Trash Light Vision + SAZ + support - Doghouse 05-12-05
Probably the shortest review of the year in this section, but I got a great set of photos which is why it's here and not in the Autumn Leaves" section.
The evening started off with a couple of punk bands that I largely missed so any coherent report is null and void.
SAZ came on, and in true professional style, were up and ready in about five minutes flat. Out of the speakers exploded, not only the incendiary guitar riff that opens "Get A Grip", but also the best sound of the evening so far. There was an urgency in the set tonight, probably fuelled more by the shenanigans earlier on, as much as any desire to play a super-fast set. Leaving out "Evil Lady", they scorched through the hellfire and brimstone of "Metal Attack", "Scavenger" and more, with a bite that left its mark, as the audience's gaze, yet again, remained firmly fixed on the band and their excellent stage presence, each song gaining solid applause. The band played and looked fantastic, proving that their firepower is still on the rise but awesome at the same time. You get the feel that once the band's songs become more well known, the enthusiasm and numbers of the audience can only increase.
There was a band on after SAZ - but I missed them - apologies.
Trash Light Vision came on in equally thoroughly professional manner and played one steaming set that just blew the audience away. With the guitarists leaping about the stage with an abandon that left you wondering how on earth they were playing the things, the frontman whose name I didn't catch, proceeded to win the crowd over right from the start as he had them in the palm of his hand throughout the set. The songs just rocked, rolled and raged with some fantastic playing, singing and an all-out attack that had me and Sarah (Doghouse owner) leaping about the place with smiles on our faces. On one song towards the end, the band let what seemed like half the audience onto the stage and managed to continue playing while surrounded by enthusiastic, adoring fans, also leaping about the place. The front guy stated "normally we ask the audience to come on stage, but you took it without asking - we love you for that" and the place went wild. It was truly professional, adrenaline-racing set and I only hope someone has them back in 2006 - stunning stuff. SAZ and this lot were made for each other - a pairing that you can only hope gets repeated at some point.
The other thing to note is how the band stuck around after the gig to sign posters, t-shirts - and even body parts!!! - for the fans who almost wouldn't let them go. The sign of a group who've not lost sight of who put them there. Cheers!!
