What has gradually become more and more of a metal venue, Nambucca last week had a throwback to its heady pre-fire Holloways-Babyshambles era, with London-based fourpiece Hang Fire taking to the stage.
Don’t be mistaken though: this is not a standard indie band. Their sound would be more correctly filed next to today’s new-wavers such as Peace or Flyte. An alluring hint of Pixies underlies their songs – with perhaps some added Cure – which all the while do not delve into self-conscious Radiohead territory.
Their secret weapon? Lead guitarist Joe Marshall. His reverb-driven guitar melodies remind me of the best moments of new acts like Charlie Boyer and the Voyeurs; and even classic bands like the La’s. And, like all the best lead guitarists, he actually knows when not to play. Seems so simple, but trust me London is swarming with too many egotistical ‘shredders’ who still have difficulty with the concept of people wanting to hear and understand lyrics.
There’s quite a lot to like about these guys in addition to their music. Two singers (on lead vocals is Sean Matthews) makes them more like a gang of urchins, all chipping in to give the best show possible. Bassist Seamus Robertson even decides to rock up and bellow out some backing vocals at one point. “That’s the first time he’s ever done that,” I hear their manager exclaim behind me. The drummer whips off his top after a handful of tunes and simultaneously treats the audience to his drum riffs and a canvas of tattoos.
So yes, the Hang Fire lads are a gang; all looking out for one another and not stepping on each other’s toes musically. Underlining that notion, they even hand out cans of beer to the audience midway through the set. Midway through their songs actually. As if we aren’t enjoying the music already, it’s kind of hard to not find Hang Fire endearing when they’re lobbing you a Kronenburg before rushing back to the stage for the second verse.
The future of bands like this may arguably be in some jeopardy, with the recent BBC Sound of 2014 list raising alarming questions. Made up of seven solo male artists, five solo females and three duos, the Beeb was quick to defend its choices, declaring bands “out of fashion”. This is of course complete rubbish. There are still many great bands out there and Hang Fire are one of them. Isn’t it really that big record labels cannot simply afford to sign and develop bands? Or, rather: most can’t survive because everyone is listening to their music for free.
Most acts that end up on such lists are not really unknowns at all, but rather ones labelled as future successes by the very people who have pumped money into them in the first place.
So then, where do you go if you want to see the real buzz bands making excellent music, building a strong, loyal following, and the next good thing – rather than hyped thing?
My bet: a Hang Fire gig.
Gav Duffy now produces music as Raised by Wolves @Raisedby_Wolves. Read his piece on surviving being in a band and Camden’s “toilet circuit” here
