Review: Strike Anywhere, Camden Underworld
- Posted on November 19, 2006 9:25 AM
- 0 comments
Camden Underworld, London
November 11, 2006
Richmond Virginia's Strike Anywhere - arguably punk's most prized band at the moment - have a third album released on Fat Wreck (Dead FM - seriously, listen to it), a loyal, passionate fan base and a reputation for being a bit good live.
The Underworld is perfect for them - spacious yet intimate, an ideal environment for their uplifting, focussed anger to be unleashed. Their sound is hardly rocket science, but it is performed with an emotional honesty that transcends the limits of their chosen genre. And, indeed, emotion and honesty are what Strike Anywhere are all about - particularly when they break into 'Sedition', a song about lead singer Thomas' grandfather's unwitting contribution to the Atom bomb, and the responsibility and guilt that passes through generations. It is these personal, passionate touches that make them so special - rather than sing about societal oppression in abstract terms, Strike Anywhere sing from their hearts and aim for yours...
Live, they are an energetic force to be reckoned with, with a tightness that is truly impressive. The vocals are great, with Thomas' ability to go from throaty melodies to screams in virtually the space of half a sentence. But, to be fair, he has an awful lot of audience help in terms of singing along. Plus, their between-song-bantered truly connects with the audience. When Thomas asks, "Who's still working jobs they hate?", at least three quarters of the audience roar in response, and then he gives us a short speech on remaining positive through this "capitalist nightmare" before they reel out 'You're Fired' - a protest against a world in which work is worshipped for its own sake. It sounds cheesy, but when you're there (and, indeed, if you work a job you hate) it's great to see a band that truly understands how our current situation affects us on a very personal level.
Given Strike Anywhere's predilection for extremely catchy, anthemic hardcore tunes, there is a massive feeling of a community completely unified for an hour. Singalongs become genuinely moving protests in their own right- particularly 'Hollywood Cemetary's' simple but effective shoutalong breakdown of "If we don't sort it, who fucking will?". But even though they're promoting their new 'un, Strike Anywhere reel out the crowdpleasing tracks from their two previous albums with the same committed fervour, making you realise how limp and loveless so much mainstream 'alternative' music is at the moment.
It is difficult to see exactly where Strike Anywhere can go with their sound from here, but, for the moment, they are a shining example of exactly what punk should and can be.
By Paul Case
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