Review: The Gaslight Anthem

Review: The Gaslight Anthem

LIVE: The Gaslight Anthem
Concorde 2, 6th February 2009

New Jersey 4 piece the Gaslight Anthem are not your average modern day band. A full on old school good time rock ā€˜nā€™ roll band with a sound that is easily comparable to the man currently sitting on the top of the album charts, Mr. Bruce Springsteen. You wonā€™t find these lads sporting a funny haircut playing a synthesizer, you wonā€™t find Kate Moss at their shows and you certainly wonā€™t find them popping up on ā€œSkinsā€œ. They make music how it was meant to be made, from the heart.

So, it is no surprise that tonightā€™s headline show at the Concorde 2 is sold out. Ex Million Dead lead singer, Frank Turner warms up the crowd with some Billy Bragg-esque acoustic tidings. The crowd react in numbers and by the end of his set he has made a new bunch of friends, you can see why Frank is fast becoming quite the head Turner (Wallop!). The Gaslight Anthem take to the stage and it feels like everybody is here to have a good time. ā€œGreat Expectationā€ kicks off the set and everyone from 15 to 50 is moshing. As the band rip through a ferocious set of balls out rock it is no surprise why they have such a following, itā€™s almost impossible not to fall for their catchy tales of small town America. Singer, Brian Fallow is a little pocket rocket, both arms covered in tattoos he looks like a real punk, topped off by the jaunty flat cap. He had a huge smile on his face but he seems truly humbled by the reception him and his band are getting.

A mixture of old and new songs fill the set but the biggest cheers are saved for the new material of second album ā€œThe 59 Soundā€, it lends sounds from everything great to come out of USA, ā€œOld White Lincolnā€ sounding like fellow countrymen The Hold Steady and ā€œHigh Lonesomā€ sounding like The Boss, and ā€œMiles Davis and the Coolā€ sounding like The Killers when they were good. Things are slowed down momentarily for the beautifully soulful ā€œHereā€™s looking at you Kidsā€ which showcases the tender wit and charm of Fallowā€™s lyrics.

The Gaslight Anthem are the perfect feel good band, and with the festival season fast approaching they could well be the band to win everyoneā€™s heart and souls this summer.

Words by James Fuller
Photography by Rob Thomas

www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem

 

Sharing's Caring:

Event Listings Guide! Read the No.1 online monthly Magazine for your guide to local events, offers & deals, news and more! 100+ pages each issue packed with hundreds of events & festivals! Creating local event guides for 15+ years!
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments