Page 60 - Black Velvet Issue 87

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NOTHING MORE / SHVPES / IN SEARCH OF SUN – BIRMINGHAM O2 INSTITUTE TEMPLE, 05.12.15
London band In Search of Sun mean business as soon as they step on stage. With songs such as ‘The World Is Yours’ they are strong and un-
compromising. ‘Elevation’ is all about feeling good, says frontman Adam Leader. It’s a song from their next album, which will be their second,
although they’ve already released a video for the song. There’s a very slight worldly sound to their rock music with a variety of styles collected
amidst the hard rock shell. There’s some groovy fretting, some rootsy percussion and a soft eastern melody. The funky verses flip into a more rav-
aging chorus. They play another new song that doesn’t have a name yet and call it ‘Secret Santa’. “Join us in going apeshit,” we’re told. Sludgy,
dark and bassy, it possesses murky metal tones. We’re not quite convinced to go apeshit, but In Search Of Sun are on the right track.

SHVPES are a Birmingham band that are making a bit of a name for themselves. They’ve worked hard on their music and have some quality
songs under their belt. They’re a little too heavy and shouty for Black Velvet, we’re not big fans of roars and growls. They sound great in their more
melodic moments, and obviously put their all into their performance, but it’s a little too metalcore for us. Most of the audience seems to dig them
though and we wouldn’t be surprised if 2016 is SHVPES’ year. They definitely know what they’re doing and there’s a definite market for their ag-
gressive sound.
Nothing More are like nothing you have seen before. They are almost an example of futuristic rock. They’re doing things that most bands don’t
do or have never thought of doing. They incorporate inventive contraptions and ideas into their set that make you go ‘wow’ numerous times during
their set. When they come on stage, frontman Jonny Hawkins, who once was the band’s drummer, animatedly drums along to ‘Christ Copyright’ on
a big bass drum, while new drummer Ben Anderson drums behind – before grabbing his microphone and then going into crazy vocalist mode.
Barefootedly Jonny jumps on and off the big drum at the front. With a small stage there’s not much room to move but he manages it. ‘Christ
Copyright’ is a frantic electro-rock number that can instantly incite a moshpit. There’s a huge power and energy. It’s almost like being electrocuted
– but in the nicest possible way! Later in the set the band bring out their bassinator, which sees bassist Daniel Oliver first begin a bass solo on a
bass that’s attached to a metal stand. Guitarist Mark Vollelunga joins him on the other side of the bass and the two play the bass together before
spinning it around so it lands upside down. Jonny then jumps onto the drum and then drums on the bass while Daniel and Mark are still also playing
it. Excellent work from the guys. Ben Anderson drums along at his kit at the back at the same time. There’s another part in the set where Daniel
and Mark hold drums while Jonny hits them with drumsticks. These moments alone make you realize that Nothing More deserve to be huge – but
when you combine that with such excellent songs as ‘Jenny’ and ‘Here’s To The Heartache’, it’s a real winning combination. The band have the
songs, the intelligence, the ambition, uniqueness, talent and genius creativity. Their fun set ends with ‘Salem (Burn The Witch)’ from their ‘The Few
Not Fleeting’ album which leaves the ‘burn the witch’ chorus line running around your head like a madman for hours afterwards.
You may possibly want to burn the rest of your record collection after seeing Nothing More. They are nothing less than awesome.
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Jonny Hawkins (Nothing More) Photo By Shari Black Velvet

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