I'd never heard of, just because I like to see a performance. It's been a while since I've seen any new bands though, mostly because I've been out of touch with the contemporary music scene and am too old to be hip. Still when I heard one of my friends flat mate's band was playing, I thought it would be worthwhile to go along and check them out.

They are called Stage Blood and this was their second gig. It was at The Captain's Rest on Great Western Road. A nice pub with a downstairs venue which reminded much like the Stage that Dean Stockwell performed upon in David Lynch's Blue Velvet. I had absolutely no expectations either positive or negative and so after a few pints, some good chat with friends of friends, meeting face to face some of my online zombie killing crew, I shuffled down to watch the guys perform.

I must say I was deeply impressed. I've not seen a band, especially a new band, in a long while who were as tight as these guys. Their music reminded me of early Fugazi in a way, like Margin Walker, but Stage Blood play with timing and rhythm much more boldly, these guys were stopping and starting on a hairpin, like I said... Tight.

Though their kind of Hardcore is not really my cup of tea usually, I really fucking enjoyed myself. It was refreshing for me to have my ears assaulted this way, considering of late I've been listening to a lot of  comfortable Jazz, Do-Wop, Scott Walker and Serge Gainsbourg and such easy listening with lush production. Both Guitarists were mashing out lovely power chords then scrambling up and down the fret board like their hands were tarantulas on speed, the bassist was beastly good, and the drummer must have been totally exhausted. Energy, raw noise and craftsmanship, a great combination.

The only thing that was problematic was the singing, it was muted in comparison to this fab noise. While this in part could have been blamed on the P.A., I got the feeling that the vocalist was stifling himself and as such his vocals were a bit one dimensional. This was evinced when during the penultimate track he did loosen up and give it his all and was much better for it. More of that please!

All in all though it was a great gig and I'd recommend if you see them playing in your town or city, buy a ticket, you'll enjoy yourself.

Apart from all that I had a brilliant schadenfreude moment, when, next to me, some guy with his mobile phone was trying to take a picture of the drummer. After spending a good 30 seconds or so framing it and making sure it was going to be a good one he clicked just in time to have the drummers head obscured by the machine head of the Bass guitar.

Oh how I laughed. Good times.

Stage Blood.
The Captain's Rest
25th March 2009.

Eight thumbs up out of Ten.