Back in the day of MSN names that bore the responsibility of expressing your personality, a friend of mine had the name “If hell is for heroes, then hell is for Hell is for Heroes”.
I always admired the way that sentence skipped back like a scratched record as you said it. It was also that line that prompted me to first check out the post hardcore group from London. Back in the very early 2000s the sound of UK post hardcore was truly distinctive with palm muted guitars that opened into huge choruses with melodic angst in the vocals. Along with Hundred Reasons, our headliners were the kings of that genre and that time. Tonight we see if they keep the crown.
Opening the show to a modest – but rapidly growing – crowd, is Templeton Pek. I’m sure that’s a name I heard banded about back in the day but I’d never actually heard the band. That mistake is entirely on me… They’re awesome. If you’re a fan of Rise Against, Against Me, or early Offspring then these are the guys for you. Rough punk rock that’s just polished enough to not be too old school but edgy enough to not be pop. My wandering eyes noticed iPads and gizmos around the stage but there’s nothing over-produced about this sound. Turn of the millennium punk hasn’t sounded this good in decades and apparently they have new material. Those who have decided not to be here for doors made a heavy blunder.
By the time James and the Cold Gun take to the stage, the room is nicely crowded and warm. James and Co have a definite ’60s throwback to their look… flares and those shirts you see in Woodstock documentaries. They sound nothing like the ’60s, though. It’s an old – but not too old-school rock n roll. Think The Vines with a bit more aggression and less arrogance. The stage presence is pretty impressive and if you’re into that thrashy indie hard rock, then you’d be into these guys. There’s some authentic rockstar blood on the stage.
Hell is for Heroes walk onto the stage to Enrique Iglesias’ ‘Hero’ which is always a giggle once you join the dots. Frontman Justin Schlosberg is dressed for the occasion in a well fitting suit and immediately shows us that he’s wearing his dancing shoes too. There’s few singers who have the presence that Justin has tonight, and this band have been off the burner for years. He is truly emptying his tank on this stage – and in the audience – tonight. On at least two occasions he’s in the crowd, surfing the crowd, and even walking over the crowd. In recent years I’ve seen so many comebacks and nostalgic anniversary shows where the performance is phoned in. No one can claim that’s what is going on tonight.
The sound is huge and blinding strobes just add to the triumphant atmosphere in The Garage tonight. Although there’s a healthy amount of space between punters with the show not quite selling out, all eyes are forward. You’d think the slow pace of the room filling at the start of the night was due to them waiting on their own army arriving…arrived they have and their weapon of choice is singing along. Each line is like a shockwave and you can feel it go through your chest.
The majority of the set is from the classic album ‘The Neon Handshake’ and it goes down lovely with the room of old school fans, but so does the new track ‘If Your Heart Will Answer’. There’s talk of a new album on the horizon, which proves this isn’t just a nostalgic cash grab and that’s a very exciting prospect!
Photos by Catching Light Photography