Wrexham 5 May 2005

When I initially received an invitation to watch this new UK band perform in Wrexham, I was hesitant. After heavily (and rightly) criticising a local venue for the most dreadful sound and lighting, I thought attendance would be problematic and fruitless. But a phone call and advice that this performance was to be at another local venue changed things, and I was eager to check out this band whose recent album sampler sounded more than interesting.

It was election night, the weather was threatening and the town was deserted as I walked to the Talbot pub venue. I found a friendly, warm atmosphere and a small performance area in the basement with a tiny stage and room for no more than 150 punters. New bands have to take what they’re given to sharpen up their live skills and gauge some level of reaction to their (new) music. The rather derogatory title of ‘toilet tour’ has become embedded in new band vernacular, but it’s a necessary evil in that challenging clamber up one of the greasiest commercial poles in existence.

Supporting The Honeymoon Machine was local three-piece rock band called Nemonic. With a sprinkling of enthusiastic local fans in situ, the band gave a passionate, over-amplified performance that left me with mixed feelings. Wrexham is bulging at the seams with rock bands and I reckoned that on this showing this is one of the best. In particular I liked the band’s inclusion of long instrumental passages in songs, and a drummer who would be at home with a top rock outfit. His work was nothing short of impeccable and gave the band badly needed focus. However, it became clear later was that there is a massive quality gap between enthusiastic local bands and those lucky enough to be signed and on the way up.

The Honeymoon Machine proceeded to prove my point. Aaron Courtney-Stokes (lead vocals, guitar), Paul Jones (piano, keyboard, vocals), Matt Parker (guitars, vocals), Lee Blackburn (bass guitar), and James Connolly (drums) have all played for other bands before being gathered together by lead man Connolly. In 2004, after the recording of the band’s debut album Transistor Go Go (due for release later this month), the guys toured The United States and Canada for three successful weeks. This appearance opens the band’s assault on the British public, and on the strength of what was to follow I reckon the guys are in with a fighting chance…

The tiny stage was crammed with gear including a stack of keyboards boasting every major brand name. In fact I marvelled just how the five players and their tools fitted into such a tight space. Acoustically, sound was pretty good and unlike the previous band, amplification was spot on and allowed one to hear every song lyric.

Not surprisingly, the set-list comprised of songs shortly to be unleashed in the form of singles and the album. Opening confidently with album track Salt Water the band impressed immediately. Critical to every rock band is a strong and capable lead man. In Courtney-Stokes the band possesses a distinctive, quietly authoritative leader with a pitch-perfect, excellent voice and acres of expressive quality. But perhaps even more important in today’s competitive marketplace is the ability to write good songs, and I noted from the sampler’s sleeve notes that Courtney-Stokes is also the band’s songwriter. The man therefore has a heavy burden of responsibility for the band’s future success while explaining his visible commitment to the songs.

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Into Your Head was next up and provided a bouncing rocky vibe with great guitar riffs, varied pace and a strong melody underpinning a superb vocal performance. I understand this is the new single and it should fly given airplay. A powerful guitar riff opens the next song, Angie. It’s to be the next single and with the combination of terrific guitar riffs, solid melody, and another stonking lead vocal performance should guarantee airplay.

Faith In People is a slow, epic song that is overlaid by special guitar riffs and another killer vocal. At that point I was struck by the band’s ability to perform at its best even in a mediocre performance environment. It’s called professionalism and the small audience rewarded it with genuine and enthusiastic acclamation.

I’ll Be Your Dog introduces a fun element into proceedings with a beats-dominated vibe and a sound that reminds me of Razorlight. With clever changes of pace, more wonderful guitar riffs and strong vocal harmonies it’s the whole box of dice and wouldn’t surprise me if it too was single-release bound. With two more album tracks (Kicks and a superlative Comes Again) the show was over and the crowd yelled for more. This was an admirable performance from a band that is bound to be gracing festival stages and better venues in coming months. With upcoming shows at The Charlotte – Nottingham (10 May), Head of Steam – Newcastle (11 May), The Barfly – Liverpool (12 May), Joiners – Southampton (15 May), and Victoria Inn – Derby (18 May) in coming weeks I recommend you check them out.