Adolescence Energised By Neck Deep's Stimulating Performance

An alternative mix of overpriced drinks, crowd surfing, teen acne and even a marriage proposal (Congratulations Ed and Hollie!), this tour date certainly had it all. The evening also included an excellent and energetic performance from Wrexham rockers, Neck Deep.

When first arriving outside the steps of the Cardiff University Student’s Union, it was very obvious the age group that the bands image and sound strongly appealed to. An endless line of pubescent teenagers ranging from ages of fourteen and over (with the occasional group of adults clustered here and there), gathered outside in a standard snake-line formation queuing for entry. Through chilled shivers in the winter night, the fans waited patiently talking amongst themselves before the line began to withdraw inside the venue doors.

A rambunctious tide of tightened backpacks, long hair (unrestricted to a selected gender) and vividly adolescent tattoos filled the standing area around the crowd barriers. The lights dimmer, a reverberating bass note is played as the excited cries of the mob grow in volume. The scene is set for the first act of the night. The opening band known as the Australian ensemble ‘Trophy Eyes’ made their way up onto the stage and started their set with a deep bass power punch to the ears of the audience as they listened with intent to the hardcore five-piece. A strong stage presence was taken note of throughout their set, regardless of a lack of physical action. Most would consider that hypocritical to the meaning of a rock presence but fortunately you could not help but notice exactly how much concentration was coursing through the musicians. A melodic hardcore beat, aggressive guitar riffs and a rough throat-filled vocalist to warm up the wind-beaten crowd is exactly what the doctor ordered.

From the intermission of equipment tuning and beverage consuming, came an audio extract from ‘The South Park Movie’ which included the revolutionary-themed song ‘Blame Canada’. A short, self- badgering slice of humour played well with the young crowd before the Toronto-based ‘Seaway’ made their appearance to the show. Having a similar singing style to the previous bands vocalist but with a thicker pop influence, front man Ryan Locke forms a flowing connection with audience members as he and the rest of the band avoid losing their attention throughout the performance. The tour line-up keeps showing a rushing surge of strength to strength with each passing piece.

Hailing from Chicago, Illinois, it reached that time of night for the Americans to storm the stage. The mere presence of the powerful pop-punkers ‘Knuckle Puck’ was enough to cause the floor to surge and swell into an unshakable mass of pinned limbs and sweat-filled air. Exercising an irreplaceable signature sound to be remembered, the band leaves a battered and bruised group of spectators thirsty for more and ready for the imminent unveiling of the headlining act.

Hundreds of eyes lay fixed, the atmosphere palpable, waiting for the appearance of the Wrexham rockers and surely enough, as they press the padded soles of their trainers onto the floor of the stage, an enormous eruption of shrieking admirers almost tore the roof off of the Student’s union. An array of hands launch into the air, forming various shapes ranging from an open palmed desperation to a locked metal-horn tribute.

‘Loosing Teeth’ blasts through the speakers as the crowd lose their footing and are swept away in an ocean of fast-paced circle pits and head-banging chaos. The song is based around the band reminiscing their younger years, which is a fitting piece to open with when regarding the age of most of their peers, and how their music may ironically be, a large part of their childhood. The inspirational set eventually reaches its end, the venue closes its doors and ushers out a flock of sweaty and satisfied rockers into the brisk January night.

To visit the Neck Deep website
click here. To visit the Neck Deep Facebook page
click here. Words by Nathan Roach

COMMENTS

• Emily Kyne
  Sounds messyyyyy