My Gallows Dingwalls & Electric Ballroom reviews

Check out my reviews of the gigs Gallows played at Dingwalls and Electric Ballroom on the 17th December. Please leave a comment or share the links. Thanks.

Reviews www.bringthenoiseuk.com/

Dingwalls review

Electric Ballroom review

Amazing frontman

And lovely guy. I look up to Frank a lot because he does his own thing, is good at it, and doesn't give a flying fuck what anyone else thinks. It's always a pleasure when I see him, a true gent.

I found this ace picture of him here. It's a really cool blog so check it out.

Stu

Gallows Twice!

Friday and Saturday saw two fantastic Gallows gigs that couldn't have been more different if they tried. On Friday I travelled to Kingston to see them at the Fighting Cocks. Last time they played Kingston I missed it and was gutted for days so I sure as hell wasn't missing this one! The sun was blazing and as we arrived at the 100 capacity venue we knew we were in for a sweaty night, especially as 150 tickets had been sold. The band were milling around and we had to squeeze into the tiny room they'd be playing.

I've never been one for moshing and normally steer well clear of the pit (because I don't want to break my nose and normally have a fresh tattoo I don't want to get cut up) but there was no way of avoiding the pit this time as it took up half the room. Most of the guys were shirtless and going mental so the humidity, made up of pure sweat, was making it hard for everyone to breathe, including the band. But the dancing, moshing, stage diving (even without a stage) didn't stop all night and even when Frank looked like he was going to collapse he just kept on going. It was definitely my number one Gallows gig and probably in my top two or three gigs of all time.

Eva Spence joined the band to sing Black Heart Queen and she gave me a big wave when she saw me. She's such a sweetie. We actually went to see Rolo Tomassi a couple of weeks ago at Underworld and they were brilliant, of course. Everyone leaving the gig was saturated. My hands looked like I'd been in a bath, my hair was wet through and you could have wrung my clothes out. Everyone was in a great mood though and it was one of the friendliest gigs I've ever been to.

On Saturday it was the Bizarre Ball and Gallows were due to play at 1am. My god it really was bizarre. I knew it was going to be full of people in fetish gear and fancy dress but I was not expecting to see so many willies. Boobs yes but willies no. My word. Also I don't know why so many fat girls choose to wear corsets. Each to their own and all that but a corset does not give a fat person a waist, it just emphasises that fact the don't have one and then gives them back boobs to match the front ones. Anyway, I digress. I'd made the effort and bought some amazing eyelashes and spent ages getting my eyes right. I even wore heels but had to change into pumps because I have granny feet and was in pain.

We stood through some pretty ropey performances and managed to get right to the front ready for Gallows. I was pretty happy until 10 minutes before they were due on a midget took a fake shit in a potty, fed it to his mate and then threw the remaining water and toilet paper in my face. Eyelashes were removed and I was still picking toilet paper out of my hair the next morning. If I could have kicked that midget's arse I would have done. But that would have been wrong.

Gallows finally took to the stage, watched by their beautiful other halves, in balaclavas. Steph kept his on for all of 30 seconds and the rest lasted about 1 minute longer. They played a blinding set and were on top form considering the crowd was crap. The highlight was when Frank spotted me between songs, waved, said hi and asked how my tattoo was. He said he was worried about the bruising. I assured him it was fine. We left the minute the set was done (not before Lags threw a snare drum through the air and nearly hit me haha) and was home by 3am.

I'm just sad I didn't get to see them play Hyde Park with Rage Against the Machine but twice in just over 24 hours was good enough for me.

My Newest Tattoo

I got a new tattoo this weekend. Not only is it new it was also done by the rather talented Mr. Frank Carter. We all know I'm a Gallows fan but Frank's not only a great singer and lyricist he's an even better artist and tattooer.

I let him do whatever he wanted pretty much. I said I wanted a rose bud and bloom and that I wanted them red but that was it. The tattooer always knows best and Frank has a very distinctive style, he certainly didn't disappoint.

For some reason I was under the impression he was a heavy handed tattoo artist and I went in a bit nervous but turns out he's very gentle and I was almost drifting off to sleep at one point. My arm did fall asleep and there was an unfortunate misplaced hand incident but the less said about that the better I think.

Out of all of my tattoos this one has the least meaning. It was more about the artist than the design however I think I've changed quite a lot over the last 6 months and I guess the bud and bloom represent that to some extent.

So here it is. This photo was taken straight after it was done so it's not looking its best. Since this photo was taken my arm doubled in size, went yellow and purple (so fantastically that Frank took a photo) and is now scabbing and peeling. All perfectly normal but I'll be glad when it's finally heeled.

I recommend you get a tattoo from Frank if you get the chance, he's at Frith Street over the Summer. I'm all booked in for my next one with him on Monday so there'll be another update very soon.

My Gallows Clips

I just uploaded all of my Gallows clips from Kentish Town Forum and Watford Colosseum to Youtube...in one video! The sound is ropey in places but thought I'd share it anyway.

Oh Didn't You hear?

I parted with £46 the other day so I could own one of Steph Carter's old Fred Perry shirts. Pathetic I know. It does fit me though!

New Tattoo

I got a new tattoo a few weeks back. I would have posted a photo sooner but it took a while to heal (it was nice and dry and scabby for a week). I've posted photos and meanings behind all of my other tattoos so thought I'd do the same with this one.

First off, I didn't intend for it to be this big (it wraps around a lot so getting a good pic is really hard) but I'm glad it came out this large. I think the bigger the better with tattoos and I want to get my sleeve finished before I get married next year so it just means less space is left to cover!

If you can't tell what it is...and I really hope you can, it is in fact an anchor with a banner wrapped round it reading "Mayday". First and foremost it's a Gallows reference. Their song Abandon Ship is my favourite from their first album and it starts with the words "Mayday, mayday". I chat a lot on here about how I love Gallows so I won't go into it too much but they perform with such passion and put out the most mind blowing music and I just wanted to get a tattoo to pay homage to that. I'm planning a gypsy head with "Misery" written beneath it next as that's my favourite song from the second album and it has a lot of personal meaning to me.

The anchor and text are also a reference to the fact my grandfather went down on a ship in the second world war, drowning somewhere near Russia. I love old school sailor tattoos and I think this one works really well with my sailor swallows which I also got, in part, for him.

A couple of other ideas I have for my sleeve are a cartoon pin-up Silk Spectre and a bubblegum pink diamond with SPQR written with it.

Star Struck!

We went to see Rolo Tomassi the other night at Barfly in Camden. They were so much fun and seemed to spend more time in the audience than they did on stage. Now I wish I could say seeing them play live was the highlight of my night but it really wasn't and this makes me a bad person. The highlight of my night was seeing Stephen Carter working behind the merch stand!

I'm a crazy Gallows fan, their music is so important to me and from what I've seen they're all really nice guys. I know the Carter brothers hate the whole fan thing, when people put them up on pedestals as something they're not but I couldn't help being star struck when I saw Steph. I'm not going to lie, I do have a tiny crush on him but it was just so cool to see someone who puts out the most amazing music stood a foot away from you.

His gorgeous girlfriend Eva Spence is the singer of Rolo Tomassi and she was selling her cute accessories from Night of the Living Thread. I bought an ace headband and necklace. She was really sweet as well and I really wish I'd asked for a photo with her. I'm hoping she has a merch stall at the next Gallows gig so that I can ask her for one. If you haven't heard Rolo Tomassi you should take a listen, I don't know how such a huge voice can come out of someone so dinky!

Abandon Ship

The SS Death lost everything
No one here can fucking swim
So baby, baby hold me tight
While I drown myself in you tonight

Mayday Mayday
The ship has hit the rocks again
This isn't going to fucking work
We're heading to our graves

2010 Will Be My Year...I Hope!

Sorry for lack of updates yet again, although I don't have many readers so I'm sure it's no big deal. I think I'll be packing a few things in this blog post I'm afraid.

Firstly, happy new year! Last year I wrote a blog post saying how great 2008 was and how 2009 didn't hold as much promise. It did and it didn't I guess. Nothing hugely exciting happened to me in the first half of the year, the second half was definitely more eventful! Due to a few changes at work I managed to progress further in my job than I'd expected and things have gone from strength to strength there in the past 3 or 4 months. A good team of great people is a valuable thing indeed and I'm proud to work in one.

I was introduced to some great music last year and I hope it continues in 2010. My new favourite band has the be The Darling Buds who did a great acoustic set at Victoria Gate a few months back. Their music is stunning and you should check them out immediately. I managed to go and see Skint & Demoralised quite a lot and that's just always great fun, I can't wait to hear new stuff from Matt Skint this year. My two favourite bands, My Chemical Romance and One Night Only have had quiet years but should be back in 2010 with a vengeance! I can't wait. So far this year I'm all set to go and see Gallows (I'm very excited about this gig) and Rolo Tomassi. I still plan to get a Gallows inspired tattoo this year if I can afford it and get an appointment with the amazing Valerie Vargas.

Talking of music, have you seen the Lady Gaga video for Bad Romance? Best video of 2009 by far...

Things got really great for me just before new year week when my gorgeous boyfriend of 7 years proposed to me! Having spent a fortune on amazing xmas presents for me he waited until 1am Boxing Day morning to present me with a card (with a photo of Bob Dylan on it) declaring that we were going to Rome for 3 days. He popped the question next to a beautiful ancient fountain on the Palatine Hill and of course I said YES! So it looks like 2010 will be filled with bridal magazines, wedding shows and money saving for me. Bring it on.

That's it I guess. Maybe I should set a new years resolution to update on here at least once a week and make it more topical....I think I'll fail outright but I'll give it a go.

Little Catch Up

I really neglect this blog, last time I wrote anything I'd just been to Camden Crawl, that was like a month ago, so I should update everyone on what's been going on since then.

Firstly I tried to get fit and healthy. This mainly involved me not drinking and putting my new running shoes to good use around Regents Park.

I managed 3 full weeks with no booze, which isn't easy when you live in Camden, work for a company that embraces a drinking culture and class the Hawley Arms as your second home. I managed to slowly start getting better at running, although to be honest my lungs felt like they were going to implode. I haven't smoked for at least 7 years, and even then it was never much, but oh my god my lungs don't like exercise. Never the less I was loving popping on my ipod and trying to find my 'power song'  to run to, so far it's a toss up between half the songs on the new Lily Allen album and Gallows 'The Vulture'. It all went tits-up when a gig I was going to on Monday got cancelled, Skint & Demoralised at the Camden Roundhouse, and we ended up having a bit of a drinking session with Mr. Skint himself, Matt Abbott. We got a rather intimate spoken word session with him in the beer garden (see video and ignore my ridiculous laughing and cackling in the background).

So that was the end of my health streak. I've not had a hangover like the one I had the next day for years. You don't even want to know how ill I was. I wouldn't mind but that much alcohol wouldn't have had much effect on me 3 weeks earlier so trying to be healthy actually made me sick....well that's my excuse anyway.

I also managed to catch a really odd gig on Tuesday night with my mate Sam. We went to the Lock Tavern to try and see Joe Lean and the Jing Jang Jong do a dj set but ended up leaving after the first two bands. The first was great but we didn't catch their name, bloody typical, the second was called something like Sparky and the something or other deathcap. Oh my god it was the most surreal experience of my life, he had an OHP! So we left and got chips instead which just fucked up my diet even more....along with the pint of cider.

Next came Gallows at Kentish Town Forum. Fucking amazing, out of this world, perfection! That band are fantastic live, they give everything and Frank Carter is so engaging. The only down side was we were up top and you can't stand up up there, we eventually did for the last couple of songs but I'm sure it was way more fun down the front. I managed to spend £30 on merch and have a pint so this time my purse was feeling the pain as well as my liver. I left adamant that a Gallows tattoo is the way forward and I'm searching for a great lyric and an image to pull together as a start of my sleeve.

I also went drinking Friday and Saturday, as well as shopping, so I pretty much cleared my bank account and the health streak is dead and buried. Next steps? Polish off the vegan cakes I bought yesterday, finish this blog and go for a run. Well, maybe I'll have a nap first. 

This week maybe wasn't my finest, god I did some stupid things, but it sure as hell was a lot of fun.

The Vulture

Gallows are just unbelievably good in my eyes. I cannot wait for their new album Grey Britain. This is their new single. I love this video, Frank Carter looks wicked in a suit. I'm seeing them on 21st May and if the last time I saw them is anything to go by they'll be brilliant.

Favourite Bands and Artists

I wrote about my favourite films last week so I'll carry on the theme and do favourite bands/artists this week. I will get to books eventually too. I don't think this will be as long as my last post you'll be pleased to hear, with the exception of maybe one or two. I find music really hard to talk about, I know nothing about it really. I play no instruments, although I do have grade 1 recorder, woo hoo! I have a really odd relationship with music because in some ways it affects me far more than film but I never have the time to listen to it much so I'm quite limited in what I listen too. I have an amazing friend who is trying his hardest to make me listen to stuff he thinks I'll like and I'm slowly working through it all....slowly, maybe if I update this list next year there'll be a few new entries.

So here we go, in no particular order BUT starting with my all time No.1!

1) My Chemical Romance
I can't seem to write a single post without mentioning this band but that's because, and I say this in all seriousness, they are my life. It's become an 'MCR' cliche to say 'they saved my life' and it's so melodramatic but they really got me through some awful times and I so wish they'd been around when I was a teenager.

I used to catch my boyfriend watching their videos from time to time, I'd seen the 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' video and I just didn't get it. I loved the song and thought I might like them but I assumed they were teenagers that had been overstyled by their record company and that just turned me off. Then I was driving home from work in Coventry one day in 2006, I lived there for a few years and had managed to lose any sense of who I was or wanted to be, Scott Mills had a new record of the week - 'Welcome To The Black Parade'. That was it, I was hooked. I went out and bought all of their albums and any magazines I could find with them in, I did it all wrong and listened to the albums from newest to oldest but by the time I'd finished my life was turned around. This was the band I'd waited for my whole life. Suddenly I didn't mind getting up in the morning, it was a excuse to find out more about them and listen to more songs. I realised that they really were their own band and were much older and smarter than I'd ever realised.

Within a week I had my first 'MCR' tattoo, it's just MCR written on my wrist. People think I'll regret it, trust me when I say I could never regret it. It's not just their music, it's them, it's what they say, what they stand for, how they treat their fans, it's an aesthetic, an attitude. Everything. They've changed my life and I want that documented on my body. I now also have a piece of artwork form their 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)' single on my arm and I'm planning many, many, more. Because of 'MCR' I've found my own sense of style again, I've found myself again.

People either love or hate 'MCR', there are few people that sit on the fence. I'm a true believer that you can't simply hate something because you think it's cool to hate something and also you should listen to as much as you can by a band before you make up your mind. People judge 'MCR' on two things. One, the fact their classed as emo. They are not emo! They're what the media classes as emo. Read your music history books and you'll soon see what emo is/was. Two, 'The Black Parade' album. Yes it was over the top, yes the singles appealed to the 'emo' *rolls eyes* crowd but that's not all the album was and that's certainly not what their other albums are like. So I'll give you a little overview of each of their albums so that you can understand this point a little better.

'I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love' - This album is pretty raw and their most 'punk' sounding, it's really uncommercial and was released under New Jersey label Eyeball Records. The band formed straight after September 11th and the song 'Skylines and Turnstiles' deals with this issue. The rest of the songs reference vampires and death quite heavily. The vampires often represent people who feed off of others for their own selfish gains and the death mentions often refer to bad relationships and breakups. It's a concept album and the story loosely centers on two lovers who find the world overrun with vampires and go on the run. There are also mentions of Gerard Way's (as well as other members of the band's) early drug and alcohol abuse.
My favourite songs are 'Our Lady Of Sorrows', 'Demolition Lovers', 'Early Sunsets Over Monroeville' and 'Headfirst For Halos'.

'Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge' - Certainly more commercial and released under Warner Reprise, this is where I'd say the majority of fans got on board but also where they lost some of their earlier, more underground fanbase. It's yet another concept album and takes off where the last one ended. The guy sells his soul to the devil, delivering the souls of 1000 evil men, in return for the soul of his damned lover who was bitten by vampires. It deals strongly with homosexuality, self esteem and most obviously loss. Gerard and Mikey's grandmother died as they were writing it and the whole album is dedicated to her.
My favourite songs are 'I'm Not Okay (I Promise)', 'Thank You For The Venom' and my all time favourite of theirs 'It's Not A Fashion Statement, It's A Fucking Deathwish'.

'The Black Parade' - This album was inspired by artists like Queen and David Bowie. It's a rock-opera and saw a real shift in sound and style. The concept is about a young man, 'The Patient' who's just died from cancer, and it's a look back at various episodes in his life. By this time Gerard was completely clean and sober and so there are references to his addictions and issues. Mikey, the bassist, went through a severe depression whilst recording and nearly left the band and this is spoken about on the record as well.
My favourite songs are 'Famous Last Words', 'Mama', 'Disenchanted', 'This Is How I Disappear' and 'The Sharpest Lives'. BUT listen to the bsides to all of the singles, they're amazing and 'Kill All Your Friends' is one of my favourite songs ever.

Wow I've written a lot here. Sorry. I've not written half of what I'd like to either! Just one last thing. 'MCR's' singer Gerard Way is my ultimate hero. He suffers from depression, has been a drug addict and alcoholic but he's cleaned himself up and never stopped caring about the fans or the music. He tells his fans to look after themselves, seek help if they have depression, are getting bullied or suffer from self harm and other issues, he also does a huge amount of work (along with the rest of the band) for the 'Make A Wish Foundation' and other charities. He turned a tragedy like September 11th into something positive for himself and the rest of the band. He's an amazing artist and comic book writer. I managed to meet him last year and he was a true gentleman. We also won some tickets to an exclusive fan only gig they played at KOKO, when they played 'Famous Last Words' Gerard came into the audience and held my hand as he sang. It was the best day of my life. Unlike other bands and singers, and despite what some people think, I honestly believe he's a decent person and he's changed my life.

2) One Night Only
This is the only other band I would queue for hours to see (and I do) and spend money on buying tickets and merch....and I know I shouldn't. They are my guilty pleasure. I know they're not the best band in the world and my friends rip it out of me for liking them but I can't help it, they're very different to anything I normally listen to and I don't really understand why I like them so much, I guess their music makes me happy, what can I say?!
ONO only have one album, 'Started A Fire', and they've not been around for very long. I started liking them in April this year and I've met them so many times they actually recognise me now. Most people I meet don't know them, they've only had one big hit 'Just For Tonight' but some of their new stuff is really good and fingers crossed they'll have another hit soon.

I know some of their lyrics are bad but I put that down to the fact their young and maybe trying too hard but their gigs are always really good fun, I've met some really great people and good friends over the past few months and you always see the same faces. The band always sign autographs and take photos with their fans which is really nice too.
My favourite songs are 'This Kingdom Perfect', 'Just For Tonight', 'Newby Road' and 'Time'.

3) The Killers
I remember driving in my car in Coventry (again) and hearing 'Mr. Brightside' and thinking it was great. I even ran into the flat and told my boyfriend I'd just heard he best song ever.

Everyone knows who they are so I won't go into loads of detail. I LOVE their first album 'Hot Fuss' it has an 80's feel and even the most upbeat songs can have a slightly darker edge. My dream in life is to learn to play the guitar and perform 'Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll', even though I can't sing, if anyone can make that happen then call me. I'm not so keen on 'Sam's Town' their second album, it has a bit of a 'Bruce Springsteen', all-American feel to it that doesn't overly appeal to me but there are still some amazing songs on there. 'Sawdust', their compilation of rarities and bsides, is ace. I didn't pay much attention to it at first but I'm listening to it more and more recently and really enjoying it. Their new album 'Day & Age' is out later this month and I think it's going to be more like 'Hot Fuss' if the singles are anything to go by so I'm excited.

My favourite songs are 'Glamorous Indie Rock And Roll', 'Andy, You're A Star, 'Everything Will Be Alright', 'Jenny Was A Friend Of Mine', 'Uncle Jonny', 'Mr. Brightside' and 'Change Your Mind'.

4) Gallows

'Gallows' are just too good. I love hardcore punk and they've really bought it back and managed to get the feel of a band like 'Black Flag' but with a completely new edge. They come from Watford and have a reputation for staying away from their fans. Now I normally think it's important to interact with your fans but 'Gallows' do this in a different way, they use their Myspace and official website to give exclusive tracks and gig tickets to fans.

I managed to see them at Astoria and it was crazy, as Frank jumped into the crowd he was pulled down and nearly strangled. He managed to get back on stage and could hardly talk but he gave a great speech about how as fans we should never put musicians on a pedestal, it's about the music and nothing else. I should listen to that advice far more often but I do find it hard not to get carried away, especially when some bands music can be so personal so it's hard to know where to draw a line. Frank is also a tattoo artist and I'd love to get inked by him. My boyfriend keeps seeing him walking around Soho and I want him to kidnap him so he can tattoo me.

I wish there were more bands like 'Gallows'. They only have one album out at the moment 'Orchestra Of Wolves' and I'm wearing it out waiting for their new stuff. Head over to their Myspace to get a free download of a new song 'Gold Dust'.

My favourite songs are 'Abandon Ship', 'Orchestra Of Wolves' and their covers of 'Nervous Breakdown' and 'Staring At The Rude Bois'.

5) Leathermouth

This is Frank Iero from 'MCR's' other band and it's really different. They're hardcore punk and Franks screams his way through every song. Hardcore is Franks passion and it's so great to hear him go back to the music that has influenced him the most.

They don't have an album out yet but they've just signed to Epitaph and are due to release their debut in January which I just know will be out of this world. I'm hoping and praying they'll play some UK dates soon but I also know tickets will be a nightmare to get hold of.

My favourite songs are 'Murder Was The Case That They Gave Me' and 'Bodysnatchers Forever'.

I also love Franks old band 'Pencey Prep', they split up before 'MCR' started but I love their music. Frank sounds really whiney when he sings but the actual songs are great.

6) Amy Winehouse

I can't lie, I haven't heard her first album, well I've heard one or two songs but that doesn't count. However 'Back To Black' is fantastic. I love the old school sound with the modern lyrics and you cannot deny her voice is out of this world.

I used to hate Amy Winehouse, I thought her look was terrible and she was trying too hard. Then she went all 1960's beehive and tattoos and she became a Queen to me! I know that has nothing to do with the music but she just pulled the sound and the look together and it worked for me, she became a complete package. I really hope she comes up with some new tracks soon, she's certainly got enough to write about.

My favourite songs are 'You Know I'm No Good', 'Tears Dry On Their Own' and 'Back To Black'.

7) Backstreet Boys

My real guilty pleasure! I saw their first ever gig in the UK when they supported 'PJ & Duncan' (I won't go there) and I've never missed a show since. I even dragged my boyfriend along to a show in Birmingham once. He was not happy, especially when AJ said, " And now we're going to slow it down a bit," Adam was like, "Noooooooo! It's slow already!" Poor thing.

I know they're cheesey and I know they're manufactured but they're so polished and so dedicated to getting it right. I went to see them in concert this year and really wasn't expecting to enjoy it because they'd been away for so long. I went on my own and had the BEST time! They put on such a great show and I felt like I was 14 again....god that was so long ago! I won't go on about them, you know who they are and what they do.

My favourite songs are 'Shape Of My Heart', 'Drowning' and 'Anywhere For You'

I like other people too but I'm struggling to think of any I really care about at the moment. I love 'The Smiths', 'Joy Division', 'Misfits', 'Black Flag', 'Johnny Cash', 'Buddy Holly'....but those guys are all legends and I really don't know enough about them to write about their music. I also like 'The Libertines', 'Rise Against', 'Taking Back Sunday', 'Rancid', 'Paramore', 'Madonna', 'Greenday', 'Billy Talent', 'Air Traffic'.....oh and I won't hear a word said against 'Geri Halliwell'! I swear she tries so hard bless her and she's wicked! Oh and check this out.

So that's it. Next week you can read another essay on the books I like. They're getting shorter at least.