My first review for the Bulmershe Massive in my capacity as foreign correspondant takes me to the exotic location of Cardiff, Wales. The pub in question is an oblong affair where the locals sit at one end complaining about tax sponging students and the students sit at the other steering well clear of the bar, trying desperately to avoid being the first to get a round in.
When I arrive, POD are busy setting up for the sound check. Apart from the locals at the far end we're about the only other people there - less than an hour to go, but the band don't seem fazed. It has to be said, the sound check is a tad messy, with no obvious direction and even a request from the barman to turn it down - and they haven't even got going yet. Not that I am here to review their sound check, but let's just say, I was beginning to wonder what their set would be like.
At 9.29 and 59 seconds a hoard of students arrive – presumably following the great student tradition of leaving it to the very last minute so they can finish off some cheap booze at home, before having to delve into their pockets.
9.30, the set kicks off with a beefy instrumental and Tom, the guitarist, doesn't feel the need for polite introductions, he just goes for it! A brief spiel from Jonnie Boy, their singer and it's straight into their first track "Nice Guy", which, like most of the songs in their set, is home grown! And it's a good'n - nice dynamics and a driving chorus.
The next song “Home” has got some choice lyrics, which seem to be directed at some bloke with a cheeky grin in the audience. Meanwhile Tom gets busy with the wah wah pedal. Soon it’s time for the first cover. A steady rendition of Space Hog’s “In the Meantime” with a funky little bass line that gets the crowd tapping and ends with a rapturous round of applause – each one louder than the last.
Next on the menu is “New One” …well…they just haven’t got around to giving it a name. It’s a short, snappy song with a very catchy chorus – more poppy than their others. Having heard the first few of their own I’m wondering if they can maintain this high standard.
Of course, there’s the obligatory 20 mins break between sets to wallow in the audience’s adulation, but what else… oh yes “Millionaire”. Gets my vote for song of the evening! With some cracking lines and growling vocals, you could close your eyes and imagine you were listening to one of the big bands. Along the way, there are some covers, but it’s their own material that strikes me. “Count Me Out” was another. With such a young band you can’t fail to be impressed with this material.
So what about the guys. Well, the guitarist oozes confidence…. and it’s not misplaced! He’s got great stage presence. You could picture him at one of the festivals sticking his tongue out at the camera during a close up. His ‘little’ brother on the drums is very deceiving - looks like he’s been on the whacky backy and about to fall off his stool, but just as you think he might, he goes round the kit in the blink of an eye without dropping a beat…and he’s only 16! The bass player – well, like all good bass players, he’s Mr Cool (no bias there – honest!
And as a band? Pod have the unusual knack of making it look as though it’s all improvised. There’s times when you think it might all go horribly wrong and fall apart – a worried look from Tom the guitarist, a bewildered look from Jonnie boy - but it never does! I wonder if there’s a conspiracy going on…you know, the flakey sound check, crib notes on the back of beer stained scraps of paper, someone asking what key the songs in. Maybe it’s to keep you holding your breath, so you are all the more impressed when it comes off? Well if it is, it works. Hats off to you guys - an excellent gig!
Timski
