Thursday 21/04/05 New Rhodes, The Vox, The Whyres @ Highvoltage, Manchester

Highvoltage celebrate the release of their 11^th and flashiest fanzine yet with a calibre of bands that’ll blow the mind of any minor, or anybody who frankly stumbles into the music box, and tonight sadly that’s too few!

 

The Whyres do little to hide their influences (suspect Coral/Beatles plunderers) but avoid parody by delivering a tight, buoyant performance assisted by a bassist with little regard for his own esteem. This kid keeps Gigwise transfixed by his solo StatusQuoisms that are only restricted by the rickety stage; there’s nowt more entertaining than a happy wanker that knows it, and yeah…this lad really knows it!

 

Next up The Vox, who look like the Black Crowes raised in the northern quarter, a style that looks better than it sounds, and a sound that sounds better than their style. Their slick writing and professional delivery is as instant as their catchy hooks and bluesy looks, and it takes little before the gathered scenesters and shoegazers are nodding their apathetic approval…while Gigwise nods on like a dog with tourette's.

 

The main draw of tonight, (apart from loon-king-bassist-boy from The Whyres) are Bristol boys New Rhodes whose furious gigging schedule has evidently paid off. They exude passion and gusto, and plant their pop lips all over the dark corners of the music box. ‘You’ve Given Me Something’ gains from its increased pace and punchier delivery resulting in the New Rhodes live kinetics adding an extra dimension to the sunny west-coast sound of their studio recordings. Frantic fingered bassist Jack is in raptures with himself as he plugs away with some deft digit work while drummer Steve lashes his skins at a reckless pace, a truly fantastic rhythm section complimented with exquisite quavering vocals from James Williams.

Set closer ‘When We Were Young’ is a catchy affair that flits between an upbeat Smiths or even the Jam on classic pop form, its explosive yet melodic and leaves the floor begging for more.

 

The media have yet to really applaud New Rhodes for the dazzling band they’ve evidently become in the last months, allowing them to continue to slug out the smaller venues and perform to appreciative audiences like those in attendance tonight. Highvoltage has again managed to catch a band destined for great things, a great showcase for music talent; and there’s few better than New Rhodes.

 

Photos by Daniel Pratley