Manchester Academy, March 2006

Two bands; one American, one from Essex, England; and two very good new albums translate into a ‘must-see’ in any reviewer’s language. So, we saw. Manchester University’s excellent 2,000 plus Academy was the arena, the bands were Yellowcard and our very own hard rock fledglings Engerica, the concert – a sell-out. Yellowcard has two excellent albums under its belt, OCEAN AVENUE and recently released LIGHTS & SOUNDS. Engerica has just launched its storming debut full-lengther, THERE ARE NO HAPPY ENDINGS, preceded by a toe-dipping single, appropriately titled The Smell.

Engerica comprises of David Gardner (vocals and guitar), Michael Webster (bass and vocals), and Neil-Ross Gregory (drums). The first question I asked myself was could just three young rockers sonically fill a reasonably large auditorium. The answer came back very loud and very clear with the first trenchant song Detective Show, followed by new album track, Arsehole, a hedonistic mix of angry punk and metal. This did not look like a new band taking its first tentative steps. Lead man Gardner had more front than Jordan, while Webster exhibited the level of authority any bass player needs.

Nice Try was next and it seems that the guys may well have another album up their sleeves - out of the first four songs (including Pushing) only one was from the new album… At last another song I recognised from the new album in Trick Or Treat, a song with strong melody and a jagged, dramatic edge. I’m thinking, ‘devastating festival band’ as the punishing drum rhythm and raw vocal explode from the stage. Looking around, fans and strangers were as one in admiring this band, while the incendiary sonics were tempting in diehard Yellowcard devotees. So it was to a full auditorium that the easy talking Gardner chatted away like a rock veteran, as he introduced another album track, Roadkill.

And with that song the melody stakes heightened to fever pitch, while its slower pace allowed a better view of just how good the band is. A killer track? Tell me about it… It Was A Goddamn Suicide again lifted the stakes with its blues vibe, deathly drum rhythm, and quite stunning guitar riffs. And from that point the guys had the audience eating out of their arm pits. Yes, it was that good! Now if you were a new band with a new album you would virtually reprise the album. Not these fuckers. All About My Eric and Gun In My Side were total strangers which tells you something about the level of confidence this threesome possesses.

Then we’re back on familiar territory with the storming single The Smell with its ducking and diving guitar riffs, strong melody and quick-fire vocal. I checked out the lyrics to this winner and it revealed that the band has a sense of humour; “Liar cheater bogey eater…” In fact the band has a lighter touch and perhaps do not take themselves as seriously as some other heavy rock bands – refreshing… With the final track from the album, Did You Hear What Sylvia Said?, the band depart the stage to massive acclaim. If this band performs in your neck of the woods, you’d be mad to miss ‘em…

Set List

Detective Show

Arsehole

Nice Try

Pushing

Trick Or Treat?

Roadkill

It Was Goddamn Suicide

All About My Eric

Gun In The Side

The Smell

Did You Hear What Sylvia Said?

**page*



With Engerica providing the near-perfect warm-up act, Yellowcard had little to fear. The place was crammed with fans as the band lashed out with the title track from the new album, Light And Sounds. It was the perfect opening line with its stonking melody, breakneck drum rhythm and no-holds-barred vocal. A great start, with a standout performance from drummer Longineu Parsons. Then it was the band’s previous highly acclaimed album that provided Way Away and Only One, and from the crowd roars this must have been the album that really launched this band into the hearts and minds of fans.

A winding guitar riff introduced new album track Sure Thing Falling, and I was immediately reminded of mainstream punk rockers Blink 182, albeit a more interesting emo version. Lead man Ryan Key stood alone and majestic at stage centre while fiddler Sean Mackin moved around the stage like a man possessed. Hell it was magical! Then another fave track from OCEAN AVENUE in Life Of A Salesman that cemented my view that this band is set to loom very large in the psyche of mainstream rock fans. Technical problems caused a slight change of menu while things were sorted out.

The band went on to play a great selection of crowd pleasers from new and old albums. At every turn one heard melodic, anthemic and highly emotional songs, while witnessing a band equipped with all it takes to excite and inspire in live performance. Commercial? Hell yes! But I also got the feeling that this band are into music that connects and involves. Compare the guys with the likes of UK bands like Coldplay and you’ll find they offer much more – like excitement and an uncompromised objective to give their audiences bang-for-buck.

As I emptied myself into the cold and damp Manchester night air, I undertook to acquire the band’s last album. And when I arrived home I put the current album straight into my CD player. As they say, ‘job done.’

Set List

Light And Sounds

Way Away

Avondale

Only One

Sure Thing Falling

Life Of A Salesman

Empty Apartment

Rough Landing Holly

Cigarette

Believe

Down On My Head

October Nights

Breathing

Hollywood Died

Ocean Avenue