Posted on October 21, 2009 - by Editor

American Steel + The Smoking Hearts + Rooftops + Apologies, I Have None

American Steel © Imelda Michalczyk

Purple Turtle
London, UK
Monday 19 October 2009

I have not been to the Purple Turtle for a while, which is a pity cos I realize its one of my preferred venues in London, a city which is in desperate need of better venues in my opinion. The size, not too big not too small, layout and generally the sound are all good …

Breaking the ice on the night are Apologies, I Have none; a band that has been riding high on critical acclaim (which I

Apologies, I Have None © Imelda Michalczyk

know means little) but more importantly they are talked about highly by fellow bands and music lovers alike. The once two-man band in the form of Dan and Josh has doubled in size with a new drummer (Joe) and bassist (PJ). They are heading to The Fest in Florida, US at the month’s end alongside a handful of other promising UK bands and based on their performance tonight will go down a treat.

I have definitely noticed a trend of Against Me! and Hot Water Music (Or enter “punk folk” band of choice) styled bands of late, but to their credit they have been by en large impressive and not clones. This band rocks the harmonies with

Rooftops © Imelda Michalczyk

the music uplifting and catchy sing-along qualities and that all important sincerity that categorizes this genre. It’s simple, intelligent and effective, although I have yet to listen to their EP’s I imagine live is where they excel as a band.

Rooftops, who I have not seen since their debut show a couple months back at a much smaller venue, share the bassist from the previous band, PJ, along with ex and current members of Beat the Red Light, Fletch Cadillac, T.V Party, The Scrape & Visual Offence. The attention here is on the hardcore vocals. They still remind me of Hundred Reasons, which is no bad thing, and they do play a great set which also draws influence from Hot Water Music and Smoke or Fire and their set-ending song which ends as a all band non instrumental sing along is still the highlight.

The Smoking Hearts, who look interesting with members resembling a mix cast of punk rock genres, are not my type of band. There is a definite metal influence and they try and merge early punk rock with that Motorhead sound and energy, but it fails to ignite much from the crowd. Not too be too harsh I think the band are poorly placed on the evenings lineup, which is far more heartfelt and

The Smoking Hearts © Imelda Michalczyk

harmonized and their dirty punk fusion seems out of place on the night. The font man is energetic and expressive, taking to walking across the bar and through the crowd but antics aside (including air raid siren intro) it’s not a band for me with enough substance to stand above a cluttered crowd.

American Steel have been playing 3000 people capacity venues supporting All American Rejects (which is odd in itself) with only 20 minute to half an hour sets. This is the first time they play and headline a UK show which allows them to express themselves more freely I imagine. I would have hoped, for them, the venue to be rammed but it’s a decent crowd none the less.

Rory Henderson and crew feed off the small but impassioned fans from set opener ‘Sons of Avarice’ with their raw energy and break straight into their most recent albums “Dear Friends and Gentle Hearts” opener ‘Emergency House Party’.  The emotional effect of the crowd dancing and singing back at the band is etched all over their faces and Ryan’s Massey constant appreciation, touting this as their best show yet on tour, doesn’t seem clichéd.
With 75% of the set list comprising songs from their most recent Fat records, they don’t dismiss older fans and play a decent selection from their Lookout! collection too (‘Rogues Mach’, ‘Maria’, ‘Shrapnel’).

American Steel © Imelda Michalczyk

There is sparse banter but enough interaction and heartfelt high fives and smiles with the crowd which can’t disguise the pure enjoyment from the band. Rory says at one point that he is constantly miserable from the time he wakes up until the point he gets on stage, and once onstage he comes to life. The crowd equally seems rejuvenated, inspired and almost entranced and reacts with crowd surfing, body slamming, fists in air and lung pumping appreciation for Oakland’s finest.

Throughout the set there are cries for requests and with their no encore policy the band attempt and generally succeed despite some misplaced E-minors (gig joke) to fulfill the requests. Set-ender ‘Mean Streak’, a personal favorite of mine, brings to close to a fine fine evening, and calls for pints at the bar. Although the band head back to support- slot guests for All American Rejects, I can only hope they come back soon to play small headlining shows as it seems their natural home.