Page 46 - Black Velvet Rock Magazine Issue 102

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ZEBRAHEAD / THE BOTTOM LINE – BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE 2, 30.09.19
A month-long tour that began in Budapest, Hungary and wormed its way around mainland Europe, wrapped itself up in the UK with Orange County
punkers Zebrahead taking UK’s own The Bottom Line out on the road. The bounce-tastic combo made their way to Birmingham O2 Institute 2 on a
rainy Monday evening – the same night that Volbeat were gracing the O2 Academy and Mallory Knox were meant to play Mama Roux’s – only the
latter ended up cancelling due to Sam Douglas struggling with his vocals.
We’d made our choice though, and Zebrahead were who we were looking forward to seeing, especially with new album ‘Brain Invaders’ including
some of the band’s best songs of their career. The Bottom Line get the party started though, and take us for an energetic ride with glowing songs such
as ‘Reasons’ and ‘She Makes Me’ bringing their own pop-punk sunshine into the venue. These boys don’t stand still and frontman Cal Amies, bassist
Tom Newton and guitarist Max Ellis all jump in unison at one point. Cal tries to crowd surf, although the room is not massively packed at that point, so
he has to call everyone close to make sure he’s safe. He makes it to the lights and back. ‘I Still Hate You’ is still one of the band’s most vibrant songs,
while newer single ‘In Your Memory’ rounds off the set in fun and fervent fashion. The Bottom Line are definitely keeping the UK pop-punk flag flying
and, although their latest album is titled ‘No Vacation’, seeing these guys live definitely makes you feel like you’re on one.
Kicking off their set
with ‘All My Friends Are
Nobodies’, Zebrahead
bring a slightly harder edge
to their brand of punk rock.
Despite the lyrical tone to
songs like the opener
being both serious and
heartfelt, Zebrahead are a
band that are never serious
live. Though they ARE se-
rious about giving you a
good time. They bring two
aliens (crew members in
costumes) onto the stage
for their ‘Drink Drink, Pt. 1’
song. When talking about
the ‘Save Your Breath’ vinyl
that’s on sale, we’re told
‘every penny goes to
Matty’s porno and drug
habit’ and also that ‘If
everyone sits down Dan
will give everyone a hand-
job’. They bring one of their
biggest fans, Saki from
Japan, up onto the stage,
as it’s her birthday, to par-
take in their shot-drinking –
as well as a younger fan,
Mitchel, who they’ve spot-
ted crowd surfing, who in-
stead gets some Sprite.
Prior to that they’d told the
crowd it was security man
Steven’s (obviously not his
real name) birthday and he
wants everyone to crowd
surf. There’s a swarm of
constant crowd surfers,
and even a photographer
helps them over the barrier
at some point. With ‘Wake
Me Up’ in the set, the secu-
rity were definitely awake
after that.
It’s a nice-length set
that sees old favourites
and new bounce off each
other. ‘We’re Not Alright’
sounds excellent live, while
the maniacal ‘Who Brings A
Knife To A Gunfight’ and
‘Anthem’ end the show be-
fore mad Matty Lewis sings
along to Whitney Houston’s
‘I Will Always Love You’
and Queen’s ‘Bohemian
Rhapsody’ through the PA
as the lights go up. The
funny thing is, we will al-
ways love these guys too.
YYYY
Shari Black Velvet

Matty Lewis (Zebrahead) Photo
By Shari Black Velvet
CONCERTS