Once again, hardcore triumphs against the odds!
Damn you, Transport For London. It’s probably just as well I didn’t know about your late-night Overground engineering works before I left for this gig, otherwise I may have balked at the prospect of what turned out to be a nearly 2-hour journey home from New Cross to north London. It also maybe explains the so-so turnout at the New Cross Inn tonight; goodness knows it’s not for lack of quality bands.
This is Try Hard’s first gig, but if they’re feeling nervous, then it certainly doesn’t show. The quartet have known each other since forever, and seem to have an almost telepathic musical connection as they smash their way through melodic hardcore gems such as ‘It Gets Dark’ and ‘Monday Dread’ with obvious glee. Well, it took you long enough, guys, but now that you’re on such fine form, please get to work on a follow-up to your (excellent) ‘Still Tryin’ Hard’ EP.
Equals What? are up next, and their fabulously-moustachioed frontman is fuelled by righteous anger, lining up bigotry, materialism and Donald Trump (amongst others) for a verbal firing squad. His band plays fast, filthy and thrashy, and a couple of beers prove the first casualties of the evening as the pit seriously starts to stir. You get the feeling that – perhaps more than most – they NEED to do this, and that sense of urgency shines through in every note. Ace.
We won’t forget Uncertainty’s vocalist’s colourful underpants and balaclava ensemble in a hurry. Thankfully, the Bristol crew have the songs to match the, um, spectacle, blasting through the likes of ‘No Redemption Arc’ and ’Conviction’ with, well, exactly that. Their set seems to fly by all too quickly, but as the place erupts for the closing ‘Fetch The Bolt Cutters’, it’s clear that they can chalk tonight up as a victory.
Colorado-based headliners Time X Heist also keep things short, sharp and furious, and boy do they make every second count. At times reminiscent of Californian melodic hardcore stalwarts Good Riddance (yeah, I know, I’m showing my age here), the straight edge crew whip the pit into a frenzy from the opening note of ‘Beyond Boundaries’ until a turbocharged cover of the Project X classic ‘Straight Edge Revenge’ (with the crowd taking over vocals) brings things to a gloriously messy finale.
A fine end to an evening of hardcore played with passion and received with the kind of gratitude (and crowd chaos) that would have far larger bands jealous. Cheers to Real Life Presents for having us along! Scores for the night? Pan-Atlantic hardcore 1, creaky and overpriced London Overground 0.
All Photos: ALEX GOOSE
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