Mind Noise Network
Slam Dunk Festival 2015
Midlands
by Daniel King - reviews
&
James Salt - reviews and photos (unless stated)
Bank holiday Monday and Slam Dunk swings into Wolverhampton for it's final day. What did we find?People licking the salt from chip wrappers, more skinny jeans, backpacks and vests than should be legal and an absolute tonne of collaborations. Pretty standard for a pop punk festival it seems. Here's what we got up to and what we though of it.
Opening the day to a smattering of folk, were Sheffield mob Dead Harts. Those that weren't busy shopping made their way to the Impericon Stage and were rewarded with a hard and heavy set that got those that'd made the effort to get there early off their feet. They managed to draw a fully deserved sizeable crowd, an impressive feat considering the first beers had barely touched the lips. After being recommended these guys by everyone we spoke to at Hit The Deck in Nottingham, I can see why they are so highly spoken of.
It was current darlings of Kerrang! that made the first big strides of the day though. The American fronted, British pop punk band As It Is gave everything you'd expect from a band nominated for the Best British Newcomer award. They brought the fans and they brought energy. Enough energy to wake everyone up and set the first circle pits of the day in motion. New single Cheap Shots & Setbacks was the highlight of the set. The lowlight was almost certainly birthday boy Andy Westhead's minute as frontman. A band tradition that started off funny but ended with a large amount of cringing. He seemed to enjoy it about as much as everyone else did, so it's ok.
Meanwhile, the Civic Hall is jam packed with teenagers eagerly awaiting the arrival of one of the hottest acts around right now - Massachusetts-based trio PVRIS. On the front row I can hear a young girl saying behind the barrier, "I might pass out, she's so unbelievably gorgeous" speaking very highly of frontwoman Lyndsey Gunnulfsen. But this is the sort of fan excitement that a band of their stature should be very proud of so early on in their career, considering they're only the second band to hit the main stage today. Opener Smoke is a rather punchy number to get things going, using Lyndsey's vocal range perfectly. They don't have a huge amount of time but they use it effectively as they belt out six of their best tracks with the audience lap up every note and sing along to every word. Mirrors and Fire serve as memorable numbers from the set and closing on their smash hit My House has the crowd going insane. A special mention goes to the lighting team for their part in the set, it's an absolute spectacle for those in attendance. Keep your eyes peeled to PVRIS in the near future as they can only continue to go from strength to strength if this show is anything to go by. Oh and Paramore, I'd watch your backs.
Back on to the Impericon Stage were California's Being As An Ocean. Unfortunately, the risks of having a festival with outdoor stages so close together were realised with these guys as sound bleed from The Colour Morale on the Monster Stage meant that for all but the front couple of rows there was a mashup of different songs. Not ideal, but singer Joel Quartuccio enjoyed himself spending most of their set in the pit.
Having seen Beartooth on the Kerrang! Tour earlier in 2015 I pretty much knew what to expect from these guys, or at least I thought I did, they far exceeded any expectations here. In amongst more of their own fans they seemed at home from the moment they set foot on stage, even through a Don Broco crowd invasion. Their 2014 album, Disgusting, has won them numerous fans around the world, but their live shows are what is going to make them a household name. Crowd surfing from visiting bands led to fans climbing trees and lamposts around the stage and throwing themselves into the crowd. The atmosphere was electric and made Beartooth's set one of the highlights of the day.
And now it's time for what is by far the heaviest band on today's bill to ignite Slam Dunk. Australian death metal mob Thy Art Is Murder take to the Monster stage on the streets of Wolverhampton and are given a thunderous reception by their adoring fans. That doesn't last too long though, as soon as the first note of Defective Breed strikes all hell is let loose! The first 10 rows look like they're attempting to murder each other as the pits whip into a frenzy.
Meanwhile the axemen on stage Sean Delander and Andy Marsh are unleashing groove-laden riff after riff, whilst vocal general CJ McMahon is exhaling the most bowel-churning growls you're likely to hear today. The Purest Strain of Hate and Whore to a Chainsaw sound huge enough to engulf the whole city all whilst the circle pits get bigger, and the necks get sorer.
Closing on Reign of Darkness feels appropriate for the set. To most passers-by Thy Art Is Murder are probably nothing more than a wall of sound, not offering much in terms of stage show either, but does that really matter as for those in attendance it was a masterclass in Aussie death metal chaos.
After seeing Mariachi El Bronx a couple of times recently it was good to see them at a festival. Continuing the tradition of being the happiest band on any stage and then thrusting that happiness in to those watching. I mean, how many times has Slam Dunk seen a 'Salsa Pit' before? And I don't mean the spicy tomato based sauce, the dance. The people using the Wulfrun Hall to salsa along to Mariachi El Bronx went well into triple figures. The least that these guys deserve as their set is tight and fun, as usual. On top of this fine sight they managed to pack Revolution Girls, 48 Roses and Wildfires into a set cut short by a few minutes. Maybe their 5th set in less than 2 days caught up with them? Regardless, it's not the last time we'll be seeing some of these guys today.
Bury Tomorrow were only due to be playing a DJ Set at Slam Dunk this year, now they're special guests gracing the very stage that they headlined only 12 months ago. They hit the stage like a pack of wild animals, bounding around the stage like jumping beans on acid...and the crowd have no choice but to offer the same in return. It's absolute madness...but terrific madness at that! Quite possibly the most energetic band of the day, hauling in a huge crowd around the Monster stage they smash through numbers such as Man on Fire and Of Glory from their most recent album, Runes. They fit perfectly into the set alongside classics such as An Honourable Reign as practically the whole street sings along to every word and leaps to every note. As well as a number of audience members jumping from any object that's over ten feet tall, whether that be a tree, lamp post or a crowd surfer. Vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates even takes a moment to announce the completion of the bands fourth studio album, which is greeted by a roaring cheer. Bury Tomorrow are undoubtedly one of the hottest properties in British metal right now, and it's great to see what a hardcore fan base they've already developed. It can only be a matter of time before these guys really hit the big time, and next time you see them at Slam Dunk, I'd fully expect them to have a solid spot on the main stage.
The first of my ska throwback exploits came in the form of Zebrahead. Opening with one of their biggest hits, Rescue Me, did it's job perfectly, getting the crowd moving and they were unrelenting from there. Their stage presence was impressive, but having two frontmen makes that a bit easier. Saying that, these guys are starting to look their, but they certainly aren't acting it as they reel off the hits whilst consuming obscene amounts of cider and vodka. There's life in the old dog yet and their fans are more than willing to join them. Catch them on tour later in the year. You won't regret it.
Don Broco were another band from the Kerrang! Tour, this time hitting the stage in the Civic Hall, a bit late mind. When they do come on the packed out room doesn't stand still for a second. Recent single Money, Power, Fame kicks the set off and the room is bouncing from then, with a bit of hardcore moshing thrown in too - aren't festivals great?! There wasn't much time to sit and watch these guys do their thing though as the ska afternoon was continuing on the Desperados stage.
Goldfinger were one of the bands I was most looking forward to on this Slam Dunk lineup and with a back catalogue as good as anyone's that's no surprise. Opening with Spokesman kept the Zebrahead warmed up room going, but with vocalist John Feldmann's microphone not working it was really only the skankers that were enjoying it. It took a few songs for the sound guys to fix this and by then, for me at least, the moment had passed and there there was no way back into it. A shame, but for those that had been drinking all day and the real die hard fans, it was still enjoyable. Hopefully they'll be back over in the UK soon, I still need my Goldfinger fix.
After grabbing a quick drink, Taking Back Sunday took to the stage in the Civic Hall. Three songs were consumed and all three were greeted by the same reaction from the crowd. Although calling it a reaction is overstating it, maybe everyone was just there waiting for You Me At Six. There was no movement, no singing and that was echoed by the band. It was almost like they didn't want to be there. Ah well, there's plenty on elsewhere.
Away from the main stage was the final and best installment of the Tony Hawk brigade. Swedish four piece Millencolin took to the stage to a raucous crowd intoxicated by warm beer in plastic cups and a violent mixture of mariachi and ska. The Swedes proceeded to mix their own brand of punk rock with some god awful banter. But hey, at least they tried! Overall, for my first taste of Millencolin live I was left very impressed and seemed to appreciate the array of new tracks more than their fans did. It seems that this festival was not the time or place for the new songs. Still, I'd recommend checking out the new stuff when it's released and heading to see these guys when they make it back over here.
Architects have come a long way over the past few years, once upon a time they looked like they were going to be the next big thing alongside Bring Me The Horizon carrying the torch for young British metal bands...however they decided to stick to a formula that suits them. Now it seems that their patience and persistence is paying off and here at Slam Dunk 2015, headlining the Monster Stage, Sam Carter & Co aren't phased by it one bit. They waltz on stage like it's any normal gig, seemingly relaxed then without warning burst straight into a superb Gravedigger that really gets the party started. The sound at the Monster stage has been faultless all day, but when it comes to Architects it's simply outstanding. Songs such as Early Grave and Broken Cross sound like they're being played over the PA it's that good. What really makes the performance is seeing that the band themselves are having a great time up there. There isn't one member standing still and the same can be said for the audience too. Architects managed to produce possibly the biggest circle pits of the day, with the added bonus of a Wall of Death (let's just say the St John's Ambulance earned their keep after that one!) . The band perform essentially a greatest hits set, Naysayer and C.A.N.C.E.R are standout tracks but it almost seems unfair to pick them out over the rest as from start to finish Architects are on top form, those two edging it only because of crowd participation.
Bringing the set to its conclusion is These Colours Don't Run which leaves the crowd gasping for more. There's been a number of bright British metal prospects on the bill today, and Architects are a shining example of what is achievable if you stick to your craft and work hard. If it continues then much like You Me At Six, we could be seeing Architects as a headliner for this festival in the years to come.
Closing the festival for me was The Bronx. Fresh from their Mariachi exploits they hit the stage on a chilly Monday Wolverhampton night. Opening with The Unholy Hand they had the crowd in the palm of their hand. Within minutes though, the cold was banished for everyone but singer Matt Caughthran, "I love England and I know this isn't cold for you, but we're from California and this may as well be Greenland to us" he tells the crowd before jumping in for the first of many mosh pit entries. Matt's smile, which I thought he only wore during the Mariachi El Bronx shows, shone through despite the cold (the temperature was still well in to double figures!) and tracks like I got Chills are accompanied by a frenzy in the pit and the rest of The Bronx looking on from the stage as Matt did his thing. After instigating a fight between a guy and a girl on their friends shoulders, Matt accomplished a dream of his by Slam Dunking a basketball through a girls arms. A thoroughly entertaining end to a great day at a well organised festival. Roll on 2016.
Photograph courtesy of Ian Collins
â—„
1/20
â–º