'Raw emotion' for WfW finale
Published on 1st November 2007 in Ents
The last Worse for Wear gig of the year takes place tonight, November 1, and will feature The Neat.
Coming together a little over a year ago and forming a Lincoln-Hull union, The Neat, who are Nick, (guitars/vocal), Mez (bass/vox), Loz (guitar), Rich (drums), set about making the kind of music they wanted to with no barriers or expectations and it just happened to grow into frenetic punk that perfectly crystallises in barely three minutes.
Guitarist Loz said: "We play it fast and chaotic. We're not the tightest band in the world but that doesn't really bother us."
"You've got to have chaos," said Nick. "It's all about the energy and getting everyone into it - if there's no energy in the crowd then you wonder what you're doing there."
This chaos they speak of really is the essence of their live shows - frantic energy spills over and infects the crowd as they leap around commanding the stage with the overconfident swagger of youth.
The band are at their best in smaller DIY venues. Yes it's been done before but seeing it done with such passion and belief really does rally the old excitement.
The nailing factor, however, and what makes The Neat stand out above all the other groups of boys making hectic noise with guitars is the songs - basically they're damn good.
Nick said: "Our inspirations are just pretty much first wave British and American Punk, like the Pistols. It's the energy of punk that's great. You just bosh it out and have done with it. It's like raw emotion."
Punk it is indeed - short sharp bursts of ratcheted guitars over a pounding rhythm section. Nothing too fancy, just pretty punk.
Loz explains how the magic happens. "Generally, we just start with a bass line, throw some chords at it and then it's done," he said. "The songs aren't that complicated really. We never take too much time on things really. If they don't work we scrap 'em. If it starts sounding like pub rock or anything it goes in the bin. There's no solos or anything 'cos we're not exactly good on our instruments."
Local hero John Andrew worked with them on their first demo, which features the ludicrously catchy 'White Boy' and raucous 'Control' and they are eager to get back in the studio.
Loz said: "We really liked what John did with it and what he got out of us. It's helped us loads.
"Vocal duties are shared by both the guitarist and bassist which keeps things interesting when watching the band. It almost feels like watching a giant 80s magnetic ball desk toys as the energy is smacked back and forth."
Their recommendation by Radio Humberside's Raw Talent for the Unsigned stage at Leeds Festival this year left them feeling bemused but thrilled.
If you like your music honest and in your face with the kind of kinetic energy that almost sets the backdrop alight then The Neat are the band for you.
Check out www.myspace.com/upthebeat for more information.
The Neat will be joined by headliners The Drain Pipes and The beaus.
Worse for Wear takes place tonight at The Vikings, at 7pm.
Advance tickets are £3 and are available from the Goole Times office, 102 Boothferry Road, The Vikings or by calling 07809 202964.