Review: Howler @ The Cluny, Newcastle.

Howler have a lot resting on their shoulders, not only because of the success of debut album Give Up America, but also for being NME’s third best band in 2011. This Minneapolis four-piece may have roots in Minnesota, but their music sounds like part of the East Coast punk rock scene; along with bands like The Strokes, it’s their guitar riffs that give the band a beachy, sunny California vibe.Give Up America, and their latest album, World Of Joy, both show the band’s love for 1960s garage rock. However, both albums have their own sound, in different ways.

The four-piece take their places on a bohemian-style rug covering a cramped Cluny stage. Front man Jordan Gatesmith takes a spot right of the stage with his black, glossy guitar wrapped round him. He has an aura of confidence surrounding him, as does the rest of the band. Despite the venue’s small size, Howler still show the same energy as if they were playing an arena. Opening the gig with ‘In The Red’ from their latest album, Jordan and Ian request the audience to “get your d***s out”. Thankfully no one responded to this odd wish. They then move on to playing some of their other fast paced guitar and screeching-vocal songs from World Of Joy. ‘Beach Sluts’ and ‘Back Of Your Neck’ make an unsurprising appearance during the gig, and you can tell these are the songs Jordan enjoyed playing most, asking the light technician to give them a “sick lighting mood”.

This was the second time I’ve seen the Minnesota beach band at The Cluny, and they do not disappoint. Last time they were a five-piece, and then, there were four. Jordan, Ian, Rory and Max are bundles of human-shaped musical energy on stage, lit up with gloomy red and blue lights.

They are genuinely great to watch, with ace stage presence and humorous personalities. The gig as a whole was 10/10; they’ve grown a lot since 2011. Not to mention their great choice in support acts! Broken Hands, a grungy rock band from Cambridge, and a local alternative band called TUSK opened the set and got the crowd in the mood.

Review: Arcane Roots @ Think Tank, Newcastle.

The UK has produced some amazing melodic rock bands over the years, and with Arcane roots we have witnessed another. Only just gaining an explosion of popularity in the past couple of years, despite touring with the likes of Muse and Biffy Clyro, Arcane Roots are on album number two and have just concluded their second UK tour in less than six months. While on tour in Europe the London three piece released ‘Over&Over’, yet another infectious song with those blistering guitar riffs and powerful vocals, tied together with covert and deep lyrics. The monstrous bass and drums often dip their music into more thunderous territory yet the contrasting, twinkling sounds of their guitar and atmospheric vocals give the songs a life of their own. The band combine math-rock and alt-rock riffs and beats but have a more post-hardcore energy on stage making them mesmerising to watch.
Kicking off the final night of the show with local boys, Boy Jumps Ship, a punk-rock band from our very own Newcastle. And joining them, Empress, another band with powerful vocals and sickly sweet guitar riffs, creating a juxtaposed sound that only they could pull off.
Despite the tiny stage that’s crammed in the corner of a bar at Newcastle’s Think Tank?, Arcane Roots still manage to give us ball busting guitar and tantalizing vocals that not only set the stage on fire but cause waves of bouncing and dancing from the crowd. The three Londoners had a lot riding on their shoulders after an amazing tour in November that had not a bad thing said about them, plus the final night of the current tour needed to end with a bang. Opening with ‘Belief’ , showing off Andrew’s unorthodox vocal range, screeching out ‘AND DON’T YOU CRAWL’ while trying to move his fingers at phenomenal speeds shows just how musically talented he is. ‘Belief’ being one of the many songs that has been injected with poignant lyrics and contrasting heavy melodies layered on top. Arcane roots played a breath taking gig, including songs from both ‘Blood & Chemistry’ and ‘Left Fire’.
'Resolve', 'You Are' and 'Triptych' were by far the most exciting to watch live. Spidery guitar solos that literally brought Andrew to his knees in the middle of the stage and mosh pits forming like human whirlpools in front of him. Followed by mass singing from every crowd member, all this crammed together created an arena atmosphere in a tiny venue from Newcastle's 'underground' music scene.
Concluding the show, and tour for that matter, with ‘You Keep Me Here’ which brought the whole of Boy Jumps Ship and Empress on stage in a sort of combined rock choir. Slowly building the anticipation by repeating ‘Love, you’re better for me’ before Adam, Andrew and Daryl slam guitars, pound drums and destroy bass in a battle of ‘who can go more crazy on stage’. All while the rest of the bands and crowd head bang away in a mosh pit of emotion and hardcore fandom, right before the three piece walk off stage and the lights dim.
As it was the ending of a tour and what Andrew described as ‘the end of a breathtaking run of gigs’ he thanked everyone for their support and love for Arcane Roots, his speech was almost tear jerking. It was genuinely surprising to see the love that the band had for their fans and how grateful they are for them. Its not often you find such a talented band who are genuine too, Arcane Roots are one of those bands. They may try and look cool and rocky in photographs but really these guys are just like anyone else. They’re the most down to earth band I’ve ever met, if you haven’t already experienced their talent live you’re missing out. A definite must see band. 11/10