Thursday 5th February 2009 @ Academy, Bristol
With Support From: Frank Turner

This gig might have been suited to a smaller more intimate venue but as the line-up had sold out for many dates along the tour, we can only assume that it was a highly anticipated gig. I wrapped up, strapped on my skis and head to the Academy.

Support tonight came from Frank Turner (ex Million Dead) who now only plays to 1000 plus capacity venues unless it’s a London show. This proved his ability to write anger tainted stories about politics, life and past lovers that can strike a chord with anyone.

This gig had a good feeling to it, everyone was having a good time and as headliners The Gaslight Anthem took to the stage, the predominantly teenage crowd went wild! The band have described their sound as ‘Bruce Springsteen singing for a Cure cover band, with a tinge more aggression’ but as the songs start, I instantly gauge an Alkaline Trio influence and, as my friend said, a folky Foo Fighters sound too. And it doesn’t take long before they begin name dropping fellow New Brunswick hardcore punkers The Bouncing Souls. Unfortunately I prefer the latter as for me, The Gaslight Anthem’s songs all sound fairly similar and I don’t get that punch in the gut I’d get with bands like Pennywise, Strung Out or even their stated influence Joe Strummer. However, the New Jersey quartet have strong vocals keeping this band from being just a generic punk band and keeping them interesting enough to make me want to watch more.

Nearly every song they played tonight was from their latest album The ’59 Sound, except when singer, Brian Fallon, powered into It’s A Mans’ World and the teenagers looked blank and he cuts short, paying a compliment to support act Frank Turner; “I wish I’d written just about every single one of his songs.”

Fallon and co. look genuinely happy to be here on stage playing music to a crowd that cheers loudest for songs like Casanova and We Came to Dance; and dance we did. I left feeling justified that I’d seen two great lyricists of our time.

www.gaslightanthem.com

Lucy Jones
Photos: Alexander Nicholson