Young Guns

YOUNG GUNS
PLUS: APOLOGISE, I HAVE NONE,
HOSTAGE CALM,
I AM THE AVALANCHE
The Forum, Hatfield
08.12.11
Words: Jenny Chu

In a town too far out to be a London Borough but close enough to cause Young Guns frontman Gustav Woods to refer to the audience as “London”  turn the volume dial up a notch higher in a half filled student union venue. The 5 piece from High Wycombe still manage to take on the stage with poise and humble elegance that suggest they appreciate every face in the double digit crowd.

London based Apologise, I Have None bring a modern take on Brand New meets The Kings Blues and even though they’re rough around the edges it somehow manages to work in their favour.

Hostage Calm, American anthem punk band gain an unresponsive audience reaction despite giving it their all and fighting the stage with proof they deserve to be there. With meaty power chords and juicy melodies charged with unfamiliar song structures gives the nights line up a variety straying away from mainstream radio rock.

New Yorkers I Am The Avalanche take on pop punk by the horns and deliver story telling songs that speak of experience, adventure and honesty. Opening song Holy Fuck raises the heat and sound of the room like a thermometer encouraging contagious monster screams and dancing to every bouncy song, as if they knew this audience would be hard work they came out prepared and left nothing short of content.

On record Young Guns sound amazing, on stage that ability increases to create a sound so epic, so strong and so stimulating. The gang vocals, killer choruses and eternal stamina to prolong an accurate and perfect performance are attributes for a great British Band to have the world as its oyster. Many bands have songs that you would avoid at all expense but Young Guns get it right every time. Opener D.O.A is the epitome of rock and nothing less, singles off 2010’s album All Our Kings Are Dead; Crystal Clear, Sons Of Apathy and Winter kiss unite the band and the audience with every lyric. It’s the verses in Elements, After The War and Stitches that show how diverse this UK band is, they can create beautiful melodies that require a sense of passion and a dynamic voice such as Gus’s but they also have the confidence and aptitude to compact abrasive guitars, tamed beats and rhythms that drive their success. Weight Of The World brings the close-knit, intimate night to a conclusion and one that promises this band has big things up their sleeves.

8/10