Moose Blood Prove Pop Punk Is Alive & Most Definitely Kicking
Published
Pop-punk has always been an inherently American thing, synonymous with sun-kissed so-Cal lifestyles as much as the suburban heartbreak detailed so often by bands like New Found Glory and Blink 182. Perhaps with it being such an Americanised genre, it's surprising now, that even when the aforementioned bands are past their prime, it's still as popular as ever in the UK, perhaps even more so, one only has to be a member of a couple of select groups on Facebook to see just how popular it really is.
With that in mind, it's with little surprise that we hear news of tonight's show selling out, as a testament not only to Moose Blood, for whom this is their first Manchester show as headliners, but also the supports, Boston Manor, Choir Vandals and late addition, Simmer.
Perhaps rather fittingly, tonight's show also takes place in the Star and Garter, the spiritual home of Manchester punk. Though unfortunately in its last year as a venue and one of several across the country facing closure, the line-up tonight should stand as proof that cites and up-and-coming artists and bands, need venues such as this, and whilst the Night & Day just ten minutes away won it's battle against lack of common sense, it doesn't look as if the same is going to happen with the Star and Garter.
Kicking tonight off are Simmer, a Cheshire-based four-piece who bridge the gap between melodic hardcore and shoegaze, taking cue from the likes of Whirr and Nothing, it's easy to see the band appealing to fans of both genres, with enough melody and emotion in the lyrics to please even the softest pop-punk kid, despite the tendency to veer in to wall of sound territory on occasion. Unfortunately we arrive too late to catch the entire set, but what we do see shows promise, and, as we walk through, it's a little disappointing to see the downstairs merch and bar area as full as it is whilst they play.
Second up are Blackpool-based punks Boston Manor, whose burgeoning online popularity suggests there's more than a few die-hard fans in attendance. This time the crowd packs in to the upstairs, and though there's little room to move, the set also starts off somewhat quiet and lacking in atmosphere, something which can probably be attributed to a couple of sound problems which are ironed out early one and allow the second half of the set to flow smoothly and see more interaction from the crowd.
Closing with 'Peach State' sees the aforementioned die-hards at full voice and sees them ending the set with one of this evening's highlights. Next up are the only American band on the bill, Choir Vandals, who one can assume take their name from the Ben Gibbard song of the same name. Playing a solid set full of tracks that sit somewhat between American indie and contemporary emo, this the first time the band have been to the UK and they don't disappoint at all. Though perhaps not as well-received as Boston Manor, they're still a fine addition to tonight's line-up and warm the crowd up brilliantly for Moose Blood.
After a slew of support slots for the like of Balance and Composure, Funeral For A Friend and, erm, Scouting For Girls, Moose Blood certainly have a a fair bit of experience behind them, and tonight's sold out status also shows they've an ever-growing number of fans across the country as well.
With a setlist comprised almost entirely of the band's debut LP 'I'll Keep You In Mind, From Time to Time' the crowd sing back almost every word; tattooed older punks in unison with younger, doey-eyed kids in the throngs of adolescence. It's this universal appeal of Moose Blood, and indeed pop-punk itself, which has allowed it's popularity to flourish; tracks such as 'Gum' providing such screen-name worthy lines as “I didn't get much sleep last night but that's alright / It was worth it just to see you move that hair from your eyes” showing obvious resonance within the heaving crowd whilst penultimate track 'Boston' receives the expected ecstatic response.
Whilst encores these days are par for the course, and are a given at almost every show one might go to, tonight sees Moose Blood drop in early track and fan-favourite 'Evening Coffee' to end the show, and whilst the band's songwriting has come on leaps and bounds since this was penned, it still gets the biggest sing along of the evening.
There's two things that tonight has made abundantly clear. The first, is that venues such as the Star and Garter are like lifeblood to scenes such as this, without said venues, grass-roots scenes wouldn't have places to formulate whilst subcultural identities would be slowly lost. The second, is that despite it's American heritage, pop-punk has roots in the UK, and they're taking a firmer hold than ever before. And that, for one, is something those of us who wear are hearts firmly on the sleeves of our Tigers Jaw t-shirts can be proud of.
Watch the video of "Swim Down" from their gig at the Borderline, London
To visit Moose Blood's Facebook page
click here. Words by Dave Beech
