Live @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea 5th Jan 2012 - NewReviews.co.uk

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Missing Citizen

Kicking off the evening at Wedgewood-Rooms were the alternative rock foursome from Portsmouth – Missing Citizen. Drummer to the right, guitar and bass taking up the rest of the stage, Daniel Bateman runs onto the stage grabbing a small mega phone after a short introduction straight into their first song.

Each song packed with energetic drumming, deep underlying bass, plenty of mini solos dotted about between melodic guitar work all combined together with soulful/aggressive vocals reminiscent of an Incubus influence. Each song through their set building more and more energy towards the highlight of their performance, a new song unheard by fans – ‘Dead 8′. Starting with a rolling drum beat followed by a few strums from guitar, the new song accelerates straight into full out Missing Citizen style of alternative rock catchyness – not forgetting a whole load of rock poses holding the mic tight with both hands leaning right into the crowd, something unavoidable by a band such as this.

A quick salute to the crowd and a thanks between songs, it was time for their last song. Calls of Chase Chase Chase from the crowd in anticipation of the main act prove everyone’s in the mood and cant wait. The next song starts with a running bass line while Daniel calls for the crowd to clap along. A few drum beats coax everyone to join in and then the best song of their set goes into full swing. Each member gives it their all for the last song including one last visit from the mega phone. A thrash of noise and an attach of strobe lights end their set, the venue was now full and ready for more.

Guilded Child

Next up were Guilded Child, a three piece band made up of two brothers playing bass and lead with a drummer on the side. More colourful and upbeat than the previous band, they started out very promising offering classic sounding guitar pop as an antidote to aggressive alternative rock.

All-though enjoyable, there was an underlying factor stopping the audience and even the band appreciating the music as much as they should have. Either as a mask for nervousness or genuine concern for sound levels, front-man Harry kept asking for the mic and lead guitar to be adjusted which unfortunately seemed to cause a fair share of missed notes and mistakes from bass and lead.

Forgetting any mishaps, this band was a breath of fresh air needed between Missing Citizen and The Chase with fans singing along, dancing about and offering shouts of encouragement. Following suit after Missing Citizen, their seventh song was a new one. So new in fact – they only learnt it that week. Pretty ambitious for a band playing a bit rusty. After an introduction of the band members (Ben on bass, Harry on lead guitar and Dan on drums) ‘Whirlwind’ was pulled off perfectly even including a spotless solo in the middle.

Salvaging their set, the band go straight into their eighth and final song ‘Easy’. Reminding me of a cross between Fratellis and Oasis, I really enjoyed their music and hope this hairy set was a one off and am sure they can pull of a great gig.

The Chase

At last, the crowd is hyped, the lights dim, between a few cheers through the quietly waiting crowd The Chase takes the stage. No introductions needed as the band go straight into their first song. Showing the standard stage placements, drums at the back, guitar and keyboard to the right, bass to the left and front man in the middle, their first song is enough to get the crowd cheering and jumping along.

Playing a mix of originals from their first and new album with the occasional brilliant cover, this band sound fuller, louder and more refined than the first two acts. A couple of years purely covering classic British rock at gigs before their début album ‘Ever, Never or now?’ have obviously rounded and perfected their personal style, and not to mention given them the gift of being able to pull off amazing covers. Since then they’ve been playing at venues from Southampton and Portsmouth all the way up to several London gigs and have just released their new album ‘Slings and Arrows’.

The first eight songs were pretty much what you’d expect – a few older songs and a few newer ones that everyone who’s heard them knows already. After their eighth song they really came into their own racking out some genuinely brilliant tunes. Then they started on the odd cover song ranging from a surprising Goldfrapp cover to a Small Faces song reassuring fans of their influence of classic Brit-Rock.

Then they even pulled out a Saxophone to accompany some great original songs and singles bringing everyone to a massive musical high. After their sixteenth song, The Chase leave the stage to cries of encore from pretty much everyone in the hot, sweaty, beer smelling room. Surprise, surprise. They’re back…. only to cover ‘A town called malice’! Everyone goes mad dancing and singing along with an amazing atmosphere. Their last song of the night brought the mood even higher for fans as they played their newest single ‘You’. They ask their fans to give themselves a round of applause for coming and enjoying themselves, and then The Chase leave the stage for the last time.