The Cellar, Southampton
On a freezing Wednesday evening we head for Southampton to catch my current favourite band Nine Black Alps supporting American Rockers “And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead”.
After meeting 3 of the band at the merch stall we venture upstairs to catch their set. If there’s one word I can use to describe their performance it’s RAW! NBA are on a mission to give this near-full room a show to remember. They open with staple live favourite “Not Everyone” and set out their stall early. I will put bias to one side and stick to the facts. Despite a few glitches; most notably with David’s guitars they are energetic throughout. There’s no moshpit tonight, just adulation. Carl’s William Reid-isms are in full flow while Sam (vox) is using the full width of the stage. On “Don’t Forget To Breathe” James drums are powerful while “Vampire In The Sun” is Grungey in the extreme. “Unsatisfied” is bettered only by new live favourite “Be My Girl” before they end with 3 songs from “Everything Is”. Despite being a support tour NBA give an unforgettable performance and I for one eagerly await their return.
Nine Black Alps
I have to admit I only know one song by the headliners, which after opener “It Was There That I Saw You” they perform. “Mistakes and Regrets” is a great song, even after all these years and gets a great reaction. What follows however is totally lost on me. I try and listen open-mindedly, hoping to be impressed. Sadly to use an old cliche “I’ve heard it all before”. Admittedly one cannot question musicianship or vocals, which are clear and abundant – I’m just not “jumping up and down!” Thankfully for the band I’m in the minority and this crowd are lapping it up giving good applause throughout. The Weezer-esque “Weight Of The Sun” is a set highlight but for me that’s as good as it gets. Jamie (drums) is the star of the show however with some ferocious hitting throughout, with no let up. Autry (bass) banters with the crowd occasionally and says were better than Leeds. The response is immediate. Conrad and Jason are confident and amusing in equal measure and after their finale “Another Morning Stoner” they leave to long,loud applause. I just wish I could be more complimentary! I wish them well but with an 18 year career (and counting) who am I to criticise.
Setlists
Nine Black Alps
Not Everyone
Buy Nothing
Get Your Guns
Cosmopolitan
Don’t Forget To Breathe
Vampire In The Sun
Unsatisfied
Burn Faster
Be My Girl
Heavier Than Water
Just Friends
Ironside
Shot Down
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead
It Was There That I Saw You
Mistakes And Regrets
Catatonic
Up To Infinity
Worlds Apart
Relative Ways
Homage
The Spiral Jetty
Weight Of The Sun
Aged Dolls
A Perfect Teenhood
Clair de Lune
Will You Smile Again?
Totally Natural
Another Morning Stoner
Band Links
http://www.andyouwillknowusbythetrailofdead.com
http://www.nineblackalps.com
Pictures & Review by Ross A. Ferrone.
