Evolution 2000 - Phase One - Slam Jam

Saturday 7th October, 2000 - Rock City, Nottingham, ENGLAND

 

Skindred

Stampin' Ground

Earthtone9

Vacant Stare

 

Well this is going to be a little bit different to my normal reviews due to a number of reasons, not least of all that it was completely out of control and to be honest, I am just glad to SURVIVE it.  Also, I didn't manage any photo's (you gotta be kidding) and there are large parts of the evening that I can't recall, so you will have to bear with me (I am going to have to stop enjoying myself so much on these occasions - NOT)!!

For those who have not been there, Rock City is quite a large venue and is split into three rooms.  One very large hall that I've seen a few bands in (including Slipknot) with a conventional raised stage, a second room that is a fair size with quite a big dance floor and a third small bar that is kind of L-shaped and the key word is 'small'.  Guess where the bands were tonight, yes in the "small" room.  That was not so bad until you realised that the venue was completely SOLD-OUT and there was no room to move in any of the three rooms!!  I think that has set the scene....

The doors opened at 8:30pm (and we were waiting for them to open) with the first band due to start at 10pm.  That was plenty of time to "get ready" so we went ahead with some preparations and were well looking forward to the first band of the night.

... "Skindred in d'Area" ...
I have not had the pleasure of seeing Skindred before, and boy it has been my loss because I thought they were fuckin excellent.  The band originate from the much lamented but late Dub War and feature three out of four from that band with the addition of a new bass player.

Starting with a warning of what was to come, the wail of an air-raid siren infiltrated the humid atmosphere as they launched into an awesome opening number (sorry, don't know the title) and continued to play a storming set.  Benji Webbe, the frontman and vocalist has such great stage presence (I guess his years of experience shine through), combined with the mad mix of nu-metal, heavy rock, rap and ragga reggae sounded so fresh and I just wanted to hear more.

The set included songs such as "Brainkilla" and "Shut-Up" and they had a good enthusiastic crowd starting to move.  On one or two occasions the pit kick-off and all hell let loose (and guess where I was!), but thankfully before long it subsided and I could take a breath.  It was, errrr, somewhat warm.....

The air-raid siren featured again a couple of times during the gig as did the friendly banter from Benji between songs that really helped the crowd empathise with the band.  As the set progressed it got hotter and hotter, but it didn't slow anything up and for 35-40 minutes we were treated to an enjoyable blend of music that could only come from the UK.

Benji's passionate plea at the end of the gig for the support for British bands really hit home as we indeed do have a good scene developing here, but it does need the total support of the fans for it to survive ... it would pay for us all to remember that!  Watch out for these blokes, they deserve to go further!

... "Everyone down the front, this is where it goes on now" ...
Next band up were Stampin' Ground from Southend who appeared at 11:15pm.  They were greeted by a room absolutely crammed full of people and after a short intro dived straight into "Officer Down" and the pit went mad with everyone's death imminent.  There was nowhere to hide, if you wanted to see the band you were involved with what was going down.

Their extreme thrash-metal hardcore style suited the mosh pit addicts that get their delight from punching and kicking the shit out of each other, and they did plenty of that.  It was so hot that even the most hardened of moshers were having to come out for a break, there were kids emerging from the abyss and I swear they were physically melting!  If the people weren't then the walls definitely were, the whole place was running with condensation, it was streaming down and also dripping from the ceiling...

Then the SG boys started to encourage a circle pit and it just got more and more intense as the set progressed.   It's so difficult to express just how mad it was in there, as wave after wave of the brutal and barbaric Stampin' Ground sound battered everyone.  "Mid-Death Crisis", "The Symmetry of Hatred", "The Death You Deserve", "By Whatever Means Necessary", "Pain Is Weakness Leaving The Body" and "Lesion" all featured in there somewhere.  They played for 40 mins and on three occasions it was their last song, so they over-run quite a lot, but who really cared? - Only those that were melting I suspect!

... "EEEEEVOLLLUUUUTIONNNNNNNONONNNN" ...
At approximately 12:30am the feedback and distorted sounds of Earthtone9 taking to the stage began to percolate to the back of the room, followed by Karl singing the word "Evolution"...   Then "I Nagual Eye" forced it's way through the crowds to get to my ears, so I moved forward and once more into the valley of death......to get nearer the action.

They looked good, relax and really enjoying themselves.  I think a lot of the hard work over the last few years is now starting to pay dividends and this band is finally starting to get the respect that they deserve.  There seemed to be an air of recognition about the band that confirmed, that this too was their feelings, and it was now time to enjoy some of it.

As "Star Damage (For Beginners)" followed on, I looked around me at the happy (but very hot) faces of the crowd, it was great to see so many people beginning to appreciate the music and just having a good time.   The use of wacky loony-tune segments between songs provided a chance to have a break for both band and crowd,  "I think you'll agree £4 for a sauna is pretty good..." says Karl just before they launch into "Off Kilter".  It was a full-on performance of the song, "We're playing our time-out card" he exclaims afterwards..... followed by some full-suppresso vocals of that "evolution" word several times again as everyone rests and they sort out a few technical gremlins..

After a few moments the hugely recognisable plucking of "tat twam asi" regained my attention.  A great song, one of my favourites and it's so anthemic.  But, the most memorable part of this song was looking around, seeing and hearing the crowd singing away to that magical chorus.   It put the hairs on the back on my neck right-up on end!  Most excellent dudes....

"Cheers..... And now time for another Rock Star towel-break.... I thank you." Karl talks again to the crowd.  I have never seen him interact so much (and look so comfortable doing it), it makes a real difference.   This is another positive indication that they are a lot more at ease in their performance.  An awesome version of "Grind & Click" ensued where Joe goes berserk with almost death-metal-style backing vocals, exchanging massive smiles with Oz throughout.

The song ends and it was another win for the pit as Karl has to ask people to "be cool" and allow the security bloke to look after the equipment at the front.  Rather him than me, I think.  And then another surprise as Karl announces "A new song, if we can ever get back into tune" and we are greeted by the up-beat opening riff of "p.r.d chaos".

This is a little lighter than anything else they have played tonight and is atmospheric and moody, including some great vocals and helps to break-up the intensity, that was until this live versions breathtaking heavy ending and from a sea of prolonged feedback straight into "approx.purified".   A great song with what I like to refer as the 'earthtonal wailing' and on this occasion had Oz experimenting a little with the chorus guitar rhythm using a higher key, again exchanging Cheshire grins this time with Karl (well it was either that or he fucked-up).

"Remember that Japanese quiz show Endurance?   Well we're in it...... I know the other bands didn't complain, but we are queerer than they are.  What can I say?......."  Karl comments on the continued molestation from the relentless heat.  Someone shouts, "Where's the cling film?" with a very quick retort from Karl, "Cling film was the summer-look, it now the autumn!  Checkout your catalogues, you won't see it anywhere".   There were laughs and applause all-round as they then kicked into "Evil Crawling I".

It was now time for the cabaret as Karl welcomes 'Ben Calvert' who appeared from backstage to guest on drums (apparently completely naked(?), thankfully I was unable to see!).  "Give him a cheer, COME ON." shouts Karl.  "Respect for the former drummer from Kill II This.  Kicked out for the heinous crime of being, 'an alright bloke'."  There was also a fan called 'James Hardacre' who was pulled up onto the stage from the crowd by Oz and stood at Joe's mike to perform the vocals. 

A very chaotic version of "Vitriolic HSF" later and everyone in the band is laughing their socks off as the whole thing falls apart into a shambolic but enjoyable ending.  Nobody really cared... "I think it is fairly clear why we've ascended the ladder of 'Rockdom' now.  I am really sorry that we had to do that!" exclaimed Karl, as Ben and James scuttered off stage equipped with grins equivalent to 200,000 Richard Branson's (copyright: Eddie Stratton).

"Withered" was their last song for the night, received with the usual explosion of delight and from somewhere everyone finds the strength to once again become completely frenzied.  As the song ends, Karl is giving-out his thanks and the feedback begins to decay, I already start to reflect on what was an excellent 45 minutes of pure incantation.  It was time during which I was so captivated, a concentration of experience that only seemed to last a few seconds of real time.  Time during which nothing else mattered, except the mission of enjoyment...... Heat, what heat?

A little while after, reality started to dawn on me.   I was completely knackered, drenched in sweat and I'd had enough really.  We were also faced with the predicament of having our transport locked in the car park for the night, so collectively we decided to call it a night at the expense of missing Vacant Stare. I saw them last July supporting Earthtone9 and I liked them.  They are a good young, up-and-coming band, so hopefully I will get another chance to catch them elsewhere.... such is life......  I really couldn't complain as I'd just enjoyed a fabulous night of entertainment. Cheers guys.

Rigsby.
www.iwillbeheard.co.uk

 

The Evolution 2000 - Phase One - Slam Jam dates were:

5th October - Fleece and Firkin, Bristol, ENGLAND   (Sold Out)*.
6th October - The Garage, London, ENGLAND   (Sold Out)*.
7th October - Rock City, Nottingham, ENGLAND   (Sold Out)*.
8th October - Woughton Centre, Milton Keynes, ENGLAND.

*Note: Since that gig, it has become apparent that the four date Evolution 2000 - Phase One mini-tour sold out in Bristol, London and Nottingham and was so close to doing the same in Milton Keynes!!!  Well done to everyone involved.

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