Entropy – Scare Tactics – El Shlong – The Bendal Interlude – Apple Cannon and Crusader
Zanzibar – Liverpool
4.8.2011
Due to a bit of confusion at how many bands were playing (I was told originally 4) I didn’t see Crusader and had to leave before Entropy hit the stage, so apologies to both bands.
APPLE CANNON:
More a loose cannon really! Not music wise, but in the fact that not many bands have just two members in them that can produce some quality noise! For a two man act there was certainly a lot of loudness! Vocalist Paul gave out some really awesome screams, whilst Rich on drums just constantly kept up a very impressive beat. Not a bad crowd in to support them either! The band did eight tracks in all in their thirty minute or so slot and the loudness just grew to a mega proportion... my favourite track being ‘Lost in the jungle’ it ripped out the hearts and fed on the blood so to speak, of a lot in the crowd and saw Paul leaving behind his guitar and leaping off the stage to cavort into the audience with some awesome energetic screaming. I also particularly liked the track ‘Wargasm’ as it was very catchy and packed a nice punch with some brilliant drumming! Couldn’t not move to this track! Pity there was not a lot of links out there to your music. – No my-space and only a few tracks on you tube.. Come on guys get some more stuff out there please!
Members:
Richard Birkenhead – Drums
Paul Barrow – Vocals/Guitar
Set-List
Horse Chest
Death of the News
Lightning Mask
Dance Hall
Wargasm
Asteroid
Blood n Guts
Lost in the Jungle
SCARE TACTICS:
Second up at the Zanzibar was the awe inspiring groove metal band SCARE TACTICS with their hugely growing fan-base now officially named the Scary Tictacs! They started with ‘Wrong but Righteous’ a really powerful track which saw Andy’s fingers giving the strings a run for their money! The band did a new track called ‘False Power’ which really kicked some ass! So listen out for that track when you see the guys live! I think this will become another favourite along with ‘Drunk Fuck’ which is still my out and out favourite Scare Tactics track! The band just enjoys themselves on stage and thus making it interesting for the audience to participate. You never come away disappointed after seeing Scare Tactics EVER! They work so well as a team, have a tight sound and are producing some awesome tracks! With just six tracks played on the night, for me it clearly wasn’t enough, nor from the Scary Tictacs army of followers!! Great set guys can’t wait to see you play live again!
Members:
Andy Barker – Vocals/Lead Guitar
Stu Barker – Drums
Danny Williams - Bass
Paul Charnock – Rhythm Guitar/Vocals
Set-List:
Wrong but Righteous
Right hand Man
False Power
Someone Else
Drunk Fuck
We Live
THE BENDAL INTERLUDE:
These guys were up next. This stoner metal thrash rock blues band is a kick ass 4 piece hailing from Liverpool and formed in 2006. A small box on the stage sprang into action with some atmospheric sounds as the band kicked off with a really catchy track called ‘Moo’ With every track the band played it had exciting hook lines and delivered a punch straight between the eyes, but also had that nice melodic feel. The only thing that ruined the set for me was the nomadic scantily dressed female who appeared out of nowhere in her orange lacery, who jumped on stage teetering in her silver high heels nearly knocking the guys off stage touching herself up as she went! And not part of the act! Her antics were thoroughly disrespectful to such an interesting and well-polished act such as The Bendal Interlude. But had to laugh when she fell off stage and lost her wig! :D she didn’t look quite so cool then, and scurried away from whence she came! The band did eight tracks in all and just like true professionals carried on playing through-out all the tom foolery from the stage freak! Each song was expertly executed and delivered with venom and ferocity with that awesome catchy beat! One to look out for on your travels for sure! But minus the stage show!
Members:
Stu-Guitar
Nat-Vocals
Dave-Drums
Tommy-Bass
Set-List:
Intro
Moo
March of the sick dog
Old Man Wintro
The Mange
Ron
Mousetrap
Pesante Presto
Albumen
EL SHLONG:
I really wanted to stay to see EL SHLONG as their unusual blend of fusion metal is somewhat interesting, but had to leave half way through the set, due to having to catch the last bus. But what I did see of them was brilliant. Formed in 2003 in New Zealand by Leah the bands awesome guitarist and vocalist along with Nick Baldwin on (bass) and later recruiting Jordan Tredray (drums) this trio clearly are going places! The name El Shlong doesn’t really have a meaning but it sort of suits the musical style as this fusion metal has many different variations and twists and with Leah’s fantastic vocal range it just moulds everything together. The track ‘The baddies are coming’ is one of the most diverse tracks I have ever heard, and the accompanying video just synchronized perfectly with the music, (Talking about their utube video here) which is what kicked me into going out and checking the band out in the first place!
This band had a lot of really good feedback which is nice to see for a (more than out of town band) they offer something different, although the changes in direction of the music sometimes leaves one a bit baffled. Slowing then quickening up and then the choppy shreds and little details in between gave you more than your money’s worth. I have to say though the three tracks I did hear where extraordinary like a thriller (you didn’t know what was coming next!) I will clearly make an effort to go and see them if they come back to Liverpool for sure!
Members:
Leah Hinton – Vocals/Guitar
Nick Baldwin – Bass
Jordan Tredray – Drums
Set-List:
Number 42 Taken from their new CD Time/Place
The Baddies are coming Taken from the first CD of the same name
Moving On Taken from their new CD Time/Place
With trousers on Taken from their new CD Time/Place
The Room Taken from the first CD The Baddies are coming
