Inpress, 1996, Gig Review

Article by: Dan Oakes


Gig at Esplanade Hotel

Last Friday night at the Esplanade saw the launch of the new Living End EP, It's For Your Own Good. I expected a big crowd, and wasn't disappointed.
By the time the Living End came on the place was heaving.
The Living End launched into their set with unbridled energy and enthusiasm, and within minutes were sweating buckets.
The drumming was short sharp and in bursts, in the style of Keith Moon (before his bloated, dead in bed phase), and seeing the double bass in action made you realise that, visually, the more conventional bass has nothing on its older brother. As on the EP, the band mixed up punk and ska influences with a predominately rockabilly background, creating what is, in my mind, a pretty unique sound. The crowd was big and responded well to the effort the band were obviously putting into the set. It was interesting as well, to see the mixing of subcultures evident. There were punks, goths, rockabilly fans, indie kids, ska freaks, all getting into the music. The Living End are obviously a band that have a wide appeal, and it is good to see.