Posted on November 19, 2009 - by Emma Stone

Failsafe + The Headstart + Saving Time + Juno

Failsafe © Emma Stone

The Cockpit
Leeds, UK
Tuesday 10th November 2009

I am surprised to find the gig taking place in the upstairs area rather than one of the two main rooms. First band on the bill, Juno, kick off their set as I arrive upstairs. The Leeds four piece open with “Forget Everything I Say”, singer Rob Kirk’s voice reminds me of a singer I’ve heard before, but for the life on me cannot place.  Second song, “Battlefield”, from their new E.P, is a well written song in a catchy style, but as they continue I notice that Rob seems to be singing increasingly less in tune, shouting, rather than singing in some parts.  Justice however is done to covers of “Armageddon” (Alkaline Trio) and “Blitzkrieg Bop” (The Ramones).  Apart from a couple of lads at the front of the sparse crowd, people aren’t really getting into the gig spirit, despite numerous attempts from guitarist James Duncan.  After a promising start, Juno go slightly downhill as the set progressed.  I feel they have the potential to go either way (up or down).  The onstage banter was a little too eager-to-please and awkward and the singing a little off-key, but the songs are well composed and the musicians talented. Only time will tell.

Next up is The Headstart, a band that I admit,was quick to judge at first sight.  Poker straight hair, skinny jeans and flat peaked baseball caps led to an expectation of the next 40 minutes being filled with the sound of whiny voices singing about broken hearts and lost girlfriends.  Alas, no.  I willingly eat my words.  First song “They Put People Like You On Tv” is a brilliant pop-punk number, with vocalist James Shimeld’s voice sounding very similar to that of ex-Zebrahead singer Justin Mauriello.  ITunes released single “Another Wasted Day” features a riff very reminiscent of Offspring’s “I Want You Bad”, and “Do You Remember” includes a very Blink 182-esque style of guitar.  Drummer Kyle reminds me of Travis Barker, not just in his drumming style, but in his movements.  A very resilient drummer, he plays nonstop throughout the set, showing no signs of tiring.  At just £3, their E.P ‘The Beginning’ is a small price to pay for five amazing songs from this Wakefield quartet.  With hard work and a lot more touring, this is one band I would like to see, and can definitely envisage, making a success of it.

The second Leeds four-piece of the evening, Saving Time’s tunes have a noticeably American style to their songs, but it’s one that works for them rather than sounding like a bad rip off.  Singer Lee’s voice is deeper than expected for a singer of this style of music, and it works very well, giving the overall tone of the band a more mature, slightly more serious feel than some other bands of this genre.  Well placed covers of “There Is” (Box Car Racer) and “Handle This” (Sum 41) go down well with the crowd, suiting their tastes to a tee. After researching them on MySpace before the show and investigating their influences, I admit I fail to see their self professed ska/reggae influences.  I am however particularly impressed with their final track “Infatuated”, a song regarding problems within a relationship, a subject which I earlier mentioned with a definite mocking tone, but this song is well performed incorporating the right amount of sincerity rather than whinging.  With these boys currently in the studio recording their debut album, I look forward to hearing the finished result.

Failsafe storm the tiny stage tonight, perform with high energy levels and boundless enthusiasm, launching straight into their first song of the evening; singer Jim Norris leaps around the stage and on to the speakers like a man possessed.  First track “Actions For Answers” from debut album ‘What We Are Today’, gets a few voices in the crowd singing along but tonight these Preston boys have their work cut out.  I may be wrong, but I imagine it’ll have been quite a while since they’ve played to such an unresponsive crowd.  I’m surprised at the lack of interest and support that they so thoroughly deserve with the small room only just over half full.  Nevertheless, they don’t let it get them down.  Like true professionals, Failsafe take what they’ve got and work with it.  It’s the first time I’ve seen them since the release of their second album, therefore the first time I’ve properly heard their new songs live.  “When Words Run Out”, their third song of the evening, is one of my favourites.  It doesn’t sound as heavy as some of the other tracks, such as last year’s downloadable single “Hope”.

As a treat for taking the time out on a Tuesday evening to come support them, we are privileged enough to be amongst  the first to hear one of their new songs “Something To Someone”, a heavier, riffy song, which suggests they may heading in a different direction with their third album.

Supporting The Living End on their UK tour at the end of this month, genuine Leeds Failsafe fans really should come out in force and give them the reaction they deserve the next time round.