Rothco & TV Death / The New Adelphi Club / Hull
We headed north and to Kingston on Hull for a first visit to the New Adelphi Club on De Grey Street. Our first visit to this iconic Hull music venue, celebrating 40 years, they’ve played host to the likes of Green Day, Happy Mondays, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Oasis, Pulp and Radiohead over the years.
First up in support we have local musician Ellie Pollard performing a solo set of acoustic/contemporary Folk. Ellie has an emotive writing style and a raw, powerful vocal style. In fact it’s her vocals that stand out most, rich, textured and with an extensive range, she brings each some to life. Songs such as Barcelona and New Zealand highlights in a stunning set.
Next up we have TV Death from Newcastle, a garage rock band who have built a formidable reputation as a ferocious live act, bolstered by a series of electrifying Eps. Having just launched their debut album “Neon Dreamland” I was keen to see what they were like for myself. Last night they launched their new album with a show in their hometown, supported by Rothco who have the headline slot tonight.
And TV Death certainly doesn’t disappoint. As they blast through a set packed with jagged riffs backed by a swinging rhythm section. Singer-guitarist Jack Burlison is a brilliant frontman with a chaotic and energetic performance, as he attacks every song wildly and energetically moving as he rattles out the band’s politically-oriented lyrics.
TV Death are tight and well structured live, each element complimenting the others, no one part dominating and every track hits the mark, especially tracks like Lease of Life which Jack describes as being “born in the cracks between exhaustion and hope. At the time, I was caught in the grind of a job that left me hollow. Late nights, long commutes, and a growing sense that I was drifting further from any real purpose. Everyone around me seemed to be moving forward, while I felt stuck, quietly rebelling against the idea that your worth is defined by your job."
The new album is a tour de force and TV Death are excellent live. With energy levels off the scale their show is reminiscent of the likes of October Drift.
TV Death delivered an outstanding performance that really hit the mark for the Hull fans. A band made for the stage and one to watch out for.
Hot on the heels of the release of their debut EP “Fools Gold” via Man Demolish Records, Rothco from Hull it the stage in the final, headline slot. I’d not heard of Rothco before but what a surprise was in store for me. Coming together from experiences in a number of local bands such Bunkerpop, Black Ravines, Stuka, Big River, Black Delta Movement, and Bedsit, right from their formation, Rothco have embraced chaos and chemistry, fusing wildly different tastes into something they’ve dubbed “Technicolour New Wave”—a heady blend of experimental grit, theatrical energy, and melodic instinct that resists easy classification.
Rothco ooze with authenticity, their sound is an alluring blend of influences that impresses in its effortless blending of elements from abrasive punk, brooding psychedelic, disco and gothic post-punk.
Highlight of the set for me was their latest single Coming in Hot. Commenting on the single, the band said: “There’s a simple rule for when the going gets tough and the world grows cold: it’s time to light it up and come in hot. Remember that change comes from within, but it doesn’t hurt to give yourself a banging makeover and walk with purpose.”
The performance is an unpredictable rollercoaster ride that can go from 0 – 100 without warning, pulling you in with slow melodies, building to a mix of dark effects driven tones, and then bursting into a cacophonous crescendo of noise. It really is a wild ride, and reminiscent of recently seeing Erotic Secrets of Pompeii.
Rothco certainly stand out from the ordinary. Fool’s Gold, the title track and lead single from their EP has a brilliant grungy riff that dominates the opening bars that certainly makes a statement, before the rumbling bass and drums build and make their presence felt. Vocalist Josh is stunning in his ‘Joseph’s Technicolour Paisley pattern dream-suit’ delivers a dystopian, king of all he surveys performance.
From start to finish Rothco are mesmerising. A real treat and a band, along with TV Death I will look out for, to see again…. As soon as possible.
