ARTIST: [spunge]
SUPPORT: Orange
VENUE, TOWN: Islington Bar Academy, London
DATE: 18th July 2010
RATING: 5/5
FIVE WORD REVIEW: Everything a gig should be
MAIN REVIEW: With no new material to promote, you might wonder why ska punk quartet [spunge] are going to the hassle and expense of touring. It’s not a marketing ploy. It’s not part of a competition. Simply put, they love to play live.
“Has anyone seen us before?” beams frontman Alex Copeland, as almost every hand in the room shoots up. [spunge], y’see, have been building a dedicated fanbase since their 1994 conception. “It’s been a great night so far, I hope we won’t ruin it!” As if.
‘Friend Called Fred’ has perfect vocal harmonies and threesome anecdote ‘Change Of Scene’ makes the crowd go wild, stage-diving and skanking. Drummer Jem King has a fake moustache which provides plenty of ammo for the between song banter. And that’s what makes [spunge] really stand out. Yes, you’re watching a tight group of musicians who know their songs inside out, but the bonus is that they’re best mates. As they chat onstage – and to the audience – you feel like you’re sitting in a pub with four guys who used to go to primary school together. And you’re part of the group. It’s like Sex And The City, but set in Tewkesbury. And there’s just as much talk about cocks.
Bob Marley cover ‘No Woman No Cry’ gets the crowdsurfers crushing towards the front, whilst ‘Jump On Demand’ gets everyone doing exactly what’s expected of them. “Has anyone else got their boxers riding up their arse? Does anyone wanna swap underwear? Any girls?” The crowd isn’t huge tonight, but there are offers. Their fans would do anything for these guys.
Getting a circle pit to dominate the venue when they’re not even playing is impressive, and contributes to the blinding closers: a cover of J Geils Band’s ‘Centrefold’ and ‘Kicking Pigeons’. “I hope you guys are staying around for some beers and vodka shots,” Copeland invites as the gig draws to a close. This band really does tick every box.
LINK: http://www.myspace.com/spunge
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