SATURDAY 10 MARCH
BAR BODEGA
HELLSERPOPPIN
By Charlette Hannah
Last night there were three bands playing at Bodega, The Matt Langley Band who I've already reviewed, Miss Conduct, and Hellserpoppin. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear Miss Conduct, as I just couldn't sit through Hellserpoppin. They lost me from the first moment lead singer Joe stepped on to the stage with a beer bottle in his hand, which he proceeded to nurse for the three songs I endured, and started swearing about something. Ok, so this is rock and roll right? But is it necessary? An image can't carry a band (although Westlife would beg to differ) and if the music falls down, drinking and swearing probably is all that's left. The first song started weakly, with a half decent guitar riff being overshadowed by the bass. Joe went from standing on stage and humming to screaming. There was no build up, and no power in the music. The drummer merely kept time, though he was solid and kept time well. Metal/punk/rock music really needs good strong interesting beats to hold it together. The guitarist was so quiet I could barely hear what he was doing. By the second song they had warmed up a little, and the singing improved. I think Joe has a good voice, but on the whole the band seems slightly misguided. From their website: "We give eternal thanks to our followers for always holding such devotion, in our hearts you are the loving masses against smoky lights and the Hellserpoppin symphony. You channel our venom; you are the water to our thirst, the lifeblood in our veins. And we extend it to you all always."
Like I said, I couldn't listen to a whole set.
