White Rose Movement, Live Review
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White Rose Movement Birmingham Barfly 30th November |
After standing outside in the freezing cold for an extra 30 minutes before being let into the venue. I took solace in thinking the atmosphere would soon warm us all up. The venue was previously a mortuary and it seemed there were still a few ghoul’s lurking around to cause the low temperature.
Soon after, the first band 35 Seconds emerged. They were what can only be described as an indie/jazz band trying to mix programmed samples over the top. The samples were thick and overpowering like fog, it was hard to see where they were going with their music. But let me say now the PA system in the venue was a pile of shit; it was fuzzy and muffled the music. Anyway 35 Seconds were the reason I had to wait an extra 30 minutes outside in the cold because they were sound checking late.
They shouldn’t have bothered their sound was music by numbers and the only redeeming feature was the drummer. The guitarist looked like he had been cut out of a metal band and put on the stage as a last minute substitute. It was appalling and not appealing. Their song Walk The Plank just about sums them up.
The second act on were another band we had never heard of called Rubicks. They are a duo from London and they also use a sampling machine for drum beats and more effects. We were pleasantly surprised by Rubicks, they were vibrant and full of energy. Reminiscing on the event; in the right venue and the right audience, Rubicks could really have a show on their hands !
After their 30 minute set, Rubicks left and White Rose Movement appeared. The venue was nowhere near full and was as cold as at the beginning. The band burst into London's Mine and then fired off Girls In The Back. The rest of what we heard was nothing that was worth writing about. They seemed dejected by the low attendance and in the midst of a UK tour, they looked unenthusiastic and bored. Of course the audience would have perked up for Love Is A Number and Alsatian, but we did not stick around to see the audience hand it to them on a plate. It's not only your best songs you need the audience to like but it is your under card too.
This may have been an off day and the venue may have had its hand in the problems. But we have seen White Rose Movement play before and we know they can do better.
