Lostalone’s is a career that’s moving full steam ahead. It’s the penultimate night of a lengthy tour providing main support for alternative metallers InMe and to add to that, it’s nearly a fortnight since the Derby three-piece saw their critically acclaimed debut LP 'I’m a UFO in this City' hit the shelves.
Climbing the stairs to the intimate 3rd floor venue of Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach, tremors of bass can already be felt reverberating from the ceiling as opening band Mojo Fury warm up tonight’s proceedings for a few dozen who have turned up early. By the time Lostalone are minutes away from taking to the stage, the room is filling up and a buzz of anticipation is stirring.
A lot of bands like to forge a sense of atmosphere and excitement before a grand entrance and it’s a creepily profound monologue from War of the Worlds that Lostalone have chosen to signal their arrival. They open with an oldie but a goodie 'Sin and Sinners' an anthemic and instantly energetic number that concisely packs rolling drum fills with a riff that fires all guns blazing. It becomes clear from only a few tracks in to their set that this Derby three-piece boast a flare for writing a whopping chorus, something that hasn’t gone unnoticed from some of the giants of modern alternative pop rock like My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars and Paramore.
To their fortune, Lostalone have had the pleasure of touring with all three of the afore-mentioned teen rock icons. So while your average upcoming artist would spend years learning the tricks of the live trade in front of dozens at sweaty dives, Lostalone have been experiencing the terrifying yet surreal pleasures of playing to thousands in Wembley Arena.
You can take it as granted that they’ve picked up some pointers along the way too. They bring a sense of confidence and rock n’ roll swagger that’s not a million miles from what you’d expect from Kasabian. Imagine a much less cheesy The Darkness and you’re not far off either. Their tracks brim with ambition and you can start to fathom them raising the roof of venues many times this size. Four tracks in and now it’s their critically acclaimed debut album 'I’m a UFO in This City' that’s receiving a thorough milking.
The new record is as infectiously catchy as it is boisterous, like Foo Fighters meets 'Roof Tops' era Lostprophets. Two tracks that tandem on the record are 'Vesuvius' and 'Creatures' and they sound just as effective placed together on tonight’s set list, particularly the latter which brings even more melodic and emotive quality to the show. Perhaps their most widely known track 'Do You Get What You Pray For?' sounds huge and would have sparked hysterics in a most pit or two, had this been a more Lostalone savy crowd. None the less it’s a tune that left the greatest impression on those in attendance an there are at least more than a few long haired enthusiastically banging .
Front man Steven Batelle mentioned in our earlier interview, his adoration for the late Freddie Mercury, citing an iconic quote: “leave them deaf, blind, and wanting more” a sentiment that Batelle has demonstrated he truly believes in. It’s refreshing to hear a modern rock band passionately and honestly combining big pop choruses with ballzy rock n’ roll that should appeal to readers of NME as much as Karrang. Lady luck seems to have been smiling on Lostalone so far, let’s hope their talent is enough to take them to the next level and that the UK’s rock fans to start paying attention.
Stereoboard caught up with Lostalone front man, singer, guitarist and song writer Steven Batelle at thier recent Cardiff gig. Check out the full interview here.
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Climbing the stairs to the intimate 3rd floor venue of Cardiff’s Clwb Ifor Bach, tremors of bass can already be felt reverberating from the ceiling as opening band Mojo Fury warm up tonight’s proceedings for a few dozen who have turned up early. By the time Lostalone are minutes away from taking to the stage, the room is filling up and a buzz of anticipation is stirring.
