Page 50 - Black Velvet Issue 87

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MALLORY KNOX / SET IT OFF / THE XCERTS – WOLVERHAMPTON WULFRUN HALL,
02.10.15

Hard-working trio The Xcerts kick off
Mallory Knox’s tour. Fronted by Murray
Macleod, the three-piece sound better
and better every time you see them. Per-
forming songs such as ‘Shaking In The
Water’ and ‘Slackerpop’, the lads stretch
the roots of rock with elasticated emo
tones of feisty distortion besieged in a
melodic base. They win your attention
before the slower ‘There Is Only You’,
the title track of their latest release. It’s a
heartfelt confession, like a shadow in the
dark on a long journey home. There’s a
solemn ambiance throughout the song,
although the band wrap their set up with
a clappy rockier number. They’re happy
with the audience response and we’re
happy to have seen them again.
After a quick changeover, it’s time for
Set It Off. Always with a demanding
presence, the now-four-piece are price-
less. Opening with the dancey, funky
‘Forever Stuck In Our Youth’, the Florida
boys immediately brighten the mood,
with frontman Cody Carson constantly
bouncing around the stage and off of it.
‘Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing’ is a circus of
musical styles, quirky and addictive. Gui-
tarist Dan Clermont buoyantly rages and
spins around. The guys know they’re
good. ‘Bleak December’ has a soulful
pop/rock air while ‘Wild Wild World’ from
the band’s ‘Duality Unplugged’ album
sees Zach DeWall on acoustic guitar and
Dan on keyboards for the more mellow
number. The band end with ‘Why Worry’
and have no doubt impressed a lot of
new fans.
With a white sheet hiding the stage,
anticipation rises for Mallory Knox. The
UK band choose to open with their single
‘Shout At The Moon’ and it’s the perfect
opener, immediately exciting the crowd.
With ‘Wake Up’ and ‘Getaway’ the night
is already won. It’s like a dream to the
crowd who are singing along at the top
of their lungs. The band add in ‘Lonely
Hours’, a song from latest album ‘Asym-
metry’, which is new to the live set. It’s a
slightly more chilled number that shows
the band’s atmospheric dippings. Songs
such as ‘Heart & Desire’ snuggle into
your heart while ‘Ghost In The Mirror’ be-
gins quite ghostly before powering up.
We’re eagerly awaiting ‘She Took Him To
The Lake’ and that begins the encore like
on the last UK tour. It begins with melan-
choly guitars and then Mikey Chapman’s
tender vocals. As it picks up pace and
segues into the second half, he sings like
it’s ripping his heart out. This song never
gets old; it’s just stunning. After ‘Oceans’,
the opening track of the band’s ‘Pilot’ EP,
they end with the familiar ‘Lighthouse’
and Mikey jumps into the crowd.
You can’t knock Mallory Knox. An-
other successful show that’s proof
they’re at the top of their game right now.
YYYY
SBV
Mikey Chapman (Mallory Knox) Photo By Shari
Black Velvet

CONCERTS