Review of Jawzone -8/06/05
The Jawzone gig at The Horn, St Albans, certainly had a lot to live up to, featuring the best bands on the local scene everyone expected an eventful night, and we weren’t disappointed. With new boys on the scene, SHAE, up first there was an air of expectation among the crowd, eager to see what the lads could do. Those of us who’d already been to some of their other shows knew exactly what was coming and the dedicated support was well and truly out tonight. Opening with crowd pleaser ‘Awake’, SHAE thrilled into their set, waking up the previously subdued audience in true style. Having seen their previous shows, you can see a noticeable progress with every gig these guys play, each set more tighter than the last. Singer Toby provided relaxed charisma between songs winning over the crowd and sparking laughter from the reluctant crowd. By the time they closed with the haunting ‘Motion’, SHAE had well and truly won over the crowd, no doubt adding to their following of dedicated fans. Keep an eye out for SHAE; they look set for big things. Check out the online tracks at http://www.shaemusic.com
Next up were atmospheric 7 piece Three Movements, who despite playing a good set weren’t maybe ideally suited to this gig. Alongside such local giants as Firstborn, Aconite Thrill and popular SHAE, Three Movements just didn’t have the support, their unique brand of almost techno rock didn’t seem to go down to well with those there to see the headliners. A good effort from the lads, however, it just wasn’t happening. As one punter commented, “film soundtrack rock”.
Local favourites Firstborn bounded on stage to much anticipation, this acting as a warm up gig to their national July tour. Playing their usual incredibly tight brand of rock, the riffs came fast and hard with vocalist Simon impressively displaying a vocal range that is so much part of the band’s well recognised sound. The songs alternated between brutal and funky rock and some slowed down mellow numbers. Simon, as always, held the audience’s attention with a stage presence born of experience, while the rest of the band played with the precision timing that makes Firstborn a real national contender. If you haven’t yet heard them, you soon will. http://www.firstbornmusic.com
Headliners Aconite Thrill were really playing to their home audience, we all had our favourite songs and hoped we’d get to hear them played in such an intimate venue. They didn’t disappoint and played all the crowd pleasers with the zeal that makes them so entertaining to watch. Despite heckling from a crazy drunk, the band threw themselves into each number with frontman Will J providing comically duetting at one point with the resident drunk. The heavy tech-metal definately left the punters sated after a long night of good music. No one could have asked for more. http://www.aconitethrill.com
