29 September 2016 (gig)
20 October 2016
I’ve been keeping a loose tab on Pretty Vicious for a while now and I finally got my chance to check them out at the ever impressive Heaven nightclub.
Just like anyone else above thirty, I was initially drawn to the band by the thinly veiled Sex Pistols influence in the name. However, my interest was definitely enhanced by the quality of the tunes and their youth. I would imagine none of the group were even born when the Pistols reunited in Finsbury Park back in 1996!
As I enter Heaven’s legendary arches, I stand at the back of the crowd just as they take the stage. The venue certainly isn’t rammed but that doesn’t hinder the enthusiasm of the mosh pit at the front which gets going as the drummer hits the first beat.
In keeping with the Sex Pistols, the start is slightly shambolic. Not sure what went on in the sound check but the first tune is excruciatingly loud and pretty much inaudible. Thankfully though, the sound engineer is on to it and by the end of the second tune, ‘Are You Ready For Me’, the sound is bang on.
The boys launch into their upcoming new single. ‘Blister’. Brad Griffiths is of few words but his strong charisma shines through as they crash through another rock number ‘Down My Way’. The blue touch paper is hit with the crowd with ‘National Plastics’ which is followed up by a great cover of ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’, a tune often covered by Sid Vicious himself.
The crowd again go berserk for Artic Monkeys inspired ‘Cave Song’ as the night comes to a close.
Pretty Vicious are not reinventing the wheel but they have great potential and it’s a breath of fresh air to see a young band deliver an uncompromising set where the hardcore rock ‘n’ roll comes thick and fast. They’ve got some great tunes and will only get better. Definitely one to keep an eye out for.
