Now watch this drive

Yesterday I  promised today’s reference of an inspiring opening act would be heavier, and when mentioning that I had in my mind Esoterica, a band from Croydon opening for Marilyn Manson in Brixton Academy, back in November 2009.

The singer sounds a lot like Maynard from APC/Tool and the music is really catchy, atmospheric and decently heavy. They didn’t steal the show in the Manson gig (MM is a god when it comes to live performances) but their playing was so decent that earned them a higher place in last summer’s Download Fest in Donnington. They performed mainly songs from their second album, The Riddle, including personal favourites (subsequently) Tomorrow I Won’t Remember, Silence, Scream and Watch This Drive; including also tracks from The Fool (1^st release) like Don’t Rely On Anyone and Life Is Lonely.

I instantly adored this band, appearing in perfect timing for me (Tool and APC were neither touring nor recording at the time) and producing decent albums. I checked both of their albums and I still listen to them with the same excitement as in the first time; however I will always judge a band based on their live shows. Now watch this drive...literally

PS. Tomorrow, the perfect soundtrack to a morning 5K run

                                

You're not the law

Isn't it strange...

...when the opening act excites you so much, you don’t even wanna bother about the main band? It happened before and it will happen again, oh yes. This time I am referring to The Dead 60s opening for Kasabian back in 2004 (Birmingham Carling Academy, December) when they blew me away...far away (tomorrow I will refer to something heavier and more recent), so this short piece is dedicated to this band from Liverpool.

I was really looking forward to see Kasabian performing their first album which I was listening to non-stop since its release that year. I arrived at the Academy without a ticket but we all know what you can get in the black market outside venues...and I was really lucky as I paid only a 10er extra. Time passes, lights briefly go down and the Scousers are hitting the stage with “Riot on the Radio”. Nobody knew The Dead 60s in Birmingham back then but that upbeat ska/punk/rock reggae mix they were playing was really catchy for the difficult Brum crowd (I remember all the bottles thrown at another opening act for NIN in the same year). We all loved them (!) and jumped around during all songs of their set. I ended up not having any energy left for Kasabian...Jokiiiiiiing! There’s always something left for the great Kasabian. Favourite moment of the night: “You’re not the law” with its groovy rhythm and hypnotic Hammond riff...Top notch!

Following the gig, I got the album and thought it was really amazing, reliving the amazing concert I experienced every time I listened to it – the album produces almost the same energy as the band showed during their live show. Second album in 2007 though and...Disappointment (Kasabian on the other hand went massive). No upbeat rhythm, no imagination, singer sounds like he’s bored to death...”disaster” in one word. But then again, some people like it so...what can I do? I’m “not the law”, right?

PS. The band called it off a year later...was I right when I felt they sounded bored on their 2^nd and last album?