British punk seems like a genre that’s forever hanging on the brink of resurgence as much as it is oblivion. With the ongoing drama of Gallows and the recent news of the King Blues splitting up, punk looks to be in a precarious position. But in the ocean of tirelessly working underground artists, Sharks are putting up a defiant fight to fill the ranks and fly the flag for British punk.
Their sound is reminiscent of the modest, blue collar ethics of iconic acts like The Clash who ruled alternative radio in years of Thatcherism. Is it appropriate then, that in the face of austerity and a new Tory government, punk music of this nature should stand alongside grime and bass music and return to the fore front of Britain’s sphere of socially conscious pop music?
Sharks are now entering a new phase of their career. After lineup changes and long fought touring cycles with the likes of Social Distortion, The Gaslight Anthem, Frank Turner and Gallows on both sides of the Atlantic, it must have been a relief on the morning of the 19th of March, to know that their critically approved debut album 'No Gods' was finally on the shelves. And after those years of work and with a full length LP now to their name, their first ever headline tour of the UK is under way. For the Cardiff leg of their tour, they’ve chosen to prove themselves with an intimate and very loud floor show in the Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff’s premier independent music venue.
For support they’ve brought along Cornish folk rockers Crowns. Like Sharks they sport denim jackets, and the slicked back indie hair style of 2012. Armed with an acoustic, and an electric ukulele to provide the barrage of sound, they look and sound like a Top Man savvy Flogging Molly with their jolly tunes of drinking and merriment. There’s a quaint but youthful charm to them and they certainly earn themselves a fair reception from a crowd, of which it was obvious none of them had heard of Crowns before.
But the added experience and inspiration which Sharks have collected in the last year or two is audible within seconds of their first track and album opener 'Till the Wonderers rise'. In such an up close and personal setting it’s hard for a punk band not to be so viscerally engaging and although many punters in attendance look like they showed up from curiosity rather than prior knowledge, there’s not a bored face in the house through the whole show. A little bit of hype from the music media sphere has certainly done Sharks no harm.
Their flag ship single 'Arcane Effigies' is an anthem more than a Rancid style bro down to be skanked to, and unlike the majority of their set, it looks like most of the 100 or so crowd here look as if they actually know this particular tune. There’s a slightly haughty look about the skinny and very tall front man James Mattock, but he conducts himself with a quiet politeness that generates an overall impression of a punk Faris Badwan of The Horrors.
'On a clear Day you can see for Miles' sounds instantly like it would fit the description of sing along roof raiser with its overt melodic quality that lands itself between The Stereophincs and Green Day. Album title track 'No Gods' is a bouncy single worthy number that puts the icing on the blue collar cake, rounding their set off nicely. The world of music is becoming a busier and busier place with the ever growing consensus that music should be shared for free, but if Sharks can continue on their campaign as they have started so far, we could well see them separate themselves from the pack. Pop prosperity and punk culture recognition may come sooner than later at this rate.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
Their sound is reminiscent of the modest, blue collar ethics of iconic acts like The Clash who ruled alternative radio in years of Thatcherism. Is it appropriate then, that in the face of austerity and a new Tory government, punk music of this nature should stand alongside grime and bass music and return to the fore front of Britain’s sphere of socially conscious pop music?
