(Kerrang review)
Wheatus Brixton academy, London
Preconceived notions of a n audience consisting entirely of stressed parents accompanying their over enthusiastic knee high brats were squashed upon spying a pretty regular rock turn out. The little balcony bits up the sides, however, appear to have been thoughtfully reserved for the aforementioned family dynamic.
Spotlights hit the Wheatus backdrop logo of a crap cartoon frog. Cheers erupt. A dramatic into tape booms as the long island poster boys bounce on with the victorious demeanour of a band who have, well, just completed a triumphant set, plus a brace of frenzied encores. All this and kilt sporting vocalist/guitarist Brendan Brown blasting out haphazard metal guitar riffage. Its actually a pretty magnificent entrance. And it sounds bitchy, but they did almost kind of ruined it by going into their first song.
Brendan being far stage left is unbalancing initially, until you realise that centre stage is the playground of multi instrumentalist Phil Jiminez. What doesnt this clown whip out of his trickbag? Tambourine, banjo, accordian, banana. Yep, during second tune hump em n dump em, our Phil decides its time for a potassium fix to power his buffoonery.
Biggest faux pas, though, is announcing that Maidens Bruce dickinson has added backing vocals to a new version of wannabe gangster before pointing out that his presence tonight would only be felt live tonight as a sample. Then, towards the end of the song, you notice that some bloke in a white t shirt has appeared onstage. You squint and realise that its a brucie bonus! Some one obviously forgot to hold up the cheer now cue card on his arrival.
But, no surprises as the oft fuzzy oft lumbering set concludes with teenage dirtbag, replete with audience members onstage, and an infectious glow of unbridled enthusiasm.. youd have to have the sides of your mouth stapled to your chin to not smile at the visual. So, wheatus live. Keep the beginning and end parts and maybe ditch that middle bit.
Wheatus Brixton academy, London
Preconceived notions of a n audience consisting entirely of stressed parents accompanying their over enthusiastic knee high brats were squashed upon spying a pretty regular rock turn out. The little balcony bits up the sides, however, appear to have been thoughtfully reserved for the aforementioned family dynamic.
Spotlights hit the Wheatus backdrop logo of a crap cartoon frog. Cheers erupt. A dramatic into tape booms as the long island poster boys bounce on with the victorious demeanour of a band who have, well, just completed a triumphant set, plus a brace of frenzied encores. All this and kilt sporting vocalist/guitarist Brendan Brown blasting out haphazard metal guitar riffage. Its actually a pretty magnificent entrance. And it sounds bitchy, but they did almost kind of ruined it by going into their first song.
Brendan being far stage left is unbalancing initially, until you realise that centre stage is the playground of multi instrumentalist Phil Jiminez. What doesnt this clown whip out of his trickbag? Tambourine, banjo, accordian, banana. Yep, during second tune hump em n dump em, our Phil decides its time for a potassium fix to power his buffoonery.
Biggest faux pas, though, is announcing that Maidens Bruce dickinson has added backing vocals to a new version of wannabe gangster before pointing out that his presence tonight would only be felt live tonight as a sample. Then, towards the end of the song, you notice that some bloke in a white t shirt has appeared onstage. You squint and realise that its a brucie bonus! Some one obviously forgot to hold up the cheer now cue card on his arrival.
But, no surprises as the oft fuzzy oft lumbering set concludes with teenage dirtbag, replete with audience members onstage, and an infectious glow of unbridled enthusiasm.. youd have to have the sides of your mouth stapled to your chin to not smile at the visual. So, wheatus live. Keep the beginning and end parts and maybe ditch that middle bit.
