This is a band that 2/3 years were touted as the next best thing, they were on the ‘It’ list, everyone was told to watch out for these 2 young musical maestros, their album was much anticipated and then they hit a wall, a big wall of record company bureaucracy. This delayed the release of their album by over a year….which has got to suck, they all but disappeared from the scene, playing support slots and small gigs. Now they are back with a bang; they’ve released single ‘Say Something, Say Anything’ a stonking debut album ‘Box of Secrets’ and embarked on a nationwide headline tour. So reboot your brain and try to remember why you loved them the first time round, because they are back and it looks like they are here to stay.
I have to admit I was a few minutes late for the gig and walked in as they finished first song ‘It’s Getting Boring By The Sea’
The venue was full to the rafters and the energy on stage was palpable as the pair then launched into ‘You Bring Me Down.’ Laura’s clipped dulcet tones echoed out as the crowds bounced along to the deep rocking melody.
In ‘Doesn’t Matter Much’ Laura and Steven demonstrate their harmonising abilities, Laura screams ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ with Steven responding ‘No No No.’
Their most recent release ‘Say Something, Say Anything’ is performed next. The band throws listeners straight in at the deep end kicking and spluttering through loud and heavy drums, there is a brief melodic interlude before Steven starts singing.
It seems Blood Red Shoes take one of two lanes when opening a song, they either start slowly then take it up a gear, playing their instruments with all their might ‘Take The Weight’, or simply get straight to the rock and roll instantly attacking their instruments as if their life depended on it. ‘Doesn't Matter Much’ is an excellent example of this Steven’s drum sticks are a blur as he plays his round the kit.
‘This is Not For You’ gives Laura more of a chance to showcase her talents, not only does she lead the vocals but gets to play a guitar solo.
Steven’s foot is responsible for the booming bass in the background, slowly his drums crescendo bringing the noise levels back up.
It does seem that the drums take precedence in this two piece, they are able to make up for any lack in bass and create the rock and roll sound that swims throughout the tracks. Laura seems talented on the guitar and between them it is impressive how much noise they do create – especially considering there is only two of them! The way the band are positioned on stage is very clever, unlike a usual four/five piece band where a drummer sits at the back, Steven is positioned at the front too one side, this allows people to see him more clearly and also allows you to see (as much as you can) how fast he plays as throughout most of the show his sticks are nothing but a blur. An obvious comparison can be made between Blood Red Shoes and The White Stripes (only back to front) with Steven being the more impressive one and Laura really only backing him up. I am not saying Laura is not good – she definitely is – but is just slightly less so than Steven.
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Last song is ‘I Wish I Was Someone Better’ a cracking track it almost seems like Laura and Steven are in a race to see who can get through it the fastest. The crowd love it and so are Blood Red Shoes, amorously thanking the crowd announcing how pleased they are with their biggest London show so far.
There is of course the predictable return to stage. Their first encore is dubious but the very final 'ADHD' song is a complete triumph. Steven invites a member of the audience onto the stage to play the cow bells. An eager young man excitedly takes up the challenge. Before the song is even half way through he has ben joined by a few more members of the audience and before you know it the stage is over run by excited fans. The band play calmly on while chaos reins round them, the song title certainly suits the hyper atmosphere. An amazing way for the band to end and a memorable experience for the audience. The whole performance shows that even after their enforced hiatus, the journos were right this is a band to keep an eye out for. Now if you'll excuse me I'm off to order the album!
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