Bl’ast! – The Underworld – London – 27th June 2014
Review by Stella Bruk
Photos and revision by Thanira Rates
People were beating each other in an explosive dance that took place on the dancing floor, the columns, the stage edge, everything was used to boost the push. The sound technician had a hard time to keep the amps in place, since they were also used to support the crowd’s jumps. People who saw from far might think it was pure violence, a bad fight, but it wasn’t any of that. They were just fans dancing to the loudest punk hardcore tunes. The group of fans called Blast Skaters performed an “extra” show in front of the stage with what we can call “punk moves techiniques”, where only the strong ones survived in the front row.
What was all that about? Description of a documentary from the Washington 80’s punk scene? No. It all happened in the iconic venue The Underworld in Camden Town in the first gig of Bl’ast! in London, last Friday evening, June the 27th.
In total complicity with Clifford Dinsmore some fans jumped on stage and sang along with his idol, without pressure or any handling from the security folks. The real idol is the one who shares his taste in music, guitar’s picks, drumsticks, beer and even the microphone with the fans.
The venue got hot small after every song played. Nick Oliveri, who joined the band last year, took off his t-shirt to get more comfortable and to execute the powerful low distortion bass riffs and pushing the amp with his instrument. Joey Castillo who joint the heavy team to add up even more hardcore power to this new line up, smashed up his drumsticks on the drums, blowing up water after drinking from the bottle. Wet, sweat and wild, for an interesting visual effect to each single hit you could capture.
Mike Neider was responsable for the fast and distorted guitar riffs. Since the band’s early days, he add the strength and rhythm, in short and explosive melodies in Bl’ast! songs.
Bl’ast! brought the pure punk hardcore scenario to Europe. On tour now, the band get back on the road. The kickoff of thirteen gigs were at the Hellfest in France, one of the heaviest music festivals, following appearances in England, Germany, Austria, Italy and Denmark, until the beginning of July (see tour dates at the official website).
Setlist:
Time To Think
Surf & Destroy
Our Explanation
Tomorrow
Sometimes
SSSHHH!!
Fucking With My Head
Break It Down
Only Time Will Tell
End
Something Beyond
It’s In My Blood
Nightmare
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