Floodhounds / The Hairy Dog / Derby
Last Sunday, we were invited along to an event in Derby, “Alpha Pro Creative presents… BANG!” at the Hairy Dog. I have to say, The Hairy Dog is fast being one of my absolute favourite grass roots music venues. Hosting a wide range of artists from up and coming local talent, to established artists, with shows scheduled for the likes of The Meteors, The Skids and King Kurt. Tonight’s line up is headlined by Floodhounds who I’ve seen before along with Soaper and Syncolima. There’s a decent crowd in so we’re hopefully on for a good night !
First up on stage, we have Soaper, a two-piece grunge/alt-rock band from Sleaford in Lincolnshire, which is husband and wife duo James and Karina Palmer. Since 2021 they’ve been busy touring throughout the UK having supported for the likes of Seas of Mirth, The Last Vinci, Bedsit and My Octopus Mind. They have appeared at Arctangent festival and on numerous BBC Introducing sessions. Their debut single Inside Out through Narrow Door Records in 2023.
With influences ranging from Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Lemonheads to Bearmarket and Soundgarden their sound is loud and packed with fuzz and distorted guitars. It always amazes me how a duo can sound so big, the total sound far greater than the drum and guitar component. Powerful riffs and deep speaker pounding drum beats drive each track. Wonderful stuff !
A great set, packed with power and energy, and the early crowd got a real treat.
A short break, just enough time for a drink and next up we have Nottingham three piece Syncolima, who are Joshua Morgan (vocals & guitar), Gaz Evans (drums) and Stoff (Bass). Having only formed since the pandemic, Syncolima are well known on the circuit as a great live band.
Syncolima have a sound that is influenced by stoner rock, mixed with elements of grunge, but also some tracks that have a kind of prog/doom metal feel to them. They mix these styles and influences really well, producing some big powerful riffs, thumping bass with catchy chorus’s and intricate melodies.
Some great material, especially Laguna from 2021’s “Where the End Meets the Beginnings” a great stoner rock track, but with some fantastic heavier break sections and harsh vocals, and New Beginnings from their latest 2023 album “Wavelengths” which has a wonderful heavy groovy bass line running through it.
Syncolima are well worth a watch with some crushing stoner riffs but with a groovy edge. Top stuff !
Another quick turnround and its time for Floodhounds to hit the stage. From Sheffield, Floodhounds are Jack Flynn (guitar & vocals) and Lauren Greaves (drums). And in 2022 they were joined by Anna Melidone on bass, (also known as a member of rising Derby band MuddiBrooke).
Floodhounds have played all over the UK both as a headliner and also in support of the likes of Kid Kapichi, and a regular at festivals such as Tramlines and Live at Leeds.
Jack and Co. delivered a cracking set of stomping fuzzy indie guitar, with some savage riffs thrown in for good measure and hook-heavy choruses. Anna’s bass performance is exceptional and overall they are tight as a unit.
The lyrically are catchy, and fit the dark melodic tones perfectly and give their indie rock sound a punk edge. A great set, perhaps the highlights for me were their most recent 2023 singles Quicksand and Psychosemantics which is a melodic but punchy track.
A really diverse group of bands, from grunge to stoner rock and ending on some sublime indie rock, and despite their differences, all three worked really well together to deliver a fine night of live music.
Huge credit to Alpha Pro Creative for putting on the show. Check out their Facebook page for details of more upcoming events at the Hairy Dog.
Tonight is proof positive how, you don’t have to go to an arena for an amazing show, get out there to your local grass roots venue…. There’s some incredible, underrated music out there, that fully deserves a bigger audience.
