Hello Pilgrims...
This being the second time I've had the pleasure of watching Plastic House (PH) in a matter of weeks, I rushed back again, because unlike the majority of the guitar-toting teeny boppers that I've seen over recent years, they made me think: "there's nothing out there that feels like this". For the first time in a long time, here are a band that made me excited to be on the Manchester music scene again. Energetic, anthemic and unapologetically loud, PH are definitely one to watch out for.
Getting themselves about the Manchester scene of late, they're a far cry from the omnipresent "Madchester" wannabes, who are still wheeling themselves out in pubs and clubs across the Northern Quarter and Oxford Road, scraping the Britpop barrel for all its worth, with baggy trousers and dodgy webs. Make no mistake about it, Plastic House are no "lad band"; their offering is of superior substance.
Don't get me wrong, Olly Podmore's stage presence, entrenched with a fearless belief in what he and his band are all about, certainly carries a level of Manc swagger and arrogance, but he's a million miles from a spray legged monkey walk. It's not all that easy to draw a comparison. The MEN described Podmore as sounding like the Kings of Leon... I tend to disagree, he reminds me more of of a polished Joe Strummer.
Tonight was equally as compelling as the first time I saw them, with a slick set front beginning to end, only stopping to replace Jake Perry's mangled drumstick. The band as a whole are well drilled, but not to suggest a regimented performance, far from it. Obviously putting the hours in behind the scenes has a afforded them a natural and easy going stage presence.
Tune to look out for is "Does She Matter" (https://soundcloud.com/plastichouseprofile/does-she-matter) which went down an absolute treat tonight for all involved.
You get a strong sense with PH they know what they're about and they certainly aren't lacking in direction, ability or belief. They can back up their pointy shoes and skinny jeans with whimsical and observational lyrics, well orchestrated and timely solo's (courtesy of James Lennon) and a sound that is, for all intents and purposes, unique to them.
As mentioned, I saw this band a few weeks ago at a charity event in Stockport, where bassist Robbie Murray gave me the 4 -1 -1 on the groups ambitions to take themselves to the next level. Stiff Upper Lip would like to suggest that Plastic House has exactly what it takes to get there. This calls for all you keyboard warriors out there to put the cleanex boxes away for one night, get off your sphincter and support this band, you will not regret it.
Follow them on @plastic_house
JT
No comments:
Post a Comment