Podracer with support from Psychojet and The Big Grizzly Band
Thursday 11th October – Auntie Annies, Belfast
Kicking things off tonight for Podracer at Auntie Annie’s is the exciting four-piece instrumental band, Psychojet. Fresh from winning this years Kraken battle of the bands competition at the Pavilion Belfast, the boys immediately grab the small crowd’s attention. Their set is bursting with grippingly intense music that could easily be used to create different atmospheres in all types of films. As immense noise blasts from the speakers of this intimate venue the fans look on and listen in awe to songs such as ‘False Crescendo’ and their encore ‘Latitude.’ For a band that haven’t been together for long, they demonstrate immaculate musicianship throughout their performance and have a bright future ahead of them.
Taking to the stage next is the unique trio The Big Grizzly Band. Lead singer Bill Wood dons fuzzy headgear and a tail resembling that of a bear, -appropriate I guess considering the name of the band. He warns tonight’s punters: “We’re a bit different from other bands, and here’s why,” as 80’s like synths emerge from the speakers, promptly followed by an electrifying guitar riff. They take the small crowd on a musical journey with their very angry yet comedy filled rock. They bear some resemblance to the imaginative mind as the end product if System Of a Down went electro; leaving us – the audience with some temporary deafness (the good kind of course!). The band are personified by ‘Fister,’ a song almost bordering on metal-core as drummer Sean O’Neil thrashes the drums like there is no tomorrow. Lead singer Bill clearly regretted his chosen furry attire this evening as he was slowly being cooked under the hot bright stage lights. Continuing to their encore with ‘F**k or Friendly’ a song that definitely deserves to be shown some appreciation in the form of a sweat and beer filed mosh pit, leaves the small crowd of boozy punters all revved up for the appearance of Podracer.
Lastly, exploding on to the stage and packed to the brim with good old fashioned melodic punk rock, is the much anticipated headline act this evening, Podracer. Sounding very much like a mature version of pop punk legends Blink 182, they fill the airwaves with songs from their new album ‘Parking Cars and Pumping Gas.’ ‘X-ray’ begins with a gutsy guitar riff and some pretty ballsy bass lines from Bassist Damien Carroll. The vocals from vocalist/guitarist Alan Anderson have an almost transatlantic twang as a huge mass of noise is created and enjoyed by the gathering of fans that have come along this evening. Podracer continue their exciting performance with ‘Spitting Blood’ a much heavier song than the rest yet it still works incredibly well in the set. ‘Hobby Horse’ rightly receives an amazing reception from the small crowd as many of the boozy punters begin to mosh in their seats. They are clearly delighted that Podracer decided to start playing gigs again this year and definitely don’t want them to take another break any time soon.
