Gallows, Feed the Rhino.

Lev 2. Esquires Bedford. 25th November 2010.

A leading contender for gig of the year saw a bitterly cold Thursday evening warmed up by hardcore punk outfit GALLOWS. This was when level 2 went absolutely mental! An equal split between a controlled riot and slight insanity ruling OK! Yes, after a gap of five years, Watford's neo punks have returned. A hell of a lot has happened to them since that low key debut here, back on 24th November 2005. UK tours, USA tours, regular festival appearances plus two critically acclaimed albums.

As before, it is the mesmerising figure of diminutive frontman Frank Carter that induces most interest. They appear on stage at 9.45. Frank's attire is a dark hoodie, although it is not to be very long before he discards it. His greeting is extremely cordial: "Thankyou Bedford for having us"! Even though the support band had garnered some interest, Gallows are immediately met by a crowd, arms skywards and ready to mosh. The room is packed and, for a weekday evening, the atmosphere is electric. Gallows are punk in it's purest and undiluted form. Incendiary songs to get their direct message across. They write of "growing up in a shit town". "Bet you know all about that" Frank knowingly suggests.

This is not creaking old skool nonsense. It's bang up to date, relevant to today's society. In yer face angry music. There is a lot to be upset about and they tell it to us straight. Backed by a tight percussion squad, Frank deals with a heckler in a cool and calm manner. Well almost! After cracking a plastic beer container against his skull, he cuts this 'dickhead' down to size as only he can. He wins the argument to loud cheers. Franks admits that in the past Gallows have had a certain, problematic reputation. However, they are now a peace and unity band. They are here to party and the 'ginger messiah' urges people to "get on somebody else's shoulders". Little encouragement is needed amongst tonights attendees. The sight is amazing.

Although rather controversially labelled as the Back To The Dives tour, Frank explains that it is probably the best tour that they have been on. It's a chance for them to play some really old songs. Amongst these is "Will Someone Please Shoot that Fucking Snake?" (ironically it closed their set here last time). Sensing the great underground scene they are involved in, "The Great Forgiver" is dedicated to both their support band Feed The Rhino and the other great UK bands around. Not so Polar who were supposed to be here tonight, but apparently forgot! For regular Gallows fans, what occurred next was of no great surprise. The house lights are raised and for exactly sixty seconds a circular, spinning motion of bodies run around dementedly in an anti-clockwise direction.
Audience participation is also required for the human pyramid attempt! Not as successful, but full marks for effort. With a new album planned, hopefully, for 2011, these "rats" look as though they are still going to be a thorn in the side of the nice conventional music industry! With blistering and pulverising riffage and led by a certain musical anti-hero, the politics and injustices are still to be unravelled by this most socially aware band. As the set draws so quickly to a close, there is a blast of "London is the Reason" from "Grey Britain". The crowd are still cheering as Frank high fives along the front row. Gallows play out with "Orchestra of Wolves". Oh Cassanova! The whole set has lasted one hour and thankfully there will be no encore of "Staring at the rude bois"! A top show!

Supporting are fellow hardcorers FEED THE RHINO, a five piece with a gymnastic frontman who sings one song from atop the bar. However, with very little musical variation, most of their 'shouty stuff' merges into one. Guitar riffs are also sadly lacking.