Bromhead's Jacket,Thomas Tantrum, The Ultra Sonics - Esquires, 14th September 2006
Reviewed by Martin Stapleton
After years of being overshadowed by cities such as Manchester, London and Liverpool, suddenly Sheffield - normally only associated with flat caps and whippets - is becoming the main focal point in today's music scene. Largely due to the phenomenal rise of The Arctic Monkeys, other bands from the area are now following in waves, such as tonight's visitors Bromhead's Jacket. Very sceptical beforehand, I have to admit I was most definitely won over and I found their set and their interaction with the audience most entertaining.
With songs packed full of tales about everyday mundane experiences and the inevitable loves and struggles in bedsit land, vocalist Tim Hampton is cast as a 21st century prophet, bluntly telling the kids the undeniable truths about life. The fast, furious and punky 'Leslie Parliaft' and 'Lions on the Prowl' leave most people breathless, including Tim himself, as he catches his breath at the end of 'Fight Music for the Fight' by pondering out loud where the phrase 'Indian Summer' comes from. Before anyone can answer, the band launch into the 'Car Wash' song, otherwise known as 'Pinch of Psalt'. However, a broken guitar strap leads Tim into a story about Eric Clapton!
Before the band launch into 'Sris', Tim explains he was concerned no-one would turn up. He needn't have worried - the place is packed. My favourite song of the evening has to be 'Trolley Rage (Shopping Spree)' which namechecks Sainsburys, Asda and Tescos. It is easy to see (at least lyrically) where the comparisons with Mike Skinner have come from, but this is no one man band and throughout the evening the frontman receives immense support from his rhythm section - Jono West (bass) and Dan Potter (drums).
Recent single 'Trip to the Golden Arches' describes a frustrating trip to Mcdonalds for '...a banana milkshake and a super-sized packet of chips' after which the band take time out to thank those who supported them at the Reading and Leeds festival and bid us farewell, with Tim admitting "I like this place, I'd love to come back'. Perhaps the title of their final track 'What Ifs and Maybes' is the only answer at the moment as to whether we will seem them back at Esquires.
Supporting Bromhead's Jacket tonight were firstly the three piece The Ultra Sonics. Intentionally or otherwise, they used a fair degree of feedback which gives them a raw edge. Their sound is very much a mash-up of Nirvana and Oasis with 'Moneychain' an instant standout in a top-notch set.
The less said about the four piece, female fronted, indie band Thomas Tantrum the better. An utterly torturous twenty minutes, during which the end could not come quickly enough.
(Check out another review of this gig, plus some live pictures, on the Beds on Sunday website - Ed)