ABC2 lives!! Aye so what? You may say, but it feels like an eternity since I attended a gig here (try six months you drama queen).
Whilst it ain’t no Madison Square Garden it is nice to get away from the big soulless mesh that is big brother giant disco ball et all ABC1. Anyway enough venue tripe, The Northern is a dirty rock four-piece hailing from everyone’s favourite polo mint city, East Kilbride.
Following on from appearances in the likes of Tut’s and Broadcast in recent times The Northern return to ABC2 having previously took to the stage at the launch of the band back at the start of this year.
Despite being a relatively new band the guys have performed in various guises in and around the west of Scotland, such experience and confidence is mirrored in the performance tonight.
The opening drumbeats of ‘Living Free’ are joined by growling chords, which emerge triumphantly charring through frontman Calum’s catchy “hey now” refrain; it is a thundering full blooded palette of mashed punk rock easy on the ear and without pretension.
Some in amongst a young crowd begin to toe tap and chant along as drummer, Steven, swings his head back in abandonment mid pleasing drummer face pose.
Face poses aside, while unlikely to win many prizes for originality (who truly can claim to be original in modern day music?), this is simply unpretentious no gimmicks dirty rock with a tinge of punk attacked impressively by musicians with no lack of talent.
With three guitarists on duty, tasty riffs inevitably become a showcase of the set while occasional vocal harmonies between Calum and Steven are unfortunately somewhat lost in a frazzled sound.
Frazzle or no frazzle another set highlight has to be recently released single ‘Holding On’, which has more than a slight nod to the likes of QOTSA revealing a metal tinged panache packed with hooks that should serve them well going forward.
The brash hazy rock thrashed out by The Northern during a track towards the end of proceedings also indicates this is an outfit with much potential; only time will tell if this potential is indeed fulfilled.
Words: Andy Quigley
