Hotsnack. The Grapes 6 Jan 06
Hotsnack were on top form last night, plenty of upbeatness and excitement and with a devoted crowd in attendance it made for a really great gig. Almost felt like a proper gig, ‘what’s that mean’ I ask myself? It means when the music is so good your mind stops its rubbishy moaning and pretend business and you enjoy yourself. Oh how I loathe the belief that fun is reserved for the young and irresponsible! Never mind the wanker at their Lescar gig last month who was overheard making sarcastic quips during the gig to his ‘mates’ about Hotsnack being mainstream; what were you doing at the front then you cultureless nonce? You bores can keep your safe pop, Hotsnack are here and they’re experienced, different, dangerous and they know about fun. Yes the music was loud the instruments were tight, the sound production was good, the tunes are wonderfully different and unusual, some tinged with sentiment, some with mystery and surrealism. Pity I can’t remember too much due to the local Moonshine but I do remember getting that jumpy-up-and-down-to-the-beat feeling, and I reckon they’re not more than a couple of gigs away from a mosh pit. Ooh, that would be interesting given the mixture in attendance. Spike the doorstamp ink Bri? Seriously (if that’s possible as I remember Brian’s superbly disturbing face pulling routine and raspberries) the five piece deliver the buzz that is today’s real Sheffield music. The crowd are up for it, the scene really is starting to kick (a new hand made gig guide ‘Knives & Forks’ is in circulation), not too much fag smoke in the room to wreck it. Yep, it’s happening. Cheese biscuit anyone…?
Support: James Wilson / Neo Tokyo. Refreshing to see a solo electric guitar, bouncy tones and effects and lots of nice notation. Neo Tokyo, don’t know much about them but apparently they usually have a drummer and are a bit better. The drone stuff felt a bit self-indulgent for a Mickey-mouse (mask) but the when the noise came (possibly a little late as many had drifted downstairs) it was hot and dare I say, even a little shocking?