Posted on August 13, 2010 - by Editor

Civet + Born To Lose + Mike TV + The Accelerators

Civet © Cindy Frey

Underworld
London, UK
Monday 9th August 2010

(Photos not available from actual show)

First up on what can mildly be described as an eclectic (or slightly misplaced grouping of bands on one bill) is Dutch based four piece, The Accelerators. Being a Monday night following the mighty Rebellion festival which saw the annual punk pilgrimage attracts thousands of punk rock fans to Blackpool, it would be hardly surprising to see poor numbers in attendance at the Underworld. However there are a few punters from the onset which was encouraging and it didn’t seem to put The Accelerators off their game, playing some decent fast melodic punk rock, with catchy songs like ‘Go Get Your Brain Checked’ to a typically stand offish London crowd. The band seemed stoked to play the Underworld regardless and played songs spanning their seven years including a cover (due for release on a compilation later this year) near the end of their set which was well received. All in all a good showing and start to the night.

Following up were the love ‘em or hate ‘em, Mike TV. I suppose they can loosely be described as a mix of Blink 182/Bowling For Soup goofy humoured pop punk and play songs with a sickly overdose of harmonies and melodies akin to Relient K. I have always personally swayed between disliking them as a band and admiring them as they play off the obvious dislike they generate from some people with their self defecating humour. The jokes are getting a bit stale though as they use repetitive lines from previous shows and new spontaneous ones don’t always go down well, but either way the four piece have a ball on stage. Big in China (couple of tours now) they play catchy pop punk songs such as ‘Chinwag’ and ‘Lie Low Lilo’ and there are some obviously big fans in attendance. It’s simple, if you don’t lie them, step away, if you do; its sing along, fun, good times. I still found their place on

Mike TV © Mark Latham

the bill an odd one though; I’m all for diversity but the change seemed too dramatic.

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Born To Lose are a incredibly likable five piece who play anthemic, gang vocals and fast catchy punk rock tunes. With Chris Klinck permanently engaging and full of sneering and menacing poses much like Frank of Gallows, the band are tight and deliver a wall of fist pumping songs and energy. With newer songs such as ‘Fall On Your Sword’ and romantic angsty numbers like ‘Sayonara Kid’ it’s easy to get caught up and sing along to the catchy choruses. The band are incredibly grateful to all in attendance and with Chris’s bridges he talks about  being made to feel at home before singing of course ‘Home’. Live, it’s one of the better performance I have seen in ages from any band, anyone that gets you excited in music again and raises the bar, energy wise, is good in my books and with high octane ‘Sweet Misery’ ending things off I hope and wish all the best for the bands future returns to the nation’s capital on hopefully a more crowded night. (little note to the one dumbass crowd member who ran around and into people half his size, intentionally bowling them over before someone his own size sorted him out, don’t be a dick and have some respect).

Born To Lose

With the blood still racing from Born To Lose, the theme music for the introduction of Californian much hyped femme fatale punk rockers Civet plays through the PA, AC/DC ‘s ‘You Shook Me All Night Long’ setting the tone. The most noticeable aspect of the four ladies introduction onstage, besides their good looks and stylised dress sense, is the number of flashes and camera phones popping up from the crowd (read- guys in crowd). An all female, and good looking band, is always going to have to overcome more hurdles than any peers but I was hoping their music would do all the talking. With Liza Graves razor vocals and supported by Suzie Homewrecker (guitar) and Jacqui Valentine (bass) with the female gang vocals and not forgetting Roxie Darling on drums driving things along, the band get off to a promising start, and with only one full length album in their repertoire, stand out songs like ‘Son Of A Bitch’ and ‘All I Want’ go down well as the ladies sneer and growl with intent but still have time for little seductive winks. It was also great to see the female members of the crowd get up for them and dance along (girl power-punk rock style?).

The band is recording and due to release their second record on Hellcat in January and play a new song from that which sounded pretty good. I have a feeling that the dreaded second album pressure will be even great for them but I hope they do to prove detractors wrong. The set goes by pretty quick but they play a great mix of hard melodic rock n roll and punk rock, but interspersed with the gals chatting to the crowd and trying to get sing alongs going (partly successful). It’s obvious the band is tight and enjoy their time with songs like ‘Brooklyn’ and ‘Hell Hath No Fury’, little looks and smiles of re-assurance between themselves. As the set comes to a close they end off with the enjoyable and meaningful ‘You Don’t Know Me’ which live, with their little interplays, is better than the record suggests. The final song (name escapes me) is a great set ender and the band in my opinion prove they have what it takes and aren’t taking a free ride based on looks and charm but keen to prove themselves more than able punk rockers in what is still a man’s musical world.