22 December 2007 (gig)
02 January 2008
Yorkshire, home to the Arctic Monkeys, The Kaiser Cheifs, The Pigeon Detectives, The Cribs and now The Wallbirds, the most exciting new band to emerge from the nothern talent pool that is currently dominating the music charts.
On Decemeber 22nd the Wallbirds played a gig at a small bar in the city of Wakefield, near Leeds, and I was one of the lucky few to witness this great event.
The only thing that comes close to describing the energy of this band is to compare them to a tornado, a precise blast of extreme force on a small area with devastating repercussions.
On this night at the 'Escobar’, in the centre of the small Yorkshire city, I was introduced to performance perfection. I have tried to think of something negative to say, for the sake of journalistic accuracy, but having reflected on the gig over the Christmas period I have struggled to find such a remark. All ten songs were absorbing from start to finish.
This was a brilliant performance, even Pigeon Detectives frontman Matt Bowman was present at the Escobar gig to view the Wallbirds, who supported the PG on their latest UK tour.
The Wallbirds are a folk trio from Doncaster who are currently making waves in the music scene with their first single release 'The Avenue’. Walt Wallbird (guitar, vocals), Lucas Wallbird (Bass, vocals) and Chris Wallbird (drums, vocals) form the band and they do make quite a racket for a three piece.
With the lyrics, 'Well I rob a bank to make some money' from the song 'Desperate’ the set started and did not disappoint. It grabbed the audience’s attention and didn’t let go again until the climax of 'Ballard of Life’ at the end of the 35minute set.
The highlight of the gig was 'Changes with the moon’, a highly singable number which forced the ever growing crowd into a stomp-fest as the three boys danced around the stage banging drumsticks and slamming their hands together.
For the short time the band played everybody danced around and shouted encouragment to the lads on stage until it was hard to seperate the band from their supporters.
This was among the best gigs I have been privileged to attend and The Wallbirds easily compete with the best of British talent. If given the opportunity I would certainly see this band again.
The single 'The Avenue’ is available to download and Wallbird singer Walt tells me that an album is in the pipeline, due out late this year.
Set list:
1. Desperate
2. New York
3. Goodbye life
4. Changes with the moon.
5. Valentine
6. The Avenue
7. Memories
8. Harmony
9. 8 o’clock blues
10. Ballard of life.
www.myspace.com/thewallbirds
