25 February 2010 (gig)
07 March 2010
The fuzzed up garage rock pair kicked off the 'Post-Nothing' album tour way back this time last year, around the time the critically acclaimed debut was released, almost immediately having to re-schedule the North American leg due to the small matter of singer/guitarist Brian King needing emergency surgery on a life threatening stomach ulcer.
He and David Prowse (drums and vocals) tonight return for their second visit to Manchester, this their first headline here show is a near sell-out. Eight months on and there are no signs of malady. Much the opposite. Brian is on heat, spring-loaded he bounds across-stage and scales the drum kit throughout the emphatic set.
Taken from the self-released and sold out 2008 EP Lullaby Death Jams, 'No Allegiance To The Queen' provides a storming opener. Seemingly surprised and humbled by such a raucous welcome, any note-takers are asked to stop writing and boot-leggers recording as Manchester is essentially told it’s the best. The appreciative Deaf Institute believes, but hopes they don’t say that to all the venues. Of course you didn’t hear that from me.
The stomp of 'Boys Are Leaving Town' follows proving to be a favourite on the night and repeatedly asks 'Will we find our back home?' Erm.. not for a while lads, this tour rolls on for good while yet. David takes over main vocal duties on Rockers East Vancouver and yeah it might not sound like it but there's still only two of them.
An intoxicating energy sweats from these two and the audience match their ethusiasm as they go on to tear through a set that includes most of the debut album as well as covers of Big Black and McLusky songs. Quarter-life angst, a refusal to grow up, make up much of the content , written from a place where today matters most, where girls and the next drink is mans biggest worry. At nearly 4quid a pint and a mainly male puntership in here tonight there's no surprise in the instant band/fan rapport on show.
The odd early technical hitch is well forgotten by the end and we filter out beaming. Japandroids crack on with the tour and take their scuzzy fun-filled brand of punk pop to SXSW in Texas in a few weeks then on through North America and back to Europe . So , the boys are now leaving town but check the gig listings. They'll be back
Mark Evans
