Damian experiences some horse power – and watches a tree get molested
Support for tonight is Brighton based Tigercub comprising Jamie Hall on vocals / guitar, Jimi Wheelwright on bass and James Allix on drums. The band formed in 2013 and is out promoting their current debut album “Abstract Figures In The Dark.” Although it was a shortened set, I really enjoyed what these guys offered – a mixture of gnarly bass, fuzzy guitars and thumping drums, very grungy at times. There are obvious comparisons with bands such as Tool, Nirvana and Sonic Youth but these guys are ploughing their own furrow. Standout was a track called `Memory Boy` which was written about the refugee crisis.
There is little fuss as PABH hit the stage and storm straight into the garage style title track of their new release “The Haze” with singer Tom’s vocal screaming out at you. Another track from the album is fired out with `The Big What If`. Its pulsating drums and swaggering guitar riffs are interspersed with Tom’s almost menacing tones. Tom yells “This is an old song” before the guys launch into “I Punched A Lion In The Throat` from their 2010 debut and we get the first of the stage divers during the mayhem brought about by this offering.
`Prince of Meats` a sleazy aching rock out of a track is bashed out before the band head into `Lizard Baby` from their “Blood” release. We are informed that although the band is from Leeds, drummer Tommy is a Brummie and the boys will be heading out for an obligatory curry after the show.
Two more numbers from “The Haze” follow with `Flash Lads` a stop start noisy brash piece of no nonsense post punk rock and the more brattish bluesy bluster of `Hotel Motivation` a tune with a lot of swagger.
The full on `Back to The Fuck Yeah` is aired before what has to be my favourite tune `Lamping` a trippy psychedelic mash up is played highlighting the powerhouse of James Brown on guitar and Robert Lee on bass with singer Tom Hudson’s laid back almost understated vocals strewn on top.
A Sabbath type riff runs through `What’s Up Dude` before we are proffered a pretty good cover of The Beatles `Helter Skelter`
The show is closed out with `V.E.N.O.M.` which has most of the faithful clapping along and finally `High Five, Swan Dive, Nose Dive` which sends the audience into meltdown. Singer Tom gets crowd surfed from the stage to a table where he jams his guitar before being surfed safely back to the stage. There was even a potted tree, hopefully plastic, being molested by the frenzied spectators.
This was a demented, raucous show from a band that gave a master class in alternative, post hardcore, stoner cum experimental rock.
The band is aptly named – I couldn’t help but feel that I’d been pulled apart by horses after witnessing their performance.
