Posted on September 6, 2009 - by Editor

Cobra Skulls + Above Them + Big City Plans + The Rooftops

Cobra Skulls

The Windmill
Brixton, London
3rd September 2009

The ever intimate and warm atmosphere of The Windmill is always a nice welcome for bands and fans alike. First up on the balmy evening are the Rooftops who are playing their debut show; which always carries some pressure and expected mishaps. However the four piece are pretty tight and sound good, mixing a sound akin to Hot Water Music/ The Bronx with a post hardcore screamo side. The band are epitomized by driving soaring guitars and play a song with the lyrics along the lines of “We will never change” as the stand out track. It’s a relatively short set which is to be expected but one full of promise.

Next up are Big City Plans who straight away remind me of early The Lawrence Arms and their own description as Gruff melodic post punk is pretty spot on, with a distinctive rawness accompanying the double barreled vocal approach.  The three piece seem to enjoy themselves and don’t take things too seriously with some of the banter lost on me (accents!) but the set is a good one and they receive a warm response. “Paint The Town Rad” is my stand out song.

The third band of the night threaten to steal the show. Above Them look like three young and polished but innocent kids. The sound and vocals are simply not what you expect and they gave me goosebumps with their obvious talent and maturity of their songs and mastery of their instruments for being so young. The hooks and breaks mean the rock band perform catchy tunes & combined with their appearance are a big labels dream (“Keep Smiling” is a radio hit, or will be). I would bet money they will be smeared all over MTV if the right (or wrong) A&R rep gets to see them.  It’s difficult to place them, but they are bright stars for sure and their power chords and heartfelt songs (imagine Hundred Reasons and Creed have a lovechild) with youthful energy means they are a likeable trio.

Cobra Skulls, on tour through Europe in support of their new record “American Rubicon” are a band I know very little about. They play a sound that wades in between Against Me! but with some stand up rockabilly and ska thrown in and as a band have a whole bunch of soul. Their songs are energetic and generally fast paced with bassy guitars and themes largely political (at least from their latest record) but there is still a shed load of fun to be had watching the guys play.

Lead vocalist Devin, of half Irish and Argentina decent, jokes that he must be the ultimate enemy to the Brits (sporting and historical reference there!) and with his twangy  mid-western vocals and wild eyed antics is a captive front man. There is a good amount of banter between the band and they do mix their styles and ferocity through the set. There are some core fans in the crowd too, belting out requests and sing along furiously. All in all its set that does raise the bar again on the night, and Cobra Skulls certainly win some new fans on their first UK outing. Hopefully the potential success of the new record will mean they will be back more often!