The Rupture Dogs, Colly Strings, Gascan Ruckus
Speakeasy (QUBSU), Belfast
Thursday, 30th September, 2010
Coming onstage, looking barely old enough to order a drink in the student's union, it comes as a bit of a surprise that open the first Radar of the semester in quite the manner that they do. It's an abrasive stream of hard rock muddled with a touch of ska and a sand paper rasp of a vocal, and anyone who attempts to crowd surf this early in the evening - as the bassist does - should be commended for their enthusiasm at the very least.
Despite a lengthy list of influences from Frightened Rabbit to the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and taking their name from a Manchester Orchestra song, somehow manage to be none of these things. Falling somewhere in between indie and slightly anthemic emo - check out We're Built To Break - they're certainly well rehearsed and very earnest for such a new band. But while being accomplished and well meaning is one thing, being cocky is a very different matter indeed. It's very over zealous to expect a gushing, end of set sing-a-long when you're a rookie on the scene, and despite their best efforts, this attempt falls a little flat.
So, now that the kids have cleared off, it's time for some proper rock n'roll from Newcastle. And thrashing, gut churning stuff it is too - are a great example of how to make proper heady rock with a complete disregard for what anyone dares to think. Which, of course, is the way it should be: Rupture gnashes its way through the melody and rips through your head with intense, dark fire. "We will not die," snarls Allen McGreevy at the end. It's true - The Rupture Dogs are no-where near their end yet.
Aoife McKeown
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