Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! have been working the scene for a while now, touring extensively since their formation in 2007. Their mish-mash of French pop-punk and post-hardcore is a little unusual but, luckily for them, they are supporting two bands from two different genres tonight (ska-punks Less Than Jake and pop-punk-come-alt-rock band Yellowcard) and, consequentially, are playing to one of London’s more open-minded crowds.
This certainly works in their favour as, although catchy pop-punk hooks merged with heavy post-hardcore breakdowns will never be everyone’s cup of tea, fans from both end of the spectrum are here tonight; from teenage pop-punk fans bopping about excitedly in the front row to hardcore punk lovers sinking pints at the sound desk. This may be one of the few times that Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! have a little something for everybody.
Despite this, the crowd are still a little slow – but then again, it’s a Tuesday night and Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! are up only 15 minutes after doors open, so who can blame them? Regardless, the band tries their best to inject some life into the room. The youthful energy of frontman Bertrand Poncet is both endearing and fun, helping to raise a fair few smiles among the audience. Slowly but surely, people begin to relax into the night and enjoy the show.
As the crowd’s good mood gradually creeps up, it is boosted by the inclusion Smash Mouth’s 1999 hit ‘All Star’, which the band covers with suitable pop-punk aplomb. It’s a smart move to throw in a little cover version here and there, especially on a night where the crowd need a little familiarity to raise spirits. From this point, those within the venue are finally all ears.
Chunk! No, Captain Chunk! have stepped up their game enormously since their earlier days, and playing alongside pros such as Yellowcard and Less Than Jake can only add to their own live experience. Tonight they manage to win over a pretty tough crowd, so one can only image the reaction they deserve at their own headline shows.
