30 Jun 2010 | Comments Off
Brought to us by the marvelous David Foley and his KCC record collective (Click here for KCC records), a night filled with some of the finest punk talent on the local scene!
Opening for the marvelous 2 Sick Monkeys were the thoroughly classic punk band The Shortcuts. With short, snappy, catchy songs and an awesomely nice front-man with a very fetching hat. Their bio says that they play hardcore punk as fast as possible and it’s true. They should give themselves more credit though – they do play hardcore classic punk and it’s fast, but there is a bit more to it than that …they are catchy, intelligent and a great live band. Check them out here
Smut Puppets were next on the bill…. A band that is seemingly known by everyone (in a good way!), plays everywhere and everyone knows their songs which is a good thing ! Doing their punk set tonight (apparently they have a more mellow side although you wouldn’t believe it tonight!). Joined on vocals for a song by the ‘Gung Ho’ singer and singing a Gung ho song later on in their set they are obviously a band that stick to their DIY/punk roots by standing by and supporting the KCC record collective. Also doing a mighty fine punk version of ‘These boots are made for walking’ A high energy band that are wicked live. Check them out here
Need to know were the last support band on and brought their amazing dead kennedys-esq punk tinged with a ska feel. Saying that though – they don’t just slap your ears loose with classic punk all night – they mingle more mellow guitar solos and mellow punk intros. Another intelligent punk-ska band writing thought provoking and political lyrics. A great band with the looks, the attitude and the music raise the bar in the punk-rock-ska genre. Check them out here
Headlining an exceptional night were the larger than life ’2 Sick Monkeys’ . As it says in their bio, they are a small outfit with a big sound. I’d go as far as saying that they have a huge sound and a massive impact on the audiences that they play to. High energy, fast paced, attitude punk, they are playing everywhere and with everyone including some massive names such as ‘Anti -Nowhere League’, ‘The Buzzcocks’ and ‘The Vibrators’. They seem to be able (with just a bassist and drummer) to incorprate well timed, complex punk with more tuneful and catchy punk riffs. A band who run their bass though two amps to replace the sound of a guitar – they are exprerimental and yet captivating, with an amazing stage presence and a candid, outspoken frontman definitely a band to see live. Check them out here.
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29 Jun 2010 | no comments »
1st May 2010 First night for new promoter Aled Davies and a fantastic job he did too with an awesome line up and a great crowd!
Epic Fail kicked the night off with riffs, riffs and more riffs- they have a thing for long, dynamic songs and cross genres from hardcore to pure metal and incorporate many styles of vocals from rock, death growls and a bit of melodic vocals for good measure. A band with a good stage presence and a few crowd pleasers like the guitarist playing his guitar behind his head! They have a new video out soon so go and check them out here
This is Suffering were up next with their heavy beat downs and spectacular guitar work, borrowing Epic Fails Drummer. This is Suffering have played the Green Rooms before and never fail to deliver. With their angry front-man and a tight set they are a wicked band to watch live. They are a band that are doing something a bit different and doing it well…. Check them out HERE
Fell on Black days played a good set, an experienced, tight band with awesome stage presence that could show new bands a thing or two! Heavy, brutal vox infused with some more melodic sounds. They played one of their songs which they renamed ‘Bring out your Bread’ and carried on awesomely through a technical hitch (caused by a collapsing drum stool!) Check them out here
Before the Tides headlined the night….wow springs to mind with this band, blasting a barrage of the heaviest hardcore sounds and causing an amazing wild arm swinging, two-stepping mosh pit. This was their first gig with their new line up and they did an amazing job of it. Seems as though they are on a bit of a break at the moment, but hopefully they will be back soon. We’ll be getting them back on the 17th July and we are looking forward to it. An awesome band that set the crowd off…check them out here
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04 Jun 2010 | no comments »
30th April 2010
A slimmed-down Gallowbirds took to the stage tonight as a couple of members were stuck in Mexico due to volcanic ash! The Gallowbirds as always impress even though it was a small, intimate gig they played amazingly. This time they came back to the Green Rooms with a heavier, rockier and riffier sound, although their melancholic, mellow rock still came though. These guys are pro’s and are well worth a look. Check them out here!
Recluse headlined the gig and recorded their set live at the same time- they should be releasing this as a live album in the very near future. They played some of hteir newer material like ‘Hush’ which is only the second time played live. and a song called ‘Portahouse blues’ (correct me if I’ve got that completely wrong guys!!) which had never been played live before. As always an entertaining band with excellent stage presence and catchy hits. Check them out here!
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03 Jun 2010 | no comments »
24th April 2010
A special night to see one of our regular rehearsing bands get up and do their first gig, a birthday bash for Paul of Traitor and to get a few old favorites back at The Green Rooms!
Three metal-heads more commonly known as Electric Furnace kicked off the night in fine form. Playing guitar-driven, heavy rock-metal, they didn’t disappoint and you can tell these guys are old pros at live performance. Playing songs such as ‘Mothers ruin’ and ‘Caught in a Mosh’ (an excellent Anthrax cover) their set was tight well performed and Kilby has great stage presence with his wild-swinging guitar antics and floor circling! A wicked first gig! Check them out here
Traitors Pull Triggers, pushed the dial up to 11 on the heaviness scale with their heavy beat-downs. Causing chaos with some mad two-stepping action and a free for all mosh pit. Angry vocals, dualling guitar and wicked riffs – nothing short of what we expect from these guys – awesome! This show was filmed and some footage may be posted up on our site soon! Check the band out here!
No Guts No Glory, Bristol lads playing their first welsh gig – a lot was expected from this band and they didn’t disappoint! From the moment they started playing their was an immediate barrage of hardcore metal. Super heavy beat-downs like we have never heard before and some mosh pit action from the crowd- everyone made these guys feel welcome and we hope they come back soon! Check them out here
The Last Broadcast, old hands at the Green Rooms were in super-fine form tonight- heavy as hell, the whole room exploded into a giant mosh pit. They are a band that always engages the crowd really well, and seemed at one point that the whole crowd wanted to sing one of their songs into one mic. Philip (ex-Monday Massacre) took to the mic and finished one of their songs for them. After a few verses of Happy Birthday to Paul from Traitors a good night was had by all! Check them out here
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13 May 2010 | no comments »
16th April 2010 – Mojo Jim and his Muddy Wulfs brought a very different night to the Green Rooms with their Peter Green-esq Blues explosion and the undeniably marvelous Foo Foo Labelle accompanying them with her belly dancing talents. The first half of Mojo Jim’s set was pure blues – starting with ‘Stormy Monday’ which rolled gently into ‘Take my Time’ where Foo Foo demonstrated that Blues and Belly dancing are a great combination. Mojo Jim with his crystal -clear Blues guitar sound cutting though and a great band with a keyboardist, bassist and great blues drummer set the standard for Blues at the Green Rooms. The second half Mojo Jim through into the Blues mix a version of ‘Black Magic Woman’ Mojo Jim style and a classic rock version of ‘Radar Love’ with some wicked blues guitar soloing which was enjoyed by all! Foo Foo inspired the crowd with some sword-play and some awesome burlesque towards the end of the second set – she is a joy to watch, try to catch her with her Burlesque Cardiff Troupe. A fantastic night was had by all and we are looking forward to having them back on the 12th June. Check out Mojo Jim and the Muddy Wulfs out here and Foo Foo Labelle’s web page here!
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13 May 2010 | no comments »
9th April saw the American invasion of Darling Waste and they brought with them the amazing Nineplanfailed and Our Innocence Lost.
Our Innocence lost started the night in awesome form with their catchy anthemic pop punk with a hard rock edge and great on-stage presence. Mixing melodic vocals with the occasional guttural scream and some awesome left-handed guitar playing and a striking front-man, they are a band that have got it all. They brought enough gear on stage to put an aeroplane cockpit to shame and impressed the audience with some natty pieces of kit like their light-up see-through guitar. Check them out here!
Gig organizers, all round awesome guys and wicked band Nineplanfailed were up next. With a genre all to themselves – it simple, inspiring, different, alternative and addictive! Fronted by the commanding Dim with the wolverine-esq sideburns, they produce music that is unlike anything else around at the moment. They finished their set with Die, Dionysis! with chants of Die, Die, Die from the crowd. Awesome …Check them out here!
Last but by no means lease- the much awaited Darling waste hailing from Brooklyn with their eccentric front-man who earlier in the night had entertained us all by fronting Our Innocence lost and performing a cross-over song of Poker Face by Lady Gaga. Mixing both melancholic rock with melodic riffs, they use a backing track with more involved songs as they don’t have a bassist. They performed a brand new song called ‘Tonight I Saved my Life’ . They have a new album out on Yellow Fish records which was recorded in the UK and they are a testament to DIY bands as they are constantly touring – next tour is Europe and Japan and they have been featured on MTV! Check them out here!
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19 Apr 2010 | no comments »
3rd April saw hopefully the first of many Acoustic /showcase nights at The Green Rooms. After the line-up changing just a few times it finally settled on Moonface and the Familiar Shapes being supported by The Rape Stains, Sarah and Leah and Mikey Bones!
Up first was Mikey Bones, it was his first gig without the backup of a band which seemed to dawn him just before he went on – but this did not mar a marvelous performance by the singer/songwriter. Mike (if you have ever met him) is a thoroughly likable character who loves to play guitar and record his own music whenever he can. He had a melodic, somber songwriting style with reflective bittersweet lyrics. Try to get his 3 track demo its really good. Check him out HERE
Sarah and Leah – a fantastic acoustic duo, were up next. This very young pair are incredibly talented for their age, brimming with confidence Leah’s vocals were strong and bang on whilst Sarah’s guitar playing could not be faulted. Playing acoustic covers of popular songs such as Poker face by Lady Gaga and Jenny Don’t be Hasty by Paolo Nutini, they got the crowd singing, dancing and begging for more! They finished the set with Sarah playing her Ukulele to a cover of Build me up Buttercup to a rapturous applause. Awesome…check them out HERE
Strangely named, off the wall acoustic duo The Rape Stains graced the stage next. It was their one and only show and a fine job they did too! Wicked songs with some excellent songwriting they sing up-beat tunes with bleak lyrics reminiscent of the excellent songwriting skills of Morrissey they are really good live and fantastic to listen to. An unconventional duo with Tariq on Guitar and Vocals with Jodie on her Frankenstein of a two string bass they are wickedly good – shame they won’t be gigging again together soon -we’d like to see more! Check them out HERE
Headlining the night were the awesome Moonface and the Familiar Shapes, a band thats a little bit differnent with an acoustic guitar/kazoo/harmonica playing frontman with a full electric band behind him. A band who swing from mellow indie to heavy rock, and a tool influence is noticable. They pull off some awesome three part vocals and are and established band that play really well together. They played one of their newer songs ‘Mid Twenties Crisis’ with the aid of a Kazoo, they also played a more heavier acoustic song called ‘The Familiar Shape’. A really excellent live band check them out HERE
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18 Apr 2010 | 1 comment »
This Concept started an awesome evening put together by Our Chance to Dance with Party Naked Promotions better known as Big Al and Phillip Cross. A band with amazingly heavy riffs and guttural angry vocals they kicked off the night well, they performed a heavy cover of Lady Gaga’s Poker Face which went down well. Their current E.P is up on their Myspace for free download so go HERE to take a look
Up next The Last Broadcast.. (Soon to be Green Rooms regulars) these guys really know how to get the night going and got everyone up for a full on mosh pit. Heavy as hell, some songs are reminiscent of early God Forbid but much, much heavier. It was Jim (The Guitarists) Birthday and after rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ they played a song off their new EP and mucho moshing ensued. Check out their EP and Myspace here …well worth a listen
This Legion from the Midlands an awesome band ….Screamish, angry guttural vocals, fast as hell drumming (made us sweat just watching!) they had a few songs that were reminiscent of Extreme Noise Terror with vicious beat downs. They really got the crowd ready for the headliners and kicked off the two-stepping, wild arm swinging mosh pit from hell. They played a new song for the first time live which went down awesomely, they also have a new EP out (get it now) and are a great live band check them out HERE
Finally up were Desolated…. the nicest guys ever but when they hit the stage they change into a super heavy hardcore metal band. Starting the night off with a fair amount of on-stage bouncing, it was mosh central at the Green Rooms. From the start of the sound check these guys are awesomely entertaining, the drummer with his sonic boom sound effects sending shock-waves through the building and some wicked dancing and rock posing from the rest of the band. They set the crowd off and the moshing was so intense that some poor guy had to be removed after knocking himself out. Desolated came and conquered, they are an awesome band who could headline anywhere. Get their tshits (neat selection of colours) and their wicked CD at their site HERE …make sure you go and see them!
We are most definitely looking forward to the next Our Chance to Dance with Party Naked Promotions on the 24th April….see you there!
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11 Apr 2010 | no comments »
After the closure of of the Mountain Ash pub which was supposed to be hosting the Mountain Ash festival, rehearsal room regulars Red Rock Club decided to hold their first show to friends and family at The Green Rooms. The group- a bunch of talented musicians and thoroughly nice guys (and raving perfectionists!) entertained the crowd with their well performed covers. With a set list of old favorites (that got the crowd singing) to some lesser known classics and one or two modern hits they are a well practiced band that are very good at what they do! An excellent afternoon was had by all- lets hope they’ll gigging more in the near future! Check out Red Rock Club here!
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08 Apr 2010 | 3 comments »
2 7th March saw an amazing night set up and run by High Demand, a wicked band with some great music and a keen ability to set up gig nights!
Kicking off the night were the amazing Clay Statues – Although we were a little confused by them kicking off mid- sound check, they blew everyone away and started the night awesomely with their punky-Dead Kennedys sound, they thrash out minimalist punk with only a bassist and a drummer and with no need for anything else! With the wicked front man wielding his bass they performed songs such as Gonna need a bigger boat and an interesting cover of Mamma Mia. They are in-cohorts with the infamous Tantrum Label and are doing some wicked stuff. Check them out HERE!
Next up were The Nukes, punk to the core these guys are very experienced – With the same drummer as clay Statues (the happiest drummer alive – see photos!)and with the interesting and well placed addition of a keyboard they bash out some proper punk anthems, its catchy, its foot stomping and they are awesome, performing songs such as ‘Lifeblood’ that got the crowd singing along. Check them out HERE!
Gung Ho got here just on time for their set – a noisy (we like it!) 3 piece they have a grunge-punk sound which can only be described as early Nirvana with a punky edge, with shouty vocals and stints of guitar annoyance they are a great live band. They have a 7-track EP out called ‘Zit Slap’ and is available from their Myspace site HERE. If their live stuff is anything to go by it should be awesome go and check them out!
High Demand slowed things down and brought a mellow end to the night, but these guys certainly didn’t let up on the energy levels, they have a rock edge and are growing into a mature and experienced band. It was noticeable that they have matured as a band since we last saw them – they are now a tight band with good stage presence and the addition of a bassist has seemed to have helped them progress musically. They were nagged by the crowd for at least 4 encores and much to the delight of everyone they seemed happy to oblige – two thumbs up for their wicked new bassist who managed to keep up with some songs that he hadn’t played before. Check them out HERE
An awesome thanks needs to go out to High Demand for setting up the night and for doing a wicked job of it!
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