LIVE REVIEW: Battlesnake @ Bodega, Nottingham
For an Autumn evening, the air is mild and dry in the East Midlands tonight, providing a welcoming atmosphere for those who have hopped on the tram to the Bodega. One of Nottingham’s most beloved venues with a rich history behind it, the Bodega has seen some truly exceptional bands cut their teeth on its stage over the years – BATTLESNAKE, the Australian septet who live in a world of hard rock, proto metal and loud costumes, are the latest to see if they can follow in the footsteps of big names such as COLDPLAY and THE WHITE STRIPES in being another landmark act to ply their trade within these hallowed walls.
First up, though, are local four piece RETINA who, if you like MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, might just be your new favourite band. There’s a lot of emo and alt rock worship from the band, particularly in the opening one-two of For Real and Buzzing Flies, while Face Down takes a more pop punk route indicative of FALL OUT BOY. For a group who have played a number of shows in and around the city, however, they seem incredibly nervous – their stage patter is often followed with the words “we hope you enjoy this”, an indication that they’re just hopeful for a warm reaction and an audience who enjoy their craft. They achieve that easily, but a bit more attitude and caution thrown to the wind will help them develop a fearsome live reputation and hold them in much better stead.
Rating: 6/10
LUNA AND THE LIME SLICES open with I’ve Been Trying, a very emotive, grungy number that, all of sudden, switches to a style more in line with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE. It’s a curious beginning and one that starts a set of both appreciation and intrigue – namely, where the hell are this band going to go on their next song? Pangea goes more gothic and post-punk in line with bands such as THE CURE and UNTO OTHERS (it’s a great song, though) and it’s followed up immediately by Mindless Tendencies which is far more atmospheric and post-rock. It’s impressive at their competency with multiple genres, yet there’s also a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’ air around, as if they’re trying to be good at a number of styles without wanting to be excellent at one. The decision to have a drum solo in their set is a questionable choice, as is the decision to extend one number, but the potential of LUNA AND THE LIME SLICES is definitely there, however more refinement is needed.
Rating: 6/10
The first thing to note about BATTLESNAKE is that there are only six people on stage, which might be due to the simple fact that the small Bodega stage just doesn’t fit them all, especially in their outfits. Dressed in full priest regalia, they look like they’ve come straight from mass at the Vatican than down under, but their riff-laden worship to the legends of the game is one that, while definitely preached to a choir, is heard and glorified loud by a small, yet very appreciative audience. Bouncing from songs off latest record The Rise and Demise Of The Motorsteeple along with other choice cuts from their back catalogue, this is a show that proves, beyond all doubt, there will ALWAYS be a place for bands who play the classic, NWOBHM style no matte the year.
Whether it’s the sheer insanity of Pterodactyl Firehawk, the mid-song Bible-reading in Motorgut or the fact that closing track Nightmare King segues into a full-blown cover of Let There Be Rock by AC/DC and back, it’s a party that’s only dampened by the fact that it’s being held on a Tuesday night and everyone’s got work in the morning. With band members regularly in the audience and on each other’s shoulders, it’s a boatload of fun from start to finish.
Rating: 8/10
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