Howler & Zulu Winter (Q Now Concert) - XOYO, London - 26th January 2012 (Live Review)
Thursday, 02 February 2012
Written by Ryan Crittenden
A fantastic opportunity arose last week via a Q Now Session; the gig put on by Q offered two great ‘bands for 2012’ to showcase their material live on the XOYO stage in London. Zulu Winter and Howler were two of the bands on the three-band bill, which also included singer songwriter Man Made.
Zulu Winter are a five piece band from London who formed just under a year ago and are really beginning to make headways into the difficult world of synth infused indie. As they take to the stage lead singer Will Daunt excitedly and humbly said, “We are Zulu Winter and we are very happy to be here” before launching into ‘Key to My Heart.’ The song is not that well recognised but proves to be a successful opening with the particularly impressive crooning of “Yoooooooouuuuuu” from Daunt during the chorus’ standing out above all. Without hesitation, the band lap up the applause before the explosive funky bass line that structures recent double A-side single ‘We Should Be Swimming’ takes over the sold out venue. The delightful guitar lines and riffs that support that chunky bass line are so effectively subtle, it would be hard for them to get lost under the pulsating synthesizer beats but the delicate guitar parts that give the song that little bit more.
With no album to speak of, the rest of the set was made up of familiar sounding tracks that should make up their debut LP, set to be released this spring. ‘Let’s Move Back to Front’ is the highlight of the set as it nestles in the middle of the show full of glistening good songs. The other half of the double A side single is dominated by the striking vocal range of Daunt as he swoons and dazzles his way through the song, in a way that took me back to early Wild Beasts on Limbo Panto. ‘Never Gonna Leave’ has a very White Lies feel to it with the thumping drum beat replicating that of ‘Farewell to the Fairground’ before the remarkable vocal control of Daunt paves the way for a slick rendition of the song, full of whirling synths that bounced from one side of the room to the other. ‘Silver Tongue’ is a great song to finish a very entertaining set that proves why these guys have been getting the plaudits they have. A definite one to watch over the next year and beyond, Howler have got to pull something out the bad to stop the Londoners stealing the show.
Taking to the stage at about quarter to 10, 19-year-old lead singer Jordan Gatesmith (along with a half full/half empty bottle of Jack Daniels) gives a quick hands up the crowd as the rest of the band set themselves up. Before they get a chance to start a drink has already been thrown at guitarist Ian Nygaard who tells the culprit in his American accent to “Suck my dick”. An interesting start to the gig which already has people talking before they have played a song, much like the hype that surrounds this band. Their album America Give Up has been out for just over a week and reviewers and critics have reacted well to it so this was, for me, the first chance to see what they can do live.
Any set that starts with ‘Wailing (Making Out)’ instantly makes an impact. They have captured such a raw sound in this track and performed live the small basement venue in London only adds to the brilliance of the opening number. The last half of the short post-punk song showed that Gatesmith had prepped his voice enough to convey that ‘I have been chewing barbed wire’ sound, probably aided by the vast amount of Whiskey consumed pre-show. With an album that lasts just over half an hour you know that this is going to be short and sweet but that start was just ferociously good. The apparently softer start to ‘America’ does not last long as the whole band explode into this ridiculously catchy track, the surf-punk style guitar riffs define the song but Strokes-like stop-start breakdown that is the highlight. ‘Free Drunk’ is dedicated to the band’s manager Wayne who the not-so innocent looking Gatesmith revealed had punched him in the throat earlier, however with a clear immature and naïve side to them, Wayne has the unenviable task of taking this bunch of young Americans on a tour of the world, sparks are bound to fly! The furiously frantic pace of the gig continued with ‘Beach Sluts’ as the band still sound particularly tight and well-rehearsed before lowering the relentless pace to perform ‘Too Much Blood,’ a song that is well performed in such a mature manner that it makes the immature side of the band displayed between songs feel like another outfit all together.
As the band stop for breath, it is at this point in the evening the extremely intoxicated man who has been swaying a swirling next to me decides it is his time to declare his love for “Growler”…everyone turns around and gives him the not quite the time of the place look. ‘This One's Different’ with its infectiously good guitar riff picks the pace up and proceedings are back to normal with the whole band singing their unique joint melodies during the chorus’. ‘Pythagorean Fearem’ which sounds a bit like early Kings of Leon with Iggy Pop on the vocals is so loud and forceful I just couldn’t help but feel I was witnessing something very special. Lead singer Gatesmith, dressed in a simple white tee and jeans has a confident swagger about him that has gained a lot of attention. To have a frontman who looks like a cross between Johnny Borrell and Napoleon Dynamite, but with the nonchalant laid back charisma of Casablancas is very hard to find and a key element to the success of this band.
‘Back to Your Graves’ whistles nicely past before as the end of the show was in sight. This, however didn’t mean that the Minneapolis quintet let the foot off the gas as they launch into fan favourite ‘Told You Once.’ Such a fan favourite, an overly keen member of the audience decides to crowd surf onto the stage and complete the final chorus of the song! Standout album track ‘Back of Your Neck’ is the closing number and what a way to end. The delicious guitar riff that opens the track is followed by howlings from everyone in attendance as the packed venue comes alive; it is an absolute gem of a song and one that will be heard at festivals and shows for years to come. This is the track that will define Howler, the response it gets is testament to the quality of it and I hope that audiences across the globe react in an equally positive way. As the band leave the stage to a triumphant response it is not too long before they return with album closer ‘Black Lagoon’ a harmless, punk infused number that offers another sing-along opportunity, not wholly embraced tonight.
As I leave XOYO my ears are ringing and I genuinely feel excited by what I have witnessed tonight from both bands, who offered something completely different. I hope that this will be a huge year for both of them; and on the evidence on this show, they really do deserve it.
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With no album to speak of, the rest of the set was made up of familiar sounding tracks that should make up their debut LP, set to be released this spring. ‘Let’s Move Back to Front’ is the highlight of the set as it nestles in the middle of the show full of glistening good songs. The other half of the double A side single is dominated by the striking vocal range of Daunt as he swoons and dazzles his way through the song, in a way that took me back to early Wild Beasts on Limbo Panto. ‘Never Gonna Leave’ has a very White Lies feel to it with the thumping drum beat replicating that of ‘Farewell to the Fairground’ before the remarkable vocal control of Daunt paves the way for a slick rendition of the song, full of whirling synths that bounced from one side of the room to the other. ‘Silver Tongue’ is a great song to finish a very entertaining set that proves why these guys have been getting the plaudits they have. A definite one to watch over the next year and beyond, Howler have got to pull something out the bad to stop the Londoners stealing the show.
