The Vaccines
The Hot Fuzz launch night at 53 Degrees promises no less than “101% indie rock ‘n’ roll” and topping the bill tonight are the hotly tipped band from the capital city, The Vaccines. If you haven’t yet heard of the The Vaccines, you soon will. Every few years a media frenzy elevates an unknown band to the mantle of saviours of a dwindling British guitar music scene – and I take great pleasure in introducing London’s worst kept secret. The growing hysteria and excitement that surrounds The Vaccines has probably not been witnessed since those cheeky Arctic Monkeystarzaned from the jungle of anonymity in to our CD collections back in 2005.
It was announced only yesterday (12.12.2010) that The Vaccineshave been shortlisted as one of three acts set to compete for the critics’ choice accolade at the BRIT Awards 2011. With recent appearances on Later…with Jools Holland, some serious radio play and a slot on the NME Awards 2011 tour, it is easy to overlook that the band formed less than twelve months ago and their only release to date is the November 2010 single and tonight’s opening trackWreckin’ Bar – an enjoyable eighty-four second indie-rock romp, sang with an energy and conviction reminiscent of The Ramones in full swing.
Frontman Justin Young has seemingly hung up his acoustic guitar and lay to rest his folk troubadour alter-ego ‘Jay Jay Pistolet’ and teamed up with The Horrors’ Tom Cowan’s younger brother, Freddie Cowan on guitar; Arni Hjorvar on bass and drummer Pete Robertson complete the line-up. A change of direction for Young and an apparent eclectic mix of musical tastes within the group keeps the vibe interesting, though there are some obvious influences such as The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys and The Strokes. There was a rare genuine buzz around the venue that this might indeed be a band at the beginning of a proper rock ‘n’ roll adventure. The only real disappointment is that in these early touring days the mere thirty-minute set consists only of nine songs, so be prepared to embrace the quality, not quantity. The set includes stand out tracks All In White, fast-paced If You Wanna, grungy A Lack Of Understanding and the indie-poptastic set closer Norgaard.
There is a Libertines-esque cohesion between the band and throughout the exhilarating show Young and Cowan playfully jostle for the limelight, with Young prowling the small stage, letting the infectious melodies, punky guitars and gritty lyrics captivate the audience. As the crowd warmed to their hosts, wishing they knew more words to sing-a-long, the cheers got louder and Young surrendered to his urge to join the front row – an instant crowd pleaser.
Young confessed that none of The Vaccines had previously been to Preston and I imagine if all goes to plan, they will be playing to a much larger adoring audience next time. The highly anticipated debut album is set for release in ‘early 2011’ and seemingly unfazed by the weight of expectation manifested by the music press, The Vaccines look set to guide a guitar-led crusade against the pop tripe infecting the airwaves.
Review: Liam Carroll
Photography: Zoe Taylor (ZT Photography)
