Gallows at London Astoria
Anyone who’s read any of my reviews before will know my opinion of Gallows. I hate using the phrase “a breath of fresh air” but in an environment that’s become flooded with identikit bands in each genre, be it metal, punk, emo or indie, it’s hard not to. I’m not saying there isn’t some fuel for the critics who describe their tunes as not being anything new - there are definite and clear links and influences from previous bands. But isn’t that just the natural cycle of music, and for that matter fashion, art and culture? It’s only a matter of time before a certain style returns, and these days it’s much less worth measuring originality than it is quality.
Tonight’s set at the Astoria is just pure punk fury: energetic, visceral, spitting blood and teeth, with the usual DIY Gallows presence. You get the feeling that even if they end up one day playing huge arena tours there’ll still be feedback and people slipping on their arses after one too many madly misjudged spinning kicks. But as frontman Frank himself says between songs - “We’re not the most professional of bands, but that’s why you love us”. From In The Belly Of A Shark through Will Someone Shoot That Fucking Snake and of course Abandon Ship, every track is tight and rapturously received by the churning audience. There’s not a lot more I can say about the actual music that’s different to my last review: they’re great on CD, fucking amazing live, and if you haven’t seen them find out when they’re next near you and get to it.
Outside of the music however, Gallows are a band that has divided opinions more than most in recent times. Arguably it’s down to their brutal, honest and vitriolic approach to both lyrical content and interview responses, addressing harsh subjects in a clear light, but also because of some gigs ending up in fights and mayhem. But do they deserve the opinion I’ve heard from a few corners of being thugs? Frankly, bollocks. It’s a pure lazy opinion. It’s like if I said that all Marilyn Manson fans definitely go home and cut themselves, or that every football fan is a hooligan. Case in point - at this Astoria show Frank goes to join the pit, only to be nearly strangled, staggering back on stage looking concussed. Did he look to cause a fight? No, he’s just looking to closer to the crowd and enjoy the energy. But will he and the band react to being provoked? Of course, they’re not idiots.
As ever it’s down to a small portion of ‘fans’ to try and incite a flashpoint, and that’s the way of punk I guess. But so is the close bond of the people who are actually out to enjoy it, as shown by the fact that their families and friends are on the balcony cheering as loudly as anyone, including on stage appearances by other Carter brother Richard and their baby cousin (with the best ‘Fuck Off!’ in the world), as well as the clear gratitude from the band to the crowd for supporting them. I’d prefer to look at that side of things rather than the results of a few stupid bastards in the crowd.
While I’ve got your attention it’s time for something worthwhile to come out my rambling. I didn’t realise until a recent myspace bulletin that Staring At The Rude Bois, the single with UK grime MC Lethal Bizzle, is a cover of a track by UK punk band The Ruts. Their guitarist Paul Fox died of cancer at the end of last year and so Gallows are trying to raise awareness of, and for, Marie Curie Cancer Care. If you’ve got the time (and you should), head to the address below. Have a read. Sign up. Donate if you can. Can you give a reason not to?
March 14th, 2008 at 2:56pm
good review adam, thought you caught the mood and the bands view spot on, enjoyed the read,btw your right they are f***king fantastic live!!