Band: Senses Fail
Support: Marmozets
Venue: Underworld, London
Date: 30/05/2013
Senses Fail’s debut album came out over a decade ago when the band were just teenagers and now it seems like they’ve been around forever – becoming veterans on the scene. Those who remember the debut coming out, kudos for still being into good music!
Main support tonight comes from Marmozets who have a reputation of being a crazy experience of a live band. Having seen Marmozets live a number of years ago it’s amazing to see the progression from a bunch of teenagers who jumped around but didn’t really have much clue what they were doing to the breathtaking intensity that we see on the stage in front of us. There are few other females who can scream like Becca Macintyre can (to be honest few males too!). With the entire band bringing their A game to the show it’s in final song ‘Vexed’ that drummer Josh Macintyre realises he wants in on the action and brings his entire drum kit into the crowd (which is a feat in itself at the Underworld) to perform the track from the midst of the crowd. Marmozets are fast becoming one of the best bands on the scene!
Regardless of how much the crowd love Marmozets it’s clear from the bellowing woops and the foot stamping that Senses Fail are who everyones here for. With six albums to get through including latest album ‘Renancer’ as they bound out, it’s only logical that they begin with the latest albums title track ‘Renancer’. Now we’d been told well in advance not to expect much from Buddy Nielson so we were pleasantly surprised with the vocals on show tonight. There’s enough banter between tracks about how great the NHS is and cheeky jokes about other shows they’ve played across the country. It’s a wonder how they manage to fit in eighteen tracks between the chit chat in all honesty.
The rawing agression in Buddy’s vocals mixed with the tight instrumentals is evident of a band who have been around the block enough are reason enough to show that emo needs to make a come back! From the soaring melodies of 2006’s ‘Still Searching’ to 2004’s ‘Lady In A Blue Dress’ right up to tracks from last year’s album such as ‘Mi Amor’ and ‘Closure/Rebirth’. Tonight provides the perfect mixture of old and new, showcasing the bands back catalogue whilst showing off the relevance to today’s music that the band still hold. If you didn’t know Senses Fail you could easily listen to tonight’s set and not know the new from old.
Senses Fail‘s live return has been long enough coming and tonight provides a sweaty reminder that they’re still at the top of their game. It’s about time everyone dug out their old albums and relive your younger days as Senses Fail are back!
8/10
Reviewer: Rhian Westbury
