07 December 2009 (gig)
14 December 2009
On Monday 7th December London Blackmarket played to a packed crowd in East London to announce the release of their 2nd single The Hardest Stone To Throw. Supported by The 10.04's who it has to be said will be worth checking out again, the Essex band did not disappoint, far from it. They revelled in the opportunity to play to an excited audience frequently thanking all those present for their attendance. It's good to be appreciated, a feeling the band should soon be experiencing.
The 4-piece play ballsy rocknroll with more than a touch of mystique channelling the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Nirvana and Titus Andronicus, but steer clear of comparisons for they should be judged on their own merit. Opening with the new single, lead singer Nicholas Long launches into the set with a spit of agitation, eager to please and belt out their sound. Followed by Lina's Store they hit the ground running and the setlist that follows justifies the excitement surrounding them.
Describing themselves as peasant rock highlighting the ramshackle look of a group of musicians who would rather be no where else and the throaty roar of an impassioned voice, the band seem keen to avoid genre stabilising which is fine by us.
John The Baptist is intriguing, offering a great change of pace, bringing to mind Cymbals Eat Guitars and Army of Crooks is a superb track, almost epic in its transition from super fast rock out to twiddly psychedelic space romp. The band are clearly fine musicians and with Checkmate thrown in at a pace that has the crowd on edge, it's obvious how good a debut album will be.
London Blackmarket are a great rocknroll band with soul and spirit. Check out their tour dates and sounds of course at http://www.myspace.com/londonblackmarket. Peace!
