Monster Truck & Scorpion Child
@ Underworld, Camden
26th March 2014
Review and Photos by Ashlinn Nash
The day is grey and drizzly around the underworld, but everyone is ready for some summer tunes that conjure thoughts of going for long walks in the sunshine and parties until the sun set and that, is exactly what is on the bill for tonight’s bands plan on delivering this evening. From the looks of the crowd, there seems to be a lot of young fans here with parents celebrating the generations of the big rock family, it’s a pleasant sight to see and what a first gig to go to!
Starting off the evening are Buffalo Summer [3.5/5] who are equipped with a set including tracks such as; “ain’t no other” and “bird” that soar with the anti-week day vibes that contain luscious licks and vocal harmonies that set the crowd up for what will be a rock and roll fueled feast for the ears.
The band, a four piece from Wales are fond of tambourines and blending the long gone but not forgotten sound of the seventies. With tracks such as “down to the river” from their debut release, [ being showcased this evening] whose sound makes it clear very quickly that they are keen to express their influences while forging their own career and sound as the band delve through audience clap along tunes and have a sleek rhythm in their bones.
Blasting away the awful feeling of a Wednesday and sounding overall rock rich, whose resurgence of late is wondrous and delightful to see, over all its been an impressive set from the new band.
Next up are a groovy rock four piece also known as Scorpion Child [4/5] who are a far departure from ever growing popular harsh vocals and kick start with somewhat of a wailing tone that smashes away from what has become the norm. With a crowd who are limbered up from the sun bursting lyrics of the bands back catalogue.
The Set list of the band here consists of ten slices of party purity with their themes that conjure vast stories that excite and engage the audience. This engagement is not without the help of the fluid movements of front man Aryn Jonathan Black who revs up the slick tunes with his vocal lines.
That are somewhere between the soul gripping strength of Steve Tyler and soft rounded tones of David Coverdale, that are of course not without a highly talented orchestration of the dazzling percussion, intensely grove guitar licks and gleaming bass lines that combine to make a fantastic arrangement.
Scorpion child are infectiously rich is talent, so much so that you’d feel obliged to join in with the music when possible, ending a set that is no doubt packed for the crowd pleasing and as energetic as a lightning storm.
Monster Truck [4/5] a four piece from Canada, arrive on stage and straight away they strike a chord that starts the sing along spirit. The band are ready for what will be a pure percussion fuelled rock show with slices of polar geographically sound, with a jazz organ at the ready.
Instantly striking a chord while a lavish leap of energy from the crowd who burst into singing action, with the kind of stadium rock reaction you’d expect from Def Leppard fans, is odd to see in such a tiny and intimate venue. The Propulsion based USA four piece, who share chords, vocal duties and are a solid unit consisting of the sensationally talented bass and vocal works front man: Jon, expressive keyboard skills from Brandon, lively and electrifying drumming from Steve and the thrilling guitar lines of Jer.
With powerhouse tracks such as “Power to the people” and “Seven Seas blues” saw a variant to the bands musical abilities and strength, the band themselves are part of the new rise in popularity of the genre finding themselves on tour frequently and with a new amplified stature within the rock scene, it’s a welcomed one too.
Monster truck seem to shift through their set very quickly with a few words here and there of thanks but seem to be more here to sign in, rock out and leave again. Not without of course pleasing the long standing fans as well as gaining some new ones here tonight, a splendid job from Monster Truck.
For updates and tour dates check out the bands website here
Monster truck’s latest album “Furiosity” is available here
