CAVES + BROADBAY + MURDERHOUSE + HONEY POT – STICKY MIKE’S FROG BAR, BRIGHTON 13.3.18
Bristol based fuzzed out modern indie punk artists Caves opened up their 16-date UK and European tour last night at Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar in Brighton. Their new tour takes them around the UK and to Germany, Spain and France.
The Caves studio band consists of Louise Hanman (guitar, drums, keyboards and vocals) and Jonathan Minto (bass guitar and vocals), but when they hit the road, they call on one of their mates do drums for them, as Louise (or anyone else for that matter) can’t exactly jump around with her guitar and play drums at the same time!
Brighton & Hove News were rather fortunate to catch the band’s energetic live performance at the Green Door Store in Brighton last May and boy they were terrific! I grabbed a copy of each of their last four albums as a souvenir of such a great night out. I would have also bought their debut album, if they hadn’t already sold them all. All recordings are raw and in no way polished and that just about sums them up – akin to The Ramones for the next generation.
Once again last night the band were well on form and revelled in the crowds adoration for them. They whizzed through their dozen song set of shouty vocals and buzzing guitars and heavy drumming – Sticky Mike’s was well and truly rockin’.
Their setlist reads: ‘I Don’t Care, I Don’t Care’, ‘Rubino’, ‘<3 Koala’, ‘Asleep’, ‘Need It Most’, ‘Way’, ‘Wait’, ‘January’, ‘Sad’, ‘Leaving’, ‘Tears’, ‘Babyccino’
To hear the distinctive Caves sound, click here:
https://caves.bandcamp.com/ and for more info, visit here:
https://www.facebook.com/wearecaves/
Caves were joined by three other acts on the night, Broadbay, Murderhouse and Honey Pot.
First up on the night was Honey Pot who describes themselves as a ‘dreamo duo’ (Alex and Jake hailing from Exeter and Cardiff), however for the evening’s performance we were graced by the presence of Alex, a guitar and a box of tricks on the floor. Together they were an unassuming non-threatening pleasant act to watch. Performing songs because they liked to write them and hoping that the punter present would cough up a few pounds and buy a cassette in order that Alex could cover the cost of the petrol in coming down and performing for us.
If you would like to listen to their material, then visit https://honeypotpunx.bandcamp.com/ and to find out more, go to https://www.facebook.com/honeypotpunx/
Next up were Brighton’s very own indie pop slop band Murderhouse. Who say that they are “ a coupl’a guys just trying to have a good time and get by in life”, although live they mutate into a 4-piece act. I think their names are Conall, Jack, James and Murphy. They play indie music and because of a semi-acoustic guitar that they had, they somehow reminded me of an old band called The Alarm, who were best known for their hit ‘68 Guns’.
Murderhouse were having fun during their Sticky Mike’s gig and clearly there is some chemistry going on there. You can find out more about the band here: https://www.facebook.com/therealmurd3rhouse/ and listen to (and purchase) their released material here: https://hangerrecords.bandcamp.com/album/self-doubt and here: https://sortalonelymusic.bandcamp.com/album/self-help
The evening’s final support slot came from three loud fellas called James, Ted and Bill aka Broadbay. Basically if you like Green Day, then you will really love Broadbay! They are an exciting, energetic young band with more power than you can shake a stick at.
As the event was running slightly behind schedule, the sound guy was trying to get Broadbay to finish their set and thus put on some music just after one of their songs had finished. Broadway, were having none of it and proceeded to play two more tracks. They performed a new song entitled ‘Yesterday’ which was a great sign of further things to come. The guys have got their own merch store on Big Cartel, but obviously word has got out about how good they are, as everything in their shop has currently sold out! But just in case stocks get replenished, then you can try here http://broadbay.bigcartel.com/, failing that you can find out about the band here: https://www.facebook.com/Broadbayband/
All four acts thanked Sugar-Free promoter Chris Childs for having them on the bill, so clearly they all respect what the promoter is trying to achieve and that is to put the word out for up-and-coming new (local) bands – exactly like what your Brighton and Hove News are doing.
